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Czech Republic: Castles, Cobblestones & Cheap Beer

Gothic spires, fairytale towns, and the best beer culture in Europe. All for less than you'd think.

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Why Czech Republic, Why Now

The Czech Republic punches so far above its weight it's almost unfair. Prague alone would justify a trip, but then you've got fairytale towns like Cesky Krumlov, the gothic weirdness of Kutna Hora's bone church, and spa towns that look like they belong in a Wes Anderson film. And the beer costs less than a coffee back home. Seriously. A pint in a local pub can cost you about £1.

The country is compact enough that you can see a lot in a week, but interesting enough that you'll want longer. We spent most of our time in Prague and still left with a list of things we didn't get to. This guide covers what we learned and what we'd do differently next time.

Around 2 hrsFrom the UK
May to SepBest time
£30 / $37 / €35Per day
CzechMain language
Koruna (CZK)Currency
Seasons

Best Time To Visit

Short version: April, May, and October are the sweet spot. Long version below.

Spring (Mar to Apr)

Shoulder season

Cooler weather makes March and April genuinely the best months for exploring, with everything coming into bloom. Fewer crowds than the summer rush.

Summer (May to Sep)

Peak season

Heat and long days bring most of the year's visitors, especially on weekends and holidays. It can rain, but that never stops the crowds at the major sights.

Autumn (Oct to Nov)

Our pick

Cooler shoulder-season weather with thinner crowds than summer. Golden light over Prague's spires and comfortable walking temperatures throughout.

Winter (Dec to Feb)

Cold but cosy

Properly cold, but December brings Prague's famous Christmas markets. January and February are the quietest and cheapest months, thermals required.

Watch First

See the Czech Republic in 60 Seconds

One minute of spires, castles, and cobblestones. Then read on for the full story.

The Czech Republic is so much more than just Prague. In just 60 seconds, we’ll take you from fairy-tale castles and medieval towns to dramatic rock formations, historic spa cities, and some of Europe’s best beer. Whether you’re wandering across Charles Bridge at sunrise, exploring ÄŒeský Krumlov’s cobbled streets, or discovering hidden gems beyond the capital, this is a country that blends history, culture, and stunning scenery with surprising ease. If you’re planning a trip to Central Europe, don’t make the mistake of only staying in Prague.

Cityscape Of Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic. Autumn Evening At Susnet Time. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Popular Touristic Place, Town
Plan In Minutes

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The exact booking sites we use ourselves. Nothing here we wouldn't personally recommend.

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Good To Know

What To Expect

The practical stuff, minus the waffle.

Capital

Prague. Gothic spires, a thousand years of history, and enough architecture to keep you looking up constantly.

Language

Czech is official, and a lot of older locals also speak Russian or German. "Hello" is "Ahoj" (pronounced "ahoy"). English is widely spoken in Prague and tourist areas.

Currency

The Czech koruna (CZK), not the euro, despite being in the EU. Roughly £1 GBP to 30.20 CZK, and $1 USD to 21.85 CZK. Check the latest rates on XE before you go.

Cards & ATMs

Cards are widely accepted with typically no service charge, so use them where you can. Never use Euronet ATMs, the bright yellow ones. They charge fees and give poor exchange rates. Use a bank ATM instead.

Plugs

230V, two-prong round sockets (Type C and E). Coming from the UK or US? Grab a universal adapter and stop thinking about it.

Safety

Very safe, but stay alert in busy areas like Prague. Pickpocketing and bag snatching are the main risks in crowds and on public transport, so keep valuables close.

Random Useful Tip

Visit Charles Bridge as early as possible, ideally between 6am and 8am. You'll have it almost entirely to yourself before the midday crowds arrive.

Never Ever

Don't give money to people with clipboards asking for "charity" signups, they're almost always scammers. And never change money at exchange booths, the rates are awful. Withdraw from a bank instead.

Right Now

Live Weather in Prague

Straight from the source, updated as you read this.

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Detailed weather
The Guides

Explore the Czech Republic

From Prague's spires to Bohemia's castles, here's everything you need to plan your trip.

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Budgets

How Much Does the Czech Republic Cost?

One of Europe's best-value destinations. Here's what to actually budget for.

