Visitor Information

The official tourist information service for the Czech Republic is the Czech Tourist Authority, known as CzechTourism (www.czechtourism.com). They have offices in several countries abroad and can help make basic travel arrangements and answer questions.

In the U.S., the CzechTourism office is at 1109 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10028 (tel. 212/288-0830, ext. 101).

In Canada: CzechTourism is at 2 Bloor St. W, Suite 1500, Toronto, M4W 3E2 (tel. 416/363-9928).

In the U.K., contact CzechTourism at 13 Harley St., London W1G 9QG (tel.) 0207-631-0427).

The agency has no formal representation in Australia.

Once in Prague, the main tourist information center is the Prague Information Service (PIS; tel. 221-714-444; www.prague-info.cz), with offices at the Old Town Hall on Old Town Square, several other points around the city, and at the main train station and airport. PIS hands out maps, organizes tours and can help book rooms.

Helpful websites include www.mapy.cz, an online map and journey planner that covers Prague and the entire Czech Republic. Simply type in an address and a map shows you exactly where it is. For the ins and outs of public transportation system, including maps and info on tickets and travel passes, go to www.dp-praha.cz/en.

The site www.idos.cz provides an online timetable for trains and buses, including international destinations. Just type in the city (using the Czech spellings, such as "Praha" for Prague, but note the diacritical marks are not required) and you'll get a complete listing of train and bus connections.

For the main website for the National Gallery in Prague, including practical information, admissions fees, and opening times for many of the city major museums, go to www.ngprague.cz.