Traveling to Prague in August

[FiguringItOut]

Next week I will be putting in my vacation request.  Provided it will be approved I plan to travel to Prague for a week in August leaving from NY City on 8/18 or 8/19 and returning to Miami/Fort Lauderlade on 8/25 or 8/26. I could leave NYC as early as evening flight on 8/17.  I'm leaving on a 7 day cruise from Fort Lauderdale on 8/27 (already booked).  I know, I live a hard life; but what can I do? LOL

First, any tips on things to do and places to stay in Prague are majorly appreciated.

As for logistics, I was initially planning to use my American Airlines reward miles to cover my flights.  However, I ran into some logistical issues.

Going from NYC to Prague, AirBerlin flight with 2hr layover in Berlin, 30K AA miles.  Available on August 17th and 19th with $24 in additional fees, arriving to Prague in early afternoon.
OR
Norwegian airline flight on 8/19 with 8 hr layover in Oslo for $333 arriving to Prague in the evening on 19th.   Is it even worth it?  Is it possible to get out of the airport in Oslo and see the City?  What is there to do for 8hrs?  I've never been there.  Similar fight on the 18th is a little over $600.
I have plenty of miles, so 30K miles for flight on AirBerlin is not an issue.  But I don't know if 8 hrs in Oslo makes sense for only $333 flight.
The same flight leaving NYC on evening of 17th arriving to Prague evening of 18th (8 hrs in Oslo) is $500.


Coming back, I can't find anything using my AA miles that is less then 6-7 hour layover in Berlin or Dusseldorf.  Whatever is available is also 30K miles.
I see $214 flight on Norwegian from Prague to Fort Lauderdale on Aug 25th with 2hr layover in Oslo or $208 flight on Eurowings operated by AirBerlin from Berlin to Miami with 3hr layover in Cologne.  I thought I could take train from Prague to Berlin.  I like trains in Europe.
I'm thinking that given these options it doesn't make sense to use AA miles when it seems I can get a flight for under $300 (including taxes).

I travel light, only a small backpack, so no checked in luggage.

What would you do with these options?

I'm generally flexible with my destinations, but I have my heart set on Prague this time around.  Unfortunately timing of later August travel is not flexible and I have to return to Fort Lauderdale no later than early in the day of August 26th to get ready for the cruise on August 27th. 



 







 

[PepperPeter]

Mr Peter and I just got back from Prague a few weeks ago.  I fell in love with the city.  We stayed in Old Town and the central location was great.  We didn't have any grand plans and mostly wandered around the art galleries and ate a lot of schnitzel and trdelnik (street pastry - you'll smell it everywhere).  We ate at this unbelievable Italian restaurant, Ristorante Pizzeria Giovanni, and I had the best asparagus truffle ravioli.  We took a train to Kutna Hora to see the bone church, which was appropriately creepy as hell but not a must see for me.

Based on your travel options, I would save your miles and take the train.

[FiguringItOut]

Mr Peter and I just got back from Prague a few weeks ago.  I fell in love with the city.  We stayed in Old Town and the central location was great.  We didn't have any grand plans and mostly wandered around the art galleries and ate a lot of schnitzel and trdelnik (street pastry - you'll smell it everywhere).  We ate at this unbelievable Italian restaurant, Ristorante Pizzeria Giovanni, and I had the best asparagus truffle ravioli.  We took a train to Kutna Hora to see the bone church, which was appropriately creepy as hell but not a must see for me.

Based on your travel options, I would save your miles and take the train.

PepperPeter, this sounds divine!  I am so excited about this trip!  I don't have any specific plans either; just wonder around, soak up the culture, be worry-free.

So you think I should take a Eurowings flight out of Berlin with 3hrs in Cologne instead of Norwegian flight out of Prague with 2hrs in Oslo on the way back? They are comparably priced at about $210 each.  I do like trains.

What about going there?  Miles with 2hr layover in Berlin or $333 with 8hr layover in Oslo?

[big_slacker]

When we were there we rented an apartment a few tram stops east of the main train station. It was a lot cheaper than a hotel in old town IIRC and had a stove so we could cook our own meals. The tram right in front of the building could get you to old town in a few stops.

