Trains

Prague has two main railway stations. Praha Hlavní nádraží ('main station', tel. 224 61 52 49) is architecturally fabulous (in the Jugendstil tradition) although you won’t know it until you exit its underground nightmare. However massive reconstruction has been going on, and if you've been here before you'll see the obvious improvements. Ticket windows move randomnly, as do other services, so watch the signs. The work is scheduled to be completed in 2010. There is a tourist office (open 09:00 - 19:00. Sat, Sun 09:00 - 16:00) in the centre of the lower hall of the two levels. For your best money exchange deal, use the ATM on the far left of the lower hall. Train information can currently be found in the lower left of the hall as well as to the left of the middle passageway to the platforms. Left luggage (úschova) lockers are available. Getting to town involves one stop on the metro to Muzeum or a dangerous walk up busy Wilsonova.

The second station, Praha Holešovice (tel. 224 61 58 65), is used by trains on the main Berlin - Prague - Vienna/Bratislava route. The small hall holds the ticket office (open 09:00 - 17:00, closed Sat, Sun), left luggage lockers, an internet café and several exchange and accommodation offices (open 06:00 - 23:00). It is three stops on the metro to Muzeum.

There are two classes on international trains, and prices vary according to length of journey and class; expect to pay one third more for first class tickets. For multilingual, quick and friendly service, avoid the queues at the hlavní nádraží counters and buy your ticket at Wasteels or at the CR agency.