S
sueellen
Guest
Anyone recommend centrally located hotels in Prague? Thanks
C
chickey
Guest
Re: Hotels in Prague?
Stayed in Hotel St. George - as part of a package - it was quite good and also central
Stayed in Hotel St. George - as part of a package - it was quite good and also central
N
N3000
Guest
Re: Hotels in Prague?
The Pariz Hotel is well located & very elegant. - bit on the pricy side though.
The Pariz Hotel is well located & very elegant. - bit on the pricy side though.
Re: Hotels in Prague?
Hotel Esplanade up the top of hill on Wenceslas Square and turn left. Nice place. No idea of cost because thankfully somebody else was paying!
Hotel Esplanade up the top of hill on Wenceslas Square and turn left. Nice place. No idea of cost because thankfully somebody else was paying!
pension avalon 2
this is a private appartment it cost me to rent it between for of us 400 euro for seven nights which is very good
have stayed there twice it is 2 minutes walk from old town square.
also pension albert it is cheaper but a little bit out
(5 mins on tram 18)
any other question about prague love to help been 5 times
ronan
Edited by ClubMan to remove extraneous .
this is a private appartment it cost me to rent it between for of us 400 euro for seven nights which is very good
have stayed there twice it is 2 minutes walk from old town square.
also pension albert it is cheaper but a little bit out
(5 mins on tram 18)
any other question about prague love to help been 5 times
ronan
Edited by ClubMan to remove extraneous .
M
Marion
Guest
Re: >>Hotels in Prague?
These posts were submitted by the following posters:
Flake
Any pointers for trip to Prague Going to Prague for weekend in couple of weeks. Any suggestions for things to do,places to eat. What is the climate like?!
ClubMan
I was there around Christmas so I'm not sure what it's like this time of year but, being an inland central European city, I'd imagine it's hot! You will have plenty to see/do over a few days there. You should definitely have an aimless wander around the city, see the Charles bridge/Karluv most, the Castle including St. Vitus' Cathedral, the Jewish quarter, the Franz Kafka museum perhaps, the various squares etc. There are often intimate concerts/recitals on offer particularly around the Castle area which offer an interesting diversion or you could go more formal and take a trip to the Opera. Alternatively (and more to my own personal tastes ) you could visit Sparta Prague's or Bohemian Prague's football grounds or take in a match if possible! You'll probably spot Sparta's ground on the way in from the airport. Check out the kangaroo on the Bohemian crest and see if you can find out the story behind it.
I found Wenceslas Square (actually a big long and wide boulevard as it happens) a bit of a tacky kip and simply like a much bigger version of O'Connell Street but the rest of the city is generally very picturesque. Steer clear of some of the dodgier casinos and nightclubs which may still be criminal/mafia controlled (would never happen here in Ireland, eh!? ).
I'd recommend a place called the Bam Bar as a small, chilled out, friendly, local place to have a drink or a snack (can't remember the street name but it's a little off the beaten track and not in one of the obvious tourist spots). Lots of different types of places to eat - some of which concentrate as much on quantity as quality! There's good value to be had on jewellery and lead crystal (blown and/or cut).
Bring your passport with you if making large purchases as some stores will insist on seeing it to complete the tax back form which you can present at the customs/tax back desk in the airport (which can be an interesting experience in itself depending on the humour of the customs guards in attendance!). Try a Bekerovka or Absinth for a change or for the craic!
Get a copy of the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet guide books before you go. Obviously Google has oodles of information too. Hope this helps.
Elcato
Look out for the taxis. Get a price before you get in or better still avoid them. The underground is dirt cheap.
Nolant
enjoy your trip to prague. beautiful city with spectacular roof top views from the palace area. lots of concerts in the evenings, you could fit in one at 6pm and a further one at 8pm. watch out for the exchange touts they will offer you great exchange rate for your money but after you remove the first note the remaining ones may be counterfiet. enjot your trip willow
InfoSeeker
I went to Prague last month for 5 days. Did the tourist things referred to above. Also went to Terrazin, a holding camp in WW2, sounds despressing but had a good guide and found it very interesting.There are concerts everywhere, went to one in the Baroque Library Hall and it was excellent.
