Prague Car Rental, Driving to Prague

It’s easier to arrange a rental in Prague through your travel agent (or online with Talking Cities) rather than on arrival. Not only will you save money - anything from 15-20% - but you’ll also be able to find out about deposits, drop off charges, cancellation penalties and insurance costs without having to make yourself understood in a foreign language.

To quickly compare rates between leading local hire companies, enter your trip details:

Having toured most of middle/Eastern Europe by road, it’s fair to say that Czech drivers are above average for the region. Comparatively docile behind the wheel, most seem well-versed in keeping all four wheels firmly on the black stuff, although they do share a fondness (along with their Hungarian and Polish counterparts) for culling pedestrians on zebras. That said, Prague’s Sunday drivers display some rather erratic habits, while the city’s nouveaux riche willfully ignore speed limits (after all, if your new BMW can do 155mph, then why not show off a bit). So, aside from heavy traffic in the city centre, parking problems, one way streets and big red trams (which have a habit of turning Skodas into mangled modern sculptures) driving in the Czech capital is good fun. Oh, but then, we forgot to mention Prague’s rather over zealous traffic police…

If you do take the plunge, our golden rules for driving in Prague are:

i) stick rigorously to speed limits;

ii) ensure you have all necessary documentation and insurance to drive in the Czech Republic;

iii) avoid taking chances if you’ve taken a wrong turn i.e. no U-turns onto tramlines!

iv) research local road signs and markings, as many are unique to the Czech Republic;

Be prepared to use defensive (rather than offensive) driving tactics. After all, even when other drivers are clearly at fault, it’s better to concede a position than risk having an accident (or experiencing a road-rage incident).

Before you go

Aside from routine servicing, regular inspection and a few simple checks before departing will lessen the chances of a breakdown. Although pan-European cover with motoring organisations such as the AA and RAC in Great Britain does provide a safeguard against major mechanical failures and breakdowns, preventative maintenance is way better than road-side repair. The vast majority of breakdowns occur through problems with batteries, ignition, fuel and cooling systems. A summary of what to look out for is given below:

Cooling System - regardless of the time of year you drive to Prague, it’s important to make sure your vehicle’s cooling system is operating efficiently. This is especially true during the hot summer months when temperatures in the Czech Republic can reach +90°F.

First, check the radiator for leaks and signs of excessive corrosion and remove debris such as leaves, paper and insects. Coolant hoses (top and bottom) should be inspected for cracks/bulges and replaced if necessary. The security of hose clips should also be checked and adjusted if required (being careful not to over tighten). While fluid loss in a sealed unit often signifies a leak, top up only with an anti-freeze solution recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.

Also check the tension/condition of fan belts and replace if necessary (keeping a spare just in case of failure). Other common problems include faulty thermostat sensors, which usually cause cooling fans to only work intermittently resulting in increased engine temperatures.

Battery - ensure the battery electrolyte level of cells covers the top of each plate, topping up with distilled water if necessary. Also, check the electrical connections to each battery terminal, removing any green residue which may have collected* (as this can stop power reaching the starter motor). When clean, smear petroleum jelly onto the battery terminals both before and after reconnecting. Also ensure that the earthing strip has a good connection to the body/chassis of the vehicle. *disconnect according to instructions in your owner’s handbook.

Tyres - normally tyre pressures should be checked at weekly intervals. However, on a long to journey to Prague (which is mostly by motorway) it’s prudent to check them once a day, preferably when cold. If your vehicle is fully loaded i.e. 4/5 occupants plus luggage, adjust pressures accordingly (referring back to the manufacturers handbook). Also consider buying a good quality tyre pressure gauge - those at filling stations are notoriously unreliable. Tread depth (which must appear in a continuous band over at least three quarters of the tyre) should be above the legal minimum of 1.6mm.

Cambelt (Timing belt) - special attention is drawn to vehicle cambelts. Inspection (and replacement if necessary) is usually carried at intervals ranging from 40,000-60,000 miles. If your journey coincides with an inspection, make sure it is carried out before you go. A failed belt will invariably result in engine damage to both valves and cylinder head. For Escort/Focus sized vehicles this can cost upwards of £800 to repair.

Departing from the UK

The fastest way to get across the Channel (just 35 minutes) is with Le Shuttle between Folkestone and Coquelles. Each terminal has a direct connection by motorway (leave the M20 at junction 11A for the Folkestone terminal) and both are well-signposted.

With the increased competition brought by the Tunnel, ferry operators have been forced to reduce fares on the most popular sea crossings such as Calais-Dover and Dover-Boulogne. For most, Dover-Calais is the most convenient option, taking just 1 hour 15 minutes to complete the journey. Worth considering is the SpeedFerries service from Dover to Boulogne. And, unlike more established companies, prices seem to be very reasonable!

