Weekend in prague

Donetello

Touch wood and everything stays as it is i should be going away for a weekend shortly

with things the way they are i am trying to budget and do things on the cheap. I have considered all that i want to go and see but was wondering how much currency to take with me i have done a google but to no avail

So including food/drinks how much should i get changed? i just don't want to end up taking too much and get hit when i get home is all

Cheers

dmg24

How long is a piece of string?

I have just got back from two days in Prague, and spent less than £100, including 400 cigarettes (that I'll make £20 profit on ). I had a free mini bar in my hotel room, which must have saved me £30. However, I know people that will go out boozing every night and have three full meals a day, and get little change from £400.

One hint, on public transport they only do ticket checks about twice a year, so you don't really need one. The only time I bought a ticket was on the bus from the airport (because I didn't know they wouldn't check), and I kept that ticket for the journey back just in case anybody asked (they didn't!). Public transport is very cheap anyway, but every penny helps!

Donetello

was more wondering about day to day stuff, i'm not planning on using public transport much but just general food costs etc could you recommend anywhere decent to eat ? as the hotel seems to be way costly compared to everywhere else

terryw

dmg24 wrote: »

How long is a piece of string?

I have just got back from two days in Prague, and spent less than £100, including 400 cigarettes (that I'll make £20 profit on ). I had a free mini bar in my hotel room, which must have saved me £30. However, I know people that will go out boozing every night and have three full meals a day, and get little change from £400.

One hint, on public transport they only do ticket checks about twice a year, so you don't really need one. The only time I bought a ticket was on the bus from the airport (because I didn't know they wouldn't check), and I kept that ticket for the journey back just in case anybody asked (they didn't!). Public transport is very cheap anyway, but every penny helps!

Just a couple of points here.

1. You are now allowed to bring 3200 cigs and 3kilos tobacco from Prague FOR YOUR USE but I think the prices will have gone up.

2. The bus and metro tickets are so cheap that it is not worth dodging. I saw some tourists and the inspectors showed no mercy and fined them a large amount. Use public transport from the airport - it really is dead easy, quick and cheap. You must validate the ticket when you enter the bus.

3. Visit the museum at the top of Wencelas Square... cheap fun and educational

4. Check bar prices before you order......order. Prices fluctuate widely. the further from the Square, the cheaper. Make sure you try the plum brandy in little untrendy bars.....basically poteen!

5. Lots of cheap classical music concerts but also big names. Two years ago I travelled there to see Bo Diddley (the guy who invented rock and roll for those who don't know him!) and it was only about £7 for the ticket.

6. Take your nationwide cash card for best value on exchange rates and safety. Do not change on the street however tempting.

7. Be ultra wary about gypsy pickpocketers. The lady who talk to you in the Square during the evening are not collecting for charity.

enjoy your trip

terryw
(in haste)

dmg24

terryw wrote: »

Just a couple of points here.

1. You are now allowed to bring 3200 cigs and 3kilos tobacco from Prague FOR YOUR USE but I think the prices will have gone up.

2. The bus and metro tickets are so cheap that it is not worth dodging. I saw some tourists and the inspectors showed no mercy and fined them a large amount. Use public transport from the airport - it really is dead easy, quick and cheap. You must validate the ticket when you enter the bus.

As I only bought 400 cigarettes back, I doubt very much that anybody will be interested in the fact that they are not for my own use. I don't know what you mean by the prices having gone up?

I find it quite a coincidence that you happened to see some tourists being caught by ticket inspectors (more than one too!). On the relevant days it seems that everybody tells each other as they enter the station that inspectors are about, so the chances of being caught are even lower. Also, as the busy routes tend to be very busy, you can just nip off at the next stop. I got this info from my tour guide, a lifelong resident of Prague, so a pretty good authority!

dmg24

Donetello wrote: »

was more wondering about day to day stuff, i'm not planning on using public transport much but just general food costs etc could you recommend anywhere decent to eat ? as the hotel seems to be way costly compared to everywhere else

Where are you staying? I stayed in the new town area, where the food was cheaper because it was a residential area. I paid £4 for a pizza and chips, tbh I didn't even look at prices in the tourist areas because I had already been warned off! I also avoided eating in the hotel, I saw that the room service charge was about £12, so I hate to think what the food was on top of that!

terryw

dmg24 wrote: »

As I only bought 400 cigarettes back, I doubt very much that anybody will be interested in the fact that they are not for my own use. I don't know what you mean by the prices having gone up?
BUT MY REPLY IS
Oops, no intent to cause an argument. Tobacco products must be for your own use (or genuine gifts) otherwise full duty must be paid. HMRC (as well as the police) would be extremely interested in the fact that they are not for your own use, and particularly interested in your admission that you make a profit on them. Your choice really but I prefer to be law abiding.

When the CZ republic entered the EU along with the all the other "new EU countries" the levels of tobacco products were not the same as the as the existing countries. There was a provisional period where the "guidelines" were NOT the same.

UK travellers were restricted to the same amount as the "ex-EU countries". This varied from country to country but was basically 200 cigarettes (check with HMRC for exact figures). The Uk govt have very recently declared that travellers from the CZ Republic may bring back the same amount as from ,for example Spain or Belgium. But I fear that tobacco products in CZ will have increased as the UK govt have altered this guideline. PING Mr Phatbear (our delightful resident HMRC guy!) to give an authoritive opinion..

Many of the "new EU countries" are still subject to the old guidelines and Uk travellers to these countries should be very wary.



I find it quite a coincidence that you happened to see some tourists being caught by ticket inspectors (more than one too!). On the relevant days it seems that everybody tells each other as they enter the station that inspectors are about, so the chances of being caught are even lower. Also, as the busy routes tend to be very busy, you can just nip off at the next stop. I got this info from my tour guide, a lifelong resident of Prague, so a pretty good authority!

Are you for real? For 35 pence you would become a thief? Please read your local paper, where details of fare dodgers are published , along with the fine. Each to their own, but not for me. My good name is worth more than diamonds.

terryw

wanttobeasaver

We went to Prague last year & we went to awee resturant called catolina ? i think it was in the mala strada area lovely its mexican but deeeeeeeeeelious we went 2 nites in a row - we never do this always try some place different but so good so must recommend it!! was talking to a girl whod been was telling her about it & guess what shed been to it too........we couldnt belive it .the atmosphere is 2nd to none :beer:

on the public transport get a ticket they are very hard on you not paying!!so would not be very MSE :money: in the long run.........

enjoy yourself when you go its a lovely place:rotfl: :rotfl:

MrSmartprice

I have seen inspectors checking tickets on the Prague Metro too. They are not all in uniforms but they carry gold badges. For the cost of the tickets and passes, it really isn't worth dodging.

CCFC_80

Just wanted to echo some of the comments above, I have been to Prague twice and met ticket enforcers both times on the tram and also the metro. It is not woth dodging the Fares as transport costs are cheap.

Donetello

From what i have heard the metro is only a £1 a ticket and you can get anywhere. i'm not a one for dodging fares anyway

dmg24 staying at the charles bridge, the prices there looking extremely silly

anyone recommend any decent clubs etc?