- Prague is the headline act, but Český Krumlov and Kutná Hora are easy add-ons
- Flights from London take under two hours
- The Czech Republic uses the koruna, not the euro
- Beer, public transport and food are good value outside central Prague
- Airports
- Prague (PRG), Brno (BRQ)
- Flight time
- about 1h50 from London to Prague
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-October; late November-December for Christmas markets
- Currency
- Czech koruna (CZK)
The Czech Republic is small enough to cross in an afternoon, yet it holds an astonishing number of castles, chateaux and perfectly preserved old towns. Most visitors come for Prague, and with good reason, but venture a couple of hours beyond the capital and you'll find riverside fairy-tale towns, elegant 19th-century spa resorts, sandstone gorges and vineyards that see few British tourists.
Add some of the best beer in the world and prices that remain friendlier than much of western Europe, and it's a rewarding choice for a short break or a longer tour by train.
Where to go in the Czech Republic
Prague
The capital is one of Europe's most beautiful cities, its skyline crowded with spires, domes and towers. Prague rewards wandering: cross the statue-lined Charles Bridge at dawn, explore the vast Prague Castle complex and watch the Astronomical Clock strike the hour in Old Town Square.
Český Krumlov
This UNESCO-listed town in South Bohemia is wrapped around a tight loop of the Vltava river and crowned by a huge castle. It's about three hours from Prague by bus or car, so it is better as an overnight stay than a rushed day trip.
Kutná Hora
Once rich from silver mining, Kutná Hora is home to the soaring Gothic St Barbara's Church and the Sedlec Ossuary, the "Bone Church" decorated with the bones of tens of thousands of people. It is around an hour from Prague by train.
Karlovy Vary and the spa towns
West Bohemia's spa triangle includes Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně, grand resort towns of colonnades, hot springs and pastel hotels where visitors sip mineral water from porcelain cups. Karlovy Vary also hosts a major international film festival each summer.
Brno and Moravia
The country's second city, Brno, has a young, relaxed feel, good cocktail bars and Villa Tugendhat, a modernist masterpiece. South Moravia is wine country, with cellar-lined villages, cycling trails and the Lednice-Valtice landscape of chateaux and parkland.
Bohemian Switzerland and Plzeň
Hikers should head north to Bohemian Switzerland National Park for sandstone towers and the Pravčická Gate rock arch. Beer lovers can tour the Pilsner Urquell brewery in Plzeň, birthplace of the pilsner style.
Best time to visit the Czech Republic
- Spring (April-June): mild, blossom-filled and ideal for walking cities and countryside. Easter markets add colour.
- Summer (July-August): warm to hot, with long evenings in beer gardens. Prague is at its busiest.
- Autumn (September-October): our favourite, with golden forests, wine harvest festivals in Moravia and fewer crowds.
- Winter (November-March): cold, sometimes snowy and often grey, but Prague's Christmas markets from late November are a highlight. See our guide to the best Christmas markets in Europe.
Many castles and chateaux outside Prague close or open only at weekends between November and March. Check opening days before planning a winter road trip.
Getting to the Czech Republic from the UK
Flights from London to Prague take about 1h50, with direct routes from several UK regional airports. Brno has a smaller number of flights. By train, you can reach Prague from London in a long day via Brussels and Germany, and Prague links neatly with Vienna and Budapest; see our Prague, Budapest and Vienna by train itinerary.
The Czech Republic is in the Schengen area, so the 90 days in any 180 rule applies. Your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least three months beyond your departure date. The EU's Entry/Exit System has been fully operational since April 2026, so expect to register your fingerprints and photo on your first entry. ETIAS is not yet required; see our EES and ETIAS explainer.
Getting around
Trains are comfortable and inexpensive, with fast links from Prague to Brno, Plzeň, Olomouc and Kutná Hora. Buses are often quicker for Český Krumlov and Karlovy Vary. Prague has excellent public transport, so you won't need a car there. For the countryside, a hire car gives the most freedom; motorways require an electronic vignette, which hire cars should already have, but check before setting off.
Money and costs
The currency is the Czech koruna (crown), not the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including for public transport tickets, though some small pubs and market stalls prefer cash. Avoid exchange booths in central Prague, which can charge steep hidden fees, and always choose to pay in koruna if a card machine offers pounds.
Eating and drinking are good value, especially away from Prague's Old Town: a half-litre of local beer in a neighbourhood pub often costs far less than a pint at home. Prague charges a tourist tax of 50 CZK per person per night (2026), and other towns set their own rates up to that level. Tipping of around 10% is normal in restaurants.
Top attractions in Czech Republic
LandmarkCharles Bridge
Prague's 14th-century stone bridge, lined with Baroque statues and guarded by Gothic towers, linking the Old Town with…
LandmarkPrague Castle
A thousand-year-old castle complex above the Vltava, home to St Vitus Cathedral, royal palaces and the Czech…
Czech Republic on the map
Frequently asked questions
Do they use euros in the Czech Republic?
No. The currency is the Czech koruna (CZK). Some tourist businesses in Prague accept euros, but usually at a poor rate, so pay in koruna or by card.
How many days do you need in the Czech Republic?
Three or four days suits Prague alone. A week lets you add Kutná Hora as a day trip and a night or two in Český Krumlov, or combine Prague with Vienna or Budapest by train.
Is the Czech Republic cheap?
Compared with the UK, everyday costs such as beer, public transport and restaurant meals are generally lower, especially outside central Prague. Hotel prices in the capital rise sharply in summer and over Christmas.
Is it Czech Republic or Czechia?
Both are correct. Czechia is the official short name, but Czech Republic remains widely used, including by many Czechs in English.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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