Facts & Tips

Language

The official language in Prague is Czech.

Time zone

Standard Time Zone: UTC/GMT +1 hour
Daylight Saving Time: DST in use +1 hour
Current Time Zone offset: UTC/GMT +2 hours
DST started on Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 02:00 local standard time.
DST ends on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 03:00 local daylight time.

Currency

The main currency in Czech Republic is Czech Crown (Ceska Koruna)
Czech Crown – Czech symbol “Kc”, international symbol “CZK”
1 CZK = 100 haler, Czech symbol “h”
Coins: 50h and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 CZK
Banknotes: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 CZK

In shopping centres it is not unusual to pay also in Euro, British pounds or dollars – the change will be returned in CZK.

Foreign Currency Exchange

Visitors will normally receive a better exchange rate for the Czech Crown in Prague than in their home country.

To exchange cash for Czech Crowns, good rates are available in Prague. Czech and International banks in Prague, offer good exchange rates too, but they do charge commission. Be wary of the small currency exchange booths. Some offer reasonable rates, but at many, offers of 0% commission and confusing signs mask a poor exchange rate. In all cases, ask what the total amount you will receive is before handing over any money.

Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, international shops and more expensive restaurants. Many local shops and cheaper restaurants do not accept credit cards

Visa Information
Entry Visa to the Czech Republic

Some participants may require a visa in order to enter the Czech Republic. To find out whether you need a visa, see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic website
(http:// www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/frequently_asked_questions/index.html) or the Czech Embassy in your country.

CongressMed will not be responsible for any cancellations or delays caused by authorities due to a lack of Visa or other required documentation. It is the sole responsibility of each participant to determine if a Visa is necessary and to secure one.

Tipping

Like almost everywhere in the world, tipping is a usual practice in the Czech Republic. The international standard (10-12%) is welcome.

Business hours Banks: Generally Monday-Friday 08:00 - 17:00. Restaurants: Generally between 11:00 – 13:00 and 19:00 - 23:00 Many stay open all day Shops: Shopping centres and department stores in Prague generally open from 08:00/09:00 to 19:00/20:00. Small shops open from 07:00/08:00 to 18:00/19:00. Convenience stores stay open until 22:00/24:00. All stores are open from Monday to Saturday. Many shops open on Sunday as well.

Weather

Spring is a perfect time to visit Prague as the weather is not very cold. The highs can climb to 8-14°C/46-57°F. Starting from the end of April, beginning of May, the temperatures get higher (15-25°C/59-77°F).