Travel to The Czech Republic
Travel to The Czech Republic
The easiest way to travel to the CZ Republic is to fly. (approximately 2 hour flight time from the UK) Many of the low cost airlines in the UK operate regular scheduled flights from the major UK airports to Prague (See list below). In addition Ryan Air currently operate services from Stansted Airport to Brno, Prague, & Ostrava. The closest airport to CTP's base of operations at Velke Losiny in the North East of the CZ Republic is Brno with Ostrava being slightly further away. The transfer time from Brno and Ostrava is around 1 hr 50 minutes and 3 hrs 30 minutes from Prague by vehicle. CTP can provide transfers from Brno, Ostrava Airports & Zábřeh na Moravě rail station by arrangement, dependant on staff availability at extra cost, and if required assist clients in the booking of transfers from Prague Airport.
The usual car hire firms also operate from Prague, Brno and Ostrava airports.
Public transport is also available from the airports with good bus / rail links from Prague and Ostrava to "Zábřeh na Moravě" the nearest main line station to Velké Losiny , where CTP is based, via Regiojet trains or České dráhy (CTP can collect clients from the station if required). Please note that the train ticket prices are very reasonable compared to the UK. Please contact us for advice on public transport links if required.
It is always possible to drive from the UK and once in mainland Europe the road network is good. The travel time by car from Calais is 15 hours, but with stoppages and rest breaks, It is advisable to allow at least 2 days for the 1300 km journey from Calais.
We recommend that you plan to arrive at your accommodation no later than the evening of the day prior to commencing the shoot element of all courses to ensure you are sufficiently rested to commence firearms training.
Flying to Prague from the UK
Many of the low cost airlines fly directly to Prague from the UK due to its popularity with tourists, if you live outside the London catchment area this is the easiest airport to fly too as Brno and Ostrava Airports are only serviced by Ryan Air from London Stansted. The following UK airports offer scheduled flights to Prague. Vaclav Havel Airport Prague
UK Airports offering flights to Prague
Belfast (BFS):- Easy Jet
Birmingham (BHX):- Jet2.com, Easy Jet,
Bristol (BRS):- EasyJet, Ryan Air
Edinburgh (EDI):- Ryan Air, Easy Jet
Glasgow (GLA):- Jet2.com, Easy Jet
Leeds Bradford (LBA):- Jet2.com
Liverpool (LPL):- Easy Jet
London Stansted (STN):- Ryan Air
London Luton (LTN):- Easy Jet, Wizz
London Heathrow (LHR):- British Airways,
London Gatwick (LGW):- Easy Jet, Wizz
Manchester (MAN):- Jet2.com, Ryan Air, Easy Jet
Newcastle (NCL):- jet2.com
Nottingham East Midlands (EMA):- Jet2.com, Ryan Air
Once at Prague Airport there are very good public transport links to onward destinations with an Airport Express bus service (AE) which runs from outside the Airport Terminal buildings to Prague Central Train Station.(cost 100 Czech Kc approximately £4 GBP, pay on the bus). From the train station a main line train may be taken to Zábřeh na Moravě (travel time is just over 2 hours) where CTP can by prior arrangement collect clients for transport to your chosen accommodation. Train tickets may be booked prior to travel from from either of the 2 train service providers. We would recommend booking a first class or business class ticket and reserving a seat, cost approximately 15 Euros per person (this ticket will include complimentary refreshments)
RegioJet | Train & bus tickets or E-shop | Czech Railways (České dráhy)
Please allow sufficient time between flight arrival and onward train travel departure times to clear airport customs and bus travel to Prague main rail station. The AE Airport Express bus departs on the hour and half past the hour during operational hours (05.30 hrs to 23.30 hrs), with transit time to the main rail station taking approximately 33 minutes. AE Line | Prague Public Transit Company, joint-stock company
Many clients also incorporate a visit to Prague as part of their trip either at the beginning or at the end, the old town offers many tourist attractions worthy of a visit. If you have some spare time between connections at Prague Rail station the CZUB Firearms company has a retail shop immediately opposite the main entrance to the rail station and is worth a visit if you wish to purchase some branded shooting clothing as well as shooting accessories such as holsters, magazine holders, belts. The shop also has on display the full range of CZUB pistols and rifles (Please note that due to Czech Firearms legislation relating to firearms sales, the staff cannot allow persons without a Czech Firearms Licence to handle any firearm..... so its a case of look but don't touch)
Still current at: 23 April 2025 Updated: 17 March 2025
Latest update:
Update to information on expected rollout of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) (‘Entry requirements’ page).
