Traveling in the Czech Republic 

Visitors will find traveling in the Czech Republic to be much like traveling in Western Europe, except that costs are lower for food and transport, particularly in the off-season (November through April). Basic English is widely spoken in most hotels and restaurants. International hotels and restaurants catering to foreigners accept major credit cards, although smaller hotels and restaurants may not. Currency exchange is widely available, as are Koruna-dispensing ATM's, that accept most U.S. bankcards.

Major cities have Western-style hotels, though you may consider reducing costs (and getting more local flavor) by staying in smaller, non-business hotels. Many restaurants offer a wide variety of international cuisines. Prague menus are usually in Czech and English. Tap water is safe, though metallic tasting. Bottled water is widely available; infants up to one year old should be given special "infant water."

Prague has good Western-style medical clinics and English-speaking doctors and dentists. For major operations and complicated illnesses, most Westerners return to the USA or go to nearby Germany or the U.K. We recommend travel insurance sufficient to cover costs of medical evacuation out of country. Prague and most major outlying cities have pharmacies that stock most Western medicines or that can order specialized prescriptions in 24 hours. U.S. prescription drugs often have different names in Europe. Travelers should carry prescriptions noting generic names. Keep all prescription drugs in original containers to avoid problems with Customs officials. In winter, Prague air pollution can pose problems for those with respiratory conditions.

Local telephone and mail services are good, reliable and inexpensive. U.S. long distance operators serve Prague through direct access numbers. Express mail is available through several companies.

In central Prague, visitors will often find walking faster (and more relaxing) than auto travel. The city also has fine, usually quick, public transit to most points. For trips outside Prague, we recommend hiring a car for the day. The domestic train network is extensive and can be slow.

Business Customs and Etiquette

Because Prague is a small, tightly knit city, word-of-mouth reputation is extremely important, and news about you -- good or bad -- will spread quickly. Czechs are more reserved than Americans, and will be nervous about a typical American "let's get down to business" approach. Cold-calls and hard sell tactics will be viewed as amateurish and even rude. Start slowly by building a few good relationships. Let your new Czech friends introduce you to their friends, and soon you will have a good business network. An attempt to take the city by storm with a flurry of quick meetings and barrage of e-mails is more likely to arouse suspicion than business. Czechs prefer to get to know you -- to learn about your background and your company, and then, if they are comfortable with you, get down to deal-making around the dessert course, or even at a follow-up meeting. Most Czechs want to build long-term, two-way business relationships, and will be put off by too much emphasis on an immediate sale.

Americans may feel that Czech business people are not warm and friendly. Czechs do not smile as a social signal of greeting, as Americans, Britons, and many other Westerners do, but only when they are amused or pleased. This can create a false impression that Czechs are cold or unfriendly. Also, Czechs are a more formal people than are Americans, and a serious demeanor is regarded as a sign of respect for the visitor and the business being transacted.

The business custom is to be punctual - even early - for appointments and engagements. It is best to start arranging meetings several weeks before you visit, as Czechs are reluctant to arrange impromptu meetings at the last minute.

Czechs dress more formally than their American counterparts, preferring dark business suits and ties, and often vests. While a blazer or sports jacket is sometimes acceptable, Czechs find "American casual" a turn-off.

Business partners do not usually call each other by their first names, and Czechs may be offended if their foreign visitors address them by their first names without first being invited to do so. It may take several meetings to establish a sense of rapport and a more relaxed attitude.

Czechs are very gracious and will open a meeting with the offer of coffee, tea, water, juice, and cookies when they host business visitors. It is polite to accept at least a glass of water. Coffee and tea will be served in real china cups and juice or water in glass or crystal - never plastic or Styrofoam. Business luncheons normally are more formal and leisurely than in the United States. Even if dining alone with one business contact, expect to order multiple courses and do not expect the lunch to be finished in less than two hours. Rushing through lunch because of the press of business is considered ill mannered. Working breakfasts are not common in the Czech Republic. Although the Czechs regard the custom as an amusing American oddity, they are also very amenable to attending, as an offer of food is considered gracious and the typical Czech working day starts early.

Security/Travel Advisories

The Department of State has issued multiple public announcements since September 11, 2001 cautioning Americans worldwide to maintain a level of vigilance against potential terrorist incidents. All Americans are advised to be continually aware of their surroundings and be alert to suspicious activities or individuals. There are no outstanding travel advisories warning against travel to the Czech Republic. Prague and other Czech cities are very safe by U.S. standards, but visitors are encouraged to exercise common sense precautions and be particularly wary of Prague's famously efficient pickpockets and occasional mugging/violent street crime. Be careful in and around train stations and when boarding and exiting trams. Taxi drivers, particularly those at train stations and those hailed on the street, are notorious for overcharging; sometimes-becoming abusive or even violent if exorbitant fares are not paid. We suggest you phone for a taxi (your hotel can advise on honest drivers) or have the hotel arrange transport. If you must hail a taxi on the street, agree on an estimated fare with the driver in advance. Consult the State Department's website (http://www.travel.state.gov) for updates and current travel advisories.

Visa Requirements

U.S. passport holders (not U.S. resident aliens or refugee document holders) may visit the Czech Republic for tourism without a visa for 90 days. For this purpose, "business" is defined as consultations, negotiations, etc., but not employment reimbursed from an employer located in the Czech Republic. For stays of longer than 90 days or for purposes other than tourism/business, a new law requires any foreigner to obtain a visa in advance from a Czech Embassy or Consulate. Foreigners are no longer allowed to change their status from tourist to student or worker, or to extend their stay while still in the Czech Republic. Instead, a visa must be obtained from outside the country. The Czech Government expects that visa processing may take two or more months. Details on how to apply for a visa are available from the websites of the Czech Embassy in Washington (http://www.mzv.cz/washington), or from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs (http://www.mzv.cz).

Entry of Computers, Software, Exhibit Materials

We are not aware of difficulties in bringing in computers, software, or exhibit materials.

Holidays

January 1 New Year's Day
(Varies) Easter Monday
May 1 Labor Day
May 8 Liberation Day
July 5 Cyril & Methodius Day
July 6 Jan Hus Day
September 28 Statehood Day
October 28 Czech Founding Day
November 17 Struggle for Freedom Day
December 24 Christmas Eve
December 25 Christmas Day
December 26 St. Stephen's Day

When scheduling meetings or events to which Czech business guests are invited, it is best to avoid Friday afternoon (and Friday morning, if possible), as many Czechs have country houses to which they travel as early as possible on Friday. Czechs regard weekends and holidays as near-sacrosanct family time, and they avoid allowing business to intrude on this time. As is the case in much of Europe, it is harder to make business appointments and contacts in the Czech Republic during August and close to major holidays, such as Christmas or Easter week. The workweek is the standard 40 hours (Monday through Friday), although Czech working days tend to start - and therefore, end - earlier in many firms.

Communications

Country code 420 + number
To U.S.: 001 + number
To U.S. (discount number after 5pm and on holidays and weekends): 952 001 + number

Emergency numbers

U.S Embassy (+420) 257 530 663 http://www.usembassy.cz

• after hours (+420) 257 532 716
• emergency (+420) 257 532 715

Czech Emergency Number: 112

Transportation

Airport Information (+420) 220 113 314