exchange rates, copyedit
← Older revision
Revision as of 16:04, 13 January 2017
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In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize Communist party rule and create "socialism with a human face". Anti-Soviet demonstrations the following year ushered in a period of harsh repression and conservatism within the party ranks called "normalisation". In November 1989, the communist government was deposed in a peaceful ''Velvet Revolution''.
In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize Communist party rule and create "socialism with a human face". Anti-Soviet demonstrations the following year ushered in a period of harsh repression and conservatism within the party ranks called "normalisation". In November 1989, the communist government was deposed in a peaceful ''Velvet Revolution''.
−
On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and [[Slovakia]].
Now a
member of NATO
(
since 1999
)
and the EU
(
since 2004
)
, the Czech Republic has moved toward integration in world markets, a development that poses both opportunities and risks.
+
On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and [[Slovakia]].
A
member of NATO since 1999 and the EU since 2004, the Czech Republic has moved toward integration in world markets, a development that poses both opportunities and risks.
−
The Czech flag is the same one that had
bern
used by Czechoslovakia. It was
readopted in 1993.
+
The Czech flag is the same one that had
been
used by Czechoslovakia. It was readopted in 1993.
===Habits and customs===
===Habits and customs===
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* '''Eurocity (EC)''' – pretty modern international (though perfectly useable also on intra-state journeys) trains coming up to European standards, fast and stop in major cities only.
* '''Eurocity (EC)''' – pretty modern international (though perfectly useable also on intra-state journeys) trains coming up to European standards, fast and stop in major cities only.
−
* '''Supercity (SC)''' – the fastest trains run by Czech Railways, offering free Wi-Fi connection in addition to other services, operate only on the router Prague - Ostrava, requires either a special ticket or a
CZK200
seat reservation in addition to a normal one. Competes with privately-owned '''LeoExpress (LE)''' and '''InterCity (IC)''' ''"Regiojet"'' trains with a similar or better level of service.
+
* '''Supercity (SC)''' – the fastest trains run by Czech Railways, offering free Wi-Fi connection in addition to other services, operate only on the router Prague - Ostrava, requires either a special ticket or a
200 Kč
seat reservation in addition to a normal one. Competes with privately-owned '''LeoExpress (LE)''' and '''InterCity (IC)''' ''"Regiojet"'' trains with a similar or better level of service.
====Train tickets====
====Train tickets====
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The normal train ticket price on the ČD trains, always available even immediately prior to the departure, can be discouraging (roughly 1.40 Kč per km), but Czech Railways (ČD) offer plenty of discounts. Return tickets give you a 5% discount, and a group of travellers (even two travellers are considered as a "group") is treated roughly as "first person pays full price, others pay half price". Therefore, ask for "skupinová sleva" (group discount) and/or "zpáteční sleva" (return discount).
The normal train ticket price on the ČD trains, always available even immediately prior to the departure, can be discouraging (roughly 1.40 Kč per km), but Czech Railways (ČD) offer plenty of discounts. Return tickets give you a 5% discount, and a group of travellers (even two travellers are considered as a "group") is treated roughly as "first person pays full price, others pay half price". Therefore, ask for "skupinová sleva" (group discount) and/or "zpáteční sleva" (return discount).
−
<!-- a note by OtoValek TO THE CZECH RAILWAYS GROUP DISCOUNT:
−
- there were attempts here to describe the group discount as "two persons pay 75% of full price, others pay half price"
−
- yes, this is technically correct (Czech Railways official "TR10" tariff defines the group discount like this)
−
- but this is a page for foreign tourists and description of "first person pays full price, others pay half price" is much simpler
−
- the eventual difference is only caused by rounding - a maximum of one CZK, no foreign tourist will care about it -->
Regular travellers can use a '''ČD loyalty card''', called ''In-karta IN25'' [https://www.cd.cz/eshop/inkarta/inkarta_select.aspx], for 150 Kč (3 months), 550 Kč (1 year) or 990 Kč (3 years). It offers a 25% discount for normal and return train tickets and 5–25% for the online tickets. Its price will pay for itself quickly. You have to fill in an application form at the ticket counter and provide a photograph. You will get a temporary paper card immediately and start using the discount. After three weeks you will get a plastic chip card.
Regular travellers can use a '''ČD loyalty card''', called ''In-karta IN25'' [https://www.cd.cz/eshop/inkarta/inkarta_select.aspx], for 150 Kč (3 months), 550 Kč (1 year) or 990 Kč (3 years). It offers a 25% discount for normal and return train tickets and 5–25% for the online tickets. Its price will pay for itself quickly. You have to fill in an application form at the ticket counter and provide a photograph. You will get a temporary paper card immediately and start using the discount. After three weeks you will get a plastic chip card.
