Living in Prague

LIVING IN PRAGUE

CITY

Capital of the Czech Republic, home to about 1,410,000 people for 496 km2.
Time: GMT+1, Summer Time: GMT+2.
Climate: continental.
Country code: +420
Historical center: Castle district (Hradčany), Malá Strana, Old Town (Staré Město), New Town (Nové Město), Vyšehrad.
Check www.mapy.cz or get the app.
Opening hours: most shops are open from 8-9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week, and from 8-9 a.m. to 1-2 p.m. on Sunday. In the city center however, shops, malls and supermarkets are usually open during the weekend and in the evening.

MONEY

Exchange rates: around 24-25 Czech Korunas (CZK) for 1 euro.
There are many exchange offices in the city center. However, it is better to withdraw some cash directly from the ATM (available at the airport in the Arrivals Hall). It is usually possible to pay by credit card. Beware of ATMs with the sign “ATM” in bold yellow or white letters, they do not offer good rates. Instead, try to search for ATMs with a logo of a banking company (Raiffeisen banka, Komerční banka) since they offer much better rates.

Money value

Price of a lunch in a mid-range restaurant: between 180 and 300 CZK (between 7 and 12 €)
Price of a beer: between 50 and 80 CZK (between 2 and 3 €)
Price of a flat in the city center (monthly rent): from 22 000 CZK (about 1000 €)
Price of a flat in the inner suburbs (monthly rent): from 17 000 CZK (about 700 €)
Price of room in a shared flat (monthly rent): from 10 000 CZK (about 400 €)
National average wage: 50 282 CZK (2 080 €)
Cost of living: approximately 85% of the European average.

Tipping: it is usual to leave a tip, especially in restaurants and cafés. The amount is usually 10% of the bill.

TRANSPORTS

For your itineraries, download app https://pidlitacka.cz/en and check www.dpp.cz or jizdnirady.idnes.cz

Airports: Václav Havel, about 30 minutes away from the city center.

Trolley line № 59
- Prague Airport (Terminál 1, Terminál 2) – to Nádraží Veleslavín Metro A (valid public transport ticket needed)
- (Alternative) – Airport – Divoká Šárka (Trams No. 20 and 26)
Bus line № 100
- Prague Airport (Terminál 1, Terminál 2) – to Zličín Metro B (valid public transport ticket needed)
Bus line № 191
- Prague Airport (Terminál 1, Terminál 2) – to Petřiny Metro A or Anděl Metro B (valid public transport ticket needed)
Bus line AE (Airport express)
- Prague Airport (Terminál 1, Terminál 2) – to Hlavní Nádraží (main train station) Metro C (special ticket needed)

Main train stations

Hlavní nádraží (main station) – Praha 2, Wilsonova (Metro C, Hlavní nádraží station)
Masarykovo nádraží (Masaryk station) – Praha 1, Hybernská (Metro B, Náměstí Republiky station)
Smíchovské nádraží (Smíchov station) – Praha 5, Nádražní (Metro B, Smíchovské nádraží station)
Praha-Holešovice – Praha 7, Partyzánská (Metro C, Nádraží Holešovice station)

Public transport

Public transport ticket: valid for all means of public transport. Paper tickets must be validated when entering a bus or tram, or before entering the metro platform. Tickets can mainly be purchased through the PID Lítačka mobile application, but also from ticket machines located in metro stations, at some tram stops, and directly inside trams and buses using the yellow ticket machines. They can also be purchased in hotels, information centres, and some tobacconists and newsagents. https://pidlitacka.cz/en.

36 CZK ticket: valid for 30 minutes after marking in the first public transport used.
46 CZK ticket: valid for 90 minutes after marking in the first public transport used.
140 CZK ticket: valid for 24 hours after marking in the first public transport used.
340 CZK ticket: valid for 72 hours after marking in the first public transport used.

If you have a czech phone number, you can order a ticket by SMS by texting the number 902 06 either “DPT31” for 30 minutes, “DPT42” for 90 minutes, “DPT120” for 24 hours or “DPT330” for 72 hours.

