If you are not a complete stranger to Prague, trust your sense of orientation and have plenty of time on your hands to explore the city, then you should definitely consider using the city’s exceptional public transport network to get around internally. However, when you don’t know your way around the city, or when you want to get from A to B as quickly and efficiently as possible, some of the best alternatives to public transportation are taxi, private airport shuttle and rental car services. In the remainder of this article, we will cover each of these means of transportation separately, looking into both their advantages and disadvantages.
1) Taxis
One of the fastest ways to get around Prague, irrespective of the time of day, is definitely by taxi. As an added benefit, local taxi rates are typically cheap, with a drop charge of around 40 CZK plus 28 CZK per kilometer, and 6 CZK for each minute of waiting time. The typical ride from the airport to Prague center will cost you somewhere from 550 CZK to 650 CZK, which isn’t much at all considering the extra comfort and speed you get for that.
The main problem though lies in many local taxi companies operating illegally, despite the intensive efforts undergone by government authorities to contain the phenomenon. Therefore, to stay on the side of safety, consider arranging your rides telephonically through a central dispatcher rather than pick just any taxi in the street.
2) Private airport shuttle services
Transfer services for fixed rates stand out as a solid alternative to common taxi services. In fact, private shuttles combine the convenience and comfort of taxi rides with increased affordability, not to mention they are far safer than the latter.
Numerous transport companies in Prague that have become specialized in airport transfer are renowned for their professionalism, so finding a solid service of the kind is relatively easy. Reputable companies check actual times of arrival so that they can negotiate any eventual flight delays or other schedule changes properly. Besides, a large majority of private airport shuttle services don’t have charges for waiting on/ dropping clients off at their destination. With most companies, the average ride to Prague center will cost you between 500 and 550 CZK, which is the equivalent of about 20 EUR.
3) Prague car rental services
If you are only staying in Prague for a few days and/ or haven’t scheduled any trips outside the city, renting a car is not advisable considering Prague’s heavy traffic conditions, as well as difficult navigation and restricted parking in the city center. For shorter trips, using the city’s public transit system or getting around in a cab is usually better.
However, if you want to explore the Czech countryside at your own pace, turning to a local car hire agency is always a good idea. Car hire in Prague is easy, convenient and affordable in general, especially if you make your bookings in advance. If you decide to drive your way around the countryside landscape though, be careful how you plan your trip, as driving times can vary considerably depending on road infrastructure, speed limits and other important factors.
For instance, while major cities like Plzen, Brno and Karlovy Vary are connected by high-speed multi-lane expressways, smaller towns and villages are generally run by ordinary narrow roads with plenty of restricted speed areas, so always account for that. To make sure you will be able to identify the fastest and safest routes in the Czech Republic, don’t forget to bring along a detailed road map or, better yet, opt for a rental vehicle that comes equipped with a GPS system.
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