Venue

The conference will be hosted at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University, the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic, situated in the country's capital Prague. The venue, located in the Prague's historic Old Town at Malostranské náměstí 25, Prague 1, occupies a building with a rich history. Originally constructed in the 17th century by Italian architects for the Jesuits as the so-called House for Professed, the seat of the most important representatives of the Order, it later became property of the Habsburg Monarchy, then the Czechoslovak Republic, and eventually the Charles University.

Adjacent to the renowned St. Nicholas Church, an exquisite example of Prague baroque built in the 18th century and nestled beneath the Prague Castle, this venue offers a remarkable atmosphere. A mere ten-minute walk from the conference venue will lead you to the Prague Castle and within approximately seven minutes, you can reach the iconic Charles Bridge. The Square and its surrounding streets boast a plethora of restaurants offering diverse cuisines, including traditional Czech one, numerous bars serving famous Czech beers, and you can find a variety of accommodation options too.

Getting to Prague

Numerous travel options are available for your journey to Prague, tailored to your departure country.

By plane
Many major airlines operate regular flights to Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) situated in close proximity to the city.

By train
Efficient train services connect Prague with various European cities, with trains typically arriving at Prague's main train station ('Praha Hlavní nádraží'), conveniently situated in the city center.

By bus
Regular bus services, such as FlixBus and RegioJet, connect Prague with several European cities. The primary bus station in Prague is named 'Florenc'.

By car
If you are arriving from a nearby country, traveling by car might be an option. However, please be aware of potential traffic jams when approaching Prague, especially during peak hours on weekdays, particularly during morning rush hours and Sunday evenings. Additionally, securing a parking spot in the city center can be both expensive and challenging; it's advisable to coordinate this with your accommodation in advance.

Public transport in Prague

Prague boasts an efficient public transportation system, ensuring swift access to any destination within the city. The network comprises three metro lines (A, B, C), a comprehensive tram and bus network, a funicular to Petřín Hill, and ferries operating on the Vltava River.

Tickets for public transport can be purchased at sales points, self-service vending machines at metro stations, and many tram/bus stops. Alternatively, payment can be made using a bank card directly in all trams, most buses, and metro vestibules. Mobile app options (called PID lítačka) and SMS tickets are also available. For paper tickets, validation is required either upon entering trams or buses or within metro vestibules (yellow machines located upstairs; not available on platforms or in trains). Ticket options include 30 and 90-minute passes (not valid for Petřín Funicular) and 24 or 72-hour passes. The tickets allow for an unlimited number of rides within their designated time validity. Note that individuals aged 60-65 can travel for the discounted fares, while those over 65 travel for free (an ID card with a photograph and date of birth is necessary).

Schedules are displayed at stops, and for route planning, the Prague Public Transit Company website or a dedicated smartphone app PID lítačka can be utilized. The app, which utilizes GPS, identifies the nearest station and devises an optimal route.

The conference venue is conveniently located near the 'Malostranské náměstí' tram station, serviced by multiple trams. Additionally, the 'Malostranská' metro station (line A) is within walking distance.

Traveling to conference venue

To reach the conference venue from the airport, you can board trolleybus no. 59 directly from the airport to its final stop, 'Nádraží Veleslavín'. From there, transfer to metro Line A and travel to 'Malostranská' station. Then you can choose to either walk (approximately 8 minutes) or take a tram (numbers 12, 15, 20, 22, or 23) to 'Malostranské náměstí', which takes just 2 minutes.

If you arrive to Prague by train, from the main train station, take metro Line C to station 'Muzeum' and then transfer to Line A to 'Malostranská' station. From 'Malostranská', you have the option to walk or take a tram to 'Malostranské náměstí'.

When arriving at 'Florenc' bus station, board metro Line B to 'Můstek' and transfer to Line A, continuing to 'Malostranská' station. From 'Malostranská', you can choose to either take a tram to 'Malostranské náměstí' or enjoy a short walk.

Using taxi

If you opt for a taxi service, exercise caution by selecting reputable companies, e.g., Taxi Praha, AAA Taxi, or City Taxi. Unfortunately, there have been instances where foreigners were charged excessively by dubious taxi operators. Alternatively, you can consider using rideshare services such as Uber or Bolt, which are often more cost-effective. When booking through their respective apps, you receive upfront information about the final fare. It's worth noting that since September 2023, Uber is the official contracted taxi service for Prague Airport. You can book Uber rides via the app, the airport's website, and through kiosks in the arrival halls at both terminals.

Visas

Be aware that if you're traveling to the Czech Republic (the Schengen area) from certain countries, you need to apply for a visa for entry. The list of states whose citizens require a visa to travel to the Schengen Area can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic's website. Detailed information on how to obtain a visa when attending a conference is available in the specific section of the Ministry's website. Organizers can issue an invitation letter for visa applicants if necessary. The procedure may vary based on the participant's country and circumstances. It's important to note that the invitation does not replace additional supporting documents that travelers must submit with their visa applications to the consulate or visa center (not at the border crossing nor on the territory of the Czech Republic). Invitations from the organizers can only be issued to registered participants who have paid the conference fee. If a visa application is unsuccessful, the full registration fee will be refunded. The organizers reserve the right to request additional documents from participants before issuing the invitation letter.