Everything You Need To Know For Your Road Trip In The Czech Republic

There are plenty of off-the-beaten-track places in Czechia that can only be truly discovered if you’re driving. While the country’s transportation system can get you almost anywhere, small towns, out-of-the-way castles and ruins, and a lot of the country’s wilderness is only accessible by car.

Driving in Czechia

All you need to be able to drive in the Czech Republic is a valid driving license from your home country. If you are from a European country, your license is automatically recognized. If you are from the US or another country that provides drivers with English-language licenses, that’s all you will need to drive. Drivers whose licenses aren’t in English should bring an International Driver’s License along with their original license.
Keep in mind that you’re only allowed to use non-EU licenses in Czechia while on a tourist visa. If you obtain a long-term visa or become a resident, you are required to get a local license.

Renting a Car

Keep in mind that most rental companies have additional charges if you want to cross the border into other European countries. In most cases, you will have to pay a daily surcharge. There are also restrictions for traveling into Eastern Europe, and some companies restrict or prohibit taking their cars to certain countries, including Albania, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Russia, and Ukraine.

Road Rules

The Czech Republic follows standard EU rules for driving and transportation. Speed limits are 50 kph in cities and anywhere between 70 and 130 kph on highways. Sometimes speeds change several times within a short distance, and signs aren’t always clear, so having GPS can make driving easier.

Traffic cameras are often located on top of traffic lights and are more frequent on highways than cities. Traffic police can also hand out citations for speeding, incorrect parking, or turning into the wrong street.

Tolls

There is no individual toll system in the Czech Republic. Instead, you need to buy a highway sticker to travel on certain highways. The stickers are available for ten days, one month, or one year and must be placed on your windshield. You will need additional stickers if you cross the border into other European countries. These stickers can only be obtained near the border, at gas stations, or at border crossing offices.

Parking

Parking can be a headache in Prague, Brno, and other major cities. As a general rule, blue lines painted on the road indicate parking areas reserved for local residents. Spaces marked with white lines are either free at all times or paid temporary parking. If you are supposed to pay, you will see a sign with a P and a meter picture on it. In that case, look for a nearby machine where you can pay for up to two hours of parking. Some machines take debit cards while others only take coins, so make sure to carry some change just in case.

Accidents

If you need medical help while on the road, you can call:

Fire: 150
Ambulance: 155
Police: 158
General emergency (of any kind): 112
Check in advance if your rental car insurance includes roadside assistance. If not, it might be worth paying for it, especially if you plan on crossing borders. Otherwise, you will have to ask for help or walk to the nearest shop or gas station to call for a tow truck.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.