Lodging Alternatives

Apartment Rentals

Apartment rentals are a fantastic—and cheaper—option for those traveling in a group, or simply for those who prefer to have their own space and actually eat a few meals at home. Gorgeous apartment rentals can be found, from modern with a swimming pool to a more local decor (read: Ikea bric-a-brac and a dash of communist kitsch). As a fact, many rentals tend to be in the center and remarkably less expensive than surrounding hotels, but you don't get the International Herald Tribune brought with your breakfast or someone to turn down your bed in the evening. A longer stay usually guarantees some kind of discount.

If you're looking for an apartment, consider the following agencies:

Mary's Travel & Tourist Services. Agents have been known to go beyond the call of duty to ensure a safe landing for guests—especially after planes have been delayed past work hours. Their extra efforts have earned this company one of the best reputations in town. Arranging mostly stays in hotels, guesthouses, and apartments, they have a great selection in Old Town, many of which come with cleaning services. They also can arrange out-of-town stays. Italská 31, Vinohrady, 120 00. 222-254-007. www.marys.cz.

Myway Rentals. Focusing on an intimate neighborhood in Malá Strana, this young owner has frequent contact with the area's inventory, and ensures top service. Jánsky vrsek 8, Malá Strana, 118 00. 257-941-766. www.mywayrentals.com.

Prague Accommodation Service. A frankly named agency that can help you find a reasonably priced apartment in the center of town for even a short stay. The prices are some of the cheapest around, but note that many of their apartments are somewhat simple when it comes to design. Platnerská 4, Staré Mesto, 110 00. 224-933-257. www.accommodation-prague-centre.cz.

Residence Belgicka. For luxury and comfort, you cannot beat this Vinohrady-based apartment complex managed by the same folks as the Riverside and the Pachtuv Palace, excellent for those staying for an extended period of time. The amenities are absolutely first-rate compared with other apartments, with DVD players, cable TV, high-speed Internet, Wi-Fi, access to a swimming pool, sauna, and gym in another residence, and the list goes on. Belgická 12, Vinohrady, 120 00. 221-401-800. www.mamaison.com.

Stop City. From rooms to apartments to hotels, this company in Prague 2 can score cheap deals for you in the city center. Nothing fancy for the most part, but the rates are some of the best. Vinohradská 24, Vinohrady, 120 00. 222-521-233. www.stopcity.com.

Stop In. This company offers private apartments and rooms, many in the more residential areas of the city. If you are visiting relatives or friends, this could be a fun way to be neighbors. Nad Bertramkou 11, Smíchov, 150 00. 284-680-115. www.stopin.cz.

Hostels

No matter what your age, you can save on lodging costs by staying at hostels. In some 4,500 locations in more than 70 countries around the world, Hostelling International (HI), the umbrella group for a number of national youth-hostel associations, offers single-sex, dorm-style beds and, at many hostels, rooms for couples or family accommodations. Membership in any HI national hostel association, open to travelers of all ages, allows you to stay in HI-affiliated hostels at member rates; one-year membership is about $28 for adults (C$35 for a two-year minimum membership in Canada, £16 in U.K., A$32 in Australia, and NZ$40 in New Zealand); hostels charge about $10-$30 per night. Members have priority if the hostel is full; they're also eligible for discounts around the world, even on rail and bus travel in some countries. For more information about hosteling, contact your local youth hostel office.

Hostelling International—USA (8401 Colesville Rd., Suite 600, Silver Spring, MD, 20910. 301/495-1240. www.hiusa.org).

In the Czech Republic hostels are geared to the college crowd. For further information, visit the Web site Backpackers.cz.

The Clown & Bard (Borivojova 102, Zizkov, 130 00. 222-716-453. www.clownandbard.com) is a perfect choice if you want to meet other up-all-night travelers. The rates go from 250 Kc for a dorm room to 1,400 Kc for a two-person double with private bathroom.

A central favorite close to all the bars and shopping is the Golden Sickle (Vodickova 12, Nové Mesto, 110 00. 222-230-773. www.golden-sickle.prague-hostels.cz). Rates range from 420 Kc for a bed in a dormitory-style room to 2,000 Kc for a four-bed apartment.

At the Internet-equipped Travellers' Hostel (Dlouhá 33, Staré Mesto, 110 00. 224-826-662. www.travellers.cz) rates range from 350 Kc for a bed in a dormitory-style room to 1,190 Kc for a single room with a shower.

Home Swapping

If you would like to exchange your home for someone else's, join a home-exchange organization.

There are two major U.S.-based home exchange organizations.

HomeLink International (2937 N.W. 9th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33311. 954/566-2687 or 800/638-3841. www.homelink.org); $115 yearly for a listing and online access.

Intervac U.S (30 Corte San Fernando, Tiburon, CA, 94920. 800/756-4663. www.intervacus.com); $99 yearly for a listing and online access.

Private Rooms

A private room can be a cheaper and more interesting alternative to a hotel. You can find agencies offering such accommodations all over Prague, including at the main train station Hlavní nádrazí), Holesovice Station (Nádrazí Holesovice), and at Ruzyne Airport. These bureaus usually are staffed with people who speak some English, and most can book rooms in hotels and pensions as well as private accommodations. Rates for private rooms start at around 400 Kc per person per night, but can go much higher for better-quality rooms. In general, there's no fee, but you may need to try several bureaus to find the accommodation you want. Ask to see a photo of the room before accepting it, and be sure to pinpoint its location on a map—you don't want to wind up in an inconvenient location. If you're approached by someone in the stations hawking rooms with a deal, you should be wary of them. Prague Information Service arranges lodging from all its central offices, including the branch in the main train station, which is in the booth marked "turistické informace" on the left side of the main hall as you exit the station.