Eating out was fantasic and very good value for money, have heard all the stories about meals for 3 euro, etc but in relation to Ireland, the quality is better and 20 euros per person would bet u a 4 course meal with drinks included. Weather was excellent in July, checks sites for details before leaving.Stayed in hotel in Namesti Republic and walked to all the tourist spots. Subway is the best way to get around if you don't fancy walking but it is also the where organised groups do their robbing. Had a friend who put a wad of flyers into his pocket and by the time he got off at his stop, they were gone....whilst I was there I saw nothing untoward and found the city very safe but one of the group to Terrazin did get robbed on the underground. Enjoy the trip, it is a beautiful city.
Joe Nonety
I was there after the flooding (i.e. September) and thought it was brilliant - sunshine and temperatures in the mid 20's everyday. Also, because of the flooding there was hardly any tourists around. I was the only one on Charles' bridge when I was crossing it. It was very safe when I was there but that might have had something to do with the army being mobilised.
Found the Lonely Planet guide very good as a guide for food and sights. There's a new Lonely planet guide out now, so don't know what that is like. Get a fold up street map when you go over there as that'll give you all the tram routes. Combining that with the underground and you'll never need to use a taxi. A 4 course meal for 2 people including wine was 15 euro.
I thought Wenceslas Square was one of the nicest of the city centre main streets I've been in. Compare it to Dublin's O'Connell street or London or Paris and you'll see why. One con that was tried on me was a stall worker counting out the change very slowly to me, so that when he paused I might think I had all the change and walk off, while the bulk of the change would still be in his hand.The women out there are something else - you could open clams with their cheekbones!The miniature eiffel tower is a must for the best view of the city. The local beer is delicious e.g. budvar, from which budweiser was derived.
tro
I was there in May, very safe I tough, I found the small local pubs and restraunts off ther main square excellent, don't go to the ones in the square - they rip you off, especially the english/irish ones, over I thought it was a beautiful place ..
These posts were submitted by the following posters:
Flake
Any pointers for trip to Prague Going to Prague for weekend in couple of weeks. Any suggestions for things to do,places to eat. What is the climate like?!
ClubMan
I was there around Christmas so I'm not sure what it's like this time of year but, being an inland central European city, I'd imagine it's hot! You will have plenty to see/do over a few days there. You should definitely have an aimless wander around the city, see the Charles bridge/Karluv most, the Castle including St. Vitus' Cathedral, the Jewish quarter, the Franz Kafka museum perhaps, the various squares etc. There are often intimate concerts/recitals on offer particularly around the Castle area which offer an interesting diversion or you could go more formal and take a trip to the Opera. Alternatively (and more to my own personal tastes ) you could visit Sparta Prague's or Bohemian Prague's football grounds or take in a match if possible! You'll probably spot Sparta's ground on the way in from the airport. Check out the kangaroo on the Bohemian crest and see if you can find out the story behind it.
I found Wenceslas Square (actually a big long and wide boulevard as it happens) a bit of a tacky kip and simply like a much bigger version of O'Connell Street but the rest of the city is generally very picturesque. Steer clear of some of the dodgier casinos and nightclubs which may still be criminal/mafia controlled (would never happen here in Ireland, eh!? ).
I'd recommend a place called the Bam Bar as a small, chilled out, friendly, local place to have a drink or a snack (can't remember the street name but it's a little off the beaten track and not in one of the obvious tourist spots). Lots of different types of places to eat - some of which concentrate as much on quantity as quality! There's good value to be had on jewellery and lead crystal (blown and/or cut).
Bring your passport with you if making large purchases as some stores will insist on seeing it to complete the tax back form which you can present at the customs/tax back desk in the airport (which can be an interesting experience in itself depending on the humour of the customs guards in attendance!). Try a Bekerovka or Absinth for a change or for the craic!
Get a copy of the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet guide books before you go. Obviously Google has oodles of information too. Hope this helps.
Elcato
Look out for the taxis. Get a price before you get in or better still avoid them. The underground is dirt cheap.