Not really a touristy spot, old local football stadium across the street and it was spotty if someone in a store or restaurant would speak english, the younger people usually did. But it was cheap, safe, a super quick tram ride to old town and IIRC around $80 a night?

http://www.apartman-praha.com/en/accomodation-prague

We took the train from northwest Poland all the way to Prague. Sleeper car though the leg from Warsaw to Prague hell yeah. :D

[VolcanicArts]

Been to Prague about 3 or 4 times. It's one of my favorite travel destinations. Hotels there are very inexpensive. There is a really good one in Old Town called something generic like Prague Hotel. Places I highly recommend: U Fleku has probably some of the best beer in the world with good food and live music (a very fun atmosphere). For sights there are so many you will see just walking around, but I recommend a boat ride on Vltava River, Charles Bridge, dancing building, opera house, astronomical clock, Prague Palace, the Lego Museum is unique also. There are some hole in the wall antique shops if you walk away from downtown past Charles Bridge that sell a lot of coins and relics from WW2 and communist era. There is a Fran's Kafka cafe up that way also. Another unique place I haven't been to there is a single hotel room that is nestled in a tower, and I heard the prices aren't that bad. If you go away from town to the technological university there is a dirt road to the left of the university that leads to one of the best restaurants there, sorry forgot the name. Nightlife is endless there all you need to do is take the metro to Wenceslas Square and start there ( I think the stop on tram was Muzeo if I recall). Best of luck let me know if you have any questions, also don't change money at the airport, there are several places in Old Town near the shops that give you awesome rates.

[VolcanicArts]

If you are using Norwegian Air ( I think it's the same as Scandinavian Air), they are a great airline. Very comfortable, on a return flight they had overbooked so they gave me and another guy 600 Euros free hotel and taxi, a free day to spend in Copenhagen, and a free first class seat back. All I can say about that is awesome.

[FiguringItOut]

Been to Prague about 3 or 4 times. It's one of my favorite travel destinations. Hotels there are very inexpensive. There is a really good one in Old Town called something generic like Prague Hotel. Places I highly recommend: U Fleku has probably some of the best beer in the world with good food and live music (a very fun atmosphere). For sights there are so many you will see just walking around, but I recommend a boat ride on Vltava River, Charles Bridge, dancing building, opera house, astronomical clock, Prague Palace, the Lego Museum is unique also. There are some hole in the wall antique shops if you walk away from downtown past Charles Bridge that sell a lot of coins and relics from WW2 and communist era. There is a Fran's Kafka cafe up that way also. Another unique place I haven't been to there is a single hotel room that is nestled in a tower, and I heard the prices aren't that bad. If you go away from town to the technological university there is a dirt road to the left of the university that leads to one of the best restaurants there, sorry forgot the name. Nightlife is endless there all you need to do is take the metro to Wenceslas Square and start there ( I think the stop on tram was Muzeo if I recall). Best of luck let me know if you have any questions, also don't change money at the airport, there are several places in Old Town near the shops that give you awesome rates.

Thank you.  I'm even more excited about this trip now.  This all sounds fantastic.

[Jouer]

I'm going in June. The info here has been very helpful. Thanks everyone!

[FiguringItOut]

What should I aim for price wise for accommodations?  I'm traveling alone and considering AirBnB or cheap hotel.   I like idea of kitchen in AirBnB which would not be the case in the hotel.  I want to stay in the center.

Is $350 for 7 nights for AirBnB 2 min walk from Old Town Square reasonable?
Comes out to $50/night.  Nice 'old world' apartment with dated 'soviet' charm.  For me it would be like diving back into my childhood being that I was born in USSR. Place reminds me a lot of my childhood apartment. Room looks clean, nice clean building, excellent reviews.

I saw another AirBnB option that comes out to $250 total, but I don't like it as much.  No real bed, looks like double mattress on the floor is the main drawback for me.  The decor is colorful and eclectic.  Would be great if it wasn't for the bed.  Reviews are excellent.  Location is about 10 min walk from Old Town Square.

Both places are private rooms with access to full bathroom, kitchen, WiFi, elevator, etc.  Both places have full refund if cancelled 5 days before check in.

[maustache]

Just to chime in with what hasn't been mentioned yet. I was there last fall, although only for a few days, and hadn't even realized that the movie Anthropoid  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4190530/ about Czech paratroopers who assassinated SS General Reinhard Heydrich had just come out.  Worth watching ahead of time. If I'd seen it before I would have been interested in visiting this: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g274707-d6588089-Reviews-National_Memorial_to_the_Heroes_of_the_Heydrich_Terror-Prague_Bohemia.html.

