I am considering renting a car in Czech republic. Has anyone done this? I wont be driving in prague just the bohemian coutryside. how are the roads - traffic - parking? Probably will hit cesky krumlov, pilson, possibly some other towns

Thanks

We were in Czech last year in Sept and, after visiting Prague, picked up our rental car and headed south. The driving is easy, roads are well marked, parking the usual hassle in popular towns but nothing that can't be managed. Just get a really good map of the country and enjoy.

Driving in the Czech Republic is easy. In addition to a good map get a good dictionary.

I, for one, wouldn't say the roads are well marked. If you're on the expressway, it's well marked. If you're on the back roads, the signs usually tell you the next village or even two, but they rarely tell you the large city to which the road utimately runs into. So if your map doesn't tell you the Czech name for the small towns, one must hope for a sunny day so one can tell which direction is south. That's the position we found ourselves in 2 years ago, with a Germna map of Czech Rep.

Last year we bought a Czech map when we crossed into Cz R, and fared well. Get a good map, but get it in the Cz Rep. We like the brand which had the very exceptional towns marked with yellow boxes, and the merely exceptional ones marked with yellow.

Driving was easy, as was parking. Be sure to ask for Krusovice beer; I think it's better than Urquell, Budvar, or any other. Enjoy
Oh, check out Telc.

Hi
Driving is no problems. We used the Hallwag map of Cz. Rep., Slovak Rep., and Poland. It lists points of interest including tourist information, points of interests and best of all their road information is listed in English in addition to the languages of the countries. All the cities and towns are listed in the language of the country. Driving is no problems, we have driven all over central and eastern europe without any major problems. by the way check out visiting Kutna Hora and Telc when in the Cz. Rep. telc was interesting though Kutna Hora is really interesting.
alan

Hi
Just and addendum, I had a senior moment. I buy my maps at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Borders. Check them out they have very good selections.

I agree with the previous posts, but will add one thing. We drove into Czech from Germany last year. Crossed the border on a 2 lane road heading to Karlovy Vary. About 3 miles from the border, traffic was stopped, so we waited in line (for a few minutes) until we noticed that cars just moved to the left and drove past the line. Turns out the line is for trucks, needing customs clearance. They must wait for hours, or days. The line never moves....so just drive right past all the semis and go up to the head of the line.

Also, this 2 lane road was a main route into Karlovy Vary from Germany. Many "ladies of the evening" standing alongside the road to accomodate the truckers. I told my wife they were waiting for a bus....but she eventually caught on, when she noticed how trashy most of them were dressed. Pretty sad.

I will second the replies you have already received. Driving is pleasant experience. As we drove from Austria into Czech, we also saw young women showing their 'wares'. My young son (14 at the time) - remarked that they gave a new meaning to 'roadside assistance'.

The only time we got lost was driving in Ceske Kromlov - I had my wife get out to ask directions - with her Czech phrasebook we found our hotel.

My wife and I will be driving through Czech Republic and Poland in May.For car rentals - I had reserved a car with Hertz but checked out AutoEurope and they were $150(US)less for the same car. They do required a reservation deposit.

There's a lot of info about driving in CZ at www.jasoncholt.com/prague/prahadriving.html

Jason

I'd aree that driving is pretty easy in the Czech Republic. I was there about a year and a half a go for a wedding and had to drive from Prague to Bohemia. The roads are pretty well marked. My biggest issue was finding an automatic transmission car to rent--I've never learned to drive stick. They are more expensive to rent, but I did manage to find one without too much trouble. You can rent online through all of the major companies.

I'd agree that a Czech dictionary is critical. Once you get out of Prague, you will find fewer people who speak English. I ran into a small detour on my trip and had to stop and ask directions. I spoke English and Spanish while the person trying to help me spoke Russian and Czech. If I hadn't had a good map (which I got free from the rental agency) that we could point to I'd have been in really big trouble.

I had another thought....You need to buy a special pass or sticker to drive on the major Czech motorways. It shows you have paid a 'toll tax'. Also you can get road maps from the AAA office nearest you.