The Czech Republic - Eastern Europe - page 218

Bridge; and Malostranská, serving Malá Strana and the Castle District. Refer to the
metro map for details.
BY ELECTRIC TRAM & BUS The 24 electric tram (streetcar) lines run practi-
cally everywhere, and there's always another tram with the same number traveling
back. You never have to hail trams; they make every stop. The most popular trams,
nos. 22 and 23 (aka the “tourist trams” and the “pickpocket express”), run past top
sights like the National Theater and Prague Castle. Regular bus and tram service stops
at midnight, after which selected routes run reduced schedules, usually only once per
hour. Schedules are posted at stops. If you miss a night connection, expect a long wait
for the next.
Buses tend to be used only outside the older districts of Prague and have 3-digit
numbers.
Both the buses and tram lines begin their morning runs around 4:30am.
BY TAXI
I have one word for you: Beware.
You can hail taxis in the streets or in front of train stations, large hotels, and popu-
lar attractions, but many drivers simply gouge visitors. In the late 1990s, the city can-
celed price regulations, but instead of creating price competition, it started a turf war
between cabbies vying for the best taxi stands. The best fare you can hope for is 22K c
(90¢/40p) per kilometer and 25K c ($1.05/50p) for the starting rate when you phone
a taxi company. It will get more expensive when you stop a taxi on the street. Rates
usually aren't posted outside on the taxi's door but on the dashboard—once you're
inside it's a bit late to haggle. Try to get the driver to agree to a price and write it down
before you get in. Better yet, go by foot or public transport.
If you must go by taxi, call reputable companies with English-speaking dispatchers:
AAA Taxi ( & 14014 or 222-333-222; www.aaataxi.cz); ProfiTaxi ( & 844-700-800;
www.profitaxi.cz); or SEDOP ( & 271-722-222; www.sedop.cz). Demand a receipt
for the fare before you start, as it'll keep them a little more honest.
BY CAR
Driving in Prague isn't worth the money or effort. The roads are frustrating and slow,
and parking is minimal and expensive. However, a car is a plus if you want to explore
other parts of the Czech Republic.
RENTAL COMPANIES Tr y Europcar Czech Rent a Car, Pa r í z ská 28, Praha 1
( & 224-811-290; www.europcar.cz), or at Ruzyn ê Airport, Praha 6 ( & 235-364-531).
There's also Hertz, Karlovo nám. 28, Praha 2 ( & 222-231-010; www.hertz.cz).
Budget is at Ruzyn ê Airport ( & 220-113-253; www.budget.cz) and in the Hotel
Inter-Continental, nám ê stí Curieov ; ch, Praha 1 ( & 222-319-595).
BY BIKE
Though there are no special bike lanes in the city center, and smooth streets are unheard
of, Prague is a particularly fun city to bike when the crowds are thin. Vehicular traffic is
limited in the city center, where small, winding streets seem especially suited to two-
wheeled vehicles. Surprisingly, few people take advantage of this opportunity; cyclists are
largely limited to the few foreigners who have imported their own bikes. The city's ubiqui-
tous cobblestones make mountain bikes the natural choice. Check with your hotel about
a rental, or try Dodosport at Na Zderaze 5 ( & 272-769-387 ).