Prague. Traveling alone
We're going to Prague.
Very detailed description. Hope it helps solo travelers
Step 1. Preparation. Trip from 03 to 07.10. 2013
I like to travel on my own (well, except for exotic countries like Sri Lanka), so I try to plan, at least partially, in advance, if possible.
So, excursions in Prague. To help - an audio guide. Downloaded here: http://edemsami. com/index. php? option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=98&Itemid=65.
I’ll say right away that I didn’t “run around” everything and, accordingly, listened. On 1 excursion I spent, on average, one and a half to two hours, depending on the speed of the “run” through the sights.
Tickets. UIA, the price is about 200 euros in both directions.
Hotel: Hotel "Karlin" - about 170 euros for 4 nights with breakfast. Booked through booking. com. Payment - upon check-out. Below is more detailed information.
Subway map. Well, the internet is full of them. So download and print.
Step 2. “Let's go! »
Departure from Boryspil was delayed for 1.5 hours. The reason is that the plane was late from Donetsk.
The flight from Prague took place on time.
During the flight, they offer a sandwich, juices, water, tea, coffee. Some items can be purchased for an additional fee. Sandwich - terrible, not heated enough, filling - something like ham, transparent in appearance : ) .
In general, we take buns, nuts, chocolates, apples, bananas with us.
Arrived, went through customs, got luggage. What's next? The cheapest way to get to the metro (maximum 20 min. ) is bus number 100, which goes to the final metro station "Zlicin" (yellow line). For me it was a direct line to the hotel.
Transport in Prague. I read reviews on the internet, I realized that for me it would be most convenient to have a 3-day pass for all types of public transport (this is the same bus number 100; metro, trams and funicular (! ), trolleybuses and buses) + for 1 day a couple of tickets for 32 crowns to buy (one ticket - to the airport on the day of departure to Kyiv is definitely needed). For 3 days the ticket cost 310 crowns.
Valid for 72 hours from the moment of the first activation (I have it on bus 100).
For whom is it convenient? For people who plan to move around the city a lot, for example, by metro and trams. For comparison: there are tickets that are valid for all types of transport for 30 minutes and 1.5 hours. The cost is 24 and 32 crowns, respectively.
When you leave the baggage claim area, a little to the left of the nearest doors that lead out of the airport building, you will find the Praž ská integrovaná doprava – PID (Public Transport) counter where you can buy tickets.
In my opinion, the 3rd and 4th pillar from the door to the left.
Controllers can check tickets at the subway exit, for example. I experienced this twice in 4 days.
Step 3. I want to go to a hotel!
Despite the fact that the hotel website indicates Art. m. Florenc as the nearest metro station, I ventured to get to the station. m. Krizikova. The end of the building that unites the exit from the subway was left behind. At the nearest intersection we turn left, 100 m - and here it is, the hotel.
http://www. hotelkarlin. cz/
They gave me a double room. Places are enough.
From the pros: there are absolutely no foreign odors (very important for me); safe in the room; friendly people at the reception, understanding both English and Russian (they printed boarding passes for me after check-in); a large bathroom (maybe you got a number like that? ); a huge closet, an elevator (this is a huge plus for small and relatively inexpensive hotels). 03.10. 2013-05.10. In 2013, the temperature was +1-5 degrees, so the electric battery saved (there you need to twist it). Towels and bedding are white. Breakfast is very good for a 3-star European hotel. And the area is very quiet, but not the outskirts.
There is also a restaurant where they actually had breakfast. The impression is very good, both from breakfast and from the restaurant. Cleaning in the room - OK.
Of the minuses (well, for me it’s more likely not a minus, but a feature, but for someone it’s important, so just a statement of facts): no hair dryer (at the reception they give it immediately after a request, for example, in Russian, English, surzhike ); there is no telephone in the room (if, suddenly, something is impatient, you will have to knock on the batteries (? ), shout out the window ... ). In the bathroom - a tiny piece of soap (apparently for a inch); no shampoo, shower gel is provided, only there is liquid soap near the sink (well, the head and other valuable parts of the body, of course, did not dare to wash it).
