PRAGUE - Fringe

82 GETTING AROUND
Ta xis
Taxi drivers in Prague are notorious for trying it on with anyone.
To see how bad it is, Prague’s mayor recently dressed
up as an Italian tourist and hailed a taxi for a short ride, and
was promptly overcharged five times the official rate. The
starting rate should be about 25Kč, and 20Kč per kilometre
after that (34Kč/25Kč respectively if you hail an honest one
on the street). From central Prague, a ride to the airport has
risen to about 600Kč; a short ride in the city centre should
be about 130Kč, a ride to one of the surrounding districts
up to 200Kč. There’s really no need to agree beforehand on
a price (a good way to get ripped off) if you simply phone
one of the reliable taxi companies listed below who will usually
have a car ready under ten minutes. Else, hail only their
cars if you must.
AAA - Radiotaxi, tel. 222 33 32 22, www.aaa.
radiotaxi.cz. The most reputable company in town. Ordering
by SMS is possible at tel. 606 99 90 69 but requires
preregistration.
Airport Cars P.O.Box 100, 160 08 Praha 6, tel. 220
11 38 92, www.airport-cars.cz. The silver cars with AVIS
stickers waiting outside the airport arrivals hall charge 650Kč
for a ride to the city centre. QOpen 08:00 - 23:00.
City Taxi Zelený Pruh 52, Praha 4, tel. 257 25 72 57,
www.citytaxi.cz. Another of the most reputable firms.
Ordering by SMS is possible at tel. 777 25 72 57 but without
a Czech mobile number, they usually don’t send a cab. Now
with a van for cargo transport.
Halotaxi Praha 3, Vinohradská 160, tel. 244 11 44 11,
www.halotaxi.cz.
Prague Airport Shuttle, www.prague-airport-shuttle.
com. A family-run business with some superlative customer
feedback. They wait if your flight is delayed, they give info on
sights and transport on the way into the city, and if there’s
more than one of you, it’s a steal. 1-3 pax 650Kč, 4-5 pax
950Kč, 6-8 pax 1,200Kč. Contact them if you need a limo
or have more passengers.
Sedop Praha 10, Švehlova 25, tel. 271 72 22 22, www.
sedop.cz.
Taxi Praha Praha 5, Vrchlického 9, tel. 222 11 10 00,
www.taxi-praha.cz.
Buses
Florenc Bus Station J-3, Praha 8, Křižíkova 4, tel. 900
14 44 44, www.idos.cz. Most international buses arrive
at Prague’s Florenc bus station (Autobusové nádraží Praha
Florenc, open 05:00 - 23:00), which is also the watering hole
of several endemic species living solely on alcohol. For information
on bus times inquire at window N°8 (open 06:00 - 21:00).
Alternatively, use the handy computer in front of window N°8
to search for your specific bus from the timetables online at
the excellent www.idos.cz, which searches all forms of land
transport. Window N°6 (open 05:30 - 20:00, Sat 07:00 - 19:00,
Sun 09:00 - 19:30) sells tickets for the ever popular Czech National
Express (Český Národní Expres) buses to Brno. The kiosk
between window N°4 and 5 (open 07:00 - 18:00, Sat 07:00
- 15:00, Sun 08:30 - 15:30) is an exchange office and also sells
public transport tickets, maps and guides. The nearest ATM is
at Florenc metro, next to the bus station.
Capital Express Praha 7, U Výstaviště 3, tel. 220 87
03 68, fax 220 87 02 49, www.capitalexpress.cz. Buses
from Ostrava, Olomouc, Brno, Prague, Plzen to London. They
also offer connecting UK National Express tickets. QOpen
08:30 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Eurolines J-3, Praha 8, Křižíkova 6 (Florenc bus station),
tel. 224 21 86 80, www.bei.cz. The main European bus
operator. They also sell various travel passes. QOpen 08:00
- 18:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 18:00.
Prague In Your Pocket
Car rental
Expect to pay from 450Kč/day for a car but this one will
come emblazoned in advertising and if you’re not fussy
about perceived image, the Škoda Fabia is a great and cheap
drive. You must be over 18 to drive, and you must carry your
driving licence, a vehicle registration card and an ownership
certificate or rental agreement at all times. Most foreign
driving licences are honoured, including those issued in
Canada, USA and the EU. New Zealand and Australian drivers
should have an international driving licence. In the city, the
speed limit is 50km/h, while outside urban areas, the speed
limit is 90km/h and for highways 130km/h. Seatbelts are
compulsory in the front and back seats and lights must be
switched on at all times.
Alimex K-1, Praha 7, Tusarova 39, MVltavská, tel.
233 35 00 01/800 15 01 70, www.alimexcr.cz. The
best-value car rental company in Prague, with prompt, efficient
service although the cheapest cars (by a third) come
emblazoned with self advertising. QOpen 08:00 - 18:00,
Sat, Sun 08:00 - 17:00. Airport office, Parking C, tel. 220 11
48 60, open 08:00 - 22:00.
