How much for a weekend in the Czech capital?
Where:Two days in Prague
When:May 30th-June 1st
With a tour operator Club Travel is offering us two days for two in Prague for just over €850. The operator suggests we stay at the four-star
Adria Praha Hotel, on Wenceslas Square in the centre of Prague. All the main tourist attractions are within easy reach, and the hotel has what it calls a "summer pavement cafe", which we are told is perfect "for people-watching in summer months". They also have the "architecturally unique and extremely popular" Triton restaurant. The price covers bed and American buffet. The package includes an Aer Lingus flight, which leaves Dublin at 4.40pm on Friday and arrives in Prague at 8.10pm. The flight home departs at 8.50pm on Sunday. The basic price per person is €376, to which we have to add an airport tax of €54, bringing the total per person to €430. The tour operator warns us that there will be an additional checked-baggage fee, payable at the airport, of €18 per bag.
How much? €860.
On your own
The hotel has a website of its own that takes bookings, and it will give us a double room for the two nights for €330. The price includes breakfast and a "welcome drink", with no further elaboration on what that might be. Ryanair has flights to Prague departing on the Friday at 6.10am and arriving at 9.35am. The outward journey costs €55.99 per person. The return flights are even better value, at €20.99, and depart at a far more civilised 10.50am on Sunday. Once taxes and fees have been added, the price of the tickets climbs to €255.18, excluding Ryanair's "handling fee (if applicable)". Is it ever not applicable? We opt not to check in bags, select online check-in and turn down the offer of insurance. The handling fee is €16, taking the total cost of the flights to €271.18.
How much?€601.16.
Independent savings €258.24.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/2693e910-3117-4a22-aacf-74cecf13edc4.png)