Curtains and furniture - "tired". In a room with mirrors - tension. There is only a mirror in the bathroom. There is also no air conditioning. It is clear that the battery was more valuable to me, well, and for tourists planning a visit in the summer, this unit might even be very useful.
I was strongly surprised by one case, which, I think, is worth writing about. In the evening, the day before departure, there was a knock at the door.
In general, I thought that they would take out the door : ). It turned out that the "night" duty officer decided to ask if I needed a transfer to the airport. Apparently, my facial expression was eloquent, so the man quickly retreated. In general, all this was perceived as "highlights" and not "cockroaches", so the overall impression of the hotel is good.
Step 4. Cultural program
Run-around plan: St. Vitus Cathedral; The Charles Bridge; Old Town Square, Prague Castle (in fact, St. Vitus and Zlata Lane are located there). In addition, Krzhizhikovy (singing) fountains; funicular, observation tower.
Krzhizhikovy (singing) fountains. On the day of arrival in the evening I wanted to go to the show of singing fountains by 20:00. http://www. krizikovafontana. cz/
The program is here http://www. krizikovafontana. cz/en/program
Performances were held at 20:00.21:00.22:00. Duration - approximately 35-40 minutes.
As I understand from the reviews of tourists, in October at 21:00 and 22:00 there simply may not be enough spectators. They say that if there are less than 10 people, the show is cancelled.
So I left at 8pm. There were enough people.
Ticket price - 220 kroons for 1 adult. You can, of course, book and pay on the site, but, frankly, I don’t see the point in this, since there are enough places (ordinary benches, places without numbers).
How to get there: metro Nadrazi Holesovice, from there I personally took tram 12 to the Vystaviste stop. If I'm not mistaken, one stop. When we got off at the stop, we cross the carriageway (not on the opposite side, but the carriageway for cars moving in the same direction as the tram), we walk for about min. 5 straight ahead, go around a large building with a clock on the right, turn left, you will see a small house there - a ticket office. The box office opens 20 minutes before the start of the show.
Day 2. According to the plan, I have the Old Town (including St. Vitus Cathedral + Zlata Lane).
Immediately, I note that I recommend getting up early, while the crowds of organized tourists have not yet been taken to the sights.
So, we go by subway to the station. m. Malostranska. We cross the tram lines, because we need tram number 22, which goes to the left (if you stand with your back to the metro station). We get off at the 2nd stop "Praž ský Hrad", cross the tram tracks and stomp 200 meters to the gates of the Prague Castle.
We buy a ticket to visit attractions. To do this, we need the foyer of the old Royal Palace. You definitely can't go wrong if you follow organized groups of tourists. From the entrance to the right - the box office. A full ticket cost 350 crowns.
http://www. hrad. cz/en/prague-castle/prague-castle-tourist-information/tickets. shtml.
I took a "short view" for 250 crowns (Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane and St. George's Basilica).
I will say right away that, having read that in the morning it is best to climb the tower of the Cathedral of St. Vita, followed this advice, paying separately 150 crowns. Entrance - an inconspicuous door to the left of the main entrance and to the right of the golden gates of the Cathedral of St. Vita. The ascent is 300 steps. There is almost nowhere to rest.
Therefore, you need to calculate your strength. By the way, it is in the morning that there should be fewer people, in particular, in the opposite direction, and on the observation deck itself.
So, you can safely take pictures without pushing.
By the Cathedral of St. Vita, as they say, an audio guide - to help : ).
The same audio guide will "take you through" the Basilica of St. Jiri, and along the Golden Lane, and along the Royal Palace. Time spent - approximately 3-4 hours, including "thoughtful re-listening of the audio guide", especially after the bell tower of St. Vita.
After that, she returned the same way. That is, by tram to the station. m. Malostraska.
By the way, do not rush to immediately run to the subway. We pass the station (more precisely, even the entrance) through and see a pretty square with a fountain in which a duck lives. Nice place to relax.
Day 3 The Charles Bridge.
We go by metro to the station. m. Staromestska. Follow the signs to the embankment in the direction of Charles Bridge. Closer to the bridge, turn on the audio guide.
After the Charles Bridge, you can return to the station. m. Staromestska and move towards the Old Town Square (approximately 300-500 m. ). There, listen to the audio guide of the area.
