Czechia (Czech Republic earlier) is the gateway to eastern Europe when travelling from the west. It is one of the less travelled countries although very beautiful and at par with any of the western European countries. Prague is a charming city with a nice castle. Kutna Hora has a unique ossuary made from human bones. Both these are good places to visit in Czechia
Best time to visit
Spring and Autumn between Mar- May, Sep- Nov are best months to visit. The temperature will be pleasant with minimal rains and snow. Autumn colors are more pronounced here and worth watching out for, specially the journey from Berlin to Prague in case this route features in your plan
Visa
Schengen visa is valid here
Getting In and around
Prague is the capital and hub for all flights and trains
If you are staying for more than a week in Eurozone and not opting for car rentals, Eurail pass can be worth the cost. It comes in variants as low as 4 days to 3 months, offering unlimited train travel among participating countries. Only long-distance trains are covered, the local trams or metros are not covered
You can explore all Eurail pass options here
Currency- Czech Koruna
Euro might be accepted in large hotels and tourist spots, but better to have small change in local currency
Places to visit in Czechia
We have been to Prague and Kutna Hora. Prague has many attractions worth visiting
Prague castle
A 9th century build, home to royalty. You can visit some sections inside
Charles bridge
Another icon of Prague on the river Vltava/Moldau
The astronomical clock
The popular icon of Prague, colorful and striking. The size was much smaller to what I had imagined and could have been completely missed if I had not looked for it. It lies in a corner in the old town with people crowding near it
Kutna Hora
The town is about 85km, 60-90 minutes away from Prague. It used to be a silver mining town. Kostnics Ossuary is a unique place I have never seen elsewhere. The entire church is made from human bones of around 40k people
How much does it cost
- Flights: $500-600 Lufthansa, Middle East carriers like Etihad are typically the cheapest with best connections
- Accommodation: Hostels cost $10-20 per night and mid-range can be around $50
- Travelling around: Budget $10-30 per day for mix of public transport and 1-2 Uber rides
- Food: $10-20 for simple takeaways