Making Calls in the Czech Republic, Including Prague

The Czech phone system doesn’t use area codes, so in order to make a call inside the Czech Republic; you only need to dial the 9-digit local number. Calling abroad requires dialing the international access code (00), the country code (for instance, 44 for UK, 31 for Netherlands, 1 for USA or Canada), and then the number.

Ways of making a call in the Czech Republic, including Prague

Phone calls inside the Czech Republic and abroad can be made using one of the following ways:

1. Pay phone. Most public pay phones in Czech Republic can be activated by insertable telephone cards, as part of them are activated by coins. Both types of payphones can be found easily in any location in Prague or outside of it. To activate the phone, one needs to take the earpiece off the hook, insert a card or a suitable coin, wait for a dial tone and then dial the phone number. Insertable telephone cards can be purchased at newsstands, at the post office, in department stores, hotels, money exchange offices, etc.

2. International phone cards. These cards are not inserted into the phone. The code that appears on the card should be dialed to receive an automatic voice message, and then you will have to scratch to reveal a number you’ll have to dial followed by the target number. International telephone cards can be purchased at newsstands as well, at the post office, in department stores, hotels, money exchange offices, etc. Their major upside compared to the insertable telephone cards is the tariff – in the overseas calls they are supposed to be much cheaper.

3. Xcall – a budget 24-hour service provided by SPT Telecom for international calls is made using a fixed telephone line or a pay phone (but not mobile phone). To use this service, one should dial 970 before the 00 access code. Using Xcall service in the Czech Republic, one can access Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scandinavia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the USA.

4. Hotel room phones. Keep in mind that the overseas calls using hotel room phones can be surprisingly expensive, so checking phone tariffs prior to making overseas calls from your hotel is highly recommended. To lower the costs of a call abroad from your hotel, one can use the international phone cards mentioned above.

5. Mobile phone from outside of Europe. Every tri band or quad band mobile phone that operates on the GSM 900 and GSM 1800 frequency can be used in the Czech Republic, unless the call plan in the country of origin prevents it. The main downside of using the non-European phone is the high price (notice that the international cell phone owner is required to pay for incoming calls as well). However, the cost can be lowered using a prepaid Czech SIM Card.

6. European mobile phone, is supposed to be a more convenient way to make phone calls in the Czech Republic. If you’re coming from outside of Europe and don’t have a European phone, you can purchase it for approx. 130$. This type of phone can be operated in most European countries once you buy a local chip for approx. 30$ per country. If you plan to visit only the Czech Republic, you can buy a cheaper phone that can’t be operated outside the country. The main three companies that operate in the Czech Republic are:

a. Eurotel (the first three digits of the phone number are: 601, 602, 606, 607, 720-729).

b. T-Mobile (the first three digits of the phone number are: 603, 604, 605, 730-739).

c. Vodafone (the first three digits of the phone number are: 608, 770-779).

Czech SIM Card: How to Install

Czech SIM card (available in the Czech Republic) can be used efficiently with an international cell phone (SIM unlocked GSM 900 or GSM 1800). SIM card is a chip that is physically inserted into the phone. The card should be inserted with its metal part facing down to make a connection between it and the phone’s SIM tray, which is located under the cell phone battery. After inserting the card, one should enter the 4 digits PIN code that appears on the SIM Card holder.

Czech SIM Card: Advantages

Czech SIM card is prepaid; in other words, its owner pays for the calls ahead and doesn’t receive a phone bill. Once the talk time is used up, one can continue to receive incoming calls, and/or add more talk time. More talk time can be added to the SIM card by purchasing recharge card and entering the scratch to reveal PIN number.

Using the Czech SIM prepaid card, you are not required to pay for the incoming calls, regardless of their origin. In addition to that, all the local calls are made for local rates.

While calling inside the Czech Republic, the SIM card user should dial the regular 9-digit number. To call abroad, one should to dial a 00 access code, then the country code, the area code and the target number.

Using abroad I-call service is supposed to be less expensive. To use this service, one should dial 1042, then the country code, the area code and the target number.

Czech SIM Card: How to Recharge The Card

The Czech SIM card can be recharged in four ways:

1. Twist Recharge Coupons. These coupons are available in numerous mobile phones shops and department stores and cost from 400 CZK to 800 CZK and up to 2000 CZK. To use this coupon, one should dial 102 from the cell phone, enter the scratch to reveal a 12 or 14 digit code, press # and the send key and check incoming SMS confirmation.

2. SAZKA terminal. To recharge the phone at SAZKA terminal, one should fill a recharging ticket (to choose the option “Twist Recharging”, fill in the phone number and the amount of money to be recharged) and return the ticket to the clerk.

3. CCS Terminal. Recharging can be made using a CCS card or cash at selected gas stations, and can cost from 200 CZK to 9999 CZK.

4.Remote recharge. To recharge from a remote location, one should dial 603124602 from the Czech Republic or +420603124602 from abroad, enter the phone number that needs to be recharged plus the # key and check incoming SMS confirmation.

To check the credit, one should enter *101# and hit the “send” key. The remaining credit will show on the display.