© Felix Mittermeier, 2018

Prague is the capital and largest city in Czechia. The city is famous for its well-conserved historical architecture, fantastic beer, relaxed lifestyle and vibrant cultural scene. The city is centered around the Vtlava (Moldau) river, with the famous Charles bridge connecting the old city center with Malá Strana (the “small neighbourhood”) where the lectures will take place.

The currency in Czechia is the Czech Crown (CZK) which roughly converts 25 CZK to 1 EUR, payment by credit card is possible almost everywhere. English is widely spoken in the city, especially in the center. We recommend the Honest Guide blog and YouTube channel for further practical tips on the city.

Czechia is a member of the European Union and part of the Schengen area.

Please check if you need a visa to enter Czechia. In case you do, please apply as soon as possible: we have lost a few students already in previous years because of visa issues

Reaching the city

Prague is extremely well connected by road, train, and air to all major European cities. We encourage you to travel by train if coming from elsewhere in central Europe.

Direct trains exist to Berlin, Vienna, Budapest and many other European capitals. You can book your tickets via České dráhy, or other international rail providers like RegioJet or even Deutsche Bahn, prices tend to be cheaper on České dráhy. The main train station (Praha hl.n.) is well connected via public transport to the rest of the city.

The easiest way to reach the city from the Vaclav Havel Airport Prague is via public transportation. The bus 59 (directly in front of the terminal) brings you to the metro line A station Nádraží Veleslavín, which connects directly to the city center. The connection is truly foolproof.

Several companies of long-haul bus connect to Prague from across Europe, this is often the cheapest option. The main bus station is in Florenc but some lines also go to the main train station.

Within the city

The easiest, cheapest and most reliable way to travel within Prague is public transport. Prague has extensive coverage with three metro lines dozens of tram lines, buses, and even a few boats. All transport modalities are integrated into the same system, tickets can be bought directly at the stations, but the easiest way to find the best connection and correct ticket is to use the PID Lítačka App.

Participants should book their own accommodation. A few tips to help you choose well:

Option 1: Stay close to the venue. The school has an evening program, and booking near the venue makes it much easier (and more fun) to join in. Keep in mind that Malá Strana climbs steeply towards Prague Castle, so the higher uphill you book, the more of a workout your daily commute becomes. If your budget allows, we recommend the area around Na Kampě, right at the foot of the Charles Bridge and a 10-minute walk from the venue. Hotels there sit in the mid-range price bracket and include Hotel Archibald and River View Residence, among others. We have no special deals with any of them, so feel free to shop around. We do not recommend staying in the old city (across the Charles Bridge), since it is mostly pedestrianized (no direct metro or tram) and usually quite full of tourists, which will slow down even the most avid power-walkers.

Option 2: Stay along a direct tram line. If you prefer more options or lower prices, look for accommodation along tram lines that connect directly to Malostranské náměstí, for example elsewhere in Malá Strana or south towards Anděl/Smíchov neighbourhoods. We do not recommend staying near a metro station instead, since the closest metro stop is still a 10-minute walk from the venue, so a direct tram will be noticeably more convenient. Public transport in Prague runs late into the night every day, so getting back from the evening program is never a problem, but staying close to the venue still makes joining in easier.

Option 3: Share an apartment with other participants. If you'd like to cut costs further by sharing an apartment or a room with fellow attendees, you will have a mailing list and a Telegram group to connect with other participants.

Before you book. The usual international booking platforms have wide coverage in Prague and are a fine place to start. Once you have picked a place, it is worth checking the hotel's own website too: many Prague hotels offer a small discount for booking directly, and it helps you confirm the listing is genuine. If an offer looks suspiciously cheap, it probably is, beware of scams. Beyond hotels, keep an eye out for a penzion (a Czech-style guesthouse, often family-run and cheaper than a hotel) as a nice middle ground.

The school will take place at the Charles University, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Informatics Section, located at Malostranské nám. 25, 118 00 Praha. The building is located in Malá Strana, halfway between the Charles Bridge and the Prague Castle, surrounded by restaurants, cafés, bars, and shops.

The Charles University is the oldest university in central Europe and is the largest educational institution in Czechia.

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