Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
dent Identity Card or
ISIC
(
isic.org
), which entitles the bearer to special air, rail and bus
fares, and discounts at museums, theatres and other attractions. For people under 25 the In-
ternational Youth Travel Card, or
IYTC
- available from budget travel operators, including
STA
-costs the same as the ISIC and carries the same benefits.
Crime
The Czech papers may be full of the latest robbery, mafia shooting or terrorist intrigue, but
the
crime rate
in Prague is low compared with most European or North American cities.
Pickpockets are the biggest hassle, especially in summer around the most popular tourist
sights and on the trams and metro.
There are two main types of
police
: the
Policie
, the national force, who wear white shirts,
navy blue jackets and grey trousers, and the
Městská policie
, run by the Prague city author-
ities, who wear all-black uniforms. There are
police stations
at Jungmannovo náměstí 9 and
Bartolomějská6,StaréMěsto(metroNárodnítřída);theyshould,intheory,beabletoprovide
an English-speaker.
In addition, there are various private
securityguards
, who also dress in black - hence their
nickname,
Černé šerií
(Black Sheriffs) - employed mostly by hotels and banks. They are al-
lowed to carry guns, but have no powers of arrest, and you are not legally obliged to show
them your ID.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Ambulance
155 or 112
Fire
150 or 112
Police
158 or 112
Electricity
The standard continental voltage is 220 volts AC. Most European appliances should work
with an adaptor for continental-style two-pin round plugs. North Americans will need this
plus a transformer.
Entry requirements
CitizensoftheUS,Canada,AustraliaandNewZealandneedonlyafull
passport
toenterthe
Czech Republic. Most EU citizens can enter on their national ID cards and, as the Czech Re-
public is a Schengen country, these are rarely checked on the border (but everyone must still
have valid ID with them at all times). EU citizens can stay as long as they like; US citizens,
Australians and New Zealanders can stay up to ninety days. Citizens of many other countries
require a
visa
, obtainable from a Czech embassy or consulate in the country of application
