Travel Summary
- SkyEurope Airlines has today (Tuesday 1 September) announced the cancellation of all its European flights for the foreseeable future due to bankruptcy. Travellers that booked directly with the airline are unlikely to get a refund and should make enquiries with alternative carriers. Travellers that booked with a credit card may be able to get a refund at a later date, and should make enquiries with alternative carriers. Travellers that booked via a tour operator should contact them to make alternative flight arrangements. Flights can be booked with a number of airlines e.g. British Airways, Czech Airlines, Easyjet, Ryanair.
- There are confirmed cases of A (H1N1) (swine flu) in the Czech Republic. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index/html has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk . There are no Swine Flu screening checks at Prague or Brno airports. Leaflets with information about Swine Flu are displayed at the terminal upon arrival and there is a medical centre at the Airport, which can assist you with any health problems. In case of suspected Swine Flu, you will be referred to hospital for further medical checks. If Swine Flu is confirmed, home/hotel quarantine will be recommended, until then further travel would not be possible.
- Floods occurred in the East and North East of the Czech Republic in the Moravia region on 24/25 June 2009. There are also currently flood alerts in the Zlin and Southern Bohemia regions. So far the capital city Prague has not been affected.
- There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public places, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
- Around 570,000 British people visit the Czech Republic every year (Source: Czech Statistics Office). Most visits are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in the Czech Republic in 2007 were for: replacing lost and stolen passports (over 250 cases); deaths and hospitalisations (40 cases); and arrests or detentions (24 cases). If you need to contact the emergency services in the Czech Republic call 112.
- You should carry a copy of your passport data page (including any visa pages) with you at all times for identification purposes. You should also keep copies of your insurance policy, European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), ticket details and a 24-hour emergency number in a safe place as well as leaving further copies, along with your itinerary and contact details, with family and/or friends.
- We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See General (Insurance) fo this adviceFor more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public places, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public places, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
Prague City Police advises visitors to Prague of the following:
Prague City Police advises visitors to Prague of the following:
- Always exchange currency at a currency exchange office or bank, never with vendors on the street as this money is often counterfeit.
- Avoid contact with women and men acting as street prostitutes as they are often pickpockets.
- Take care using cash machines.
- Do not buy drugs on the street: sale and distribution is illegal and such drugs are often hazardous counterfeits.
- Be aware of consumption charges in night clubs, as they are often high, and be careful with consumption cards, which carry high financial penalties if they are lost before bills are paid.
Petty theft is a problem, especially in major tourist areas in Prague. Pickpocketing is common at the main railway station and on public transport, particularly those routes to and from Prague Castle and other major tourist sites and on the buses to/from the airport. Try to avoid the especially busy carriages on the metro and trams, which are favoured by pickpockets. There have also been cases of theft on the tram and metro involving gangs of up to nine or ten people surrounding their victims and even threatening violence. Take extra care when travelling on public transport and be aware of the people around you. There is also a risk of pick-pocketing on flights from the UK. It is best to keep your passport and valuables with you before and during your flight.
Make sure you know where your belongings are at all times, particularly while at restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Use the cloakroom if available. There have been several cases of theft from hotel rooms and even safes.
Make sure you know where your belongings are at all times, particularly while at restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Use the cloakroom if available. There have been several cases of theft from hotel rooms and even safes.
Beware of bogus plain-clothes policemen, who may ask to see your foreign currency and passport. If approached, decline to show your money, but offer instead to go with them to the nearest police station. If you suspect that you are dealing with a bogus police officer, you can call 158 or 112 to check their identity. No police officer in the Czech Republic has the right to check your money or its authenticity.
Theft of property should be reported in person to the Czech police within 24 hours to obtain a Police Report Crime Number. It is also possible to obtain this later once you are in the UK by sending a letter (in English) describing the event to the following address: Policejni prezidium – podatelna, Strojnicka 27, 170 89 Praha 7, Czech Republic. If you lose your passport you will need to obtain a police report before a replacement can be issued.
Never leave drinks or food unattended, or accept drinks from strangers, however attractive the offer might seem. There have been a small number of incidents involving drinks being spiked and visitors having their valuables stolen whilst intoxicated.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Taxis
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Taxis
For reasons of safety and economy, you are advised to use major taxi companies, such as AAA (23311 3311) or Profitaxi (26131 4151). These companies are usually able to tell you the type, number and colour of the car in advance. If you do pick up a taxi in the street, always check the per kilometre price before getting in. Some taxis operating in areas frequented by tourists can charge highly inflated prices. Taxi rates per kilometre must be clearly marked on the side of the taxi.
In August 2007 the City of Prague introduced the ‘Taxi Fare Place’ scheme. Taxi companies operating from stands displaying the ‘Taxi Fare Place’ can charge a maximum of 28 Crowns per kilometre. In case of dispute, always ask for a receipt from the taxi-metre displaying the price, rate, registration number and name of the driver. Complaints should be sent to the relevant taxi-company directly and should also be copied to taxi@cityofprague.cz for investigation by the City of Prague.
