Not writing frequently any more - work demands curtail my time!
Not writing frequently any more - work demands curtail my time!
Member since:26.07.2000
Reviews:572
Members who trust:274
I recently went to Prague because I was unable to get a cheap flight from Vienna to London at such short notice. I will certainly return to Prague a lot wiser than before. The train ride to Prague from Vienna takes about 4 and a half hours, and is very comfortable, being a EuroCity train. However things change when you get to Prague, especially when you are wanting to make a flight, because your train has been held up.
The station which you arrive at in Prague from Vienna (Praha Holesovice) looks to be in the middle of nowhere. Indeed it can seem like this, especially if you arrive in late December, and it is after all the embodiment of most travellers grimmest nightmare. The reality is somewhat better. Rather than get fleeced by a dodgy cab driver, who will happily charge you CZK1000 (ca. £20) for a ride to Ruzyne airport (about 30 minutes West of Prague), even though your guidebook tells you that CZK500 (ca. £10) is the accepted fare for foreigners (there is a price stratification for Czechs cf Tourists) there is a far more satisfactory solution. There is a minibus service for the airport from Namesti Republiky, which is both reliable and cheap (CZK90) and takes you dierect to the terminal.
In case hands are flapping around at the back of this lecture hall (there is a test at the end!), the Namesti Republiky can be reached from Praha Holesovice on the Underground (Line C - red on maps direction Haje) and changing at "Florenc" (onto the B - yellow - one stop in the direction Zlicin). The Underground network was built in the 70s and is based on Moscow's network, with three lines. For a rough guide the stations to head to if you want to change underground line are Florenc (B+C), Muzeum (A+C) and Mustek (A+B).
The Underground is also very reliable, and very cheap in Prague. A single ticket will cost you CZK12 (24p - yep less than a first class stamp in Blighty!) and is valid to include changes for upto one hour. If you are staying in Prague for longer then I would advise getting a day ticket CZK70, a three day ticket CZK200, a week ticket CZK250 or a fortnight ticket CZK280. For the longer tickets you have to sign them, and that means that they are not transferable. The inspectors will often pick out foreigners for ticket inspections and are very punitive for those without tickets, and at 6 pounds for a fortnight's ticket, there really is no reason to faredodge.
The tram network runs from around 0530 to 2330 and there are some special night routes with trams roughly every 40 minutes. The trams are often packed, and it is adviseable to mind your pockets and their contents in the general throng. There are also bus routes and these operate with a similar frequency.
In case you are not put off by the dodgy cab drivers, I feel it only fair to reward those who have read this far with the other cab experience I had. Czech cab drivers use the tramtracks as extensions of the carriageway. I was in an elderly Skoda, and it stalled on the tramtracks. Given the fact that trams are big and angry, and don't stop, it got a bit hairy as I got ready to commando roll out of the cab to get out of one's way as it was not starting. When I got to Ruzyne I hit the bar for a beer to calm down!
A thorough review of the public transport in this fair city!
JVL 08.01.2001 14:55
Totally agree about public transport, it's cheap and reliable... I have yet to have a bad experience with taxis in Prague though, especially as they are now licensed.
craigy_baby_2000 08.01.2001 08:39
Very good opinion, interesting and full of information. As for your comments on my opinion, I agree with you in that it shouldn't be the case that Nokias are the most popular by far, but, in the teenage one, without one, you aren't considered cool! Anyway, well done again and keep up the good work :)
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Advantages: Amazingly efficient, simple & easy to use & incredibly cheap public transport Disadvantages: Taxis can be a rip off, hearing the name of your tram stop & actually recognising it can take a bit of practice!
decroisic 18.02.2007 (18.02.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Getting around in Prague
Advantages: Trams and the underground are regular, reliable and CHEAP! Taxis have improved as well. Disadvantages: You've just got to watch out for pickpockets and cowboy taxi drivers...
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