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==Buy==
==Buy==
−
===
Currency
===
+
===
Money
===
+
{{exchange rates
+
| currency=Czech koruny
+
| currencyCode=Kč
+
| date=January 2017
+
| USD=25
+
| EUR=27
+
| GBP=31
+
| source=[http://www.xe.com/currency/czk-czech-koruna XE.com]
+
}}
[[Image:CZK Banknotes 2014.png|thumb|Czech koruna banknotes]]
[[Image:CZK Banknotes 2014.png|thumb|Czech koruna banknotes]]
−
The currency of the Czech republic is the ''koruna'' (crown), plural ''koruny'' or ''korun
.
''
The
currency
code '''CZK''' is often used
both
internationally and locally, but the local symbol is '''Kč''' (for ''Koruna česká''). However, you will more often see amounts just chalked up like "37,-" without "Kč" added at all. One koruna is made up of 100 ''haléř (haléřů)''
, (used to be abbreviated to ''hal.'')
, but coins have only been issued in whole koruna values since October 2008.
+
The currency of the Czech republic is the
'
''koruna
'
'' (crown), plural
'
''koruny
'
'' or ''korun''
,
denoted
by the symbol "'''Kč'''" (ISO
code
:
'''CZK'''
). THe ISO code
is often used internationally and locally, but the local symbol is '''Kč''' (for ''Koruna česká''). However, you will more often see amounts just chalked up like "37,-" without "Kč" added at all. One koruna is made up of 100 ''haléř (haléřů)'', but coins have only been issued in whole koruna values since October 2008.
Coins are issued in 1 Kč, 2 Kč, 5 Kč (all stainless steel), 10 Kč (copper-coloured), 20 Kč (brass-coluored) and 50 Kč (copper-coloured ring, brass-coloured centre) denominations. Notes are issued in 100 Kč (aqua), 200 Kč (orange), 500 Kč (red), 1000 Kč (purple), 2000 Kč (olive green) and 5000 Kč (green-purple). See some banknote samples [http://www.cnb.cz/en/czech_legal_tender/banknotes/index.html]. Be aware that all 20 Kč and 50 Kč banknotes, haléř coins, and older-style 1000 Kč and 5000 Kč banknotes from 1993 are '''not''' legal tender.
Coins are issued in 1 Kč, 2 Kč, 5 Kč (all stainless steel), 10 Kč (copper-coloured), 20 Kč (brass-coluored) and 50 Kč (copper-coloured ring, brass-coloured centre) denominations. Notes are issued in 100 Kč (aqua), 200 Kč (orange), 500 Kč (red), 1000 Kč (purple), 2000 Kč (olive green) and 5000 Kč (green-purple). See some banknote samples [http://www.cnb.cz/en/czech_legal_tender/banknotes/index.html]. Be aware that all 20 Kč and 50 Kč banknotes, haléř coins, and older-style 1000 Kč and 5000 Kč banknotes from 1993 are '''not''' legal tender.
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===Currency exchange===
===Currency exchange===
−
'''Never''' exchange money on the street. Also, if you're in Prague, don't exchange it in the tourist-oriented exchange offices. The "real" exchange rate you should be looking for can be found here [http://www.exchange.cz/index2.php]. There is no "black market" with better rates, but there is a good chance you'll end up with a roll of worthless paper. Be very careful when you are exchanging money at a small exchange kiosk. They try to use tricks in order to give you a bad exchange rate. Ask for the total amount you will get and recompute it by yourself. Do not trust "0% commission" in big letter signs (often there is an "only when selling CZK" amendment in small letters, and buying
CZK
still includes a commission). On this [http://kurzy.fin.cz/kurzy/kurzy.asp?A=P] website you can get good overview of reliable exchange places and rates.
+
'''Never''' exchange money on the street. Also, if you're in Prague, don't exchange it in the tourist-oriented exchange offices. The "real" exchange rate you should be looking for can be found here [http://www.exchange.cz/index2.php]. There is no "black market" with better rates, but there is a good chance you'll end up with a roll of worthless paper. Be very careful when you are exchanging money at a small exchange kiosk. They try to use tricks in order to give you a bad exchange rate. Ask for the total amount you will get and recompute it by yourself. Do not trust "0% commission" in big letter signs (often there is an "only when selling CZK" amendment in small letters, and buying
koruny
still includes a commission). On this [http://kurzy.fin.cz/kurzy/kurzy.asp?A=P] website you can get good overview of reliable exchange places and rates.
Generally, exchange offices at airports, rail stations and main tourist streets do not offer a good rate. Local people exchange money in exchange offices in less frequented areas, such as around the "Politických vězňů", "Opletalova" or "Kaprova" streets. In some cases, one can get a better rate by using ATMs instead of changing cash. In a pinch, you can also try a bank such as Česká spořitelna - there will be a small commission but the rates are much better than those in the "tourist trap" exchange offices.
Generally, exchange offices at airports, rail stations and main tourist streets do not offer a good rate. Local people exchange money in exchange offices in less frequented areas, such as around the "Politických vězňů", "Opletalova" or "Kaprova" streets. In some cases, one can get a better rate by using ATMs instead of changing cash. In a pinch, you can also try a bank such as Česká spořitelna - there will be a small commission but the rates are much better than those in the "tourist trap" exchange offices.