Backpacker

£30 / $37 / €35per day, roughly
  • Hostel dorms from £10 a night
  • Street food and supermarket cooking
  • Public trams and buses
  • Free walking tours, parks, and bridges
See Money-Saving Tips
Most Popular

Mid-Range

£87 / $109 / €105per day, roughly
  • Private rooms and budget hotels
  • Restaurants and local pubs
  • Mix of transport and day trips
  • Castle tours, museum visits, beer tastings
Plan Your Budget

Upscale

£175+ / $218+ / €210+per day
  • Boutique hotels in Old Town
  • Fine dining and wine bars
  • Private tours and spa treatments
  • First-class rail, private transfers
Find Accommodation
The Numbers

Detailed Cost Breakdown

Real prices in pounds, dollars, and euros. Pick a category.

Budget

Hostel dorm£10-21 / $12-26 / €11-25
Campsite£5-10 / $6.50-12 / €6-11
Budget hotel£42-70 / $52-87 / €50-83

Mid to Luxury

Airbnb apartment£70-140 / $87-175 / €83-165
Boutique hotel£100-175 / $125-218 / €120-210
Luxury hotel£200+ / $250+ / €240+
Spend Less

Ways to Save Money in the Czech Republic

Ten ways to keep a beer-and-castles trip affordable.

Bring a reusable water bottle

Tap water is safe to drink everywhere. Skip the bottled stuff and refill for free.

Walk instead of taking transport

Most Czech cities are compact and walkable. Save the transport money for intercity trips instead.

Drink where the locals drink

Tourist-area pubs charge 2 to 3 times what a neighbourhood hospoda does. No English menu is usually a good sign.

Book outside the city centre

Prague's public transport is so good you don't need to be in Old Town to reach everything quickly.

Cook some meals

Hostels and Airbnbs usually have kitchens. Hit a Billa or Albert supermarket and you'll eat well for a few quid.

Check for discount days

Many museums and castles offer free or reduced entry on specific dates. A quick Google before your trip pays off.

Book trains and buses early

RegioJet and Leo Express both have early-bird fares that are significantly cheaper than walk-up prices.

Visit in shoulder season

April to May or September to October. Lower prices, fewer crowds, and the weather is still perfectly decent.

Skip taxis entirely

Use Bolt instead, or just walk. Prague's "distances" are laughable compared to most capital cities.

Enjoy the ridiculously cheap beer

Beer is genuinely cheaper than water in most pubs. A half-litre can cost under £1.25 / $1.55 / €1.50 in a local spot.

Transport

Getting Around the Czech Republic

The country is compact and the transport is excellent. Getting between places is one of the easy bits.

Walking

Best for city centres. Prague, Brno, Cesky Krumlov, all compact and pedestrian-friendly.

  • Free, and the best way to soak it all in
  • Most attractions within walking distance
  • Not practical between cities, obviously
Find Walking Tours

Car Rental

Best for rural Bohemia, national parks, and smaller towns like Telc or Karlovy Vary.

  • Total freedom outside the cities
  • Roads are well maintained
  • Parking in Prague is expensive and limited
Compare Car Rentals

Public Transport

Best for getting around Prague, Brno, and Ostrava. Trams, buses, and Prague's excellent metro.

  • Cheap. Day pass around £4.20 / $5.25 / €5
  • Prague metro covers the whole city
  • Less useful in smaller towns
Travel Tips

Bolt & Uber

Best for airport transfers and late-night trips. Way cheaper and more reliable than street taxis.

  • Cheaper than traditional taxis
  • No language barrier, price shown upfront
  • Surge pricing during peak hours
Airport Transfer

Intercity Bus

Best for budget intercity travel. RegioJet, FlixBus, and BusBud run comfortable, reliable routes.

  • Cheapest intercity option from £7 / $8.75 / €8
  • Wifi, power sockets, sometimes snacks
  • Can be slower than trains on some routes
Find Bus Routes

Train

Best for city-to-city travel. Czech Railways, RegioJet, and Leo Express run frequent, comfortable services.

  • Prague to Brno in 2.5 hours
  • RegioJet includes free drinks and wifi
  • Book early for best prices
Search Train Routes
Cheat Sheet

Which Is Right For You?

Sticking to one city

Walk everywhere, tram for longer stretches.

Hitting multiple cities

Train or bus between them.

Countryside & small towns

Rent a car for the day.

Airport to city centre

Bolt app or Airport Express bus.

Before You Go

Quick Tips

Book RegioJet Early

Prices jump closer to departure. Two to three weeks out is the sweet spot for intercity trains.