A-Rent Car I-5, Praha 1, V Celnici 8 (Millennium Plaza),
tel. 224 21 15 87, fax 224 21 20 32, www.arentcar.cz.
Excellent rental company, with competitive rates and city
central pickups. QOpen 07:00 - 19:00. Airport office tel.
220 11 43 70, open 07:00 - 19:00.
Avis I-3, Praha 1, Klimentská 46, tel. 221 85 12 25,
fax 221 85 12 29, www.avis.cz. QOpen 08:00 - 18:00.
Closed Sat, Sun.
Budget E-1, Praha 1, nám. Curierových 5 (Intercontinental
Hotel), tel. 296 63 09 95, fax 222 31 95 95,
www.budget.cz. QOpen 08:00 - 20:00. Airport office, tel.
220 11 32 53, open 08:00 - 22:00. Reservation centre tel.
235 32 57 13. A
Czechocar CS F-3, Praha 4, 5. května 65 (Congress
Centre), tel. 261 22 20 79, fax 261 17 24 32, www.
czechocar.cz. One-way rental to certain foreign destinations
is also possible. QOpen 08:00 - 18:00, Sat, Sun 08:30 -
16:00. Also at (F-3) Na příkopě 23, tel. 224 22 81 41, open
10:00 - 18:00, closed Sat, Sun; Airport office tel. 220 11 34
54, open 07:00 - 21:00.
Dvorak Rent a Car F-1, Praha 1, Revoluční 25, tel. 224
82 62 60, fax 224 82 62 61, www.dvorak-rentacar.cz.
Limousines and chauffeurs also available. QOpen 08:00
- 16:30. Closed Sat, Sun. Airport office, tel. 220 11 36 76,
open 08:00 - 21:00.
Europcar E-2, Praha 1, Pařížská 28, tel. 224 81 12
90, fax 224 81 00 39, www.europcar.cz. QOpen
08:00 - 20:00. Airport office tel. 235 36 45 31, open 08:00
- 22:00. A
Hertz H-5, Praha 2, Karlovo nám. 15, tel. 225 34 50
31, fax 225 34 50 39, www.hertz.cz. QOpen 08:00
- 20:00. Also at Praha 6, Evropská 15
(Diplomat Hotel), tel. 225 34 50 41,
open 08:00 - 16:00. Closed Sat & Sun.
Airport office tel. 225 34 50 21, open
08:00 - 22:00.
Chauffeur CZ Praha 6, Kladenská
36, tel. 602 36 81 82, fax 235 35 91
15, www.chauffeur.cz. Rent a private
chauffeur who is a “gracefully behaving,
altogether winsome young man” for
rides in and out of Prague. He’ll drive
you to Lisbon for 90,000Kc.
JS Car Praha 4, Psohlavců 1360,
tel. 602 21 64 15, fax 241 72
40 32, www.js-car.cz. Not much
Englsih spoken, but service and price
are excellent.
National Car Rental Praha 5, Za
Opravnou 1, tel. 224 92 37 19, fax
224 91 30 51, www.nationalcar.
cz. QOpen 08:00 - 17:00. Closed
Sat, Sun. Airport office tel. 220 11
45 54, open 08:00 - 22:00, closed
Sat & Sun.
RentPoint Praha 4, Na Chodovci
2457, tel. 267 28 68 22, fax 267 28
68 19, www.rentpoint.cz. QOpen
07:00 - 19:30, Sat 07:00 - 17:00,
Sun 09:00 - 19:00. Also at Praha 5,
Bucharova 16, tel. 251 02 51 33, open
08:00 - 16:30.
Sixt J-3, Praha 8, Pobřežní 1 (Hilton
Hotel), tel. 222 32 49 95, fax 224
84 23 13, www.e-sixt.cz. Book
online for some of good rental rates.
And check out their even more budget
version at www.sixti.com. QOpen
08:00 - 22:00. Airport office tel. 220
11 53 46, open 08:00 - 22:00, Sat,
Sun 08:00 - 20:00.
Smart Praha 4, Zelený pruh 95/97,
tel. 724 32 23 22, www.e-autopujcovna.com.
Get Smart cars and
others for some good weekend deals.
QOpen 09:00 - 17:30. Closed Sat,
Sun.
West Car Praha 6, Veleslavínská
17, tel. 235 36 53 07, fax 235 36 65
52, www.westcarpraha.cz. QOpen
08:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Trains
Czech Railways Agency I-3,
Praha 1, V Celnici 6, tel. 972 23
39 30, www.cdtravel.cz. Buy your
train tickets without negotiating the
irritating windows at the stations. They
can do it all here, with a smile and in
English. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Also at
Prague’s main railway stations.
Wasteels J-4, Praha 2, Wilsonova
80 (Hlavní nádraží), tel. 972 24 19
54, www.wasteels.cz. Domestic and
international train ticket sales with the
same prices as Czech Railways, English
spoken and ISIC cards accepted. On
the upper level of the station. QOpen
09:00 - 17:00, Sat 09:00 - 16:00.
Closed Sun.
