Recent changes in the way visas are issued at Czech consulates in Germany now mirror those of Czech consulates in Austria and Hungary. It takes five business days (seven calendar days) to obtain a visa via the consulute. Most, but not all, nationalities can obtain a visa at certain border points only. But, technically, visas are issued only to those travelling by car. Bring two 3/4 cm photos. In Germany on-the-spot visas (CZK 1500) are issued in about ten minutes at Weidhaus-Rozvadov crossing only (NE or Nurnberg).
Mark Babbe, Czech Republic (Apr 99)
Australians in London must pay GBP19 for a 30 day single entry visa for the Czech Republic. However, it only takes 24 hours to process!!
Jodie Majkut (Apr 99)
We attended the Czech embassy in Vienna, Austria, to obtain visas for Czech but they now take a week to process visa applications at this embassy. When the Consulate discovered we were Australian citizens, he told us that they would issue the visas directly to us at the border and that it would cost 1500CKr per person for a single entry 30 day visa. We took that option and it worked fine.
Kerrie Warbuton & Ashley Cadogan-Cowper, Australia (Nov 98)
From the 28th September, 1998,. The Czech Republic's embassy in Tokyo charges 4,000 yen (about A$50) to Australians for a visa.
Simon Merry, Japan (Sept 98)
You can obtain a visa for the Czech Republic at the border, but it costs A$75 (1500 Kc) for Australians. This is ridiculous since the visa is issued free in London.
Louisa Norwood, Australia (Aug 98)
Australians (and any other nationality that requires a visa to enter the Czech Republic) can get a visa free from consulates in advance. However, when we arrived at the border from Germany without a visa we were charged US$55 (1500 Kc). It's best to organise yourself and get them in advance.
Lechelle & Hilary, Australia (July 98)
New Zealanders now no longer need a visa to enter the Czech Republic.
When confirming the train you're travelling on, it also pays to check which is the correct carriage, as sometimes the trains will split and you'll only be told about it in Czech.
Roger Firth & Kathryn Grose (June 1998)
Canadians no longer require a visa to visit Slovakia, Lithuania, Hungary or the Czech Republic. They do require visas to visit Latvia ($CAN20), Poland ($CAN75), Romania ($CAN48) and, as of March 31 1998, Estonia ($CAN21). These prices were quoted by the relevant embassy/consulate in Ottawa or Toronto.
Anthony Saez (Feb 98)
When we entered Hungary or the Czech Republic at a non-motorway border crossings, we weren't required to buy a motorway pass or pay a fine for entering without one (or both as one unlucky couple told us). Staying off the motorways also meant that we got to see more of the country side, even though it was a slower trip, it was worthwhile visiting all the towns and villages en route.
Karen Walker - New Zealand (Nov 97)
A visit to the Old Jewish Quarter showed that things change all the time. One example is the drawings and paintings by children held in Theresienstadt concentration camp during WWII, which are no longer to be found in The Ceremonial Hall, but instead in The Pinkas Synagogue. As far as I know they moved the collection of drawings and paintings in 1998. By the way, these drawings by the children of Theresienstadt and the names of the 80,000 Czech Jewish victims written on the walls of Pinkas Synagogue was really worth a visit.
Tine Rosengreen Pallisgaard, Denmark (Apr 99)
Taxi in Prague are cheap! But, if you catch any old cab from a street corner you're more likely to get ripped off. All Czech residents call ahead for a cab, then wait - you are assured of the bargain-basement metered rate this way. It is especially important that you phone from the Airport, to avoid being "taken for a ride".
It's not tue that all traveller's Hostels in Prague are closed from September for the winter. The big dorms up the hill by the stadium revert to being dorms, so the supply is diminished while many tourists remain thus over crowding everything else. But if you arrive in the morning, you'll find something year round.
Mark Babbe, Czech Republic (Apr 99)
The castle in Loket was a smash hit with our three year old son. He loved the exhibits on Czech folk legends (the werewolf, wild women of the woods, water spirit, flying snakes), all with life-sized diorama displays in unused rooms of the castle including the large sculpted dragon lurking in the base of the Romanesque tower. The entry price has risen to 70Kc per adult, plus a 20Kc deposit to make sure you return the two page xeroxed English language text.
