Use this packing list for Prague and the Czech Republic to have a hassle-free holiday, including advice on what to wear and how to buy a SIM card for your phone.
Charles bridge by night, Prague, Czech Republic © PIVISO
The Czech Republic is a stunning country with the regal grandeur of Prague and fairytale locations like Český Krumlov, on the edge of the Bohemian Forest. As well as natural and architectural beauty, eating out is also a treat in my experience. It’s normal to ask if you can join a stranger’s table in a busy restaurant, and I’ve made new friends this way. The Czechs also know how to serve a cold, crisp beer. Arguably the best in the world – sorry, Carlsberg! Better still, these things generally cost less in the Czech Republic, so your holiday money should stretch further.
✅ Preparing For Your Trip To The Czech Republic
If you want to make the most of your time in the Czech Republic, there are a number of crucial things to get sorted long before you leave.
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Passport: Leave plenty of time to make sure you have one and know where it is. Your passport needs blank pages and at least six months until it expires. Protect it with a durable passport cover — a good one has pockets for keeping tickets and other documents together.
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Visa: As a member state of the European Union, the Czech Republic is part of the Schengen Agreement for free movement. EU citizens do not need a visa to visit. A number of other nationals can also travel for up to 90 days without a visa, including Americans and Australians. There are full details and application forms on the Schengen Visa site.
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Accommodation: The sweet spot tends to be booking around three months in advance. You might expect to find last minute bargains but it’s just as likely that prices peak then, so don’t leave it too late. Booking.com will help you find what you want at the lowest price available.
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Flight ticket: The same three-month tactic applies for booking a flight. Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest ticket for your preferred dates. Print out all tickets and keep them with your passport, as you may be asked to show a return ticket on arrival.
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Bus and train tickets: You can save cash by buying domestic transport ahead of time. The rail network in the Czech Republic is a little patchy, so you may find yourself falling back on the coach to reach destinations like Český Krumlov. Find the cheapest trains and coaches via The Trainline. If you’re an EU national planning lots of train travel, look into an Interrail pass or global pass if travelling to multiple countries. Non-EU travellers should look at the Eurail Czech Republic Pass. Travelling from Poland, the EuroNight sleeper train is an enjoyable option. Most buses are run via Flixbus.
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Face mask: COVID is still very active in many countries and you may be required to wear an SFP2 face mask on the plane and in some indoor spaces. It’s also a good idea to carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser when you travel.
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🧴 What Do You Need To Pack For The Czech Republic?
Whilst food and drink is quite cheap in the Czech Republic, you may end up paying a bit more for things like brand-name clothes. All the same, there are plenty of supermarkets and malls in the cities with extended opening hours. As you can get most things on arrival, it’s worth asking yourself if you really need everything you’ve packed.
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You won’t need toiletries: You’ll find all the same brands you’re used to at home in a ‘drogerie’ like Rossmann or dm, or a supermarket like Tesco or Billa. Bring some necessary basics like toothpaste, tampons, and deodorant but get liquids like shampoo and shower gel once you arrive. Leaving razors at home will help avoid hassle at the airport.
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You won’t need non-prescription medication: The Czech for a pharmacy is ‘lékárna’, identifiable by the same green cross familiar from many other European countries. Remedies for common complaints and painkillers can be bought from the non-prescription counter, though you may be asked to provide identification.
👕 What Clothes To Pack For The Czech Republic
Like many of its neighbours, the Czech weather is fairly mild, with warm summers and winter temperatures hovering around freezing. Thunderstorms are common and snow is always possible around Christmas and New Year. You’ll need to be ready for a range of temperatures, so the best tactic is to bring layers to bulk up for the cold and wet. If you bring enough clothing for 4 or 5 days, you can wash them twice a week with an outfit to spare. There are many local branches of C&A if you need to buy something once you arrive.
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Lower body: Pack a few pairs of good-quality trousers, shirts, or shorts that can cope with frequent washing and the rough-and-tumble of travel. Go lightweight in the milder months of April to September, and choose warmer materials for the rest of the year. Consider shorts with zipped pockets to protect valuables. If you’re hiking in the forest during summer, cover up with lightweight trousers to protect against ticks — an increasing health hazard. For cold weather, two pairs of jeans should be warm enough and mix well with the rest of your wardrobe.
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Upper body: Layers are best for changeable weather. In summer a simple t-shirt should be enough during the day — Under Armor t-shirts are perfect for travel. For winter, use base layer tops such as Duofold crew neck base layers for men or Duofold thermal shirts for women. Wear a waterproof coat or jacket on the plane to cut down on packing.
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Underwear: Under Armor underwear is perfect for the rigours of travel. If you’re walking a lot, try a lubricant like KY Jelly to cut down on chafing.
