By Car in Prague

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By Car

Traveling by car has some obvious advantages: it offers much more flexibility and is often quicker than a bus or train. But these advantages can be outweighed by the costs of the rental and gasoline, as well as the general hassles of driving in the Czech Republic. Most of the roads in the country are of the two-lane variety, and are often jammed with trucks. Frequent detours and road construction can add hours to a trip. And then there's parking. It's impossible in Prague and often difficult in the larger cities and towns outside of the capital. If you do decide to rent a car and drive, don't set out without a large, up-to-date Ceský Autoatlas, available at gas stations and bookstores.

If you intend to visit only Prague, you can -- and should -- do without a car. The city center is congested and difficult to navigate, and you can save yourself a lot of frustration by sticking to public transportation.

A special permit is required to drive on expressways and other four-lane highways. Rental cars should already have a permit affixed to the windshield. Temporary permits -- for 15 days (200 Kc) or two months (300 Kc) -- are available at border crossings, post offices, and some large service stations.

Gasoline

Gas stations are frequent on major thoroughfares and near large cities. Many are open around the clock. At least two grades of unleaded gasoline are sold, usually 91-93 octane (regular) and 94-98 octane (super), as well as diesel. The average cost of a gallon of gasoline is at least twice that in the U.S. The Czech word for gasoline is "benzin," and at the station you pump it yourself.

Occasionally an attendant might come out and wash your windshield. A tip of 5Kc to 10 Kc is sufficient for this.

Parking

Finding a parking spot in Prague can be next to impossible. Most of the spaces in the city center, Prague 1, are reserved for residents; so you'll have to look for public lots with machines that issue temporary permits (look for the big blue "P" on machines). To use the machines, insert the required amount of change -- usually 10 Kc to 20 Kc an hour -- then place the ticket in a visible spot on the dashboard. Violators will find their cars towed away or immobilized by a "boot" on the tire. Some hotels offer parking -- and this is a real advantage -- though you may have to pay extra.

Parking is generally unrestricted outside of the immediate downtown area, Prague 1, though vacant spots can still be hard to find. If you have a car and you need to get rid of it, try parking it along one of the side streets in Vinohrady above and behind the National Museum, or on one of the streets in Prague 6 or Prague 7 across the river and north of the Old Town. There's an underground lot at námestí Jana Palacha, near Old Town Square. There are also park-and-ride (p+r) lots at distant suburban metro stations, including Skalka (Line A), Zlicín and Cerný Most (Line B), and Nádrazí Holesovice and Opatov (Line C).

Road Conditions

The Prague city center is mostly a snarl of traffic, one-way cobblestone streets, and tram lines. Driving outside of the capital is less hectic, but still often crowded. The Czech Republic has few four-lane highways, and even busy stretches are served by relatively narrow two-lane roads. As the country tries to upgrade its roads, expect frequent construction delays and detours.

Rules of the Road

The Czech Republic follows the usual Continental rules of the road. A right turn on red is permitted only when indicated by a green arrow. Signposts with yellow diamonds indicate a main road where drivers have the right of way. The speed limit is 130 kph (78 mph) on four-lane highways, 90 kph (56 mph) on open roads, and 50 kph (30 mph) in built-up areas and villages. Speed checks in villages are common. Seat belts are compulsory, and drinking before driving is absolutely prohibited. Passengers under 12 years of age, or less than 150 cm (5 feet) in height, must ride in the back seat.