Nolant
enjoy your trip to prague. beautiful city with spectacular roof top views from the palace area. lots of concerts in the evenings, you could fit in one at 6pm and a further one at 8pm. watch out for the exchange touts they will offer you great exchange rate for your money but after you remove the first note the remaining ones may be counterfiet. enjot your trip willow
InfoSeeker
I went to Prague last month for 5 days. Did the tourist things referred to above. Also went to Terrazin, a holding camp in WW2, sounds despressing but had a good guide and found it very interesting.There are concerts everywhere, went to one in the Baroque Library Hall and it was excellent.
Eating out was fantasic and very good value for money, have heard all the stories about meals for 3 euro, etc but in relation to Ireland, the quality is better and 20 euros per person would bet u a 4 course meal with drinks included. Weather was excellent in July, checks sites for details before leaving.Stayed in hotel in Namesti Republic and walked to all the tourist spots. Subway is the best way to get around if you don't fancy walking but it is also the where organised groups do their robbing. Had a friend who put a wad of flyers into his pocket and by the time he got off at his stop, they were gone....whilst I was there I saw nothing untoward and found the city very safe but one of the group to Terrazin did get robbed on the underground. Enjoy the trip, it is a beautiful city.
Joe Nonety
I was there after the flooding (i.e. September) and thought it was brilliant - sunshine and temperatures in the mid 20's everyday. Also, because of the flooding there was hardly any tourists around. I was the only one on Charles' bridge when I was crossing it. It was very safe when I was there but that might have had something to do with the army being mobilised.
Found the Lonely Planet guide very good as a guide for food and sights. There's a new Lonely planet guide out now, so don't know what that is like. Get a fold up street map when you go over there as that'll give you all the tram routes. Combining that with the underground and you'll never need to use a taxi. A 4 course meal for 2 people including wine was 15 euro.
I thought Wenceslas Square was one of the nicest of the city centre main streets I've been in. Compare it to Dublin's O'Connell street or London or Paris and you'll see why. One con that was tried on me was a stall worker counting out the change very slowly to me, so that when he paused I might think I had all the change and walk off, while the bulk of the change would still be in his hand.The women out there are something else - you could open clams with their cheekbones!The miniature eiffel tower is a must for the best view of the city. The local beer is delicious e.g. budvar, from which budweiser was derived.
tro
I was there in May, very safe I tough, I found the small local pubs and restraunts off ther main square excellent, don't go to the ones in the square - they rip you off, especially the english/irish ones, over I thought it was a beautiful place ..
S
sueellen
Guest
Re: >>Hotels in Prague?
Some other posts
puntingpot
Registered User
Prague-
Any recommendations for a weekend ? Close to city centre and reasonably priced.
There is a good selection on the net but it is difficult to gauge. Would rather hear first hand experience.Prices are ranging from 60-120 euro for a double room per night incl breakfast.
Do they take Euro ? Having trouble getting CZK because of Brinks dispute. Is it possible to withdraw from an ATM in prague?
Any recommendations on Restaurants or Pubs ?
EvilDoctorK
Re: Prague
No problem whatsoever to withdraw Czech cash from a local ATM using your ATM/Credit card .. this is the best way to do it. Don't bring wads of cash with you ... Prague isn't excessively dangerous but like any other big tourist destination you need to be a little careful.
Be careful of Taxis in Prague .. plently of scammers around. When you arrive at the airport there's a bus that takes you to the Metro station (the Metro only goes about 1/2 way from Town to the airport) .. this is very cheap and very little hassle.
Diziet
Re: Prague
I was in Prague earlier this summer. There are ATMs in the airport, so I just took some money out using my bank card (make sure it has the Cirrus sign at the back). You can also use a credit card and PIN - preload your credit card account before leaving in order to avoid charges.
Exchange places can be variables, and are soemtimes a rip-off. The ATM is much better.
To get into town, we took the 119 bus to Dev**(something or other, I forget!). There is a little booth by the rightmost exit of the airport which sells public transport tickets, which are very cheap. Make sure you use the public transport, not the airport minibus which is much pricier. Once at the bus terminal at Dev** you are on the underground network, about three stops into the city centre. The bus ticket covers you for that trip also.
Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness guide book is excellent.
