Hi, this is Plissken. I set up this account just to put my new Prague Journal on here, which I wrot...
Hi, this is Plissken. I set up this account just to put my new Prague Journal on here, which I wrote during my six weeks in the Czech Republic. If you're interested in reading any of my other stuff, check out my regular account - Plissken.
Member since:20.10.2001
Reviews:2
Members who trust:1
After living in Ipswich all my life, and having to rely on public transport all that time, travelling around Prague is bliss. The compact centre means that most of the tourist spots are within easy walking distance of one another. When walking seems like too much effort, the city's network of trams, buses and metro system provide access to anywhere you'd need to get to.
A travel pass, costing 12kc (about 20p) is good for an hour and a half, and can be used on all three modes of transport. This gives you ample time to get to more or less anywhere in the city. These need to be stamped when you climb aboard, and are available from the battered red ticket machines and from the kiosks. (Dealing with the machines is usually the easier option.)
There are officials who randomly spot check tickets. It's easy to confuse them with yet another hawker trying to sell you something, but pushing past them can end up with the police getting called. The penalty for getting caught without a ticket is around 800kc (Around fourteen pounds), so if you're trying to skive a 12kc ticket, you've only got yourself to blame for being so !
However, the ticket inspectors sometimes offer to let you pay half the fine on the spot - which usually means it goes straight into their pocket.
The metro system has three lines, that cross around the Mustek/Muzeum area in the very centre of Prague (On Wenceslas Square, and a few minute's walk from the Old Town Square). The system is quick and efficient, and once you get used to the lines and the station names, is an absolute doddle to jump on and off. The trains are a mixture of battered, graffitied Soviet relics and brand new shuttles.
The stations themselves sometimes make interesting diversions. Andel still has s referring to the Praha-Moskva alliance, whereas others look like they've been decorated by Stanley Kubrick, circa 'A Clockwork Orange'.
The buses are similarly efficient, and some routes give a brilliant view as they cross the Vltava. The driver just drives, so there's no painful waits as old ladies rummage around in their purses and spill their change all over the floor, like in England. The buses also stop at every stop, whether people want to get on or off or not. Beware of the doors, though, because once the driver decides they're closing, that's it! It's very easy to get wedged if you're not nimble enough.
One drawback of this public transport is it tends to get very crowded. Anyone with experience of Eastern Europe will tell you B.O can be an unpleasant downside of travelling cheap, especially in the summer...
Taxis are a different matter. There are all kinds of horror stories about tourists getting ripped off by Prague taxi drivers. In practice, you'll generally be fine if you flag down a moving taxi, and agree a price before you get in. Fares tend to vary, but if you're obviously a tourist, you're going to end up paying between 300-500kc for a taxi in the center of Prague.
Keep away from groups of taxis huddled around clubs, restaraunts and tourist spots. These guys WILL rip you off, and probably take you back to you're hotel via one of the city's brothels.
Overall, though, using Prague's many modes of transport is a delight, and easy on the pocket.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
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...
very helpful by (95%):
helpful by (5%):
