Memorable, but not great. and other Prague, Czech Republic Transportation Tips

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: I came into the Czech Republic (and Prague) by train. I had just been in Salzburg, Austria and took a train to Linz, stopped there for a couple of hours then got on another train that took me through Summerau, Ceske Budejovice (where I switched trains from the Austrian train to the Czech one) and then onto Prague.

Unfortunately I did not find the trains in the Czech Republic to be very comfortable (especially compared to the Austrian train that I had just been on). They had red (old and thin) leather seats to sit on and I was constantly shifting in my seat trying to relax.

Not to mention that when we crossed over the border everyone's passports and train tickets were checked. First they were checked by two men, who seemed to be from the army (or some kind of special force), then by the border police, and then by a ticket inspector. I was just a bit intimidated. I understand that they are trying to stop people illegally entering the country, but still it was a bit unnerving.

Apart from that you do get to see some very nice scenery along the way by train, and the trip isn't that long, but I would hate to have to make the trip on a hot day when it was crowded.

My train came into the main train station in Prague - which is Praha Hlvani Nadrazi and it has links with the Metro Line C (it is beneath the station).

To get from Salzburg to Prague it cost me about EUR 53 (As a 'Youth', someone under 26 years old).

(The first website below is for trains in the Czech Republic, the second is for Austria)

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Website: http://www.cd.cz/
Other Contact: http://www.oebb.at/vip8/oebb/de/

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Leaving Prague I took an Easyjet plane from Prague (Prague Ruzyne) to London (Stansted). I booked and paid for my ticket over the internet and was given a booking code (a series of letters and numbers) - it is ticketless.

When entering the main terminal of Prague Ruzyne, you will have arrivals on the left and departures on the right. There are screens telling you when you can go to check in for your flight and at which desk. While waiting there is a large cafe and a souvenir shop.

After getting your boarding pass and going through the security check, there is some shopping to do. This is where I bought Absinth for my friends. But there were a lot of other Czech drinks and food to be bought as well, plus your usual range of souvenirs.

The flight itself was very comfortable, I think I prefer flying with Easyjet over Ryanair. Ryanair can be cheaper, but I think that is because they land outside city centres. Easyjet is very similar to Ryanair, although they had better seats. But it is still the same that if you want to eat or drink on the plane (and you have not bought your own) then you must pay for it.

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Website: http://www.easyjet.com/en/book/index.asp

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: The Metro in Prague has three lines: Line A, Line B and Line C. Line C runs through Praha Hlvani Nadrazi. The metro is an easy way to travel around the city, just watch your belongings and beware of pickpockets (try to act nonchalant - as if you take the metro all the time). It is an easy system to figure out, and each station is written in large letters on the wall and is announced on board the metro before arriving at the stop.

Also, take note of which street exit you want to take after getting off the metro, as I went out the wrong exit once and found myself about 2 -3 blocks north of where I wanted to be.

The tickets that I bought were 'Prestupni Jizdenka' or a 'Transfer Tickets'. I bought one ticket that cost me 20 Kc, it was valid in three zones and lasted 75 minutes (if you bought it between 5am-8pm, otherwise it was valid for 90 minutes). I also bought another ticket that only cost me 10 Kc but for the life of me now, I cannot remember why there is a price difference when both tickets look the same to me (I still have them). The tickets could be used on a mixture of metro, bus and tram.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: I only used the tram briefly when I went on my 'Ultimate Tour', we took a tram up near Prague Castle (the #22) and we were warned that this tram in particular had problems with people getting their belongings nicked. To use the tram you must buy a ticket and then validate it once on board. If you do not validate it you can receive a fine.

Tickets cost 10-20 Kc. They last for 75 minutes between 5am-8pm, 90 minutes otherwise. They can also be used on the bus and on the metro as well if you get one that says 'Prestupni Jizdenka' or 'Transfer Ticket'.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: I took the bus once when I was in Prague, when I was on my way to the airport early in the morning. I bought a transfer ticket (Prestupni Jizdenka), as I first had to take the metro out to the stop 'Dejvicka' (Line A). From there you just walk out of the metro, up the stairs and find the correct bus (for the airport bus, just look for the largest group of people standing around). The bus will take you all the way up to the main terminal.

The bus is the cheapest way of travelling to the airport, but note that you may have to stand up for the trip if it is crowded, like it was when I went.

Tickets cost 10-20 Kc. They last for 75 minutes between 5am-8pm, 90 minutes otherwise.

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