Renting a Car?
Click www.rudymaxa.com/article.php?ArticleID=99 for a detailed summary of the pros and cons of a car rental. During the summer of 2007 www.abcprague.com reported that Czech roads are the sixth most dangerous highways in Europe because the quality of many roads is poor and because of numerous aggressive/reckless drivers. Although the tree lined secondary roads can be quite beautiful, unfortunately some of these roads are quite narrow for the supersized vehicles that Westerners like. Prior to the age of air conditioned automobiles, these trees protected the traveller from the hot sun and dust; now these trees in ditches so close to the road pavement present traffic hazards during accidents. At www.uamk.cz there is a description of the motorway toll stickers for the Czech Republic. At the top of the webpage, click "UK" for the English language then click "Tourist Information" on the right side of the subsequent page. Scrolling down half this last page will reach a chart with the different decals and their lengths of validity. At www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/carrental_2005.htm there is additional information with links to more websites. Many rental agencies in Germany, Austria, etc. prohibit taking their cars into such countries as the Czech Republic because of the risk of theft or damage to the vehicle. Also review the section on "Rental Cars" in the article "From Prague and its airport" found on the left side of the Castle View Apartments Home Web Page and read www.ideamerge.com/motoeuropa/car_travel_europe.html#czech_republic before your trip. If you click the "LINKS" option on the "Menu Bar" above, there is a link to "ViaMichelin" on the left side of that page that provides good driving directions in Europe. This same page also has other links for additional sightseeing information.
We do not advise that novices to the area drive in Prague. Downtown Prague is a medieval city with narrow streets that curve back on themselves, so designed to confuse invaders who centuries ago carried swords and knives; today the invaders bring oversized cars and cameras which can be almost as dangerous when one wants to move through the crowded downtown area quickly! Some of the highways around Prague require the special toll decal on the windshield mentioned above; police sit in wait to ticket/fine unsuspecting tourists (the fine can easily run into many hundreds of dollars!). Most tourists with a car should use lodging in the outskirts of Prague near a metro stop and take the subway into town each day since it is cheaper/faster/safer than parking downtown.