Czech Republic
From the historical Charles Bridge, ancient churches, numerous beer gardens, museums, and the many national parks, the Czech Republic has something to offer every kind of traveler. This country is full of outdoor adventures, picturesque town squares, amazing beer, ancient castles and posses some of the most interesting history in Central Europe. The Czech Republic is a perfect destination for backpackers and vacationers alike and can easily be travelled on a budget.
Why Travel To The Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is quickly becoming one of thee most sought after countries to visit. Whether you're a backpacker or a casual vacationer looking for a fun and unique destination, the Czech Republic is an extremely affordable and welcoming country to visit. From the more than two-thousand ancient castles overlooking every city and town, to the hundreds of pubs overflowing with Pilsner, and the dozens of National Parks, the Czech Republic offers its visitors with weeks of adventure, days of relaxation or a perfect mix of both. Get lost in the maze of cobblestone streets, stumble upon delicious restaurants and historical pubs, spend hours exploring the museums in Prague and Brno learning about this country's fascinating history, and explore the castles and churches that make this country so well known. There is no excuse why you wouldn't want to visit this beautiful country and if you are planning backpacking trip, make sure this country is on your list.
The National Flag of the Czech Republic
The Nitty Gritty Facts
Almost 10.56 million people live in the Czech Republic and 1.3 million of them are concentrated in Prague, the capital.
The Czech Republic's national language is Czech.
The National currency of the Czech Republic is the Koruna (CZK).
The Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption rate per capita in the world.
The Czech Republic ranks as one of the least religious populations in the world, with only 19 percent of people claiming to believe in God.
Our Route
Prague — Brno
The best way to travel within the Czech Republic is by train. Sure, you can find cheap flights or take a bus with the ever popular European tour company Busabout, but traveling by train is fast, efficient, affordable and allows you to see the countryside and travel through towns and cities you would have otherwise never seen. The best option is to buy a Eurail pass which will allow you to travel seamlessly throughout the country whenever you want and will take you wherever you want. To save money on accommodation, take night trains, and reserve a couchette for a good night's sleep.
Travel by train in the Czech Republic is fun and easy. Major train stations and routes are in every major city.
Interrail pass for 3 days within one month for Italy start at $70 USD
Eurail pass for 3 days within one month for Czech Republic start at $238 USD
Budget airlines for Czech Republic include:
The Rugged Budget
The official currency in the Czech Republic is the Koruna 22 CZK = $1 USD
24-hour metro pass 110 CZK ($5 USD)
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 24 CZK ($1.08 USD)
Accommodation in a 6 bed mixed dorm in most cities in Czech usually cost around 200 CZK ($9 USD)
Private room in a 4 star hotel in any major Czech city starts around 1,217 CZK ($55 USD)
Beer at a bar 30 CZK ($1.36 USD)
Beer from a shop 15 CZK ($.68 USD)
Meal at pub with beer 100 CZK ($4.50 USD)
Sit down restaurant 200 CZK ($9 USD)
A pack of 20 cigarettes 100 CZK ($4.50 USD)
Czech Republic From From The Scratch My Pack Lens
Helpful Hints For Traveling In The Czech Republic
While many shops in Prague will accept Euros, to get the most of your money, withdraw Czech Koruna from an ATM.
One of the great things about Prague is the size. It’s a small city, and most areas of Prague are well connected by public transportation. Tickets start at about $1.08 USD for a single-fare ticket on public transportation.
A tram ticket costs 24 CZK for 30 minutes of use, or 32 CZK for a 90 minutes. You can buy tickets in many small convenience store or metro station.
Prague has a metro system with three lines, totaling 62 kilometers of tracks, and 61 stations.
If you’re on a budget, cooking for yourself can save you a lot of money. Groceries in Prague are very affordable and there are plenty of supermarkets, and farmers markets.
The Czech Republic uses the European plug. They have sockets using 220 - 240 V so citizens from countries such as the US, Canada, and most of South America need a voltage adapter to charge their devices.
Activities That Won’t Scratch Your Budget
Walk across the Charles Bridge, Prague: Free
This is probably to most iconic and well known attraction of Prague. Everyone from tourists to locals flock here all times of the year to walk from one end to the other, enjoying the city views, gazing at the art being sold by vendors, or to listen to local musicians. The Charles Bridge is a historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river and was constructed in 1357.
Explore Malá Strana, Prague: Free
Walk the historic cobble stoned streets and gaze at the beautiful centuries old buildings. You will find lots of hip shops, restaurants, pubs and expensive hotels in this area. Make sure to bring your camera for this one.
Climb the steps to the top of the Astronomical Clock, Prague: $5
This is an ancient clock that dates back to the 12th century. It has never been destroyed (even during WWII) and remains an iconic symbol for the city of Prague. Hike up the stairs to the top where you can see 360 degree views of the city.
Drink at the National Beer Museum, Prague: $13
If you pay for the tour (which is the $13 price we have listed), you get a quick but fun tour learning all about the history of beer in the Czech Republic. When you are finished you get 4 free beers of your choice. Otherwise, this is just a cool place to hang out and drink good beer. There is always live music happening and the bar boasts 30 different beers on tap.
Take a stroll through Letna Park, Prague: Free
This is a large park located at the top of a hill overlooking Prague. From here you get stunning views of Prague and the river, where you can get great pictures of the Charles Bridge and the cityscape, get lost in the maze of flowers, or have a glass of wine during sunset.
"Imagine" yourself at the John Lennon Wall, Prague: Free
A lesser known tourist attraction, the John Lennon wall is an old stone wall that is always being spray painted with John Lennon quotes, Beatles lyrics and inspirational quotes. It changes all the time as local artists come here and contribute their additions. Can be hard to find but the adventure you have looking for it leads you into some cool parts of town. Ask the locals or your hostel to point you in the right direction.
Explore the ancient catacombs, Brno: $6
A catacomb is "an underground cemetery". This specific catacomb is located underneath the Church of St, James and you can take an unguided tour exploring the hallways and rooms that feature the bones and skulls of more than 50,000 people.
Check out the Spilberk Castle, Brno: Free
This is an 13th-century castle that first served as a fortress and then as a prison for common criminals and opponents of the Hapsburg monarchy which lasted from 1526 to 1804.
Where Did We Stay (Accommodation We Recommend)
Hostel Prague Tyn, Prague $18/night for an 8 bed mixed dorm
We really enjoyed this hostel for many reasons. The staff was excellent and always went out of their way to help, the location is in a beautiful part of town, surrounded by small local streets where you can find great food and beer, and the beds were really comfortable. It also features great bathrooms, a nice common area and fun atmosphere to meet other backpackers.
Hostel One, Prague $30/night for a 10 bed mixed dorm
This is one of the more expensive hostels in the city but is well worth it. It features an awesome cave bar in the basement, a huge backyard where you can drink beer with friends all night, a nice kitchen where you can cook any time of the day, a movie room (yeah, a movie room), and a central location next to cool bars and restaurants. It also boats nice beds, great room views, clean bathrooms and knowledgeable staff.
Hostel Jacob, Brno $20/night for a 10 bed mixed dorm
This was a nice hostel in a great part of town. It is small so there is not as much atmosphere as other hostels, but features great beds, wood floors, huge windows that let in tons of sunlight, clean and modern bathrooms, wonderful coffee and friendly staff.