Recommended Route from the UK

To get to the Czech Republic from the UK, we advise you take the following route (approx. distance 690 miles). Even if your starting point is another country in mainland Europe, you may still find this route of use:

Enter Belgium:
E40 Brugge - Gent
E40 Gent - Aalst
E40 Aalst - Brussels (ring road)
Brussels ring road - Liège E40 (A3). Follow signs ‘Liège-Luik’
E40 Liège/Cheratte motorway interchange. Follow signs ‘Aachen’ and ‘Verviers’
E40 Battice/Verviers motorway interchange. Follow signs ‘Aix-la-Chapelle-Aachen’
E40 Eynatten Junction. Follow signs to ‘Aachen Ost’ and ‘Köln’
E40 (A44) - Belgian/German Frontier at Aachen

Enter Germany:
A4 (E40) Aachen - Köln-West. Follow signs ‘Frankfurt’ and ‘Köln Süd’, then at Köln Süd to Frankfurt and Olpe to Heumar reaching the Bonn/Siegburg junction
A3 (E35) Bonn/Siegburg - Frankfurt
A3 (E35/E41) Frankfurt - Furth/Erlangan. Follow signs ‘Würzburg’, ‘Nürnburg’
14 (E50) Follow signs ‘Hersbruck’, ‘Sulzbach Rosenburg’, ‘Wernberg’, Waidhaus’ to the German/Czech frontier.
D5 (E55) Rosvadov - follow signs ‘Plzen’
D5 (50) Becomes motorway near Plzen - follow signs ‘Praha’

To compile to a printable version of this route, we recommend you visit the excellent Via Michelin website.

Entering the Czech Republic

Having recently joined the European Union, the Czech Republic is currently upgrading its motorway and road infrastructure. Consequently, you’re likely (at some stage) to encounter delays because of roadworks. To make matters worse, advanced warning of road repairs and diversions are often poorly signposted.

For high-speed carriageways, the Czech authorities also levy a motorway tax which is paid by way of a vehicle sticker (affixed to the windscreen). Available at border crossing points, filling stations and post offices, drivers can purchase 10 day, one month or full year versions. Costs vary according to the weight of the vehicle, with cars and SUVs falling into the ‘under 3.5 ton’ category. Prices for 2008/2009 are 220 CZK (weekly), 330 CZK (1 month) and 900 CZK (1 year). The fine for failing to display a motorway sticker is assessed on the spot (up to 15, 000 CZK). For more details visit: www.ceskedalnice.

Compulsory/Recommended Equipment

The following equipment is either compulsory (c) or recommended (r) when driving in the Czech Republic:

First Aid Kit (c)

Fire Extinguisher (r)

Warning Triangle (c)

Spare Bulbs (c)

Headlamp Converters for right hand drive vehicles (c)

Motorcycle Crash Helmets (c)

Nationality Plate (c)

Driving Licence 

A valid, full UK, US or Canadian licence is needed to drive in the Czech Republic. Old style ‘green’ UK licences are accepted only if accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Fuel  

Nowadays, nearly all petrol (benzín) stations in Prague stock unleaded fuel. Most are open from 6am to 10pm, although 24hr service is now widely available at Shell, Esso, OMV, Avanti and Aral stations. Fuel octane ratings are: 98 (super plus), 96 (super), 95 unleaded (natural), 91 octane (special), diesel (nafta) and LPG (PLYN or LPG). Self-service stations are on the increase, although for attended service, tips should be given.

Parking

Parking in Prague, like most major cities can be a real headache. If you’re staying in a hotel with parking facilities, then it’s best to use the metro for sightseeing (as there are relatively few multi-storey car parks in city centre). Don’t be tempted to park illegally, however, as the city authority’s traffic units will almost certainly clamp or tow away your vehicle.

Speed Limits in the Czech Republic (km/h)

Vehicle	Built up area	Single lane carriageway	Dual Carriageway	Motorway
Car	50	90	110	130
Car + trailer	50	80	80	80
Motorbike	50	90	110	130
Bus/Coach	50	70	70	80
Lorry	50	70	70	80

Vehicle Security

If valuables have to be left inside your vehicle, lock them away in the glove or luggage compartment. Even everyday belongings such as coats and bags tempt thieves and should therefore be left out of sight. Don’t leave removable radio-cassette units under the front seats (this is the first place where a car thief will look) and activate the alarm/immobiliser upon leaving the vehicle. If central locking isn’t fitted, the driver should make sure that doors, windows and the sunroof are all closed. At night, park in well lit areas close to other vehicles. If your vehicle has alloy wheels consider fitting lockable wheel nuts. Finally, it should be noted that some unscrupulous criminal types use the ‘what’s yours is mine philosophy’ as an excuse to siphon petrol from other vehicles. Needless to say, buying a lockable filler cap will save you from being stranded in the middle of nowhere.