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Footwear: Good footwear will save you from a number of travel-related woes. Keen CNX hiking shoes are much better than sandals during the summer — breathable and comfortable on long hikes. Make sure trainers or sneakers are also well-ventilated to avoid blisters. Don’t forget protective hiking socks. You’ll find bargains on men’s walking shoes and women’s footwear on Amazon.
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Sunglasses: A decent pair will screen out harmful rays and can be equally essential if you’re skiing. A hat or cap can be useful for keeping the sun off too.
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Winter accessories: Pack a scarf, some gloves, and a warm hat if you’re travelling in the colder months.
💊 Health And Grooming Items To Pack For The Czech Republic
Although toiletries can be bought locally, keeping these items in your day bag will help keep you healthy and ready for little emergencies.
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Refillable water bottle: Staying hydrated should be a number one priority of any traveller. The Nalgene OTF has been specially designed with this in mind and can be replenished whenever you get the chance.
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Sunscreen and insect repellent: Protect yourself from the sun or snow glare with a water-resistant lotion like the Neutrogena SPF 45 Drytouch. Use insect repellent during the warmer months, as tick bites can cause serious harm.
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Moisturiser: A good moisturiser is a great pick-me-up after a long day on the road. Splash out on a quality brand like CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion or Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream to feel the real benefits.
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Ear plugs: Though cheap to buy, Moldex ear plugs are invaluable for getting some peaceful sleep on the road.
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Tissues and wet wipes: Always carry a small pack of tissues and wet wipes — useful as backup toilet paper among many other things. A small bottle of hand sanitiser is essential too.
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Quick-dry towel: Even if there are towels in your hotel room, it’s a good idea to bring one of your own. Sunland towels are very compact and dry quickly.
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Antihistamine tablets: These will take care of any pollen allergies — and a secret tip is to take one before a long flight to counteract the sneezing brought on by recycled cabin air.
📱 Electronic Devices To Pack For The Czech Republic
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Plug adaptor: The Czech Republic uses a Type C plug with two rounded pins — Type E plugs also work in these sockets. Get a universal power adaptor and make sure any valuable electronics like laptops have surge protection. Certain US gadgets may need an adaptor with built-in voltage conversion.
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Cellphone: You’ll need an unlocked handset — get a cheap phone before leaving if your current phone is locked to a contract. A fully-charged power bank is an essential item for your day pack. Keep your phone safe with the Otterbox Defender range of cases. Regularly back up photos to Google or a cloud service, and to an SD card or USB stored safely.
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Camera: A dedicated camera still has advantages over a smartphone — batteries last longer and results can be better. The Canon Powershot is a great all-round compact. Alternatively, the GoPro remains very popular with travellers. Pack a bunch of memory cards and swap them over regularly.
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Noise-cancelling headphones: These will help you get some much-needed headspace during long journeys or downtime.
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Kindle: Kindle readers let you carry a huge stack of books at negligible weight — perfect for travel.
🎒 Luggage For A Visit To The Czech Republic
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Backpack or suitcase: Test any luggage before buying to make sure it feels comfortable or travels well. A backpack harness should put the weight on your hips rather than your shoulders — look for a trusted brand like Osprey. If you opt for a suitcase, make sure it’s durable with plenty of space. If taking only cabin luggage, check restrictions with your airline before you buy.
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Day bag: You’ll need a strong day bag for a water bottle, battery pack, and other day-to-day essentials.
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Luggage locks: Luggage locks keep your stuff safe from opportunists. TSA-approved locks are mandatory when travelling to or from the United States.
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Travel cubes: Travel cubes will revolutionise your packing — keeping your luggage well-organised and easy to navigate without dumping everything on the floor.
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Wash bag: The Magictodoor travel kit has loads of compartments and a built-in hook. Note: there is a 100ml restriction on liquids for cabin bags, so pack larger bottles in hold luggage or decant into small clear bottles.
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Travel wallet: Keep valuables safe with the Lewis N. Clark RFID Security Wallet — it protects your passport, cards, and cash securely under clothing without getting in the way.
📋 Other Things To Pack For The Czech Republic
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Czech phrasebook: English is widely spoken in the Czech Republic but a phrasebook will help you decode a menu and can even save your bacon. Spend a bit of time on YouTube getting familiar with pronunciation before you go — otherwise your phrasebook will be useless.
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Journal: A physical journal doubles as a scrapbook for maps, flyers, drawings, and other memorabilia. Leuchtturm1917’s A5 dotted notebooks are expensive but the best around.