Get a Transport Pass

Day passes in Prague are always cheaper than buying individual tickets.

Avoid Euronet ATMs

They charge fees and give bad exchange rates. Use any bank ATM instead.

Use Bolt, Not Street Taxis

Street taxis in Prague have a reputation for overcharging tourists. Bolt fixes that.

Experiences

Book Tours & Tickets

Handpicked Czech Republic experiences, powered by GetYourGuide.

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Questions

Czech Republic Travel FAQs

The questions we get asked most, answered honestly.

Do I need a visa to visit the Czech Republic?
For most visitors from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and other Western countries, no. The Czech Republic is part of the Schengen Area, so you can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. UK citizens don't need a visa for short trips but will need a valid passport, not an ID card. EU/EEA citizens just need a national ID card or passport. Check the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for your specific nationality before you travel, or run it through our Entry Requirement Checker.
Is the Czech Republic safe for tourists?
Very safe. It consistently ranks as one of the safer countries in Europe. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The main risk is petty crime, pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas like Prague's Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, and public transport. Keep your valuables close and you'll be fine. The "charity petition" and "fake monk" scams are common in Prague too, if someone approaches you with a clipboard, just keep walking.
What currency does the Czech Republic use?
The Czech koruna (CZK). Not the euro, despite being in the EU. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in cities, restaurants, shops, and transport. Carry some cash for smaller towns and cash-only pubs. Avoid Euronet ATMs, the bright yellow machines everywhere, they charge fees and give terrible exchange rates. Use a bank ATM instead, and never agree to "dynamic currency conversion" at terminals. Always pay in CZK.
How much does a trip to the Czech Republic cost?
It depends on your style, but as a rough guide: budget travellers can manage on around £30 / $37 / €35 per day with hostel dorms, street food, and public transport. Mid-range travellers will spend about £87 / $109 / €105 per day with a private room, restaurant meals, and activities. Luxury hotels and private tours run £175+ / $218+ / €210+ per day. Beer is absurdly cheap, a half-litre in a local pub can cost under £1.25 / $1.55 / €1.50.
When is the best time to visit the Czech Republic?
May to September gives you the best weather and longest days, but also the biggest crowds, especially June to August in Prague. April and October are the sweet spot, mild weather, fewer tourists, lower prices. Winter (December to February) is cold but Prague's Christmas markets are genuinely worth it. January and February are the quietest and cheapest months for accommodation, though some attractions may have reduced hours.
Is Prague the only place worth visiting?
Not even close. Prague gets about 90% of the attention but the rest of the country is brilliant. Cesky Krumlov is a fairytale town on a river bend. Brno is the second city with a great food and bar scene. Karlovy Vary is a gorgeous spa town. Kutna Hora has the famous bone church. And Bohemian Switzerland National Park has some of the most dramatic scenery in Central Europe. If you only go to Prague, you're missing most of what makes this country special.
How do I get from Prague airport to the city centre?
The cheapest option is the Airport Express bus (line AE), which costs about 100 CZK (£3.50 / $4.40 / €4) and takes 30 to 35 minutes to Prague main station. Local bus 119 to Nadrazi Veleslavin metro station is even cheaper at around 40 CZK but takes longer with the transfer. A Bolt or Uber from the airport runs about 400 to 500 CZK (£14-17 / $17-22 / €17-21) depending on traffic. Whatever you do, don't take an unmarked taxi from arrivals.
Do I need travel insurance for the Czech Republic?
Yes. Even though the Czech Republic has good medical facilities, hospital bills for uninsured visitors can be steep. An emergency room visit alone can run into hundreds of pounds. EU citizens with an EHIC/GHIC card get some coverage, but it doesn't cover repatriation, cancellations, or lost luggage. For everyone else, travel insurance is non-negotiable. Compare policies in our Travel Insurance hub.
Can I drink the tap water?
Yes. Tap water is safe and perfectly drinkable across the Czech Republic, in Prague, in smaller cities, pretty much everywhere. Bring a reusable bottle, refill it, save your money. There's no reason to buy bottled water here.
Is English widely spoken?
In Prague and other tourist areas, yes, most people working in hotels, restaurants, and attractions speak at least some English. Younger Czechs generally speak it well. Outside the main tourist centres, you'll find less English, and more German actually. Learning a few Czech phrases goes a long way though. "Dekuji" (thank you) and "Ahoj" (hello/bye, casual) will get you some smiles.
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