Last minute road trip to Prague

[The Artist]

I need to go to Prague for next week (Mon-Fri).

Am I mad to get a Ferry Friday night, drive to Prague over the weekend, do what I need to do in Prague and then drive back the following weekend?

I have driven a lot (15-20k miles) in Europe but it was always been summer!

This in a 600bhp RWD Merc with proper winter tyres on.

It seems like it wouldn't be too bad in terms of miles. I have told some friends and colleagues and they have called me crazy but I am not sure why.

Alternative is flying but that is boring and I would need to go near Luton.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

Literally no different to driving in the UK during winter except on the opposite side of the road. If you can drive your 600bhp RWD Merc in the UK right now then you can drive your 600bhp RWD Merc in Czechia.
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[The Artist]

[A100man]

at 850 odd miles it's surprisingly not that far..

I wouldn't want to do it in one hit, but this is Dec not Jan/Feb so sure.

I would often drive to Holland in January (6hrs plus channel crossing) but that's only about half way.

I'd say take the train via Frankfurt but apparently there are no trains From Germany into Czech ??
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[The Artist]

[WD Forte]

"drive to Prague over the weekend, do what I need to do in Prague and then drive back the following weekend/600bhp Mercedes"

Hmmm
I bet you is you like a secret agent or crimno or sumfin
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[MCN]

Why not?

How much is the fuel and ferry fare going to cost compared to fly and car hire?

Probably avg 55mpg at a steady cruise in that hoowur. But over 70mph I guess it will be more.

And there's the added excitement of some Lithu Gang taking the 600bhp merk off you at a crossing. At gunpoint if needs be
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[RhynoCZ]

I live in the north-east of the country and we/locals just don't drive to Prague. The train is faster, cheaper and way more convenient. The trainstation is right in the center of the Prague and you can get on the Metro without even leaving the trainstation building.

Driving conditions inland are usually alright, these days anyway. The conditions may vary. Black ice is rather rare. Expect some slush on the salted roads. Otherwise, unless something unexpected happens you should be alright. There could be some/more snow when crossing the border in the mountains.

The fuel prices here are dropping, by the way.

EDIT: Flying to Prague is also not ideal, as the airport is 40 minutes to 1 hour away from the city center and the only way how to get there is either by a bus or by a taxi. If I had to go to Prague from the UK, I would just do it by the sleeper train and enjoy the scenery while passing trough Europe.

EDIT II: If you do the drive in your car, there is crap loads of stuff worth seeing on the way.
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[hellkat]

Sounds like an adventure that needs to be had.

I was always up for a bit of ad hoc travel, probably still would, given half a chance. I used to try to keep my passport always in date in case something exciting came up.

There's always some sort of hassle but that always ends up being the stories that you dine out on later
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[WD Forte]

G'wan, you can tell us.
is it cos some bird loves the old chocolates ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6Gk7uQ1Uhw
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[ThunderGuts]

[stinkwheel]

[The Artist]

[RhynoCZ]

Yes, the public transportation system in Prague is very good.

The Metro is very convenient and let's not forget about the abundance of tram/bus/trolleybus/river ferry... lines throughout the city. Also, it's a one ticket gets you everywhere kind of system, so you only buy one ticket and use whatever you want. The last time I was in Prague I could also use the ''one ticket'' to ride the cable car/funicular up the Petrin hill. That's the one with a watchtower on the top that resembles the Eiffel tower.

I'd consider getting the 24 hour (or even the 72 hour) public transportation ticket.
Here's what tickets are available https://pid.cz/en/travelling-around-prague/

By the way, the weather starts to get wintry here. Temperatures dropping, rain/snow all over the country. Nothing I'd worry about though. The main roads and motorways are always well taken care of.

NOTE:
From November 1 to March 31 you must have winter tyres whenever there is a continuous layer of snow, ice or frost on the road surface, or whenever these phenomena can be expected due to climate conditions. When the law says winter tyres, it means winter tyres with corresponding pattern, i.e. at least 4 mm of the tread pattern, when driving a car in impaired conditions as described above.

If it is found in the winter period in a road check that the driver does not use winter tyres as required, he/she will face a fine of up to CZK 2000. If this offence is passed to the administrative proceedings, a fine of up to CZK 2,500 may be imposed.

Also, do not forget about the traffic sign "Winter Equipment". Where the "Winter Equipment" traffic sign is placed, the vehicle must have winter tyres under any circumstances. A similar situation is about the traffic sign ''Winter Chains''.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[MCN]

It's fortunate that RhynoCZ was never disheartened by bcf behaviour/s and he Euro-Flounced.
He has proven his worth having him on board for this thread.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[chickenstrip]

[blurredman]

I don't see anything wrong with this.

Cheap winter tyres.

Plenty of expensive executive cars in europe used every day.


Last time I had to buy winter tyres to drive abroad, I left them on and wore them until they had to be changed naturally. They lasted 35,000 miles, which I thought was cool considering they cost £60 for four, plus £20 delivery- but that was in 2016.
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Current: 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (bored to 295cc) - 38k, 1990 MZ ETZ251 - 49k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 9k, 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 17k.

[The Artist]

Well a spanner has been thrown in the works. 2 of my winter tyres won't fit my rims. New winter tyres are £200+ each in this size and not even sure the garage can receive them in time.

Looks like I may be flying after all!

[WD Forte]

Do you actually need winter tyres?
A quick look shows the weather and temps in Prague are similar to
what we're experiencing here

we don need no stinkin winter tyres
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bikers smell of wee

[RhynoCZ]

[The Artist]

The German rule is that you must have winter tyres if driving in slushy, snowy or icy conditions.

As the majority of the miles I would be doing are in Germany, I don't really want to risk it.

[Freddyfruitba...]

[RhynoCZ]

[WD Forte]

But he's got 600 bhp !!
he can just power through!
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