Parking in Old Town Prague

I noticed no one has replied so I thought I'd give my opinion since that's all I have. We didn't have a car the times we have stayed in Old Town but I frankly cannot imagine EVER having one and trying to park there, but that's just me.

We did laundry near the department store - if it's an option for parking I think it's a good option. I didn't notice any other lots in the old town - only a few cars here and there it looked to be assigned and on some streets.

Here is something I found by googling - not sure if it helps.

http://www.marys.cz/prague_parking/

Thanks very much, Ali. That seems to be what I'm finding everywhere. We really would rather not have a car, but a car and expensive parking in Prague is cheaper and less of a hassle than the trips to and from Prague: Berlin to Prague, and Prague to Passau, Germany...the latter being a real problem, with no good solutions other than a car.

Thanks for your help.

best wishes to you - sounds like you know about prices, etc of parking but be sure that wherever you rent your vehicle that they are ok with you taking it into the czech republic in general and prague in specific. many, if not MOST car companies outside prague/czech republic absolutely prohibit even driving the vehicle inside of one or the other.

Not to freak anyone out - prague is my most favorite city in all of europe and in my mind is the most beautiful city in the world that I've visited, but if something happens to the vehicle when you're in town/country and the rental company is not cool with you having the car there then you may be on the hook for a very very large bill (no matter what level of insurance you have for the vehicle otherwise). If you aren't already arranging it this way, I would definitely recommend renting your vehicle in prague. public transit is absolutely GREAT there and there are opportunities where you could rent a car at a very low cost for the day (or two, etc) and then return it after using it, then return the next day (or whenever you need it again) to get a new rental. if you chose to do it that way then you could avoid paying for parking as well - as long as you don't mind the hassle of spending 20 minutes going back and forth to get it...

sorry to make a lot of assumptions here but maybe some of it will be useful info for you. have a great trip and a great time!

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions. We don't really want to have a car in Prague, but here is the problem, and maybe someone has some suggestions: We haven't found a good way to travel from Prague to Passau, Germany, where we will embark a river cruise. We are starting our trip with a few days in Berlin, then would pick up a car and drive to Prague for a few days, then on to Passau. In that way we will pick up and drop off the car in Germany (as long as the agency will allow driving in E. Europe). Even with pay parking in Prague, the entire trip would be easier and less expensive with a car. Any suggestions on Prague-to-Passau travel?

Hi again, Ron -

I didn't even see where you are located! I live in East Lansing and am originally from St. Johns - small world!

I'm not sure what days you're travelling, but I took a rough assumption of early June, Mid-week. I don't know how fares would vary after that, but I see on skyscanner.net that you can fly to Prague from Berlin via Copenhagen (~4.5 hr travel time) 1 way, 2 people for $118 per person. Not too shabby. Also, there are no prices, but it looks on the DB (Deutsche Bahn) website you can take the train for a 6.5-7.5 hour trip (depending on the 1 train change location) between Prague and Passau. I know that driving really is nice - seeing the sights along the road, etc but fuel costs along can do a lot to damage any planned $ savings. I can still remember paying $70 to fill up my 1.2 liter Skoda hatchback to drive from Prague to Amsterdam and that was when $1.10 USD bought you a euro. Then again, to many people it's all about the experience rather than saving a few bucks - no harm in that either.

I highly recommend skyscanner.net for flight searches and the DB website is always great with timetables. Perhaps the czech rail site would be even better - often times if you purchase the ticket using the local national rail company site it will save you a lot on the fare, but DB has always been easily accessible to me. The other downside is that you can't book the ticket until max. 92 days before the ticket date (per the DB site).

Hope this helps a little. Rail travel (and also LOADS of buses) are very inexpensive and both the bus/rail stations are right in the heart of the city (in Prague) so they make for easy connections.

Cheers!
-Mike

Small world, Mike. Thanks for the tips; I'll look into them.

Ron,

My 2 cents:

Fly from Berlin to Prague (Czech Airlines flies direct), then rent the car the day you leave Prague.

I think you'll find that doing it this way is not only hugely more convenient, but cheaper as well - once you add up all the rental fees, dropoff charges, gas, parking, etc.

Thanks, Tom, but my problem then is getting a car in Prague that can be returned to Passau, Germany, without a huge drop fee.

You've probably considered this already, but if you haven't purchased your flight tickets yet, maybe start your trip in Prague, then go to Berlin, then Passau?

Ron...Just my 2 cents...I drove from Munich to Prague 2 years ago. As you go over the border you must stop at a little place and get a sticker to drive in the Czech Republic. The Police are all over that Freeway and they are very nice but it is a large fine without the sticker. If they are doing construction you will get off the freeway with no signs as to how to get back to it after the detour in the countryside on little roads. Follow the trucks they always know how to get back. Prague street signs are in the middle of the block most of the time and its hard to see them from the corners. It took me awhile to get to my hotel also because construction is on going. I did better than most I know going there because Ive been driving a police car for over 20 yrs and can find anywhere from experience but I still had a very challenging time there. Luckily my hotel (out of the center had one parking spot they let me have for 5 days and I didnt move the car until I left. Public transportation is fantastic and cheap there. I love Prague and plan to go back again but will not take a car. As others suggested I would either fly into or out of Prague and do Germany cities back to back one way or the other. One other point sometimes the few dollars you save is not worth the time wasted and the frustration. Without taking the time to look myself I cant believe there wouldnt be a good train or cheap flight between Berlin and Prague

Thanks everybody for your help. The problem remains getting to Passau, Germany. If you take a look at a map, it really doesn't make any sense to go first to Prague, then Berlin, then back to Passau. It appears unanimous that we shouldn't drive in the Czech Republic, but getting to Passau from anywhere is the big hurdle.

Getting to Passau doesn't seem such a big hassle worth driving car to Prague and high price of rental and gas in Europe. I checked Deutsche Bahn website and there is a train from Prague at 7:16 am, one change in Linz. Takes about 6 and half hours to Passau. Take a book or enjoy scenery from the train window. I didn't check all trains but they are many.

Ron, I agree with the other posters here that you don't want to be saddled with a car in Prague. The train will get you there from Berlin in under 5 hours-you could even hop off and spend a few hours exploring Dresden before continuing on. And, as Ilja pointed out, the train will get you from Prague to Passau in 6.5 hours.

BTW, we stayed at the Hotel Central last year and it was great; large rooms, a huge shower and just a 5 min walk from the Old Town Square. Be sure to ask for a room with a balcony.