Have a good trip,
Diziet
aine
Prague
You might be interested in this link [broken link removed] to a website hosted by an English man living in Prague. He gives lots of useful information about transport, accommodation, restaurants etc.
bengy
Prague
Have a wonderful time in Prague. We enjoyed hols there last year. Be careful there are smart boys there selling counterfeit notes at great prices. The top of the bundle is legit but the centre contains Bulgarian or other obselete ones. Dont take a chance. Willow
puntingpot
Registered User
Re: Prague
Thank you all very much for the replies, got some very good info.
PMU
Registered User
Re: Hotel in Prague
Last year I stayed in the Hotel Pyramida, a standard modern tourist class hotel (although they say it’s 4 stars) on the hill behind Prague Castle, close to the Loretta. Dirt cheap rates in the off season. No complaints, and it was recommended to me by a colleague from Prague. You can get a tram (no 22) outside and be in town in less than 10 mins. Or you can walk in, and on a dark night imagine Mozart staggering along beside you.
Some other posts
puntingpot
Registered User
Prague-
Any recommendations for a weekend ? Close to city centre and reasonably priced.
There is a good selection on the net but it is difficult to gauge. Would rather hear first hand experience.Prices are ranging from 60-120 euro for a double room per night incl breakfast.
Do they take Euro ? Having trouble getting CZK because of Brinks dispute. Is it possible to withdraw from an ATM in prague?
Any recommendations on Restaurants or Pubs ?
EvilDoctorK
Re: Prague
No problem whatsoever to withdraw Czech cash from a local ATM using your ATM/Credit card .. this is the best way to do it. Don't bring wads of cash with you ... Prague isn't excessively dangerous but like any other big tourist destination you need to be a little careful.
Be careful of Taxis in Prague .. plently of scammers around. When you arrive at the airport there's a bus that takes you to the Metro station (the Metro only goes about 1/2 way from Town to the airport) .. this is very cheap and very little hassle.
Diziet
Re: Prague
I was in Prague earlier this summer. There are ATMs in the airport, so I just took some money out using my bank card (make sure it has the Cirrus sign at the back). You can also use a credit card and PIN - preload your credit card account before leaving in order to avoid charges.
Exchange places can be variables, and are soemtimes a rip-off. The ATM is much better.
To get into town, we took the 119 bus to Dev**(something or other, I forget!). There is a little booth by the rightmost exit of the airport which sells public transport tickets, which are very cheap. Make sure you use the public transport, not the airport minibus which is much pricier. Once at the bus terminal at Dev** you are on the underground network, about three stops into the city centre. The bus ticket covers you for that trip also.
Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness guide book is excellent.
Have a good trip,
Diziet
aine
Prague
You might be interested in this link [broken link removed] to a website hosted by an English man living in Prague. He gives lots of useful information about transport, accommodation, restaurants etc.
bengy
Prague
Have a wonderful time in Prague. We enjoyed hols there last year. Be careful there are smart boys there selling counterfeit notes at great prices. The top of the bundle is legit but the centre contains Bulgarian or other obselete ones. Dont take a chance. Willow
puntingpot
Registered User
Re: Prague
Thank you all very much for the replies, got some very good info.
PMU
Registered User
Re: Hotel in Prague
Last year I stayed in the Hotel Pyramida, a standard modern tourist class hotel (although they say it’s 4 stars) on the hill behind Prague Castle, close to the Loretta. Dirt cheap rates in the off season. No complaints, and it was recommended to me by a colleague from Prague. You can get a tram (no 22) outside and be in town in less than 10 mins. Or you can walk in, and on a dark night imagine Mozart staggering along beside you.
S
sueellen
Guest
Some other posts
WaterWater
Prague airport to city centre made easy.
I know that this has been sort of answered before but could someone give me a step by step guide as to how I can get from the airport in to the city centre. Switching from bus to metro sounds intimidating and the taxis sound like they are run by ripoff merchants. Can I pay in Euro? Can I change Euro at the airport?
Diziet
Prague airport to city centre made easy.