Train schedule
GETTING AROUND
From Prague To Prague
N° Dep. Arr. City N° Dep. Arr.
EC178 06:16 11:12 BERLIN R60379 05:01 9:49
EC176 08:16 13:12 BERLIN EC171 06:44 11:21+
EC370 10:34+ 15:12 BERLIN EC173 08:46 13:21+
EC174 12:34+ 17:12 BERLIN EC175 10:46 15:21+
EC172 14:34+ 19:12 BERLIN EC177 12:46 17:21+
EC170 16:34+ 21:12 BERLIN EC371 14:46 19:34
R60378 18:46 23:42 BERLIN EC179 16:46 21:34
R377 01:01 06:04 BRATISLAVA** SC134 05:41 09:30+
EC 279 07:32 11:42 BRATISLAVA** EC174 08:25 12:25+
R277 07:54 13:18 BRATISLAVA** EC170 12:25 16:25+
EC171 11:35+ 15:42 BRATISLAVA** R276 14:44 20:00
EC175 15:35+ 19:42 BRATISLAVA** R460 15:01 20:30
SC135 17:20 22:13 BRATISLAVA** EC278 16:22 20:30
SC135 18:26+ 22:13 BRATISLAVA** R336 20:07 03:29
R375 23:02 04:22 BRATISLAVA** R376 22:44 03:29
R421 23:02 04:30 BRATISLAVA** R374 23:44 06:05
R377 23:28+ 06:04 BRATISLAVA**
R761 23:37* 06:04 BRATISLAVA**
EC279 07:32 10:15 BRNO R874 06:44 10:04
SC75 10:26+ 12:49 BRNO EC174 09:50 12:25+
EC171 11:35+ 14:15 BRNO R676 10:24 14:05
Ex 571 16:37+ 19:15 BRNO SC74 17:07 19:30+
SC 135 17:20 20:49 BRNO EC278 17:50 20:30
EC 177 17:35+ 20:15 BRNO R684 18:24 22:00
R683 17:54 21:34 BRNO EC70 20:20 22:58
EC279 07:32 14:17 BUDAPEST EC170 09:50 16:25+
EC171 11:35+ 18:17 BUDAPEST R460 12:00 20:30
EC175 15:35+ 22:17 BUDAPEST EC278 13:50 20:30
R375 23:02 07:39 BUDAPEST R336 17:00 03:29
R377 23:28+ 09:58 BUDAPEST R733 20:01 06:05
R202 04:17 06:47 DRESDEN EN353 05:59 08:55
EC178 06:16 08:47 DRESDEN EN353 06:08 08:55
EC176 08:16 10:47 DRESDEN R60379 07:08 09:49
EC370 10:34+ 12:47 DRESDEN EC171 08:46 11:21+
EC174 12:34+ 14:47 DRESDEN EC171 09:09 11:21+
EC172 14:34+ 16:47 DRESDEN EC173 11:09 13:21+
EC170 16:34+ 18:47 DRESDEN EC175 13:09 15:21+
R60378 18:46 21:26 DRESDEN EC177 14:46 17:21+
EN352 20:06 22:51 DRESDEN EC177 15:09 17:21+
EN352 20:06 06:17 FRANKFURT EN353 23:38 08:55
EX101 06:07 17:32 LJUBLJANA EX100 10:18 21:40
EC109 14:07 21:06 KRAKOW EC108 07:10 13:54
R201 20:55 05:47 KRAKOW R52 15:28 07:05
R201 21:06 05:47 KRAKOW LIBEŇ R52 22:24 07:05
R454 09:16 15:16 MUNICH R451 6:43 12:45
R450 17:16 23:26 MUNICH R455 16:44 22:45
EN362 20:06 06:21 MUNICH EN363 22:07 08:55
R454 09:16 14:06 NÜRNBERG EN363 00:30 08:55
R452 13:16 18:10 NÜRNBERG R453 11:40 16:45
EN362 20:06 03:51 NÜRNBERG SP457 17:40 22:45
R377 01:01 06:03 VIENNA EC370 06:08 10:25+
EC71 05:01 09:28 VIENNA EC172 10:08 14:25+
SC73 08:26+ 12:28 VIENNA SC72 13:33 17:30+
SC75 10:26+ 14:28 VIENNA SC74 15:33 19:30+
EC173 13:35+ 18:03 VIENNA EC70 18:33 22:58
EC177 17:35+ 22:03 VIENNA R202 22:33 03:29
R201 20:55 06:03 VIENNA R202 22:33 07:05
R377 23:28+ 06:03 VIENNA
EC107 10:07 18:35 WARSAW EC106 07:10 15:54
R201 20:55 06:40 WARSAW R203 21:35 07:05
R201 21:06 06:40 WARSAW LIBEŇ
All trains to/from Hlavni nádraží station, except: + Holešovice n. * Smíchovská
nádraží. ** All trains from Prague to Bratislava stop in Brno after approx 3 hours.
Schedule supplied by České dráhy. More information: tel. 224 22 42 00, www.
vlak.cz.
April - May 2007
83