The Czech Republic is accessible for any French traveler, but that doesn’t mean we know everything about it. While you don’t need extensive knowledge before arriving, it’s always helpful to learn a bit about the customs of the country you’re visiting. Here, we’ve compiled some useful information about the Czech Republic. We’ll cover customs, currency, local specialties, photography spots, sightseeing, and more. Who knows, you might even learn something new.
The Czech Republic was once part of a larger entity: Czechoslovakia. This communist country in the 1900s included the Czech Republic, Slovakia (as you might have guessed from the name), and a part of Ukraine until 1993, when they each became independent.
The Czech Republic joined the European Union and the Schengen area in 2004, but not the Eurozone. Unlike Slovakia, which adopted the euro after gaining independence, the Czech Republic retained its local currency: the Czech koruna (symbol: CZK).
As of August 2023, the exchange rate is 1€ = 24.09 CZK.
The cost of living is significantly lower than in France, and you can enjoy good meals for under €10 at lunch and less than €18 for dinner. Public transit tickets cost about €1 each (compared to €2.10 in Paris), and accommodation is available for around €60 per night or less.
While the exchange rate is favorable for French visitors, if you exchange money at local exchange bureaus, the rates may be much less advantageous (especially at airports and tourist spots).
It’s generally best to pay by card directly in Czech korunas to avoid high exchange fees.
You can also withdraw money from ATMs, but watch out for fees. Don’t use the first ATM you see if it charges fees, and especially avoid Euronet ATMs!
To make things even easier, consider getting a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. We use the Visa Ultim of BoursBank which meets these criteria and is free! Very practical.
If you’d like to open a Boursorama account, use our referral code: LESI2464, or use the link below to receive a bonus ranging from €80 to €220 (depending on the current offer and terms). A great deal!
Another interesting thing to know if you’re coming to the Czech Republic, especially for partying, is that beer is cheaper than water. This isn’t too surprising, given that Czechs are the biggest beer drinkers in the EU. It’s a great country for enjoying a drink without breaking the bank.
The presence of homeless people isn’t surprising; we have them in France too. But what’s different here is that instead of asking for money in familiar ways (holding out a cup, singing, or walking through subway cars), homeless people in the Czech Republic often beg while lying flat on the ground.
It’s almost shocking at first because you might not immediately understand what’s happening. I actually thought the person had fallen or hurt themselves the first time I saw it 🙈.
Another unique aspect of the Czech Republic is that when you visit a monument or any paid venue (often indoors) and want to take photos—for memories, your blog, or Instagram—be aware that photography is prohibited unless you've purchased a photo permit at the entrance.
Of course, this restriction doesn’t apply everywhere! You’re free to take photos outdoors (in the streets, cities, on hikes, etc.), but in certain monuments, it’s not allowed. When you buy your tickets, remember to ask if photos are permitted, and if not, check if there’s a permit you can purchase. These usually cost around 2–3€ (50–80 CZK) per site, in addition to the entry fee.
This is the case at places like Prague Castle and Strahov Monastery. We cover this in more detail in our article on a weekend itinerary in Prague.
Czech is the country’s official and native language. It’s a Slavic language written in the Latin alphabet, but with various accents on vowels and consonants alike: ý, í, á, é, ó, ú, ů, š, č, ř, ž.
We’ll spare you the pronunciation details…
Czech resembles Slovak closely, as well as Polish, Russian, and Croatian.
If you don’t speak Czech, no worries—English, German, and Russian are widely spoken in the country, so you should be able to get by!
The Czech Republic is one of the least religious countries globally (alongside China), with only 28% of the population identifying as religious (source: Statista Global Consumer Survey, 2021). Over 70% of Czechs are non-believers.
This has led to great tolerance toward religious minorities, their practices, and also toward ethnic, gender, and LGBTQ+ minorities.
No persecution in the Czech Republic—whatever your background, you’ll be safe!
While Czechs typically eat early (11 a.m. for lunch and 6 p.m. for dinner), restaurants (especially in Prague, the capital) are generally open all day, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Regarding restaurants, it’s helpful to know that service is not always included in the bill. When the check arrives, look for “tips not included” or “service not included.” If you see this, you should leave a tip of 5–10% of the total. If you’re paying by card, the server will ask how much tip you’d like to leave, which they’ll add to the bill. It’s good to know so you’re not caught off guard.
Yes, "Bohemian Paradise" sounds like something straight out of a novel or film. And with good reason—this name was coined in the 1870s by Czech writers and patriots who, after a stay at the Sedmihorky spa, were inspired by the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
This mountainous region in the north of the country features a wide variety of rock formations: towers, spires, sandstone blocks, and more.
In fact, it was designated a European Geopark by UNESCO in 2005.
This is truly a must-see in the Czech Republic for nature lovers!
If you’d like to explore this region (or any part of the Czech Republic) by car, we recommend using DiscoverCars. This platform compares hundreds of brands to bring you the best offers: low prices, unlimited mileage, partial coverage, and theft protection—all with no hidden fees.
So there you have it—our 10 key insights on the Czech Republic! We hope you’ve learned something new and that these tips will be useful for planning your trip and exploring once you’re there 😊. Don’t miss the additional tips at the end of this article! And if this article has sparked your interest in visiting the Czech Republic, you can book your tickets here:
Feel free to share your own experiences and advice for other travelers in the comments.
1. There are frequent transport checks by plainclothes officers, so make sure to buy AND validate your ticket before boarding any public transport.
2. Prague is a relatively small capital, and the city center is easily walkable.
3. Some accommodations add a "service tax" to the final bill for your stay. Be aware, though—this is not legal, and you’re fully entitled to refuse to pay it! Just keep an eye out for it when settling your bill.
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