We went on a great "free" (leave a good tip) walking tour through our hostel through Good Prague Tours, but there are lots of others.  I would definitely recommend one of these. Very informative and fun, and nice not to have to figure out where you're going all the time. We stayed at Sophie's Hostel and paid approx. $80 night for a family of 4 for an apartment with kitchen, private bath. That was during the week - weekend rates were higher. A couple of us enjoyed the Museum of Communism...very low tech, a lot of reading, but interesting.

[zoltani]

I remember a giant beer garden on top of a hill overlooking the city. Hundreds of picnic tables lined up, people drinking, making music, and having an all around great time. When I was there, 10 years ago or more, the beer was on $0.50 too! Don't remember the name of the place, but shouldn't be too hard to find if it's still around.

Other than that buying a couple beers, open face sandwiches, and hitting park for a picnic is fun. Talk to the locals they're friendly.

[Samuel]

Just to chime in with what hasn't been mentioned yet. I was there last fall, although only for a few days, and hadn't even realized that the movie Anthropoid  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4190530/ about Czech paratroopers who assassinated SS General Reinhard Heydrich had just come out.  Worth watching ahead of time. If I'd seen it before I would have been interested in visiting this: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g274707-d6588089-Reviews-National_Memorial_to_the_Heroes_of_the_Heydrich_Terror-Prague_Bohemia.html.

I visited there a couple years ago, before the movie. Seeing the small one room museum and standing in the crypt where the assassins made their last stand was a highlight of my time in Prague, but then again I am a history nerd. Plus it's only 2 blocks from the "dancing building" so it's easy to fold into a stroll along the Vltava.

I'm also a beer nerd, and would also recommend drinking as much delicious Czech beer as is prudent, plus a little more. The "Beer Museum" (basically a pub with more beer options than most bars, as most bars are affiliated with a brewery and only serve their couple options) is in the center of town and fine, but taking a bus/tram out to Zlý časy (a three story pub with a huge variety of mostly Czech microbrews) is better. Lively in a less touristy way and better beer options. After checking out the Prague Castle leave by the uphill entrance and it's a short walk to the Strahov Monastery where you can drink their lovely beer and make some friends sitting at the shared tables.

I also like to throw a Rick Steves walking tour onto my phone when visiting a new city. It's a good way to familiarize yourself with the highlights and learn some stuff. They can border on cheesy sometimes but more are really interesting.

[sokoloff]

Public transport in Prague is absolutely world class, possibly the best system I've ever used. Plan on using it, including the AE (airport express) bus from the airport and the subway and trams. Use google maps to download the city map on your phone to save roaming data charges and then go explore.

It's quite inexpensive among European capital cities and the buildings are beautiful beyond reason. (Most side street utilitarian buildings have beautiful, ornate trim, provided it wasn't built in the Communist era.)

Easily in my top 3 favorite cities; have fun!

[VolcanicArts]

Might also want to go to Kutna Hora as another poster mentioned. A few hrs by a rickety communist styled train and you are there. The bone church is unbelievably awesome. Also check out Ceska Budejovice where Budweiser came from. Visit the beer factory and drink Budvar and Czech Plzen. U Fleku still has the best beer imo. I was trying to locate one of my favorite restaurants, but I could only get the address of the university it is near online. I remember it being a white restaurant down an unpaved road near the bus stop of the gated entrance of the Institute of Physical Sciences. Their address is Prague 4 Videnska 1083 142 20. You have to take the bus to get there, but it is not very touristy and lots of inexpensive pubs and great food etc. Good luck.

[FiguringItOut]

So I've been browsing various Czech travel sites and now I am leaning towards maybe renting a car and traveling around the country instead of just staying in Prague for 7 days and doing 1-2 day trips. 

Any thought on this?  Tips?  Warnings?  I have 6 full days / 7 nights and 1 afternoon. 

[HawkeyeNFO]

We drove to Prague 2 weeks ago.  Most of the city stuff can be seen in a couple of days, unless you want to spend some time in museums.  We stayed just outside of the central city area, used the metro a little bit, and walked most places.  The car stayed parked the entire time we were there. 