We did this a couple of months ago (with 2 kids!). There are ATM near the airpost exits where you can take out money in local currency using your bank (Cirrus) card ot your credit card. Then you can go to the booth by the rightmost exit which sells tickets for the bus/metro. A combine. ticket for the day is 12kcz (about 50c). By your tickets, then go to the bus stop just outside and take the 119 bus to Devszinca (spelling might not be right!). At the end of the route is the metro station, pnly 3 stops from the centre. Can't miss it, and taking the metro is not intimidating at all. It is bright, clean, cheap and well signposted.
There is also an information booth in the airport near the ATMs and ticket booth that will give you details.
I felt a little intimidated too while planning this and almost got a taxi. But it was actually very straightforward and saved a packet!
cheers,
Diziet
EvilDoctorK
It's really easy
Agree with Diziet on this one ... really you can't go wrong.
Just buy your tickets from the booth .. I think you can also buy them from the newsagents in the arrivals hall.. then go out to the bus stop.
The 119 Bus runs from the airport to the metro station Dejvicka metro .. the Metro is the last stop (so you can't miss it). The bus stops right outside the entrance to the metro -you literally get off the bus and go straight down the stairs into the station .. the metro station is at the end of the line (so you can't get on a train going the wrong direction).
As far as I know it's this or a taxi .. there's no other option really.
Edited to add ... actually a bit of googling found this .. www.aas.cz/cedaz/default_e.htm ... might be an option... though I've no personal experience of it.
euroDilbert
Frequent poster
Re: It's really easy
I used the minibus (cedaz) service. Worked fine, no problems.
I intended to use it on the way back as well, but a taxi-driver offered almost the same price (based on 4 of us), so we did that instead. (Otherwise avoided taxis completely - both because of their poor reputation and because it was possible to easily walk to all the main tourist spots).
WaterWater
Local currency.
I know it's hard to believe but I don't have an ATM card. So I will be stuck at the airport. Is there some way of getting local currency or do they accept the Euro?
puntingpot
Re: Local currency.
Exchange your ccy over there. I changed 45 euro at the airport because none of the banks local to me had CZK. It cost me 3.35 in commission and a rate of 30.41. Better Rates with no commission in prague. Best rate I found was 31.91 although I used ATM and it cost me 1.40 in commission although rate was 32 something
You will need 12kc per person for the 119 bus and tram. Ask at ticket booth for what tram you need or use the Metro. We used tram and found it excellent.119 takes about 20mins to get to Devcijka and it was a further 15/20 mins to get to Charles bridge on the no. 20 tram. It is easy and user friendly.
EvilDoctorK
Re: Local currency.
WaterWater
- Now might be a good time to think about getting an ATM card when abroad it makes life a lot easier for sure
- If you don't want to do that try your local bank .. they might be able to order in a bit of Czech currency for you if you give them a few days - worth asking anyway I think most of them can do this (otherwise as said above Bank of Ireland will probably have a bit of it at Dublin Airport.. though you'll pay for that privilege ) ... The rate won't be great but it won't be any worse that you get in Prague Airport and you'll have the comfort of having it with you (though don't change all your money in to czech cash and carry it with you .. if you wont have an ATM card probably better to bring € travellers cheques rather than €/czech cash)
WaterWater
Metro Stop?
Where does the metro stop? I hope to have a hotel near Wencelas Sq/Charles bridge area?
Tall Chapy
Frequent poster
Airport Info
I find this great for airport info.
www.toandfrom.org/airport/europe.html
EvilDoctorK
Re: Airport Info
Prague Metro Map here - you'll be on the Green line coming in from the Airport
[broken link removed]
The train stops at either end of Wenceslas Square (which is more of a long wide street than a square really)... Mustek station is at the norther end and Muzeum at the southern end ... For the Charles Bridge the station Staromesteska is pretty close to the East End of it and Malostranska pretty close to the Western end.
WaterWater
Prague airport to city centre made easy.
I know that this has been sort of answered before but could someone give me a step by step guide as to how I can get from the airport in to the city centre. Switching from bus to metro sounds intimidating and the taxis sound like they are run by ripoff merchants. Can I pay in Euro? Can I change Euro at the airport?
Diziet
Prague airport to city centre made easy.