Reporting Lost/Stolen property in Prague
If your passport, wallet or other items are lost or stolen, you should report the incident immediately to the nearest police station (‘Policie’) and obtain a police report (‘Policejni zprava’).
If your passport, wallet or other items are lost or stolen, you should report the incident immediately to the nearest police station (‘Policie’) and obtain a police report (‘Policejni zprava’).
Foreigner’s Police Station in Prague:
Jungmanovo namesti 9
Prague 1
(nearest metro stop is Mustek).
This police station is open 24 hours. English translators are provided.
To apply for a replacement passport please contact the Consular Section of the British Embassy in Prague. The passport application forms are available online from the website www.ukinczechrepublic.fco.gov.uk/en and you will need to obtain a police report before a replacement passport can be issued.
Public transport tickets must be purchased before travelling. The ticket tariffs were increased on 01 January 2007. Tickets must be validated at the start of the journey, at the yellow machines at the entrance to metro stations or on board buses and trams, including before boarding the funicular tram at Petrin. You will be fined on the spot if you are travelling with an invalid ticket. The fine, usually 500 crowns (around £16.00), is paid directly to the ticket inspector and a receipt should be issued. Ticket inspectors will not normally excuse passengers who claim not to have known that tickets must be validated before travel. If you cannot pay the fine on the spot, ticket inspectors will often call the Police and you may be arrested. The fine increases to 950 Crowns (around £30.00) if you do not pay immediately. Tickets can be bought at most large hotels, metro stations and at many newspaper stands (‘Trafika’) and convenience stores. More information, in English, on the Prague public transport system is available at the http://www.dpp.cz/index.php?q=en, as is a map of the network.
Each year there are a number of accidents to British nationals involving trams. Please take extra care when in the vicinity of tram tracks and make sure you look both ways. The trams cannot stop quickly nor can they avoid you if you are on the track.
Seasonal flooding (normally during the Spring) occurs occasionally in the Czech Republic. Prague was seriously affected by flooding in 2006. You should consult website http://www.voda.mze.cz for more information. By selecting 'vstupte' you will view a map of the country which shows, using a traffic light system, where flood warnings are in place on major rivers.
Road Travel
You can drive in the Czech Republic on a UK Driving licence.
In 2007 there were 1,222 road deaths in the Czech Republic (source: DfT). This equates to 11.9 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007.
If you are planning to drive to the Czech Republic, you may like to consult a local motoring hotline, available in Czech and English on (tel: 00 420 1230). You should check arrangements for driving on motorways in the Czech Republic. A user tax vignette must normally be purchased for motorway driving. These can be purchased from most Post Offices, petrol stations and from some bureaux de change and other outlets at the border. Failure to display a valid vignette can result in a fine.
Since July 2006 new rules have been in force concerning driving in the Czech Republic. The main changes and penalty point system is available on http://www.novapravidla.cz/english/the_main_changes/ and you should familiarise yourself with local motoring regulations in advance of driving in the Czech Republic.
Drivers should be aware that there is a zero-tolerance policy in the Czech Republic for drivers under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
You must have your headlights on dipped beam when driving anywhere in the Czech Republic, at any time.
You must have your headlights on dipped beam when driving anywhere in the Czech Republic, at any time.
It is a requirement under Czech law that all private cars, including those of foreign visitors, carry the following items:
1 x Fluorescent Green High Visibility Safety Jacket
1 x First Aid Kit
1 x Spare pair of prescription glasses (if necessary) - kept in the glove compartment
1 x Warning triangle
1 x Complete set of spare bulbs
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Air Travel
The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in the Czech Republic. For more details about this please see: http://www.dpp.cz/index.php?q=en
If you buy duty-free or duty-paid products from Prague Airport and intend to transit another airport before arriving at your final destination, be sure to ensure that any liquids you purchase are properly packed by the shop assistant in a properly sealed clear bag. Ensure you retain the receipt and do not open the seal on the bag until you arrive at your final destination. Failure to do this may mean that your purchases are confiscated by security control checkpoints at your transit airport. If you transit an airport outside of the European Union you may not be able to carry liquids even if properly packaged. Check with the airport concerned.
For more general information see Airline Security.
For more general information see Airline Security.
Local laws and customs
Some bars and restaurants in the city centre do not allow access to stag groups. Drunken or offensive behaviour is dealt with according to Czech law and may result in detention and or fines.
The Czech police advise that you may be fined if you attempt to cross a road or tram tracks within 50 metres of a designated crossing point (commonly marked by 'zebra' style crossing or traffic lights). You may also be fined if you cross at a pedestrian crossing if the green pedestrian crossing light is not illuminated.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
Visas
Visas may be required to enter the Czech Republic. British passports holders, whose nationality is shown as anything other than a British Citizen, must contact your nearest Czech Embassy to determine whether you require a visa for entry to the Czech Republic.
Schengen
The Schengen agreement enables countries to remove their internal borders and allows people to travel without checks from country to country within the Schengen area.