Most of the sights are in a compact area, so it can seem very crowded with all the tourists.  You are going in peak season, so it could be very very crowded.

One warning I have for doing things outside the city is the amount of English-speakers will go down significantly as you get away from Prague. 

If you have a car, you might consider driving to another city, like Budapest or Vienna.  Don't forget to buy a 10-day vignette for your car.  It's cheap, but the fine for being caught by the CZ cops without one is pretty steep.  If you go to Austria or Hungary or Slovakia, they require one as well.

[FiguringItOut]

We drove to Prague 2 weeks ago.  Most of the city stuff can be seen in a couple of days, unless you want to spend some time in museums.  We stayed just outside of the central city area, used the metro a little bit, and walked most places.  The car stayed parked the entire time we were there. 

Most of the sights are in a compact area, so it can seem very crowded with all the tourists.  You are going in peak season, so it could be very very crowded.

One warning I have for doing things outside the city is the amount of English-speakers will go down significantly as you get away from Prague. 

If you have a car, you might consider driving to another city, like Budapest or Vienna.  Don't forget to buy a 10-day vignette for your car.  It's cheap, but the fine for being caught by the CZ cops without one is pretty steep.  If you go to Austria or Hungary or Slovakia, they require one as well.

Thank you.

I would have to rent a car (automatic).  Did you only drive to Prague?  I am potentially thinking of doing a circle around the country to cover locations/sites I'm most interested.  But I've never rented a car or driven outside of US and Canada, so I am a bit apprehensive. 

The country is so small compared to US, there is a lot of sites that can be seen by driving few hours.  My reservation about going to Budapest or Vienna or any other major city is that I want to see the country and get a feel for it, not just the most touristy place in the country. 

As for English speakers, I am sort of hoping that between English, Russian, gesturing, and dictionary on my phone, I'll be able to get by.  I hear that older people in Czech still remember some of their Russian; hopefully.

[HawkeyeNFO]

Yeah, we just hit Prague during our Spring Break road trip.  I live in Germany, and we drove as far east as Budapest, but in CZ we only really visited Prague. 

Russian speakers are common, especially amongst the older people.  The younger people can usually speak some English, but even in Prague, some only spoke Czech.

I have rented a car in several European countries over the past 18 months, and it has always been much cheaper than when I rent in the US.  I've had very good results when I use Priceline.  It might direct you to another site, but they have consistently had the best prices and selection of cars.  Several credit cards cover you for insurance, but be sure to understand the terms.  Reason for that is that European car rental agencies often give you a hard sell for additional insurance.  If you do rent a car, use a reputable firm like Hertz, Avis, or Budget.  Many of the no name companies in Europe have been known to rip people off, saying that they found damages after the car was turned in.  I've never had a problem, using the companies I just named.

While unecessary and not recommended in Prague, driving in the rest of CZ is not a problem.  The main highways are well maintained, better than most of the US, but not as nice as Germany.  However, once you get off the highway in the countryside, it can be a very different story, with single lane bridges, and roads that are crumbling.  I enjoyed the experience though.

[FiguringItOut]

Yeah, we just hit Prague during our Spring Break road trip.  I live in Germany, and we drove as far east as Budapest, but in CZ we only really visited Prague. 

Russian speakers are common, especially amongst the older people.  The younger people can usually speak some English, but even in Prague, some only spoke Czech.

I have rented a car in several European countries over the past 18 months, and it has always been much cheaper than when I rent in the US.  I've had very good results when I use Priceline.  It might direct you to another site, but they have consistently had the best prices and selection of cars.  Several credit cards cover you for insurance, but be sure to understand the terms.  Reason for that is that European car rental agencies often give you a hard sell for additional insurance.  If you do rent a car, use a reputable firm like Hertz, Avis, or Budget.  Many of the no name companies in Europe have been known to rip people off, saying that they found damages after the car was turned in.  I've never had a problem, using the companies I just named.

While unecessary and not recommended in Prague, driving in the rest of CZ is not a problem.  The main highways are well maintained, better than most of the US, but not as nice as Germany.  However, once you get off the highway in the countryside, it can be a very different story, with single lane bridges, and roads that are crumbling.  I enjoyed the experience though.

Thank you!  This is very good info.  I still need to do more research though.