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
read about safety for solo and independent travel
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in the Czech Republic set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Czech Embassy in the UK.
The Czech Republic follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must:
have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue)
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes the Czech Republic, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:
as a tourist
to visit family or friends
to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
for short-term studies or training
The requirements for working in the Czech Republic are different.
If you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.
Make sure you get your passport stamped on entry and exit.
If you’re a visitor, border guards will look at your entry and exit stamps to check you have not overstayed the 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.
If your passport is missing a stamp, show evidence of when and where you entered or left the Schengen area (for example, boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport.
At the Czech Republic border control, you may also need to:
show a return or onward ticket
prove that you have enough money for your stay – the amount varies depending on your accommodation
To stay longer, you must meet the Czech government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or permit you need with the Czech Embassy in the UK.
If you stay in the Czech Republic with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.
Read about passport stamping if you live in the Czech Republic.
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is expected to start in October 2025. It is not currently in operation. The European Union will inform about the specific start date of the EES before its launch.
Read more information on the EU Entry/Exit System.
There are temporary border controls in place to travel into Germany. Check the entry requirements for Germany.
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Czech Republic guide.
If you do not have a Czech Republic residence permit, you must register your address with the nearest foreign police department (in Czech) within 3 days of arriving. You can also register through your hotel or accommodation service. If you do not register, you could get a fine of up to 3,000 Czech koruna.
There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of the Czech Republic. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.
Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave. For more information, see import and export of financial funds.
The EU plans to introduce the Entry/Exit system (EES). This is a new digital border system that will change requirements for British nationals travelling to the Schengen area.
If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints or a photo, when you arrive. EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU.
EES is expected to start in October 2025. It is not currently in operation. The European Union will inform about the specific start date of the EES before its launch.
When EES is introduced, you will need to create a digital record on your first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport on arrival. You will be required to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated booths.
You will not need to provide any information before travelling to a Schengen area country.
If you are flying to a country in the Schengen area, you may experience longer queue times when you arrive at your destination.
At some ports and international stations (Dover, Eurotunnel and St Pancras), there may be increased wait times while EES registration is completed before passengers leave the UK. If you are travelling through one of these stations, you should check with your travel operator to find out whether EES will affect your journey.
Your digital record is valid for 3 years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit.
EES is designed to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries, and reduce illegal migration in the Schengen area. It will automate border control checks to help the EU stop visitors overstaying.
EES is part of wider work the EU is doing to strengthen their border security. In the last quarter of 2026, the EU is expected to start operations of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). No action is required from travellers at this point. The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS before its launch.
When ETIAS is introduced, you will need to apply for authorisation to enter Schengen area countries if using a UK passport. You will need to provide personal information and details about your trip, and pay a 7 Euro fee, as part of the authorisation process.
The EU has already set out more information on ETIAS, including what information will be required from each nationality, on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.
The UK government has been working closely with the European Commission, member states, local authorities and the travel industry to prepare ports for EES. The government is supporting ports and carriers to ensure EES registration is simple for people travelling to the Schengen area.
UK government support includes providing Eurostar, Eurotunnel and Port of Dover with £3.5 million each, to spend on registration kiosks and infrastructure.
Eurostar expects EES registration to be quick and easy. It will have 50 kiosks across 3 locations at stations for people to carry out the checks.
Eurotunnel will have over 100 kiosks and estimate EES checks will add just over 5 minutes to journey times.
Port of Dover will have 24 kiosks for coach passengers and will register passengers in cars using agents and tablets to make the process as straightforward as possible.
Find out more information on the EES initiative on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.
Published 5 September 2024
Last updated 14 March 2025 + show all updates