CZ · Travel guide
Czechia
Restaurants and pubs may stay open later than their kitchens. If you want a full evening meal, do not assume food will still be served simply because the venue is open; in many places the kitchen closes earlier, particularly outside the busiest tourist areas.
Quick facts
- Currency
- CZK
- Main language
- Czech
- Calling code
- +420
- Driving side
- right
- Plug types
- Type C, Type E
Power
230 V · 50 Hz
Tipping
Tipping is customary for good service in Czechia but is generally modest.
- Restaurants: around 10 per cent is common when you are happy with the service.
- Cafes and bars: rounding up or leaving a small amount is sufficient.
- Taxis: rounding up or adding a modest tip is normal but not compulsory.
When paying a restaurant bill, say the total amount you want to pay rather than automatically expecting change and then leaving it on the table.
Getting around
Czechia has a dense rail and bus network and strong public transport in larger cities, so a car is unnecessary for many itineraries. Driving becomes more useful for rural areas and destinations away from main transport routes.
Trains and buses
Intercity and regional trains connect most major destinations, with buses covering smaller towns and routes where rail is indirect. Several rail operators run services, so compare journey times and ticket conditions rather than assuming every train is operated by the same company.
Validate local tickets
City transport ticket rules vary, but paper tickets often need to be validated when you start travelling. An unvalidated ticket can be treated the same as having no valid ticket.
Apps can remove some of this uncertainty, but check activation rules before boarding.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Use clearly identified taxis or book through an app rather than accepting an unmarked street offer. Uber and Bolt operate in major Czech cities and are useful for seeing the expected fare and journey details before travelling.
Availability is strongest in Prague and other larger cities.
Motorway vignette
Cars using tolled Czech motorways normally need an electronic vignette. Buy it only through the official eDalnice service or authorised sellers; unofficial websites may add significant fees.
Check that the registration number and validity dates are correct before driving onto a tolled motorway.