[HawkeyeNFO]

Enjoy Prague and CZ! 

If you go through Oslo, you can easily visit the town on your layover.  There is a high speed express train direct from the airport to the center of town.  It leaves every 20 minutes, and the trip is almost 30 minutes long.  The slower ones obviously take much longer, but are more frequent.  Oslo is a very nice city to visit, but is very expensive.  I got a beer and a burger at a bar, and it cost about the equivalent of $35. 

[VolcanicArts]

We drove to Prague 2 weeks ago.  Most of the city stuff can be seen in a couple of days, unless you want to spend some time in museums.  We stayed just outside of the central city area, used the metro a little bit, and walked most places.  The car stayed parked the entire time we were there. 

Most of the sights are in a compact area, so it can seem very crowded with all the tourists.  You are going in peak season, so it could be very very crowded.

One warning I have for doing things outside the city is the amount of English-speakers will go down significantly as you get away from Prague. 

If you have a car, you might consider driving to another city, like Budapest or Vienna.  Don't forget to buy a 10-day vignette for your car.  It's cheap, but the fine for being caught by the CZ cops without one is pretty steep.  If you go to Austria or Hungary or Slovakia, they require one as well.

I would probably not rent the car. As pointed out most good sites are in a condensed area that can be accessed by metro or bus easily. The streets inside the city are cobblestone, and tons of people walking around with no easily accessible parking spots. Outside the city limits a car could be useful, but why spend the extra money as their euro rail system is great and will take you anywhere cheaply. I was also in Germany previously and we rented a Volkswagen Jetta for part of the trip. I recall gas costing way more than in the states. Also keep in mind the driving there is much different, we were passed by cars and buses exceeding 150 mph. It is easier to crash if you are not used to this. Another American at the car rental place had totaled his car there.

[Nudelkopf]

I dated a Czech guy for a few years, so spent a bit of time there (mainly in his village in the east/Slovakian border, but also trips around Prague etc).

We never had a car - the trains were fine. In Prague, we would rent an apartment (local website similar to AirBnB). My absolute favourite trip we ever did was in the summer, and it was a canoe trip. Caught the train to a town called Vyšsi Brod, and then spent 2 days very leisurely canoeing down the Vltava river to Český Krumlov. It was so much fun. The river runs, so you pretty much don't have to paddle. Stay at a hostel overnight, then continue the 2nd day and you get amaaazing views of the epic castle at Český Krumlov. 

It was the best experience.  There were guys on the river selling pizza & beer out of their canoes, and a floating mojito bar you could paddle up to.

[FiguringItOut]

We drove to Prague 2 weeks ago.  Most of the city stuff can be seen in a couple of days, unless you want to spend some time in museums.  We stayed just outside of the central city area, used the metro a little bit, and walked most places.  The car stayed parked the entire time we were there. 

Most of the sights are in a compact area, so it can seem very crowded with all the tourists.  You are going in peak season, so it could be very very crowded.

One warning I have for doing things outside the city is the amount of English-speakers will go down significantly as you get away from Prague. 

If you have a car, you might consider driving to another city, like Budapest or Vienna.  Don't forget to buy a 10-day vignette for your car.  It's cheap, but the fine for being caught by the CZ cops without one is pretty steep.  If you go to Austria or Hungary or Slovakia, they require one as well.

I would probably not rent the car. As pointed out most good sites are in a condensed area that can be accessed by metro or bus easily. The streets inside the city are cobblestone, and tons of people walking around with no easily accessible parking spots. Outside the city limits a car could be useful, but why spend the extra money as their euro rail system is great and will take you anywhere cheaply. I was also in Germany previously and we rented a Volkswagen Jetta for part of the trip. I recall gas costing way more than in the states. Also keep in mind the driving there is much different, we were passed by cars and buses exceeding 150 mph. It is easier to crash if you are not used to this. Another American at the car rental place had totaled his car there.

All valid points.  However, so far I haven't found an efficient and cost effective way to cover sites I want to see by rail only.  I"m still researching though.

[shorebird]

Note that pretty much everywhere I've ever driven in Europe, standard for rental car is manual transmission.  Depending on the company that rents you the car, the cost may increase significantly for an automatic.  Something to keep in mind as you continue to plan.

Enjoy your trip - I love the Czech Republic!