Timezone
The Czech Republic lies in the GMT +1 time zone, usually referred to as Central European Time (CET). For more detailed information, please visit: Timeanddate.com.
Weather
Winters are relatively mild in Prague, with an average January temperature around -2 °C (28.4 °F). For specific, close to date information, please visit Weather.com.
Currency, traveler checks, credit cards ad exchange rates
The Czech currency is still Czech (Koruna) Crown. It is also possible to pay in EUR in some of the restaurants, hotels, shops - you need to ask before if it is possible.
The official exchange rate is available at http://finance.yahoo.com/currency.
Almost everywhere (hotels, restaurants, night clubs, shops) accept Credit Cards, check this in advance on place. The exchange has been around CZK 18-20 to the US Dollar during the year of 2007.
- 1 USD = 18,207 CZK
- 1 EUR = 26,73 CZK
You can cash traveler checks in banks or a Money Exchange Office (called Exchange).
Cash withdrawal machines (ATM), banks and exchange offices are available city-wide. Well-known credit cards (Visa, American Express, MasterCard) are accepted in hotels, most of the restaurants and shops.
You can exchange any convertible currency in banks and money exchange offices. Banks may offer a more convenient exchange rate, although the procedure could take longer and also the open hours are shorter (9-17:00).
The nearest ATM from the meeting site (Olympik - Artemis hotel) is at Invalidovna Metro station.
Eletricity
Electric power in the Czech Republic is 220 volt. Power outlets have two cylindrical holes and one pin. It is convenient to bring an adaptor for these outlets to use your electric devices without problems.
Business hours
Bank Hours: Banks mostly open at 09:00 am and close at 17:00 pm, from Monday to Fridays. Usually closed during the weekend except the ATM machines.
Shop Hours: Shops are opened Monday through Fridays, from about 9 am to 8 pm (some of them, mostly in the big shopping centers are opened longer and also during the weekend in the same time). All other small shops are opened usually from 9:00-12:00 on Saturdays and closed on Sundays.
Entertainment, sights
Much online info on Prague exists, one of the starting point can be www.prague.cz. For tours, tourist's information, photo galleries, Events and info about Czech Republic you can go to http://www.pis.cz/en.
Security
Needless to say, Prague attracts not only tourists, but also pickpockets. Beware of them mainly on crowded areas and on public transport!
Pedestrians have priority at pedestrian crossings but be careful, this priority does not apply with trains.
Public transport
Full information about the public transport is available at Prague Public Transit Co, Inc. All public transport runs between 5 am - and 12 am, everyday, reasonably often (metro every 5-15 mins, buses max 20 mins.). The maps of the Prague Integrated Transport System (PIT) are: http://www.dpp.cz/index.php?q=en/service-network-maps.
