Czech Republic Travel Guide for Americans

Buy a Vodafone or O2 SIM card at Prague airport or any phone shop (5 minutes, no paperwork). Cost: ~$5-8 for SIM, then top-up as needed. Get 10GB prepaid plan for $12-15/month (way cheaper than US data roaming). Vodafone and O2 have identical coverage—either works fine. You'll get Czech phone number, which helps with hotel confirmations and booking restaurants. eSIM available too but old-school SIM card is more reliable here.

Tipping is not customary but appreciated. Restaurants: round up to nearest 50 CZK or leave 10% for good service (not expected). Bars: round up or leave 10 CZK per drink, nobody tips on beer though. Taxis: round up 5-10%. Hotel staff: not required unless they do something exceptional (then 100 CZK). Restrooms with attendants: 10-20 CZK. Don't tip tour guides unless they were exceptional—it's not the culture. Czechs generally don't tip, so waiters won't expect it, but they'll appreciate it.

Czech Republic is safe—safer than most US cities. Violent crime against tourists is nearly nonexistent. Petty theft (pickpocketing) happens in Prague tourist areas and on crowded trams, especially Charles Bridge area and Old Town Square. Keep valuables in hotel safe, don't leave bags unattended, avoid huge crowds at night. Outside Prague, safety is excellent. Police are professional and helpful. Avoid confrontations with drunk locals late night (though extremely rare). Women solo traveling: very safe, normal precautions apply. Prague has some sketchy late-night neighborhoods but you won't wander there by accident. Overall: one of safest countries in Europe.