| Taxis
Taxi prices in Prague are not
regulated. Cab drivers can charge whatever they like, as long as
they post their price-per-kilometer, usually on the door. It's a
good idea to agree on a price with the driver before committing to
the ride. As in many big cities, cab drivers sometimes prey on
foreigners who are unfamiliar with the language or currency.
Whenever possible it's better to call for a taxi in advance. An
approximate price for the ride can be provided over the phone by
the dispatcher. Two usually reliable companies whose dispatchers
speak English are AAA Taxi (Tel: 10 80) and ProfiTaxi (Tel: 2213
5555).
Public
Transportation
The metro, trams and busses will get
you just about anywhere you need to go in town. Prague's web of
tram routes and its three metros lines are the most efficient
means of transportation. Tickets can be purchased from automats or
ticket booth attendants in the metro stations, or from local
Trafika shops.
Transportation information centers are located in the metro stops
at Karlovo Namesti, Muzeum, Mustek and Nadrazi Holesovice. These
centers can provide maps, information in English, and offer
short-term "season tickets" good for three, seven and 15
days.
The basic 12 Kc ticket allows you to
ride on all three modes of tranportation with transfers for up to
an hour and a half. A 8 Kc ticket is good for quick trips of 15
minutes with no transfers. Fares are based on the honor system.
Plainclothes ticket-checkers randomly check commuters for valid
tickets by flashing a badge and mumbling "control." The
fine for not having a ticket is 200 Kc, payable on the spot.
Money
Changing
What's the best way to change money? The best option is usually
one of the major banks, which generally charge the lowest
commissions (about 2 percent with a minimum transaction). For
smaller amounts, the charge can go up dramatically. Visitors with
American Express travelers checks can redeem them at the American
Express office for local currency at full value, with no
commission charged.
The many "exchange" outlets around Prague may be
convenient, but they tend to charge higher commissions, which can
sometimes be misleading or surreptiously loaded with hidden costs
(such as the city map that you thought was free).
Phone
Calls
Phone calls can be made using coins -- 2 Kc is the minimum for a
local call -- or telephone cards, which can be purchased at most
post offices and newspaper stands. Phone cards come with different
levels of phone-time credit and vary in cost. If you're only
planning on making a couple of local calls you may just decide to
use the coin-operated pay phones.
Making a call on a card phone is
simple: Pick up the receiver, insert the card and dial. The units
of phone time count down after you are connected to your party.
Medical
Emergencies
Praha 1 - Palackeho 5, phone 2494 9181
Praha 2 - Sokolska 27, phone 2426 6150
Praha 3 - Konevova 205, phone 684 86 85
Praha 4 - Pacovska 31, phone 9005 7917
Praha 5 - Kartouzska 6, phone 5732 3219
Praha 6 - Pod Marjankou 12, phone 2051 3643
Praha 7 - Dukelskych hrdinu 1, phone 3337 0391
Praha 8 - Budinova 2 (the Bulovka hospital), phone 8284 2222
Praha 9 - Sokolovska 304, phone 6631 0372
Praha 10 - Nad Olsinami 4, phone 781 25 09
Dental
Emergencies:
Praha 1- phone 2494 6981 (Mon to Fri 7
p.m.-7 a.m., Sat + Sun non-stop)
Praha 4 - phone 9005 7932 (Mon to Fri 7 p.m.-7 a.m., Sat + Sun
non-stop)
Pharmacies
offering non-stop service:
Praha 1 - Palackeho 5, phone 2494 6982
Praha 2 - Belgicka 37, phone 2251 9731
Praha 4 - Soukalova 3355, phone 401 46 55
Praha 5 - Stefanikova 6, phone 5732 0918
Praha 8 - Heydukova 10, phone 6631 0899
Foreign
Medical Clinics
Health Centre Prague - Praha 1,
Vodickova 28, phone 2422 0040
First Medical Clinic of Prague - Praha 2, Vysehradska 35, phone 29
22 86
Canadien Medical Centre - Praha 6, Veleslavinska 30, phone 3536
0133
American Medical Center - Praha 7, Janovskeho 48, phone 80 77 56
General Health Care Corporation - Praha 1, Krakovska 8, phone 2221
0178
In case of emergency or an accident use any hospital, health
clinic or the Nemocnice na Homolce Hospital (foreign pavilion) -
Praha 5, Roentgenova 2, phone 5727 2154; 5727 2146.
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