On 21 December 2007, checks at land borders into the Czech Republic ceased. Passengers arriving from non-Schengen states (including the UK) will continue to be subject to identity checks at airports after 30 March 2008.
While there are no longer any land border checks, you are advised not to attempt to cross land borders without a valid travel document. British nationals need a valid British passport to travel to the Czech Republic. It is likely that random identity checks will be made in areas surrounding land borders even following accession to the Schengen agreement.
Passport validity
Schengen
The Schengen agreement enables countries to remove their internal borders and allows people to travel without checks from country to country within the Schengen area.
On 21 December 2007, checks at land borders into the Czech Republic ceased. Passengers arriving from non-Schengen states (including the UK) will continue to be subject to identity checks at airports after 30 March 2008.
While there are no longer any land border checks, you are advised not to attempt to cross land borders without a valid travel document. British nationals need a valid British passport to travel to the Czech Republic. It is likely that random identity checks will be made in areas surrounding land borders even following accession to the Schengen agreement.
Passport validity
If you are a short-term visitor to the Czech Republic, the Czech authorities require British passports to be valid for the entire duration of your proposed visit. You should have a minimum of six months’ validity on the passport when you travel in case of unforeseen emergency such as illness or arrest, which prevents you from leaving on your planned dates. If your passport is due to expire in less than six months, it is advisable to have your onward travel details with you on arrival to show to the Immigration Office if required to do so.
If arriving by air, remember to double check that you have your passport with you before leaving the aircraft. The immigration authorities will not normally allow entry to passengers who have mislaid their passport and the British Embassy is unable to issue documentation to enable passengers to enter the Czech Republic. Your passport should also be in a presentable state. Holders of passports which are in poor condition have been refused entry to the Czech Republic.
Travelling with children
Children aged 15 and above must have their own passports. Those travelling on a parent's passport will be refused entry to the Czech Republic. You are also advised to carry with you a photocopy of the datapage of your passport at all times, for identification purposes.
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Czech Embassy in London.
Children aged 15 and above must have their own passports. Those travelling on a parent's passport will be refused entry to the Czech Republic. You are also advised to carry with you a photocopy of the datapage of your passport at all times, for identification purposes.
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Czech Embassy in London.
Health
There are confirmed cases of A (H1N1) (swine flu) in the Czech Republic. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index/html has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Czech nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.
The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Czech nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.
You should be aware that some hospitals in parts of the Czech Republic are not used to foreign visitors and may not be aware of the rights conferred on you by an EHIC. If you have trouble, please contact the British Embassy in Prague (see Contact Details below). You can also consult http://www.cmu.cz for more advice on healthcare in the Czech Republic.
If you intend to settle permanently in the Czech Republic you need to either obtain Form E106, which indicates that you have made full National Insurance contributions in the UK, or to arrange health insurance with a commercial company on arrival. This will entitle you to health care other than the EHIC accident and emergency cover, which is not acceptable for longer-term health needs.
If you are planning to visit forested areas, you are advised to seek medical advice before you travel about inoculations for tick borne encephalitis.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Czech Republic and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
On 27 June 2007, the State Veterinary Administration confirmed that a number of birds at a broiler farm in Norn, East Bohemia, had been infected with the H5N1 strain of the virus. A further case of Avian Influenza was discovered in a swan in Lednice, South Moravia and on 20 June 2007, the virus was also discovered in poultry on a closed farm near Usti nad Orlici in the district of Pardubice, East Bohemia. Health authorities set up cordons around the areas concerned and infected birds were culled.
In 2006 there were a number of deaths in swans and wild birds in the Czech Republic due to the H5N1 form of Avian Influenza. All of the deaths occurred in the Hluboka region of Southern Bohemia and in Kostice, near Breclav, in South Moravia. No human infections or deaths have been reported.
The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza.
Hepatitis A
The Czech authorities have reported a significant increase in the number of cases of the disease Hepatitis A, particularly in the Prague and Central Bohemia region, during 2008. For advice on Hepatitis A and other health issues please consult National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).
Inoculation against this disease can be obtained from your GP and visitors are recommended to take sensible precautions as outlined in the NaTHNaC advice.
You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza.
Hepatitis A
The Czech authorities have reported a significant increase in the number of cases of the disease Hepatitis A, particularly in the Prague and Central Bohemia region, during 2008. For advice on Hepatitis A and other health issues please consult National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).
Inoculation against this disease can be obtained from your GP and visitors are recommended to take sensible precautions as outlined in the NaTHNaC advice.
General
Insurance
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Accommodation
If you are travelling in a group you should keep a careful note of your hotel telephone number and address in case you become detached from the rest of your party. Also leave your accommodation information and contact details of your travelling companions with a friend or relative at home who you can contact if you get separated from your group.
Money
It is almost impossible to change Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes in the Czech Republic. Travellers' cheques are easily exchanged in the main cities. If you are using local Foreign Exchange offices you should check before completing the transaction that you are content with the exchange rate offered and the commission charges. Rates and commission charges can vary substantially between offices.
Since 15 June 2007 new legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU apply in all Member States. Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc. This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.
