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More than 40 international airlines fly to Prague’s Ruzyně airport. The national carrier Czech Airlines (ČSA) is a member of the Sky Team alliance, whose members include Delta, Air France and Alitalia. Direct flights from London are about 1.5 hours; from New York, about 9 hours.

Located 15 km (9 miles) northwest of the city centre, Ruzyně is Prague’s only international airport. Until 1989, a cheery, red neon hammer-and-sickle greeted visitors landing here. There are all the modern facilities here now, though, including car rental offices, bureaux de change, shops and restaurants. Municipal buses serve the airport, as does a reputable private transport service, but their cars charge more than taxis do.

Prague is on major European rail routes; the Orient Express’s London–Paris–Venice route passes through town. International trains to the Czech capital are comfortable, with couchette sleeping facilities, and fast excepting delays at the border, and a cheap alternative to flying if you have time.

Coaches are your best bet for long journeys on a budget. But these buses are often crowded and uncomfortable. Two metros and several trams stop at Prague’s main bus terminal Florenc.

If you’re going to be driving in the Czech Republic for more than 30 days, you’ll need an international driver’s licence. If you bring your own car, you must carry a vehicle registration card and a red warning triangle, and display a national identification sticker. A major motor-way connects Prague to the Slovak capital of Bratislava; otherwise, it’s all A and B roads.

Visitors from outside the EU can bring goods worth less than 175 euros (about Kč5,000) into the country without paying a duty. Two litres or less of wine, one litre of spirits and 200 cigarettes (or their equivalent in tobacco) can also be brought in duty-free.

Travellers from London should check with Go, a low-cost airline with return tickets to Prague at very reasonable prices. If you can be flexible about when you travel, look for stand-by tickets from Airhitch.

Most visitors may stay visa-free in the Czech Republic for up to 90 days, but it is always wise to confirm this with the Czech embassy in your own country or your travel agent for up-to-date visa requirements. Czech immigration officials may request you to be carrying at least Kč1,100 per day for your visit (or have a valid credit card).

While there’s no bad time to visit, Prague, like most European capitals, is teeming with tourists during the summer months. Off-season rates for hotels are usually in effect from September to March; check when making your booking. Winter is cold but beautiful under snow.

If you choose to stay longer than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a long-term visa, valid for a year. For this, you’ll need proof of employment, health insurance and housing as well as a clean criminal record. This visa can be renewed annually for eight years, after which you can apply for permanent residency.