Written by our November 2025 Alumni: Nusrettin Kanilga
Prague is an impressive city at first glance. The architecture, the atmosphere, the history – everything feels almost unreal when you first arrive. But the experience changes once you stop being a tourist and start actually living here. Suddenly, the city is no longer about sightseeing, but about everyday life: work, routines, shopping, paperwork, weather and people.
The good news is that living in Prague is not as complicated as it may seem at the beginning. Once you understand a few social and practical codes, building a comfortable life here becomes much easier.
Here are some small things that can genuinely make life in Prague easier for newcomers.
- Simple Social Codes Go a Long Way
One of the first things you notice in Prague is how important basic politeness is in daily interactions. Saying hello when you enter a place and goodbye when you leave is not optional — it is simply part of the culture.
Whether it is a small shop, a cafe, an office, or even an elevator, greeting people with “Dobrý den” makes a visible difference. It may feel unnecessary at first, especially if you come from a culture where people are more anonymous, but in Prague this small gesture is both a sign of respect and a social expectation.
Once you get used to it, these tiny interactions make the city feel much more human and less distant.
- Shop Small and Often
Shopping habits in Prague can be different from what many newcomers are used to. Doing a big monthly grocery shopping trip is usually not very practical, especially when it comes to fresh products.
Vegetables and fruit are best bought weekly, and fresh products are especially good on Mondays, when shops restock after the weekend. Buying smaller amounts more often not only helps reduce food waste, but also fits better with how local shops operate.
In Prague, it is much easier to adapt your meals to what is available and fresh, rather than planning everything too far ahead.
- Accept the Paperwork Culture
Bureaucracy is a real part of life in the Czech Republic — especially if you are a foreigner. Paperwork, official letters, stamps, appointments, and physical documents are still very much part of the system.
Digital solutions exist, but they are not always the preferred method. Post letters are still common, and many processes require in person visits. Some people joke that this system also exists to keep traditional office jobs alive.
Instead of fighting it, the best approach is to accept it. Being patient, organised, and keeping physical copies of important documents saves a lot of stress in the long run.
Once you understand that things may take time but usually work in the end, the system becomes less frustrating.
- Public Transport Makes Life Easier Than You Think
One of the biggest advantages of Prague is its public transport system. Once you get a monthly or yearly transport pass, moving around the city becomes incredibly easy and affordable.
Trams, metros, and buses are reliable and well connected, and even taxis are relatively affordable compared to many other European cities. Getting to the airport is also simple, with direct bus connections from metro stations.
This means that you do not really need a car to live comfortably in Prague — the city is designed to be navigated without one.
- Routine Is More Important Than Exploration
At the beginning, most newcomers feel the pressure to constantly explore: new neighbourhoods, new cafés, new places. While this is exciting, what really creates a sense of belonging is routine.
Having a regular cafe, a favourite walking route, a local park, or a gym makes the city slowly feel like “yours”. These repeated places turn Prague from an impressive city into a familiar one.
Routine creates stability, and stability creates comfort.
Learning a Little Czech Changes Everything
You do not need to speak perfect Czech to live in Prague, but learning a few basic phrases can make everyday life significantly easier.
Simple words like “prosím” (please), “děkuju” (thank you), or knowing how to introduce yourself already change how people interact with you. Locals tend to be more open and helpful when they see yo u making an effort, even if your Czech is far from fluent.
More than communication, learning the language creates a psychological shift ,you stop feeling like a visitor and start feeling like part of the city.
- Life Here Is Actually Quite Practical
Prague may feel overwhelming at first, especially with a new language, new systems and a new culture. But once you understand how the city works, daily life becomes surprisingly practical.
It is safe, well-connected, affordable compared to many capitals, and generally organised. Over time, it is usually the small, quiet habits — not the big plans — that make Prague feel like home.
In the end, living in Prague is not about mastering the city. It is about slowly learning its rhythm. And once you do, life here becomes much easier than you first imagined.
Join an upcoming TEFL course where in just 4 weeks you can take advantage of these tips!
TEFL Worldwide was awarded as the Top TEFL Certification Course of 2018 and 2019, the Best Teach Provider in 2020, a Finalist for Innovation in Alumni Engagement in 2024, and in 2025 – the Top Rated TEFL Course in the Czech Republic!
Courses offered monthly at teflworldwideprague.com
