People in the Czech Republic have clean underwear, right?

May 4, 2008 7:14 AM

Later this month, my boyfriend will be going to Prague on business for two weeks. Instead of packing two weeks worth of clean clothes, he'd like to take less and do laundry while he's over there. The big question is how? Are there public laundry facilities there? How do you find them? Specifically, he'll be at the Corinthia Towers Hotel. And, hey, as long as you're here: Got any general travel tips for the area? He travels internationally so there's no "OMG! I'm leaving American soil!" freak-out going on. This just happens to be a place he's never been so: should he get a phrase book, is it relatively easy for foreigners to get around, what should he make time to see, etc?
posted by _Mona_ to travel & transportation (21 comments total)

The Hlavni Nadrazi station (main train station) in Prague has an internet/laundry combination business. It's below the main entry level (Internet/laundry cafe's are pretty common in parts of Europe). I've never done laundry there, but I've used their computers while waiting for the train - it's not a fancy place, but it should do the job. Other than that, I'm not too sure - does the hotel have a laundry service? Tell him to visit the Kafka museum on the left side of the river if he can!
posted by raztaj at 7:27 AM on May 4, 2008

It looks like the hotel has laundry service. He should use that, and while it may be expensive, have his work pay for the expenses.

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/prague/H30392.html
posted by raztaj at 7:36 AM on May 4, 2008

The hotel should have laundry service.
posted by notyou at 7:36 AM on May 4, 2008

Are there public laundry facilities there? - Yes, tons.
How do you find them? - Ask the hotel front desk, if they don't know, ask a barkeeper.
Should he get a phrase book? - For only two weeks? I wouldn't bother.
Is it relatively easy for foreigners to get around? Yes, as long as he isn't scared to learn the public transportation system.

My general advice: Make to bring a good map and a pen. When you are walking and find something you might want to use/do (laundrymat, restaurant, internet cafe, grocery store, bookstore etc...) mark its location on the map for future reference.
posted by chrisalbon at 8:00 AM on May 4, 2008

P.S. My comment was referring to laundrymats not.
posted by chrisalbon at 8:01 AM on May 4, 2008

P.P.S.

My comment was referring to laundrymats not laundry services.
posted by chrisalbon at 8:01 AM on May 4, 2008

It would be best to call the hotel and find out if they have laundry service and how much it costs. There are very few laundromats in Prague and they are expensive to use. Laundryland is the only one I know of and it has a location in Prague 1, inside a mall.

Most people in the tourist areas will speak at least a little English, enough for him to be able to order food, beer, or buy a tram ticket. Learning a few basics like hello, please, thank you and numbers 1-10 would be very helpful. The phrasebook put out by Lonely Planet is completely worthless and many of the pronunciations in it are wrong anyway.

The restaurants and bars in Prague 1 will be much more expensive than in the neighborhoods a short tram ride away. For example, a beer in Prague 1 will cost between 50-86 crowns, but a beer in Prague 3 would only be 25-34 crowns.
posted by Ariadne at 8:10 AM on May 4, 2008

I have stayed in Prague a few times and always found it easy to get to a laundromat, regardless of the neighborhood.
With regards to what to see, I love walking across Charles Bridge and up to the Castle, then hiking back down and exploring the twisting streets of Old Town. Check out the Astrological clock in the Old Town square too. Wencelaus Square is interesting to see and there are usually open air markets where you can get cheap food and various crafts. Near there is the Museum of Communism which is small but a fun(ny) diversion for a couple of hours. And of course, the beer is (still) cheaper than water, even in the expensive parts of town.
posted by Captain Sunshine at 8:24 AM on May 4, 2008

FYI: When I last went, Prague had the largest American community outside of America. There even was a Kmart with particularly American items in it. It's lovely, friendly and I doubt he'll have a difficult time finding his way around on transit and finding facilities to fill your needs.

http://www.escapeartist.com/efam16/Prague.html
posted by eatdonuts at 8:38 AM on May 4, 2008

Thanks for all the responses, keep 'em coming.

I should have been a bit more clear -- typically he uses the hotel laundry service for his shirts but A) he feels weird handing over his skivvies to a them (I know, like they've never seen underwear before, right? But, hey, we all have our comfort zones. :-), and B) having the hotel do it is outrageously expensive.