We did this a couple of months ago (with 2 kids!). There are ATM near the airpost exits where you can take out money in local currency using your bank (Cirrus) card ot your credit card. Then you can go to the booth by the rightmost exit which sells tickets for the bus/metro. A combine. ticket for the day is 12kcz (about 50c). By your tickets, then go to the bus stop just outside and take the 119 bus to Devszinca (spelling might not be right!). At the end of the route is the metro station, pnly 3 stops from the centre. Can't miss it, and taking the metro is not intimidating at all. It is bright, clean, cheap and well signposted.
There is also an information booth in the airport near the ATMs and ticket booth that will give you details.
I felt a little intimidated too while planning this and almost got a taxi. But it was actually very straightforward and saved a packet!
cheers,
Diziet
EvilDoctorK
It's really easy
Agree with Diziet on this one ... really you can't go wrong.
Just buy your tickets from the booth .. I think you can also buy them from the newsagents in the arrivals hall.. then go out to the bus stop.
The 119 Bus runs from the airport to the metro station Dejvicka metro .. the Metro is the last stop (so you can't miss it). The bus stops right outside the entrance to the metro -you literally get off the bus and go straight down the stairs into the station .. the metro station is at the end of the line (so you can't get on a train going the wrong direction).
As far as I know it's this or a taxi .. there's no other option really.
Edited to add ... actually a bit of googling found this .. www.aas.cz/cedaz/default_e.htm ... might be an option... though I've no personal experience of it.
euroDilbert
Frequent poster
Re: It's really easy
I used the minibus (cedaz) service. Worked fine, no problems.
I intended to use it on the way back as well, but a taxi-driver offered almost the same price (based on 4 of us), so we did that instead. (Otherwise avoided taxis completely - both because of their poor reputation and because it was possible to easily walk to all the main tourist spots).
WaterWater
Local currency.
I know it's hard to believe but I don't have an ATM card. So I will be stuck at the airport. Is there some way of getting local currency or do they accept the Euro?
puntingpot
Re: Local currency.
Exchange your ccy over there. I changed 45 euro at the airport because none of the banks local to me had CZK. It cost me 3.35 in commission and a rate of 30.41. Better Rates with no commission in prague. Best rate I found was 31.91 although I used ATM and it cost me 1.40 in commission although rate was 32 something
You will need 12kc per person for the 119 bus and tram. Ask at ticket booth for what tram you need or use the Metro. We used tram and found it excellent.119 takes about 20mins to get to Devcijka and it was a further 15/20 mins to get to Charles bridge on the no. 20 tram. It is easy and user friendly.
EvilDoctorK
Re: Local currency.
WaterWater
- Now might be a good time to think about getting an ATM card when abroad it makes life a lot easier for sure
- If you don't want to do that try your local bank .. they might be able to order in a bit of Czech currency for you if you give them a few days - worth asking anyway I think most of them can do this (otherwise as said above Bank of Ireland will probably have a bit of it at Dublin Airport.. though you'll pay for that privilege ) ... The rate won't be great but it won't be any worse that you get in Prague Airport and you'll have the comfort of having it with you (though don't change all your money in to czech cash and carry it with you .. if you wont have an ATM card probably better to bring € travellers cheques rather than €/czech cash)
WaterWater
Metro Stop?
Where does the metro stop? I hope to have a hotel near Wencelas Sq/Charles bridge area?
Tall Chapy
Frequent poster
Airport Info
I find this great for airport info.
www.toandfrom.org/airport/europe.html
EvilDoctorK
Re: Airport Info
Prague Metro Map here - you'll be on the Green line coming in from the Airport
[broken link removed]
The train stops at either end of Wenceslas Square (which is more of a long wide street than a square really)... Mustek station is at the norther end and Muzeum at the southern end ... For the Charles Bridge the station Staromesteska is pretty close to the East End of it and Malostranska pretty close to the Western end.
N
N0elC
Guest
Re: >>Hotels in Prague?
[broken link removed] is quite a good guide.
[broken link removed] is quite a good guide.
E
efm1
Guest
For anyone interested -
There are two fab opera houses in Prague - The Estates Theater and the National Theater
Very easy to book online - [broken link removed]
efm
Edited by sueellen to fix link
There are two fab opera houses in Prague - The Estates Theater and the National Theater
Very easy to book online - [broken link removed]
efm
Edited by sueellen to fix link