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Thursday, December 30, 2021

Exploring Prague: A Traveler's Guide


Figure 1.  View of Castle District from Old Town (or Staré Mesto)

Getting Around


Central Prague is easily managed on foot (though be sure to wear comfortable shoes). For longer trips, the city has a reliable public-transport system of metros, trams and buses. The system is integrated, meaning that the same tickets are valid on all types of transport, and for transfers between them.[2]
  • Walking 
    • Central Prague is compact, and individual neighborhoods are easily explored on foot.
  • Tram 
    • Extensive network; best way to get around shorter distances between neighborhoods.
  • Metro 
    • Fast and frequent, good for visiting outlying areas or covering longer distances.
  • Bus 
    • Not much use in the city center, except when travelling to/from the airport; operates in areas not covered by tram or metro.
  • Taxi 
    • Relatively cheap but prone to rip-off drivers.
Prague Integrated Transport (PID) is an integrated public transport system including metro, tramways, railways, city bus and coach services, river boat services, the Petřín funicular and park and ride services.
  • Same ticket
    • The system uses the same tickets as the metro and metro rides can be combined with rides on both trams and buses, provided the ticket is still valid.
  • Operating Hours
    • Trams and buses run from around 5am to midnight daily.
  • Ticket & Pass 
    • A valid ticket or day pass is required for travel on all metros, trams and buses. 
      • You must validate (punch) your ticket before descending on the metro escalators or on entering a tram or bus (day passes must be stamped the first time you use them).
      • For the metro, you’ll see stamping machines at the top of the escalators. In trams and buses there will be a stamping machine in the vehicle by the door.
    • Tickets and passes are sold from machines at metro stations and some tram stops (coins only), as well as at newspaper kiosks and DPP information offices at the Můstek, Anděl, Hradčanská and Nádraží Veleslavín stations.
    • Day passes are available for 1 or 3 days and make sense if you're planning on staying more than a few hours
  • Key Tram Routes
    • No 22—The classic tram line that climbs to Prague Castle from Malá Strana, though you can board it in Vinohrady, at Národní třídá, or Národní Divadlo (National Theatre) too.
    • No 9—One of Prague's busiest cross-city tram routes, linking Žižkov, the main train station, Wenceslas Square, the National Theatre and Smíchov. Transfer to line No 22 at Národní třídá, Národní Divadlo or Újezd.
 
Figure 2.  Prague Tram Map (downloaded form pid)

Charles Bridge


Landmark stone bridge linking Prague's Old & New Towns, with street artists & entertainers:
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the bridge is 516 meters (1,693 ft.) long and nearly 10 meters (33 ft.) wide. It was built as a bow bridge with 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by three bridge towers, two on the Lesser Quarter side (including the Malá Strana Bridge Tower) and one on the Old Town side, the Old Town Bridge Tower. 
The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, most of them baroque-style, originally erected around 1700, but now all have been replaced by replicas.

 

Video 1.  TOP 10 Things to do in PRAGUE (YouTube link)

Old Town


Old Town (or Staré Mesto) is a lively cobblestoned hub with landmark attractions such as the medieval Astronomical Clock and the Gothic Church of Our Lady Before Týn, on Old Town Square. The Rudolfinum concert hall hosts classical music, while the Estates Theatre stages ballet and opera. Student nightlife is centered around the vast 5-story Karlovy Lázně dance club.
  • Oldest square in the historic center with 10th-century origins
  • Site of many Gothic buildings

Old Town Square

Old Town Hall (Staromestska radnice)
  • 14th-century old town hall
  • Renowned for its observation tower and intricate astronomical clock
    • Hourly procession of apostles and allegorical figures on the famous 600-year-old astronomical clock 

Estates Theatre
  • Continuously running since 1783
  • An elegant theater presenting opera, ballet & dramatic works
Figure 3.  Pražský hrad (Tram 22 stop) to Prague Castle main entrance (Second courtyard)

Castle District (Hradčany)


Castle District in Prague is a tourist attraction, and the largest ancient castle complex in the world. An amble through this picturesque hilltop town-within-atown provides breathtaking views of the river and the Gothic-style Charles Bridge.  

To learn more, read the companion article:
Video 2.  Prague (Rick Steves' Europe; YouTube link)

References

  1. Flixbus.com (for long distance)
  2. Lonely Planet
  3. Prague Boats
  4. Prague Steam Boats
  5. Prague Historical River Cruise (45 mins)
  6. pid.cz (important)
  7. maps (link)
  8. Prague Walking Tour (link; Google Maps)
  9. The Essential Guide to Prague's Bridges
  10. A Local Photographer's Ultimate Guide to Prague (good)
  11. 16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in the Czech Republic (good)
  12. Things to know BEFORE you go to PRAGUE (YouTube video)
  13. TOP 10 Things to do in PRAGUE (YouTube video)
    1. Prague Castle
    2. Petrin Tower—378m cast-iron tower (taller than the Eiffel Tower) with deck for city views
    3. Klementinum—Mirror Chapel & Baroque Library
    4. Wenceslas Square (New Town)
    5. Alchemy
    6. Vyšehrad—a popular sunset vantage point with hilltop views over the city and Prague Castle
    7. Manisfesto Market Florenc
    8. Charles Bridge
    9. Jewish Square
    10. Old Town Square
  14. Corinthia Praque Hotel (breakfast buffet)
  15. Prague Florenc Bus Station (Regiojet to Karlovy Vary)
  16. Prague public transport (dpp.cz)
  17. Prague Integrated Transport - PID
    • Information about public transport in Prague and surroundings. Tickets, fare information and travel tips for Prague integrated transport.
  18. Prague.eu The Official Tourist Website for Prague
  19. Prague Pickpockets and Other Crime - My Czech Republic
    • Be careful on Wenceslas Square. It is usually packed with tourists and the crowds make things easy for pickpockets.
  20. Czech Travel—How Safe is Prague for Tourists
  21. Money, Costs and Budget in Prague (11/24/2015)
  22. Dollar to Czech Koruny currency exchange rate (xe.com)
  23. From Prague Airport to the City Center: 3 Best Ways to Get There
  24. Transport to and from the Airport Airport Express (AE; 40 mins to Main Railway Station)
  25. 10 Things to Czech out on your vacation in Prague
    • The Astronomical Clock, The Charles Bridge, The Prague Castle, The Beer Bike, The Bone Church, The Absintherie, The Bohemia Jazz Fest, David Černý’s Prague Sculptures, The Cross Club, Letni Letna
  26. Tipping in Prague: Who to Tip & How Much
    • As a general rule, always remember that, except for restaurants and cafés, tips aren't expected in Prague – tip at your discretion, and always factor in the quality of service. When in doubt, round up to the next hundred Koruna, or tip somewhere between five and 10 percent of your final bill.
  27. Refund of value added tax to a foreign natural person paid in the price of goods purchased in the Czech Republic
  28. Prague Castle Tickets Price – Everything you Need to Know
  29. Tram and Metro in Prague (pdf)
  30. Natureza Vegetarian House
  31. Ticket and Prices (pid.cz)
  32. Prague Travel—Foods and Drinks
  33. 4 Best Ways to Get From Prague Airport to the City Center (Old Town) in 2022
    • Airport Express—Tickets cost 100 CZK for adults and you can buy them at the terminal or directly from the bus driver.
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