In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Czech Republic
Kolín
A half-day stop between Prague and Kutná Hora: see the synagogue, Jewish cemetery and Gothic square, then move on. One night only if you want a quiet base.
Kolín is a compact historic town on the Elbe, 47 km east of Prague, with a preserved Gothic-Baroque centre, the second-oldest synagogue in Bohemia and a large Jewish cemetery. Most travellers use it as a lunch stop on the Prague–Kutná Hora route or as a quiet base for exploring Central Bohemia. One hour on foot covers the main sights.
- Country
- Czech Republic
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (heat, crowds in Prague spillover)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CZK
- Money
- Currency is the Czech koruna (CZK, Kč). Cards are widely accepted, including for small sums.
- Daily spend
- Budget 800–1,200 CZK excl. bed · Mid 1,200–2,000 CZK excl. bed · High 2,000+ CZK excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone sell prepaid SIMs; EU roaming covers EU SIMs at home prices.
- Emergency
- Police 158 · Fire 150 · Ambulance 155 · European emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types C, E, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Type E sockets have a pin; German type F plugs fit with the hybrid E/F plug found on most chargers.
- Tipping
- Pub or café: Round up to the next ten or twenty koruna.; Restaurant: About 10%, told to the server when paying ('make it 500').; Taxi: Round up.; Tour guide: CZK 100–200 per person for a half-day.
- Water
- Tap water is safe everywhere. Restaurants sell bottled water by default; ask for tap water if you want it.
- Toilets
- Station and shopping-centre toilets often charge CZK 10–20; restaurants reserve theirs for customers.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | 40–60 CZK |
| Beer (0.5 L) | 30–50 CZK |
| Lunch menu (soup + main) | 120–180 CZK |
| Train to Prague (one way) | about 100 CZK |
| Taxi station → square | about 100 CZK |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PRG · Václav Havel Airport Prague
- Bus to Prague main station, then train to Kolín, about 1.5 h total
Typical fares
- Train Prague → Kolín
- about 100 CZK, 45 min (check)
- Train Kolín → Kutná Hora
- about 40 CZK, 15 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The historic centre is walkable in 20 minutes. City buses (11 lines, Okresní autobusová doprava Kolín) connect the station to the outskirts. A taxi from the station to the square costs about 100 CZK.
See and do
Known for
- Kolín synagogue (1696)
- Old Jewish cemetery (1418)
- Karlovo Square and Gothic town hall
- Church of Saint Bartholomew (Peter Parler)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kutná Hora | Train from Kolín station, about 15 min | About 30 min |
| Prague | Train from Kolín station, about 45 min | About 1 h |
| Zruč nad Sázavou | Bus from Kolín station, about 40 min | About 1 h |
Sleep
- Town centre (Karlovo Square area)
- Walk to all sights; limited hotels, mostly pensions.
- Near the railway station
- Practical for a stopover; 10 min walk to the square.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Dobrý dendob-ree den |
| Thank you | Děkujidye-koo-yi |
| Please | Prosímpro-seem |
| How much? | Kolik to stojí?ko-lik to sto-yee |
| Where is the station? | Kde je nádraží?gde ye nad-razh-ee |
| Beer | Pivopee-vo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Dobrý den on entering shops; handshake with eye contact; avoid: Walking in and out without a word
- Names and titles: Use academic titles if given (pan inženýr, paní doktorka); avoid: First names with older people until invited
- Pubs: Share tables, put a coaster on the glass when you have had enough; avoid: Waving for the waiter; they will come
- Homes: Shoes off at the door; slippers are offered; avoid: Arriving empty-handed; bring flowers (odd numbers) or wine
- Conversation: Dry humour, understatement; avoid: Calling it 'Eastern Europe' or confusing it with Slovakia
- Queues and trams: Give seats to older people; let people out first; avoid: Loud phone calls on public transport
Scams and watch-outs
- The synagogue and Jewish cemetery have limited opening hours; check the official site in advance.
- Most restaurants close by 21:00 on weekdays.
- The train station has no luggage storage (check).
Kolín is a safe small city. Watch for pickpockets only on the train to Prague. The main risk is uneven cobblestones in the old town.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kolín yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kolín synagogue (1696)
- Old Jewish cemetery (1418)
- Karlovo Square and Gothic town hall
- Church of Saint Bartholomew (Peter Parler)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Kolín official website: www.mukolin.cz
- Wikivoyage: Kolín, revision 5297535 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5297535
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/kolin). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.