Ariadne, it's interesting to hear that the laundrymats are expensive, too. IMO, I think the company should pick up the tab for hotel service so maybe your comment will convince him of the same thing.
posted by _Mona_ at 8:46 AM on May 4, 2008

I'd reccomend learning at least three phrases, that are easy enough to learn:

mlůvite anglicky (Do you speak english?)
nemlůvim česky (I don't speak Czech)
nerozomim (I don't understand)

with, perhaps, incorrect accents. Look up a Czech pronunciation guide, such as this one for an explanation of the accents. and whatnot.

Anyhow, I was there a few years back knowing little more than those phrases, and I got along fine. I found that if you asked people the first phrase as an opener (perhaps after an "Ahoj!"), then they'd usually either answer in the affirmative, or find someone who could help.
posted by vernondalhart at 9:18 AM on May 4, 2008

Time Out Prague might be worth browsing.

Muži and Ženy are the men's and women's bathrooms, respectively. I spent one day in Prague and, when confronted with these signs, had no clue which was which.

Czech tongue twisters. We work with a Czech guy, and tease him that the inventor of Czech was unclear on the concept that only vowels should have accents.
posted by lukemeister at 9:19 AM on May 4, 2008

Go look at Onebag.com for lots of traveling-light tips for business travelers, including how to deal with laundry.

Prague is an incredibly easy place for an American to get around and be comfortable. It's way easier than vast stretches of the United States. Your pal will be fine.
posted by gum at 11:22 AM on May 4, 2008

For two weeks, couldn't he just handwash his underwear in the bathroom? It doesn't seem worth trying to find a laundromat.
posted by peacheater at 11:39 AM on May 4, 2008

Here is one of several laundromats. If I remember correctly I did literally get the T-shirt.

Many people will speak some english but as vernondalhart says, learn the basic phrases. Prague is a beautiful city. Enjoy.
posted by lunaazul at 11:43 AM on May 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

I remember using a laundromat right by IP Pavlova station. If he grabs a tourist map where he's staying, it will likely have laundry locations marked.
posted by krunk at 12:28 PM on May 4, 2008

My family used this one: * Cerna Ruze,Na Prikope 12, Prague 1, 1st. floor Tel.: [phone], open Mon-Fri (9:00 - 20:00), Sat (9:00 - 19:00), Sun (11:00 - 19:00).
and it had internet as well.
posted by alcopop at 1:13 PM on May 4, 2008

The restaurants and bars in Prague 1 will be much more expensive than in the neighborhoods a short tram ride away. For example, a beer in Prague 1 will cost between 50-86 crowns, but a beer in Prague 3 would only be 25-34 crowns.

Not really, unless you're going to obvious tourist traps. A lot of the price difference between center/non-center has disappeared in recent years. I was enjoying 25kc beer in Prague 1 last night.

Here are a few laundy services. Laundryland on Londynska looks like the closest, since it's on the same metro line as your boyfriend's hotel (line C, red). About a 5 minute metro ride.

I wouldn't bother with a phrase book. Unless he speaks with perfect pronunciation nobody will have any idea what he's saying anyway. Anglicky? is probably enough. A good map is essential. There's a good map store right here called Kiwi.
posted by sero_venientibus_ossa at 3:17 PM on May 4, 2008

Since handing his undies over to a laundry service are the main issue (based on a comment upthread), here's a tip - he can just wash his undies in his hotel room sink and either dry them on a traveler's clothesline or on the shower curtain bar (assuming he isn't off-put by the cleaning lady seeing his undies).
posted by zippy at 3:55 PM on May 4, 2008

peacheater: "For two weeks, couldn't he just handwash his underwear in the bathroom? It doesn't seem worth trying to find a laundromat."

For two weeks couldn't he just bring 14 pairs of underwear?
posted by katyggls at 10:19 PM on May 4, 2008

I sent my stuff to a hotel laundry service in Nice, and was amused by having a few pairs of panties come back carefully pinned to a cardboard backing and shrink-wrapped. Socks, too.

Another idea: if he's going to consider hand-washing, perhaps you should buy him some high-tech travel undies that will dry quickly. Thick cotton might not dry very fast, if that's what he normally wears. Also, a small squeeze bottle of liquid soap, like Dr.Bronner's, might come in handy.
posted by ysabella at 11:42 PM on May 4, 2008