Please note that if you carry oversized baggage, you have to buy an extra ticket for 20 CZK.
Weekly or monthly tickets can be more profitable for a longer stay. They can be bought in the app https://pidlitacka.cz/en or some metro stations, especially in Můstek (entrance on Jungmannova Square).

Public transport passes

On the PID Lítačka app, you can purchase a long-term pass for Prague’s public transport system.

30 days: CZK 550 (recommended even for one-week stays)
90 days: CZK 1,480
365 days: CZK 3,650

Students in the Czech Republic may be eligible for discounted fares upon presentation of valid supporting documents.

Metro

Three lines (A, B, C) operate daily in the entire town from 5 a.m. to midnight, with the above-mentioned tickets.

Tram

Trams operate daily from 4:30 a.m. to midnight. Their schedules can be found at the tram stops. buses n° 501 to 513 and trams starting with 90 also operate at night and leave every 30 minutes.

Taxi

The price for 1 km in Prague is about 36 CKZ. A ride from the airport to the city center (30 min) usually costs about 800 CZK. Use Bolt or Uber app for cheaper ride.

AAA radiotaxi, +420 222 333 222 , cz
City taxi, +420 257 257 257, cz
Halotaxi, +420 244 114 411, cz
Taxi-Praha, +420 222 111 000, taxi-praha.cz
Bolt app https://bolt.eu/
Uber app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ubercab&hl=en

ACCOMODATION

Prague is notorious for its high accommodation prices. Therefore, it is worth exploring facebook groups (apart from accommodation websites, AirBnB, etc.), as they may offer options without commission and lower prices. But be cautious and watch out for scams (for example, always Google the picture of the apartment to check the authenticity of the photos).

Websites

http://www.expats.cz/
http://www.bezrealitky.cz/
http://www.ulovdomov.cz/
http://prague.student-room-flat.com/
www.bazos.cz/
https://www.sreality.cz/

Student flats:

Hotel Mazanka: A residence/hotel managed by the Czech Academy of Sciences, located near Ládví metro station.
Contact them by email as early as possible: recepce@hotel-mazanka.cz
Different types of rooms are available, from single to double rooms, with a private bathroom and shared kitchen. A special discount is available for people coming to CEFRES, with prices starting from CZK 9,340 per month for a single room.

Student apartments (private)
There are many student residences in Prague, but finding accommodation is not easy. Here are a few options among others:
https://www.studentrepublic.cz/1-kk-apartments-zizkov
https://www.studentrepublic.cz/1-1-apartments-holesovice

TIPS
A useful tip when looking for accommodation: do not hesitate to mention in your introduction or in your message to the landlord that you are a PhD student. Many people associate this status with seriousness, responsibility, and politeness, which may work in your favour and encourage the landlord to consider your application more carefully.

PRACTICAL

Important contacts

Fire Department: 150
Ambulances: 155
City Police: 156
Police of the Czech Republic: 158
Universal European emergency number: 112

Health services

Hospitals

Městská poliklinika Praha (Municipal Health Center), Spálená 12, Prague 1, tel. 222 924 295, Mo – Fr 7 p.m. – 6 a.m.; weekends 24/24
Fakultní nemocnice v Motole (University Hospital Motol), V Úvalu 84, Prague 5, tel. 283 842 222, Mo – Fr 7 p.m. – 6 a.m.; weekends 24/24
Nemocnice na Bulovce (Hopital Na Bulovce), Budínova 2, Prague 8, tel. 283 842 222, Mo- Fr 7 p.m. – 6 a.m.; weekends 24/24
Fakultní nemocnice Královské Vinohrady (Hospital Královské Vinohrady), Šrobárova 50, Prague 10, tel. 267 163 778, Mo – Fr 7 p.m. – 6 a.m.; weekends 24/24
Prague 1 – Nemocnice Na Františku – adresa: Praha 1, Na Františku 847/8, kontakt: 222 801 397
Prague 2 – U svaté Ludmily – adresa: Praha 2, Belgická 37, kontakt: 222 513 396, 222 519 731
Prague 4 – Fakultní Thomayerovy nemocnice – adresa: Praha 4, Vídeňská 800, kontakt: 261 081 111, 261 082 205

