The Czech Republic, with its rich history and lots of cultural places, is one of the most attractive countries for tourists. However, not all interesting locations can be quickly reached by public transport.
Even if you arrive by plane, you can easily rent a car and see all the hidden beauties. In this article, you will learn some hints that will help you plan a trip of your dream.
Find The Right Car to Travel Europe
Car rental in the Czech Republic is very inexpensive, and the process will not take much of your time. The requirements are relatively standard:
- You are over 21 years old (for business class, the minimum age of a driver is 25)
- A valid foreign passport
- International driver’s license
- A credit card for a deposit
- At least 2 years of driving experience
Do not forget to get a CDW insurance policy for your rental car.
Where to Get Insurance
The easiest way is to buy insurance at the car rental counter. Many agencies have this service already included at a daily rate. You only submit documents necessary for rent and get together with your car rental agreement.
Alternatively, you can use the services of independent insurers, for example, Car Hire Excess Insurance. This approach can even allow you to get better coverage at the same price. It is a known fact that some rental firms offer only basic policies, and they all include a rip-off deductible.
Once you order care hire insurance from a third party, you can fully protect yourself from unexpected expenses by getting rental car excess insurance. In this case, the deductible will be significantly reduced, sometimes even to a zero.
Toll Roads
When driving on highways, you need to buy a vignette. It used to be a special sticker that had to be glued to the windshield. From 2021, a vignette is electronic.
You can buy it at gas stations within the country or at special sales points that are located close to the border checkpoint. Vignette can be bought for 10 days and a month – its cost is €10 or €16.50 accordingly.
A fine for driving on motorways without the vignette can cost you €185. But all car enthusiasts can avoid paid roads and enjoy the beauty of the Czech Republic driving along ordinary and even country roads.
Local Driving Laws and Restrictions
As in most European countries, road rules are very basic here. The traffic is right-hand. Speed in settlements is limited to 50 km, outside the city – 90 km, and on highways – 130 km. Alcohol is strictly prohibited for drivers.
Car headlights should always be on. During the cold season, all cars must travel on winter tires.
A fine of up to €198 can be paid on the spot directly to the police officer. In the event of a more severe violation, they may even withdraw a driving permit.
Parking
In most cities, parking is paid for. You will need to pay in cash through parking meters. Parking time varies from 30 minutes to 6 hours and will cost you roughly €0.5 -1.5 per hour. Often, a paid parking can be free after 6 pm, on weekends and on holidays.
In Prague, you can use a special parking system called P + R (Park & Ride). It allows you to leave a car in an inexpensive guarded parking lot and continue your trip to the city center by public transport.
There are always metro stations and public transport stops near these locations. The rough cost of this service is €3 – 4 per day.
Tips for Saving Money on Car Rentals in the Czech Republic
Even if the car rental is not expensive in the country, you can make it even more affordable.
- Book a car online and well in advance of your trip. Last-minute rent always costs more.
- Use site aggregators for booking a car. You will always have a guarantee that you will get a car at the appointed time at the agreed price.
- If you still need to rent a car only upon your arrival, do not use agencies in the airport as these are the most expensive rental points.
You can visit the Czech Republic all year round – the country welcomes guests at any time. Create a route, book a car and start adventures. Hopefully, these tips will help you to realize an eventful trip to remember for a long time.