Prague on monday - WHICH currency? Transfers from airport?

K9COOP

Hi guys, Hope someone can offer some advice

Me and the missus are off to prague on monday for a few days to chill out and spend some time together. Life has been a bit hectic for us recently

Anyways... Im wondering which currency to get?

People have advised me to try and stay clear of euros as it makes me stand out like a sore thumb as a tourist, people have advised me to get Koruna instead

any advice???

Also. I have been told the taxis from airport will try and rob me blind with prices.... Anyone know of any companies who can organise a transfer for me at a fixed cost? preferably whom will be open tomorrow to organise!

thanks in advance

elisebutt65

Czech Keronas(crowns) are the best to get.

As for a taxi - as long as you get one with a meter - you should be ok - either that or set the price before you go and stick to it.
Our hotel was in the 'outer reaches' of Prague, according to Time Out, and it cost me 500K to go to the airport.

Most nights, I settled on 2-250K to get back from the centre - some of the other girls in my room did get ripped off and were charged 500k for the ame journey.

As long as you make out that you know roughly how much - check out a tine out or AA essentiuals guide, then you should be ok.

K9COOP

Thanks...

just looking into getting a transfer as I type... 45 euros return for a transfer

45.00 EUR
Euro = 31.2363 GBP
United Kingdom Pounds

from xe.com

they are saying much cheaper than taxi.... there are just the two of us....

anyone know roughly how far airport in prague is from wencelas square as we are very close to the square?

or know of a site I could check?

saveapenny

AA radio cars at the aiport...look for the desk in the arrivals hall and pay no more than 4.5K into Prague centre. If they want more tell them last time they only charged you 4.5 dont let them know its your first time there

K9COOP

lol.. I like it....Will give it a shot! Thanks!

monkeyspanner

Use Krona and you will find exchange rates about 5% better in Prague. There is a pretty good public bus service to the metro network from the airport (route 119) and the price I think was about 20Kr (50p) for a single. Or you can get unlimited public transport multiday ticket at the airport 3 day-220Kr (£5.50), 5 day-280Kr (£7). You need cash to buy these as they don't take cards. Watch out for pickpockets on the metro trams and buses.

notakid

Hi just came back from Prague.
use the Krona not the euro. The airport is about 30/40 mins away from the airport. Look at tripadviser.com they have loads of handy tips about the taxis as they are well known in Prague to rip off tourists. We had no problems however and used the taxi booth inside the airport which has prices clearly marked. It is called cedaz. We also used them on our return journey. I think it cost approx 25.pounds.
The beer is the nicest I have ever tasted and the food is lovely too. (steamed dumplings yum) It is cheap but not as cheap as you have been told and you do feel slightly ripped off because you know the prices for the locals are MUCH lower. However prices are clearly displayed everywhere and do check your bills as in one price we were charged 50.00 pounds for coffee and pancakes and paid as we where still getting used to the currenty. Not every one tries to take advantage however, relax and have a wonderful time and enjoy the beer.
PS check your hotel on Tripadviser too as it will help with knowing where everything is we kept getting lost and walking in circles i wishwe had taken one of the walking tours when we arrived as it would have helped so much and they looked very interesting!

Post-It-Note_3

Im soo jealous! i love prague! Though I am off to Dublin on Tuesday! My advice would be to save the money for beer and shopping and get the local bus/metro instead. The public transport syset in Prague is very good and not atall complicated. Stay clear of the Euros, Koruna is so much nicer! Have fun xx

Lynsey

I would also recommend the 3 day travel pass, it covers all transports. We used it last May to and from the airport, and throughout Prague (we stayed in Prague 4). It also covers the funicular railway up Petrin Hill.

Lynsey

Jo_anne_2

We were in Prague last weekend. I'd agree that the Metro is very easy to use. You buy your ticket from the machine at the top of the escalators, and stamp it with the time at the barrier. The ticket machines (or some of them) have a big button which you press to get instructions in English. There are two tickets 14K for short hops (I think 3 metro stops or 15 minutes) and 20K which you can use for any number of stops or changes within a time limit (1 hour 15 min, I think). The metro stations are a bit difficult to spot at first, they are discretely marked above ground.
BTW I didn't see anywhere that accepted Euros. Our hotel arranged the airport transfer both ways and it was inclusive in the room rate. The journey was about 20 minutes from the airport to our hotel (Andel's). If you need a quick bite to eat when you are around the Old Town Square, I'd recommend BioCafe which is in a small shopping mall between the Old Town Square and the Powder Tower - a nice sandwich, bowl of soup with croutons and a glass of fruit juice was 100K (about £2.50). Have a great time. It is a beautiful city.

elisebutt65

Oh - and have a look for the canteens if you want to eat cheaply at lunchtime - these are great - One just around the back from the square with the clocks in.

You go in and get a card and then just go round the different food areas - the staff mark on your card what you have. I had Stroganoff with dumplings and a small beer - came to 96K!!!! - Just under £3.00.

Pople are very egragarious when it comes to sitting down - they will just plonk themselves down next to you - lol - no-one cares!

Everyone is very helpful and freindly, unless you are darkskinned - but this is just cos they arent used to it yet - 1 of my mates was mistaken for a gypsy and was harried out of a shop. The tour guide explained this - apparently they just haven't had the experience of different coloured peoples etc but they are getting better.

Everyone smokes everywhere - apart from on trams, buses and metro.

Watch out for the extras when eating - service charge appeared to be standard, as is the 'free' bread on the table trick - if you don't want it - give it back or you will get charged for it.

Try and get off the beaten track a little and hit the little alleys, rather than the main big streets - you will et and shop cheaper then.