Healthcare professionals and other healthcare facilities

Psychiatry

Dr Jiří Renka: English-speaking psychiatrist specialising in adult ADHD, among other conditions. Private consultations are quite expensive, but he is recommended. Appointments: https://my.medevio.cz/duse-a-mysl
National Institute of Mental Health: A potentially cheaper option, but appointments are limited. Contact: ambulance@nudz.cz
Dyscentrum: A centre specialising in learning disorders and ADHD. It is particularly useful if you speak Czech: dyscentrum.org

Dentists

Magic Smile: Four dental clinics in Prague with English-speaking dentists and relatively reasonable prices. Always ask for the price before any treatment. After an X-ray, you can ask to receive a copy of the images.

Pharmacies with NONSTOP emergency medical services

Prague 1 – Palackého 5, tel. 224 946 982
Prague 2 – Belgická 37, tel. 222 513 396
Prague 4 – EUC Lékárna – adresa: Praha 4, Šustova 1930/2, kontakt: 271 913 307
Prague 5 – V Úvalu 84 (University Hospital Motol), tel. 224 435 736
Prague 6 – Dr.Max lékárna – adresa: Praha 6, Vítězné náměstí 13, kontakt: 224 325 520, 225 574 363
Prague 7 – Benu Lékárna – adresa: Praha 7, Fr. Křížka 22, kontakt: 731 638 010
Prague 8 – Budínova 2 (Hôpital Na Bulovce), tel. 266 082 017
Prague 10 – EUC Lékárna – adresa: Praha 10, Plaňanská 573/1, kontakt: 281 019 258

Post Office

Main Post Office: Jindřišská 14, Prague 1, tel. +420 954 211 000, open daily 2 a.m. – midnight.

ISIC Card

Available to students under 26. Price: around CZK 400. It provides access to various discounts, particularly on public transport in Prague, České dráhy trains, and in some shops such as Tesco.

Embassies

French Embassy: Velkopřevorské náměstí 2 118 01 Prague 1
(+420) 251 17 17 11
Opening hours: Mo – Fr 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
http://www.france.cz/-Francais-
A complete list of embassies can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic’s website:
http://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/diplomatic_missions/diplomatic_list.html

More of other practical informations on these websites:
http://www.prague.eu/en/practical
https://expat.praha.eu/

WORKING OUTSIDE YOUR HOME

Quiet places to work

Libraries

CEFRES Library
The treasure of our institution. It offers a calm and pleasant working environment and is usually not very crowded.
Library | CEFRES
We also have the possibility of borrowing books from other Czech libraries.
Library of the Czech Academy of Sciences
A very pleasant working environment. Registration: CZK 150 for six months, CZK 280 for one year.
https://share.google/gN330DTIc0EhHTd9H
Library of the Institute of Czech Literature
Located opposite CEFRES, with a small, quiet room that is rarely crowded. Access is possible without a library card; annual membership costs CZK 100.
National Library – Klementinum
A Baroque library offering a remarkable working environment. Annual registration costs CZK 210; the cloakroom is compulsory and bottles are not allowed in the reading rooms.
https://www.nkp.cz/en
National Library of Technology
A large modern five-storey building, open on Sundays, with a night study room accessible from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Annual registration: CZK 100.
https://www.techlib.cz/en/
Prague Municipal Libraries
Free access. Some branches, particularly the one in Smíchov, are especially suitable for working.
https://www.mlp.cz/
University and research libraries
The libraries of Charles University and the Czech Academy of Sciences are accessible to external users. The CEFRES library can also request books through the Czech library network.
https://cuni.cz/UKEN-219.html / https://library.cuni.cz/libraries/
Catalogue:
https://aleph.nkp.cz/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b&local_base=skc&CON_LNG=ENG

Bars, restaurants, sports facilities and leisure activities listed in this handbook prepared by CEFRES doctoral students:
A Handbook for Migrants* on a Tight Budget in Prague – Google Docs

This page was prepared in collaboration with various members of the CEFRES team.

WORKING OUTSIDE YOUR HOME

French Research Center in Humanities and Social Sciences – Prague