Day 4 Funicular. Lookout tower Petř í n.
The funicular is located just opposite the Ujezd tram stop (trams 12.22, 23). Got from st. m. Malostranska. We cross the road from the tram to the right, move to the right, to the funicular.
The Petrin Tower is a copy of the Eiffel Tower. Rise decently. Naturally, there are fewer people early in the morning. Very beautiful garden! Pink alleys, ponds…. I did not have time to see the whole garden, only a small part (from the funicular to the left).
Step 5. Shopping.
How could it be without this...
Tax free is issued when buying in 1 store for more than 2000 kroons. In general, check in advance whether the store participates in the tax free program.
I decided to ride along the already familiar route, to the station. m. "Zlicin" (yellow branch).
We exit the metro to the left into the underground passage, after a few tens of meters we cross the street and get into the Metropole Mall. www. metropole. cz/en/
From stores, in particular, H&M; C&A, Mango, etc.
Another ride to st. m. Flora. Entrance to the shopping center from the metro to the 0th floor. To be honest, I didn’t see anything interesting there ...perhaps because there were no significant discounts yet. http://www. palacflora. cz.
Well, at the end of the program I decided to visit another outlet Fashion Arena
http://www. fashion arena. cz/ru/. Of course, it took more time for both the road and the study.
From what I remember, we can note the Tommy Hilfiger store. A women's corduroy suit costs about the price of Mexx in Kyiv (before the start of the discount season). Mexx, by the way, is also there. Again, do not forget about Tax Free. The men were interested in the Lacoste assortment.
How to get there by public transport - here: http://www. fashion arena. cz/en/how-to-find-us/
After exiting the metro, turn right, after about 100 m you will see the stop of the free bus that runs between the metro and the outlet.
Indeed, I expected it for about 20-25 minutes.
Step 6. Home!
Before leaving, we fill out paperwork for Tax Free. According to the rules of Tax Free, you must present things (with tags, so do not rush to cut them off) in order for the customs to put the appropriate stamp on the documents for Tax Free.
I’ll note right away that I put half of the things in a suitcase, packed it and put it in my luggage. And half (of course, more valuable, which I didn’t want to lose in case someone not very decent in Boryspil wants to open luggage and take something from there) I put it in hand luggage so that I had something to present, in which case.
If you still want to issue Tax-Free, it is best to arrive at the airport in advance. See below for an explanation of why this is important.
So, we arrived at the airport. We want to pack our luggage. From the entrance to the airport we turn left, where luggage will be packed for about 100 crowns.
If you have passed the on-line check-in for the flight and, having smiled at the girl at the hotel reception, received a printout, congratulations, you have saved time for the next step. So, just check in your luggage (at a separate counter). On the printout of the boarding pass, you will be stuck a baggage receipt and draw the number of the gate.
We pass passport control.
Now, of course, you need to do Tax Free. We stomp into the central part of the departure terminal. The stand is very interesting. There is no one behind her. There is a telephone. On the wall on the left it is written that if you need something, then call such and such a 4-digit number. I called. I say, they say, so and so, “Tax Free is needed, please put the stamp”.
The man says, they say, I won’t run before 5 minutes. Well, what to do, we wait, sir. The man came, of course, but not after 5, but after 25 minutes; asked for decency, where, in fact, clothes. I poked at the backpack. This turned out to be enough. All papers were stamped. Hooray! Half done.
Now we need to get money.
Next to the customs desk, a little to the left, there is an exchange center, which also acts as a tax refund agent. It is clear that they take a commission for their services, but I wanted to get a cash, and not expect a refund on the card. I was lucky there was no queue. Madame took care of me for at least 20 minutes (If there is a queue, it is clear that there should be more than 20-30 minutes left). Well, everything was arranged, I received money for Duty Free : )
In Duty Free, I was interested in Becherovka, the so-called "light" version. Light yellow in color. The price is about 25-30 kroons higher compared to supermarkets in Prague. In Prague, I bought a half-liter for 148 crowns. By the way, I packed it in luggage, but the suitcase was small, it didn’t fit anymore.
Here, we are already taking off, 2 hours of flight ...Kyiv ...at home ...
I wish all travelers a great travel experience!