William A. Kendrick, Germany (Jan 99)
The Prauge market (in the Holescovice area) is not only very out of the way and difficult to get to, it is a complete waste of time unless you want a cheap pair of underwear or kitchen utensils. There are no crafts, souvenirs, good food or even nice clothes to be found.
Piper & Andrea Roelen, USA (Dec 98)
We would have liked to visit the Museum of Czech Literature in the Strahov Monastery in Prague, but unfortunately this did not seem to exist. It looked as though it may recently have closed, although nobody we asked knew anything about it.
Katie Ginn, UK (July 98)
The French Institute in Prague is highly recommended in many guides for its cafΘ. However, while the institute is open, it's cafΘ and library appear to be closed for renovations. I have no idea how long this will take - but when we were there in early July it appeared not to be opening for some time.
Richard Colebourn (July 98)
While in Prague, do not hesitate to check out the concerts held in cathedrals like St Nicolas and St Vitus at the Prague castle. You will be treated to something very special. We saw a concert in St Vitus that blew the doors off a Stones concert. It really did! With the acoustics resonating off the cupolas inside the church and the sound of that huge organ and the female sopranist's voice, everyone in the room was crying with emotion. It cost about CDN$16 each.
Even better than Carlsbad is a city no one seems to know about. It is called Marianske Lazne, about 45 minutes south of Carlsbad. It is more beautiful than Carlsbad and has half of the tourists.
April (July 98)
In 1995 and again in 1998, we found the Tyn Church closed for repairs. Talking to workers on the exterior they said they had no idea when it would be opened.
We took the splendid 30 minute walk from the No 8 tram line up to the Star Summer Palace in May 1998 and found it closed. A lady leaving through the Palace gate and locking it behind her told us it closed about one year ago and has at least another year to go before renovations were completed.
Robert and Marie Fufa (July 1998)
The Mucha Museum recently opened at Panska 7, Prague and although it's a bit overpriced for its size (100 Kc for tourists, 50 Kc for locals, and only seven small sections) it does contain some very interesting photographs of the artist, his family and his models in the studio, as well as some fascinating studies from his sketchbook. The cafΘ hadn't yet opened when I visited late April but the gift shop was with a good selection.
Caroline Hanssen (May 98)
Eastern Europe has been extensively connected to the Mastercard/Eurocard/Cirrus ATM network, but not as yet to VISA. Some of the additions include :
Cesky Krumlov near the tourist office in Radnicni.
All traveller's Hostels in Prague are closed from September for the winter.
Andrew Henshaw - Australia (Mar 98)
I caught a taxi from the Praha hlavni nadrazi train station in Prague to Ruzyne airport and paid a ridiculously high price. Because of earlier experiences with taxis in Prague, I thought I would be better off paying the metered fare rather than negotiating a possible inflated price. Unfortunately, taxi fares were deregulated in November, 1996. A negotiated price would have been much better. I'll allow plenty of time to get to the airport in the future to avoid using a taxi or to at least make sure I get a much better deal.
Russell Jones - USA (Jan 98)
Muzsky is about 20 kms away from Mlada Boleslav and absolutely the most romantic place I have found here. There is a great view over the valley and a restaurant directly at the top. You can also see the same stone formations found in Cesky raj. We have visited this area often enjoying a picnic, a fire and watching the stars. From the restaurant just go to the left into the forest, keep on the right side and walk for about three minutes. Then you will reach the most wonderful place, but do not forget to take a torch, as it will get very dark at night and the way back through the forest can be quite tricky.
Silvie Dobke (Sept 98)
Marienbad is well worth a visit if you're in Bohemia. It's really "old fashioned" with fancy 19th century buildings, lots of really good gifts and cheap places to eat. The Chopin festival in August is a highlight not to be missed but come prepared with formal clothes to wear to any concerts.
Angela Woodley, UK (Aug 98)
A new theatre in Prague is the Spiral Theatre found in the city's fairgrounds. A sort of post-modern colosseum, the Spiral Theatre might be reminiscent of the Thunderdome in 'Mad Max III' to some. Well worth seeing for its peculiar shape alone, it has shows with fine actresses and actors, and there's no talking about a language barrier here. 'Czech' for yourselves.
Giorgio Berardi - Italy (Nov 97)
The city of Olomouc in Moravia has a population of 100,000 people and is an important historical centre for arhitecture, including an atronomical clock from the 15th century, which definitely makes it worth a visit.
Cormac Byrne - Ireland (Sept 97)
