Good to Know
Cell Phones
Participants are kindly requested to turn off or switch their cell phones to silent mode in the meeting rooms where scientific sessions are held.
City Transport
Travelling by Prague city transport is possible with a valid ticket only. Passengers have to obtain their tickets before boarding the vehicle or entering the Metro system. The ticket is valid only if marked in the validation appliance. For more information about Public Transport in Prague click here.
Currency
The official currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech Crown = Česká koruna (CZK = Kč). Banknotes have a nominal value of CZK 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000. Coins have values of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 CZK.
International credit cards are accepted for payment in most hotels, restaurants and shops. Exchange offices and ATM machines are easily available throughout the city and at the Prague International Airport. Payment in cash in EUR is also available in some restaurants and shops; please ask for details on-site, as this option may not be available at all times.
Exchange Offices
In Prague, a comprehensive network of exchange offices is available. For the most secure currency exchange, it is recommended to utilize banks and refrain from exchanging money with individuals on the street. Exchange offices are not permitted to charge any fees and all commissions must be reflected in the offered exchange rate. You can find the official exchange rates and advices on the website of the Czech National Bank.
Exchange offices are strictly prohibited from imposing fees, and any applicable commissions must be transparently incorporated into the offered exchange rate. Official exchange rates and valuable guidance can be accessed on the Czech National Bank's website. For additional information and advice, please refer to the following link: Ten Golden Rules for Currency Exchange.
Czech Language
The official language in the Czech Republic is Czech, part of the West Slavic language group, alongside Slovak and Polish. Recognized as one of the official languages of the European Union, Czech boasts a rich vocabulary, unique grammatical features, and distinctive phonetics.
In major tourist spots like hotels, restaurants, landmarks, museums, galleries, and numerous shops and services, effective communication in English or German is possible. Attempting basic conversational phrases such as “Děkuji” (Thank you) and “Dobrý den” (Good day) is appreciated. For your convenience, here are a few essential Czech words and sentences that may prove useful during your stay in the city:
Hi = Ahoj (ah-hoy)
Hello = Dobrý den (dob-ree den)
Good evening = Dobrý večer (dobree vecher)
Good night = Dobrou noc (dobrow nots)
How are you? = Jak se máte? (jak se mahte)
I am fine = Mám se dobře (mam se dobrzhe)
Thank you = Děkuji (dyekooyi)
Please = prosím (proseem)
How much is it? = Kolik to stojí? (ko-lik to s-tojee)
Beer = Pivo (pivo)
Would you like to go for a beer? = Nechceš jít na pivo? (ne-zay-de-me na pivo)
One = Jeden (yeden)
Two = Dva (d-vah)
Three = Tři (trzhee)
Entry Formalities
All foreign visitors to the Czech Republic must possess a passport valid for at least the next three months. Participants requiring a visa should apply in advance to consular offices of the Czech Republic or diplomatic missions in their countries in order to avoid delay in travel to the Congress.
Electricity
The Czech Republic uses a 230-volt 50 Hz system. Sockets are the standard European type (two-prong round pin plugs with a hole for a male grounding pin are standard). To use electric appliances from your country you may need a special voltage converter with an adapter plug. More information here.
Important Telephone Numbers
112 – General Emergency (The European Standard number)
150 – Fire Department
155 – Ambulance
156 – Prague police
158 – Police
Insurance
The organizers can accept no liability for personal injuries or loss or damage to property belonging to the Congress participants, either during or as a result of the event. Participants are advised to take out proper travel and health insurance before departing from their home country
No-smoking
Smoking in the IIGANN 2025 area is not allowed.
Official language
The official language of the IIGANN 2025 is English. Translation services will not be provided.
Programme Changes
The organizers cannot assume liability for any changes in the programme due to external or unforeseen circumstances.
Shopping
Most shops in Prague are open from 9:00 to 18:00, Monday till Saturday. Shops in the city centre are usually open from 9:00 to 20:00, Monday till Sunday.
Smoking and Alcohol Policy
There are laws restricting public smoking in the Czech Republic. It is forbidden to smoke in public areas such as public transport stops, train stations, airports, means of transport, cultural and medical facilities, playgrounds, sports grounds, etc. The smoking ban also applies to the indoor areas of all dining establishments.
In some localities, especially in the center of the capital city, it is forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages in public with the exception of restaurant gardens and some public events. Alcohol and tobacco products may not be sold to a person under the age of 18 under penalty of a heavy fine. There is zero tolerance for alcohol behind the wheel, on a bike or Segway, or other means of self-propelled transportation.
Time Zone
The Czech Republic is on Central European Time – Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus 1 hour. From April to October is summertime, i.e. GMT +2 hours.
Tipping
Tipping is customary, particularly in restaurants. If you were satisfied with the food and service, be sure to show your appreciation. The unwritten rule is to leave about 10% of the total bill.
Weather
The climate is a mixture of ocean and continental influences. The season begins to change in September as average highs dip 10 degrees in Prague, Czech Republic, reaching 18°C (that's about 64°F) during the day.
Prague evenings for September are still seasonably cool with night time temp averages of 10°C (about 50°F).
You can check for current weather conditions in Prague at www.weather.com.