Several mobile apps can make your stay in Prague easier and safer. While you probably already have some globally popular apps, there are many local apps in the Czech Republic that you’ll likely need or enjoy. Here are some recommendations on which mobile apps are important to install before visiting Prague:
Travel to Prague
- I recommend install your airline’s app (Fly Delta, American Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ryanair, Wizzair, EasyJet) to securely store your plane tickets on your phone, access online check-in options, and other services.
- If you’re traveling by train, download the Můj vlak (Czech Railways), Regiojet, or LEO Express app to purchase and store your tickets.
- For bus travelers, install the app of your bus operator (Flixbus, Regiojet, etc).
- If you’re traveling to Prague by car, you’ll find several apps useful:
- For navigation: use Waze, or Google Maps, or the locally popular app Mapy.cz
- Parking and paying for parking: use the official PID Lítačka app, or the widely used Czech app CityMove (which charges a 10% fee for parking payments), or EasyPark
- Fuel prices: they can be found in Mapy.cz and Waze
Getting Around Prague
- For public transportation in Prague, you’ll need the official PID Lítačka app. You can purchase and store your tickets for trams, buses, and the metro in this app. Another great option is the CityMapper app.
- For taxis, Uber and Bolt are the best options. A popular Czech alternative is Liftago.
- Rent shared electric scooters through the Uber, Bolt, and Lime apps.
- For shared bicycles use local apps like Rekola, NextBike, or Na kole Prahou. E-bikes can be rented using the Bolt app.
- For car-sharing, my favorite is Bolt Drive, but you can also use Anytime and Car4way.
- Shared electric scooters can be rented through the Antees app.
Accommodation
- If you’ve booked your accommodation through Booking.com or Airbnb, be sure to install their apps so you have all your booking information readily available on your phone.
Maps and navigation
- The only map application you’ll need is the most popular Czech app with the best maps of the Czech Republic (including Prague) – Mapy.cz. It offers many features, including offline maps. You can also use Apple Maps or Google Maps.
Restaurants and food
- Finding a very good restaurant can be challenging. Use your favorite apps like Tripadvisor, Google Maps, Zomato, or the Michelin Guide. In the Czech Republic, a popular app called Gastromapa lists and reviews good restaurants, cafés, and patisseries.
- You can buy groceries online and have them delivered to your apartment using the Rohlík or Košík apps. Rohlík offers slightly better services but at a slightly higher price. I prefer Rohlík.
- For ordering meals from restaurants, use the Wolt or Bolt apps. Both have almost the same list of restaurants for delivery.
- For tips on where to find good coffee, check out European Coffee Trip.
Sights and Culture
- Start with the Prague Visitor Pass app, the official app of the city of Prague. You can purchase a Prague Visitor Pass, which allows you to visit most of the city’s attractions for free. The app also includes a map of the attractions and their descriptions, which you can access without buying the pass.
- For recommendations on unusual places and attractions, use the Tips for Trips app (the official app from CzechTourism), the globally known Prague Coolpass, or Civitatis Prague.
- The Histories app will guide you through walks around the city linked to historical events. Similarly, the Loxper and SmartGuide apps offer thematic city tours.
- To learn more about the Czech Republic and Prague, check out the Czech Traditions (Traditions) and Czech Specials (Restaurants) apps, both official apps from CzechTourism.
- If you visit the National Museum, use the National Museum in Your Pocket app to buy tickets and access text and audio guides, as well as maps and tour routes.
- For other architecturally significant buildings, the Open House Praha app provides basic information.
- For cultural events, festivals, concerts, and performances, the GoOut, Time Out, and MeetUp (more focused on events) apps are excellent resources. Culture Trip is another good option.
Practical Information
- To find nearby WiFi networks and their passwords, use the WiFi Map app.
- If you use public WiFi networks, be sure to use a VPN, such as the free versions of ProtonVPN or NordVPN.
- For purchasing eSIM cards with data, try Alosim or Airalo (though they can be expensive) – check the website esimdb.com for options.
- To know the current exchange rates and whether the rate displayed at an exchange office is favorable, use the XE Currency Converter app.
- You can exchange money directly in the Revolut app and pay with a virtual card in Revolut. By setting limits in the app, you can significantly reduce the risk of your card being stolen or misused.
- To keep track of your spending, use the Spendee app.
- Google Translate can also translate in augmented reality – just point your phone at text in Czech, and the app will translate it into your language.
- The Unit Converter app will help you convert units to kilometers, degrees Celsius, or liters.
- For weather updates, use the Windy app (which also has a premium version) or the local Meteoradar app (from the website in-pocasi.cz), which includes a very accurate forecast with a radar for the next 30 minutes.
- TikTok and Instagram can help you find photos and videos of restaurants and attractions, ensuring you’ve picked the right restaurant or giving you tips on what to see and from which angle to photograph landmarks.
- Google Lens can help identify things you see through your phone’s camera or in a photo.
- You can find public toilets around the city using Mapy.cz or the special Flush app.
- For planning trips and places to visit, use apps like Rome2Rio, Tripit, Sygic Travel Maps Trip Planner, or Tripscout.