Tips for Prague

[Anonymous]

20 year old student. Will be studying abroad in Prague for the spring semester. Leaving in a few weeks...nervous but excited. I have been to Western Europe many times but never near Prague. Any advice?

[Anonymous]

It’s a beautiful city! They’ll enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Don't drink too much. Beer is super cheap there.

There's more to Prague than the old town.

[Anonymous]

You’ll have a great time. Bring warm clothes and watch your wallet or bag in the main square and on public transportation.

Take advantage of the free walking tours. Each one we did was terrific! They do expect tips.

Take day trips.
We did these three https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/beyond-prague

[Anonymous]

It's my favorite city. I never tired of walking Charles Bridge; if you are a morning person you can go early and miss the crowds. There is a charming marionette puppet show of Don Giovanni -- touristy and silly, but super fun. Get photos of you and your friends in front of the Lennon wall. Climb Petrin Hill, it's so beautiful and peaceful up there.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for all the recommendations so far! How did you find the locals. I have heard that they are not as open as other European groups like Irish or Italians.

Also, how was it with pricing? Heard its definitely more affordable than London or Copenhagen where lots of my classmates study abroad, but the CZK to USD conversion confuses me so would love to hear how you priced out items while there. Would you also recommend carrying some cash around always as I heard some places only accept cash?

Last, how was it with the language barrier and ordering at restaurants etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't drink too much. Beer is super cheap there.

There's more to Prague than the old town.

+1, beer is cheaper than water

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all the recommendations so far! How did you find the locals. I have heard that they are not as open as other European groups like Irish or Italians.

Also, how was it with pricing? Heard its definitely more affordable than London or Copenhagen where lots of my classmates study abroad, but the CZK to USD conversion confuses me so would love to hear how you priced out items while there. Would you also recommend carrying some cash around always as I heard some places only accept cash?

Last, how was it with the language barrier and ordering at restaurants etc

If you're an exhange student, you'll be put in touch with other exhagne students, probably from elsewhere in Europe. Start off there.

I was there a week this summer and never took out cash. Everywhere took card. Get a local bank account (if allowed) or a card you can load in USD but charge in CZK at a good rate, like Revolut or Wise.

Never had an issue using English at restaurants, even outside the center, but a little Czech can go a long way. At some non-tourist restaurants, the menues were only in Czech but either figure it out, or use Google Translate.

[Anonymous]

Don't forget to visit the smaller cities/towns. A lot of wonderful sights in those places.

Explore the gardens underneath the castle. A bit tricky to find them at first but they are wonderful.

Great beer and excellent Czech food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all the recommendations so far! How did you find the locals. I have heard that they are not as open as other European groups like Irish or Italians.

Also, how was it with pricing? Heard its definitely more affordable than London or Copenhagen where lots of my classmates study abroad, but the CZK to USD conversion confuses me so would love to hear how you priced out items while there. Would you also recommend carrying some cash around always as I heard some places only accept cash?

Last, how was it with the language barrier and ordering at restaurants etc

It's Eastern Europe -- they aren't going to gesture as much as the Italians or burst into melancholy song in a pub like the Irish or smile constantly like Americans, lol. They are wonderful people, but far more reserved. I found them thoughtful.

I was there for a month doing a summer school program and I don't remember having any problems ordering in restaurants, I think a lot of the time they gave me a menu with English on it. I loved the food -- lots of beautifully braised meat and potatoes. There was an Asian place I loved near Prague Castle but I can't remember the name of it. I enjoyed getting sausages on the street in the square. But do avoid restaurants near the astronomical clock -- tourist prices that you don't want to pay.

I think I did carry cash, but this was several years ago so not sure if that is what you should do now. I will say that cash helped me figure out how much stuff was actually costing, because with the cash I did the (very confusing) conversion in my head (or at least tried to) and with a credit card I was more likely to just hand the card over and not think about it which can get you in trouble, lol.

Don't miss the Mucha museum. One of the favorite things I have in my home is a print I bought there of a Mucha poster done for a Sarah Bernhardt production of Medea. And a great souvenir is a piece of jewelry with a garnet.

[Anonymous]

You will have a great time! Especially given you will be there during the less touristy months(although it’s busy all year)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all the recommendations so far! How did you find the locals. I have heard that they are not as open as other European groups like Irish or Italians.

Also, how was it with pricing? Heard its definitely more affordable than London or Copenhagen where lots of my classmates study abroad, but the CZK to USD conversion confuses me so would love to hear how you priced out items while there. Would you also recommend carrying some cash around always as I heard some places only accept cash?

Last, how was it with the language barrier and ordering at restaurants etc

It's Eastern Europe -- they aren't going to gesture as much as the Italians or burst into melancholy song in a pub like the Irish or smile constantly like Americans, lol. They are wonderful people, but far more reserved. I found them thoughtful.

I was there for a month doing a summer school program and I don't remember having any problems ordering in restaurants, I think a lot of the time they gave me a menu with English on it. I loved the food -- lots of beautifully braised meat and potatoes. There was an Asian place I loved near Prague Castle but I can't remember the name of it. I enjoyed getting sausages on the street in the square. But do avoid restaurants near the astronomical clock -- tourist prices that you don't want to pay.

I think I did carry cash, but this was several years ago so not sure if that is what you should do now. I will say that cash helped me figure out how much stuff was actually costing, because with the cash I did the (very confusing) conversion in my head (or at least tried to) and with a credit card I was more likely to just hand the card over and not think about it which can get you in trouble, lol.

Don't miss the Mucha museum. One of the favorite things I have in my home is a print I bought there of a Mucha poster done for a Sarah Bernhardt production of Medea. And a great souvenir is a piece of jewelry with a garnet.

+1 about the clock area being a tourist trap

[Anonymous]

I used my card most of the time...I would get one with no foreign transaction fees

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't forget to visit the smaller cities/towns. A lot of wonderful sights in those places.

Explore the gardens underneath the castle. A bit tricky to find them at first but they are wonderful.

Great beer and excellent Czech food.

+1 to all of this. I remember the castle being busy when we visited but then we had the gardens practically to ourselves. I also liked Vysehrad. So many great small Czech towns- I really want to go back.