PRAGUE GUIDE

A car is not necessary in Prague as much of the city is off-limits to cars and parking is mostly by permit only. If you're heading out of town, car rental can be good option, but can be as well expensive. You can easily arrange car rental from some local car hire companies or international car-hire chains. Hertz and other chains have airport pickups. You might be charged extra if you opt for an airport pickup. You can also arrange hotel delivery and there is usually no extra fee for this. If you decide to rent a car through some international brands you will pay approximately double compared to local rent car companies. On the other hand well known brands are English speaking and they offer additional advantages and better selection of luxury cars.

Typical rate for a cheapest car for a day is around 1600 CZK or 800 CZK if you rent a car through a local company. Weekly or monthly rental prices can be as low as half price of daily rates. This already includes an unlimited mileage and insurance. To be able to rent a car you must be at least 21 and hold a driving licence for more than 1 year. Usually credit card as a guarantee is required as well.

Recommendation: If you plan to rent a car from international brands, it is easier to arrange a rental through your travel agent rather than on an arrival. Not only will you save cash (around 20%) but you'll also be able to find out about deposits, drop off charges, cancellation penalties and insurance costs without having to make yourself understood in a foreign language.  

The speed limit is

130 kph (81 mph) on motorways (minimum 50 kph)
90 kph (56 mph) on dual and single carriageways (on country roads)
50 kph (31 mph) in urban areas.
30 kph (18 mph) on level crossings

Safety

Drink & Driving - the allowed blood/alcohol level is zero and penalties are severe.
Passengers in front seats must be won seat belts. Children under 12s may not travel in the front seat.
Other items you will have to carry at all times are: first-aid kit, set of replacement bulbs, spare tire, and red warning triangles.

Fuel (Petrol)

Leaded form as special (91 octane) and super (96 octane).
Unleaded petrol comes as natural (95 octane) and superplus (98 octane)
Diesel is also available.

Car assistance/emergency

Non-stop vehicle rescue and road services:

ABA - Autoklub Bohemia Assistance - tel. 1240
Ústřední automotoklub - tel. 1230
Škoda Assistance - tel. 261 104 666

Recommended Car Rental Companies

Sixt

Sixt offers easy five-step online booking, and you can take your pick of high-performance German cars like Audis and BMWs or other luxury cars like Mercedes. They're in all the major Czech cities, and convenient pick-up and drop-off is available in Prague at the airport and the Hilton near the Florenc bus station. website

Hertz

The largest car rental company in the world offer short term and long term rentals and can also arrange reservations to all Hertz Locations worldwide. Address: Hotel Diplomat, Evropská 15, Dejvice, website

A-Rent Car (Thrifty Car Rental)

A-RenT Car is the part of the worldwide Thrifty Car Rental system, a network of independent franchisees working together to provide services oriented car rental. Address: V Celnici 8, 10 - Millenium Plaza, Prague 1, website 

Alimex

Czech Republic-based car hire agency with offices in Prague 1, Prague 6 and Brno. We rent all categories of cars with over 650 cars in our Prague fleet. Address: Na Petynce 22, Prague 6, website

Prague Airport Transfers

Chauffeured Car Hire in Prague

Austrian Chauffeur Limousines

Since 1990, Austrian Chauffeur Limousines has been honoured to serve a wide variety of distinguished corporate and public sector clients. Address: V Celnici 10, Prague 1, website 

Avis

Avis Rent A Car System, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate the world's second largest general-use car rental business, providing business and leisure customers  Address: Prague Ruzyne Airport, Prague 6 & Klimentská 46, New Town, website  

Budget Car Rental

International rental car agency with branches in downtown Prague and Brno, as well as Prague and Brno airports. Featuring Opel cars and minivans.  Address: Cistovicka 100/61, Prague 6, website 

EuropCar

This Paris-based rental company has offices all over Europe, including two in Prague, at the airport and on Pařížská street in the city center. The fleet consists of new, mostly midlevel cars, and prices are moderate to begin with, but customers can also take advantage of special deals in selected cities to get a car hire for less than 30 euros per day. Address: Elišky Krásnohorské 9; Old Town; website

CzechoCar

Address: Congress Centre, 5.května 65, Vyšehrad; website

Vecar

Address: Svatovítská 7, Dejvice; website

West Car Praha

Address: Veleslavínská 17, Veleslavín; website