Overview
The Czech Republic (also called Czechia) is best known for Prague, one of Europe's best-preserved historic capitals, and for beer, which is cheaper and better here than almost anywhere. But the country beyond Prague is compact and rewarding: the fairytale town of Český Krumlov, the bone chapel at Kutná Hora, the sandstone arches of Bohemian Switzerland, and the wine villages of Moravia are all within a few hours by train or bus. Four days covers Prague; a week lets you add two or three of these.
Main regions
Prague. Start with our Prague destination page and the 4-day Prague itinerary. The Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, the Castle district above Malá Strana, the Jewish Quarter, and quieter neighborhoods such as Vinohrady and Vyšehrad for local pubs and views.
South Bohemia. Český Krumlov, a UNESCO-listed town wrapped around a river bend below a castle, is about three hours from Prague. České Budějovice, the original Budweiser town, is nearby.
Central Bohemia. Kutná Hora, an hour from Prague, has the Sedlec Ossuary, decorated with human bones, and the Gothic St Barbara's Cathedral. Karlštejn Castle is an easy half-day trip.
North and West Bohemia. Bohemian Switzerland National Park, with the Pravčická brána rock arch and gorge boat rides, near the German border; and the spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně to the west. Plzeň, home of pilsner, has a brewery tour.
Moravia. The country's east: Brno, the relaxed second city; Olomouc's baroque squares; and the vineyards and chateaux of the Lednice–Valtice area, a UNESCO cultural landscape.
Best time to visit
- May, June and September: the best months: pleasant weather (18–25°C) and long days, without the peak summer crowds.
- July and August: warm and busy, especially in Prague's center and Český Krumlov. Stay outside the Old Town and visit the famous sights early in the morning.
- October and November: autumn colors and the wine harvest in Moravia, with fewer tourists.
- December: Christmas markets on Prague's Old Town and Wenceslas squares, and in Brno and Český Krumlov. Cold, often around freezing.
- January to March: cold and grey, but the cheapest time to visit Prague.
Getting around
- Trains and buses: Czech Railways (ČD), RegioJet and Leo Express link the main cities cheaply. Prague to Brno takes about 2.5 hours. Český Krumlov is easiest by direct bus from Prague (about three hours).
- In Prague: trams, metro and buses use the same tickets. A 30-minute ticket costs CZK 36 in the PID Lítačka app (CZK 39 on paper), and a 90-minute ticket CZK 46 (CZK 50 on paper). Validate paper tickets when you board; inspectors are common and fines are high.
- Taxis: use Bolt or Uber rather than hailing taxis in tourist areas, where overcharging has long been a problem.
- Onward travel: Vienna and Berlin are each about four hours from Prague by train.
Visa basics
The Czech Republic is in the Schengen Area. Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, counted across all Schengen countries together. Since April 2026 the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) records your fingerprints and photo on your first entry. The planned €20 ETIAS authorization has been delayed and has no confirmed start date, so check the official EU site before you go.
Typical daily costs
Prices as of September 2026, at about 21 koruna (CZK) to the US dollar. The Czech Republic uses its own currency, not the euro:
- Budget (CZK 1,500–2,200, about $70–105): hostel dorm, pub lunches (a daily menu is often CZK 170–250), public transport.
- Mid-range (CZK 3,800–6,000, about $180–285): a 3–4 star hotel, restaurant dinners with beer or wine, museums and castles.
- Comfort (CZK 9,000+, about $430+): boutique hotels in Malá Strana, fine dining, private guides.
Prague's center is much pricier than the rest of the country; walk a few streets away from Old Town Square and prices drop. A half-liter of beer in a local pub costs roughly CZK 60–90. Prague Castle tickets start at CZK 250 for the main circuit. Avoid exchange booths advertising "0% commission", which often hide very poor rates, and when a card machine offers to charge you in your home currency, choose koruna instead. Tip about 10% in restaurants.
Top destinations
- Prague: start with the Prague destination guide and the full Prague travel guide for neighborhoods, beer halls and viewpoints.
- Český Krumlov: a castle, river rafting and the best-preserved small town in the country.
- Kutná Hora: the Sedlec Ossuary and St Barbara's Cathedral.
- Bohemian Switzerland: sandstone arches and gorge hikes.
- Lednice–Valtice: chateaux, parks and Moravian wine cellars.
The Czech Republic sits at the heart of Central Europe: Vienna and Berlin are each about four hours from Prague by train. Or let our trip planner build a day-by-day Czech route around your dates.