🗂️ Other Documents To Prepare For A Visit To The Czech Republic
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Document scans: Take photos of your passport, cards, and any other important documents, then save them to Google Photos, Dropbox, or similar so you have all details online and on your phone if anything gets lost or stolen. Also have all bank and medical contacts close to hand so you know who to call in an emergency.
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Student card: Get an International Student Identity Card if you qualify — it offers plenty of discounts and savings for travellers.
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Driving licence: The RAC website has all the information you need for driving in the Czech Republic. As with most European countries, you’ll need a valid licence and passport, proof of insurance and ownership, and to be over 18.
📱 Preparing Your Cellphone For The Czech Republic
Citizens from the European Union can use their domestic phone contract when travelling in the Czech Republic — check your handset is set up for overseas use and that you’ll get the same minutes and data abroad at no extra cost.
If you’re travelling from a non-EU country, you will need an unlocked handset and to buy a SIM card. If your device is locked to a contract, buy a cheap phone before you leave. Getting a SIM is generally quick and easy — you shouldn’t need ID but take your passport anyway.
The Czech Republic has many small telcos, but you’ll probably have a better experience sticking with T-Mobile, O2, or Vodafone. They all have stores across the country and coverage is good.
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Vodafone: Offers a data plan aimed specifically at travellers — 10GB over 30 days for 800 CZK (just over €30). Cheaper bundles are also available. You’ll find a Vodafone store in Terminal 2 at Prague’s Václav Havel Airport.
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O2: Currently advertising PAYG packages from 150 CZK (just under €7), with a 1.5GB data add-on for an additional 300 CZK. Find an O2 store through their website.
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T-Mobile: Has the largest network in the country. PAYG rates of 3.50 CZK per minute with prepaid bundles available. Use the online store locator to find your nearest branch. Data-only SIMs are also available.
Free wifi is easily found in Prague — available in any of the city’s 46 public libraries or any branch of Starbucks. The wiman site and app lists over 200,000 free hotspots across the whole of the Czech Republic.
💉 Health Considerations For A Visit To The Czech Republic
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Emergency services: Keep any key medical and insurance numbers within easy reach. Dial 112 for English-speaking emergency services.
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European Health Insurance Card: Travellers from other EU countries should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which entitles you to the same state healthcare as any Czech resident. The companion phone app will guide you through the bureaucratic steps should a medical situation arise.
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Vaccinations: The Czech Republic is a safe country with no specific health warnings beyond basic vaccinations. Get the all-clear for travel from your doctor or nurse roughly six weeks before you leave.
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Ticks: There is increasing risk from tick-borne diseases in the countryside, especially during warmer months. Keep your limbs covered and use insect repellent. See the CDC website for instructions on how to deal with a tick.
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Prescription medicines: Keep prescription medicines sealed where possible with the prescription label attached, and carry written documentation. Make sure you have enough for your entire visit.
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Allergy card: If you have any particular allergies, carry a statement in Czech to show in restaurants or other situations. Select Wisely sells a huge range of these cards with potentially life-saving translations.
💰 Money For Visiting The Czech Republic
Although the Czech Republic joined the EU in 2004, the currency remains the koruna (CZK). You may find some chain stores accept Euros, but don’t count on it. Here’s a list of reliable places to change currency in Prague.
Debit and credit cards are widely accepted, but it’s worth keeping some cash on you. Buy around 2500 CZK (roughly €100) before you leave for transport and snacks on arrival. Inform your bank before you travel and double-check your card will work abroad. Take a photo of the front and back of your cards so you have the details and emergency numbers if a card is frozen or stolen. Carry a backup card with a different bank if possible.
Once settled, ATMs are cheapest to use — especially if your bank offers a no-fee debit card. Use Visa or Mastercard with chip and four-digit PINs. Stick to ATMs in major banks or post offices, or use Visa’s ATM locator. If offered a choice, always choose the CZK rate rather than your home currency.
Pre-paid travel cards and app-based banks offer very attractive rates. A Revolut account takes minutes to open from your phone with no added fees abroad. Similarly, a Starling card can be locked from the app and sends instant alerts whenever it is used.
🗓️ The Best Time To Visit The Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a great place to visit throughout the year, though winters will be colder and Prague can be packed with tourists at the height of summer. You’ll get pleasant weather and save money if you visit in Spring (April–May) or Autumn (September–October).
🗺️ Planning What To Do And Where To Go In The Czech Republic
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Czech Republic guidebook: A guidebook remains a great way to prepare for a trip and is a useful way to collect notes as you travel. Lonely Planet Prague and The Czech Republic is the pick of the bunch.
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Maps: You can generally pick up free maps from hotels, which will often have lists of attractions. It’s also useful to download Google Maps for offline use when you have access to free wifi.
