The land of ancient cities that date back to times immemorial and fairytale castles that could belong in a Disney theme park (except they’re the real deal), Europe is sure to be on the radar of every culture-hungry American this fall.
Not only will prices drop significantly, with hotels and tourist experiences becoming cheaper to book, crowds will be smaller too, making it the perfect season to visit one of the continent’s most charming and historically-charged cities, especially when you can get there hassle-free.
Until October 5, Americans can fly nonstop to beautiful Prague for only $631 one-way:
Delta Air Lines Flights To Prague, Czechia
Throughout late summer and early spring 2024, Delta Air Lines will be offering daily flights from New York (JFK), one of its largest hubs, to Prague (PRG), making it easier for U.S. citizens to visit the capital and largest city in the Central European country that is Czechia.
Customers can choose between the Main Cabin, where the cheapest $631 airfare applies, Delta Comfort, starting from $1,370 on certain dates, and Delta One, where a seat can run you up $8,637, with all the luxury perks you would expect of a first-class setting.
Outbound departure is set for 8:45 PM, arriving in Prague the following day at 10:55 AM; returning home to New York, takeoffs are scheduled for 12:55 PM, landing at JFK on the same calendar date, local time at 4:29 PM.
Delta’s are the only nonstop flights operating between the United States and Prague this fall: in other seasons, Americans flying to the Czech capital must connect in a larger European transit hub, such as Frankfurt in Germany, or Vienna in Austria.
Prague Looks Almost Too Pretty To Be Real In The Fall
Prague is a medieval dreamland that looks almost too pretty to be real, with its hundreds of church spires, hilltop castle and scenic riverfront.
Though it’s nowhere near as popular as Paris or London, tourism giants in their own right, Prague is no offbeat destination, either: according to data provided by the Czech Statistical Office, it hosted 7.4 million guests in 2023.
Tourists often flock to Prague for its well-preserved medieval core, one of the most visited in Europe: centered around Old Town Square, it is a maze of cobbled streets lined by colorful Baroque facades and much older medieval structures that have stood the test of time.
Among them, the Astronomical Clock, built as early as 1410, draws big crowds thanks to its mechanical figures that pop out for an animated show at the turn of every hour. The monumental Church of Our Lady before Týn, with a set of twin towers that pierce the Prague skyline, also draws big crowds.
Nearby, Charles Bridge is a a pedestrian crossing flanked by statues of saints that has spanned the Vltava River for 622 years, and sitting on a prominent hill in the heart of it all, Prague Castle is the (literal) cherry on top:
The largest castle complex in the world, it covers an area of almost 70,000 m².
Architectural Gems From Medieval To Modern Times
Inside, you will find not only the series of imposing original fortifications but an equally vast collection of civic and ecclesiastical buildings boasting diverse architectural traits, from Romanesque to Gothic to Renaissance.
Prague’s architectural wonders extended well into the modern era.
One such example is the Dancing House, introduced in 1996, as Czechia was transitioning from a socialist-leaning country to a Western democracy.
Its strange shape is supposed to emulate on-screen lovebirds Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. According to art buffs, its static elements may symbolize Czechia’s rich past and tradition, while the dynamic half is meant to encapsulate a not-so-rigid future.
Not far from the Instagrammable Dancing House, Malá Strana is a Prague hidden gem worth discovering if you’re keen on beating the tour groups and seeing the city through a more local perspective:
A hilly district sitting opposite the Old Town is filled with car-free streets that get impossibly narrow the further you go, and casual restaurants serving traditional Czech food at reasonable prices.
The tree-lined Kampa riverside is incredibly peaceful to walk, and if you love urban art, you’ll want to make sure you stop by the John Lennon Wall, where artists have been scribbling Beatles lyrics and making political statements since the 80s.
If you’re looking to chill, Wallenstein Garden is a green oasis attached to a stately palace tourists seldom realize it’s there: hiding in plain sight a 9-minute walk from the wall, it has peacocks roaming freely amid the intricate flower patterns.
Prague Is An Affordable Cultural Escape This Fall
Other than its secret gardens and charming streets leading to hidden, flowery patios, we love Prague for the unique experiences it offers, usually at affordable prices.
For instance, you can book a five-course medieval dinner with unlimited drinks in the Old Town for only $63.76––including swordsmen, jugglers and belly dancers––or a 3-hour canoe tour visiting all of the main points of interest on the Vltava riverfront from $40.17.
Prague is also well-known for its plethora of cheap eats, with a quirky-sounding Sand Man’s Tongue Bar & Bistro serving sizable beef burgers for $13.37, and PAPRIKA Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar boasting a wide range of bite-size Southern European delicacies between $4 and $11.
If you’re coming to Prague, however, you might as well try some of their traditional food.
We know beef goulash is not everyone’s cuppa, let alone pork dumplings and its accompanying sauerkraut, but if you’re looking to get initiated into Slav cuisine without messing with your taste buds too much, we can recommend a tourist-friendly Restaurace Mlejnice.
It’s not one of the oldest, most storied venues in town, but it is near Old Town Square.
The ambiance is incredibly cozy, and food and drinks are reasonably priced, considering the privileged location.
How Much Do Hotels In Central Prague Cost?
Looking for a place to stay during your fall getaway to Prague?
The 4-star Hotel Askania, within walking distance of the Old Town landmarks, including Old Town Square, costs a surprisingly-cheap $70 per night to book, while Hotel Malá Strana, on the other side of the Vltava, costs from $90, breakfast included.
If you’re on a limited budget, the golden-star Prague Dream Hostel will only set you back by $41 per night, and for an additional $14, you can enjoy either a continental or buffet breakfast––oh, have we mentioned the Old Town is a short 16-minute walk?
For all you big spenders out there, you’ll be thrilled to learn the Praguer high life is not nearly as costly as the Parisian or Milanese:
Overnight stays at the luxurious Mamaison Hotel Riverside Prague cost as little as $135, and if you’re feeling extra bougie, you can get a Superior Room at the Three Storks for $180––and all rooms come with views over Prague’s iconic red-tiled roofs.
This Is The Last Fall Season Americans Can Fly To Prague Requirement-Free
From fall 2025, all Americans will be required to apply for an Entry Authorization ahead of visiting the Czech Republic, and all other members of the European Union and/or the Schengen Area.
This upcoming season, they can still fly to Prague essentially requirement-free, making it the perfect time to visit while additional checks are not yet carried out.
U.S. citizens can remain in the Schengen Area, which includes Czechia, for 90 days in total out of any 180-day period.
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