The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe, member state of the European Union. The capital is Prague, official currency is koruna (CZK, Czech Crown), and exchange rate to Euro is approx. 25 CZK/EUR.

The city of Ostrava, with more than 320 000 inhabitants, is situated in the northeastern part of the Czech Republic. A typical industrial face of Ostrava region has been changing for last 15 years, but areas of coal mining, metallurgical and chemical industry can be found here. Today, Ostrava plays a strong economical, cultural, administrative and educational role and its surroundings are attractive for foreign investors.

• Traveling by plane

  The best connection from abroad is available via Prague International Airport . There are several flights from Vienna and Prague to Ostrava Leos Janacek International Airport daily. Vienna International Airport is also widely used by trevellers going in the Czech Republic. International airports in Krakow and Katowice (both in neighbouring Poland) are also good choice for travelling to Ostrava (namely due to the amount of low-cost airlines flying to/from these two airports), however the train connection from Krakow and Katowice is considerably worse then from Prague and Vienna. Check your favourite flight operator for more information about flights to Czech Republic.

• Traveling by car

  Don't forget to buy highway stamp when crossing border to the Czech Republic. Road map can be found here .

• Traveling by train

  From Prague – there are direct high-speed trains (SC Pendolino) connecting Prague (Main Station/Hlavni nadrazi) with Ostrava (Svinov Station and Main Station/Hlavni nadrazi) 9 times a day, the travel takes about 3 hours (ticket cost 600 CZK/approx. 26 EUR). Airport Express bus service operates between Prague Airport and Prague Main Station. Direct EuroCity and InterCity trains between Prague and Ostrava operate in approx. two-hour period; the travel takes about 4 hours (ticket cost 430 CZK/approx. 18 EUR).

  From Vienna – EuroCity trains connect Wien Südbahnhof with Ostrava, the travel takes about 3 hours (ticket cost 830 CZK/approx. 33 EUR); please note that you may have to change trains in Breclav or Brno.

  From Katowice – there are 3 EuroCity trains connecting Katowice with Ostrava, the travel takes about 2 hours (ticket cost 320 CZK/approx. 13 EUR).

  From Krakow – there is no direct connection between Krakow and Ostrava, except two night trains which arrive to Ostrava in the early morning hours (2 and 3 AM respectively), the travel takes about 4 hours (ticket cost 440 CZK/approx. 18 EUR). Another possibility is to combine trains with change in Katowice or/and Bohumin.

  For traveling from different destinations and for more information check National timetable information system web pages.

  There are three big railway stations in Ostrava – Svinov Station, Vitkovice Station and Main Station/Hlavni nadrazi – please note that Main Station is located close to the city centre, where the conference takes place.

If you needed further assistance, please, consult travel arrangements with one of the members of our steering committee – Jan Kielar, jankielarosucz – who will provide you with kind help in this matter.

Useful links
Czech Republic - official website
Czech Presidency of the EU – official website
Official website of the Statutory City od Ostrava
Ostravaci.cz - 3 photographers and Ostrava - industrial art you must see!