General Information
AIRPORT
Prague International Airport handles flights of most European carriers and also some overseas flights. It is located 30-45 minutes by car from the centre of Prague. There is a good connection between the airport and Prague centre by public transport or taxis. A taxi ride from the airport to the city costs about 25 EUR.
BADGES
All registered participants are requested to wear their name badges at all times. Only delegates who are wearing their name badges will be admitted to the conference venue.
BANK
Banks in the Czech Republic are open from 9.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday. They close on Saturday and Sunday. The branch office of "Komerční bank" located on the ground floor of the PCC provides standard bank services. Exchange facilities are available at the airport and most hotels too. Automatic Teller Machine facilities are available at a wide variety of outlets.
CAR PARKING
Underground parking space will be available in the Prague Congress Centre and participants arriving by car are advised to use these facilities. Parking fees are not included in the registration fee.
CHILD CARE
No child care facilities will be officially available at any of the GA venues but the Conference Secretariat is ready to arrange the childcare on request. Please specify your requirements in an e-mail sent to the Secretariat (): children´s age, date and time for which childcare service is needed, preferred language i.e. English/German/French.
CLIMATE & CLOTHING
Prague is a city with a continental climate, the weather is usually sunny and hot in the middle of August. There might be an occasional rain, and it is therefore advisable to bring a jacket, a sweater and an umbrella.
CLOAKROOM
A cloakroom will be located on the first floor and it is free of charge for all registered participants.
COFFEE BREAKS
During the program breaks, coffee/tea will be served free of charge to all participants wearing name badges. They will be served throughout first and second floors of the PCC (Exhibition space, Forum Hall Foyer, Congress Foyer)
CURRENCY & COSTS
The Czech Crown (Kč = CZK) is the official currency in the Czech Republic. Exchange of foreign currency is available at the Prague International Airport and at most hotels, banks and exchange offices throughout the city.
Meals:
| Budget: | CZK 100 - 200 |
| Mid-range: | CZK 200 - 400 |
| High: | CZK 400 - 600 |
| Deluxe: | CZK 600 - 2000 and more |
| 1 EUR = 29 CZK (October 2005) | |
CZECH LANGUAGE
Even though at all the hotels, shops and restaurants in Prague English is spoken, we include a few basic Czech words and sentences that can be useful during your stay in Prague:
| Slovník | Vocabulary |
| Ahoj! | Hello! |
| Dobry den! | Good day! |
| Dobry vecer! | Good evening! |
| Dobrou noc! | Good night! |
| Jak se mate? | How are you? |
| Mam se dobre. | I am fine. |
| Dekuji | Thank you. |
| Kolik to stoji? | How much is it? |
| Nechces jit na pivo? | Would you like to go for a beer? |
| Pivo | Beer |
| Jeden | One |
| Dva | Two |
| Tri | Three |
You can find more Czech words on www.slovnik.cz.
CZECH REPUBLIC & PRAGUE
For information please see web pages www.czechtourism.com.
DIALING CODE
Dialing code for the Czech Republic is +420. After the code directly dial the requested telephone number (no city code is needed).
DISCLAIMER
Neither the International Astronomical Union nor Conference Secretariat accept liability for damages and/or losses of any kind which may be incurred by GA IAU participants or by any persons accompanying them, both during the official activities and the excursions. The client participates in all tours and events at his/her own risk. Participants are strongly advised to take out insurance against loss, accidents or damage that could be incurred during the GA IAU. Verbal agreements will not be binding unless they are confirmed in writing. The sole place of jurisdiction is Prague. Czech law is applicable.
ELECTRICITY
The Czech Republic uses a 220 volt 50 Hz system, sockets have the European standard and plugs are three-prong grounded.
EXHIBITION
An exhibition will be located on the second floor of the Prague Congress Centre. For information on particular exhibitors and exhibition floorplans, please see the 
brochure for Companies, Sponsors & Exhibitiors, or contact the conference secretariat.
FORCE MAJEURE
In the event the entire GA IAU must be cancelled due to force majeure, the organizers cannot accept liability for any claims for damages and/or losses.
GA NEWS
GA IAU 2006 Symposium News will be distributed to all registered participants during the event free of charge.
HOTEL ACCOUNTS
All participants are reminded to settle their hotel bills for extras prior to departure with a hotel reception.
INFORMATION
Information Desk will be located on the ground floor of the PCC by the Registration Desk, staff members will be happy to help you with any queries.
INSURANCE
Participants are advised to arrange adequate cover for travel and health insurance before departing from their home country. The organizers can accept no liability for personal injuries or for loss or damage to property belonging to conference participants, either during or as a result of the event.
INTERNET
As a courtesy to all participants, more than 20 internet terminals will be available in the Internet Room located at the PCC. The Wi-Fi (Wireless) connection should be at disposal too (will be announced on the web page)
LANGUAGE
The official language of the GA IAU 2006 is English. Simultaneous interpretation will not be provided.
MESSAGE SYSTEM
Each participant will have his/her own labelled mail box at the Prague Congress Centre. The postal address of participants will be:
Name
Registration number (see the registration confirmation)
IAU XXVIth General Assembly
Prague Congress Centre (KCP)
5. kvetna 65
140 21 Prague 4
Czech Republic
This address is only valid during the General Assembly.
PRESS
The Press Centre will be located on the second floor of PCC. Press Conferences will be organized during the GA, for timing and more details please contact the Press Organizers (Icaris) or check the GA IAU web page.
PROGRAM CHANGES
The organizers cannot assume liability for any changes in the program due to external or unforeseen circumstances.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
There is a public transport system in Prague, which includes trams, buses and metro. Prague metro is quite a new one and very efficient. At peak hours there is a train every 1 or 2 minutes, off peak at least every 10 minutes. In the city centre, taxis are easy to hail from the street. The approximate fare cost is CZK 30 for kilometre.
REGISTRATION DESK
Registration desk will be located on the ground floor of the PCC. Participants can pick-up their conference materials as well as order additional services there.
RESTAURANTS
The following restaurants and cafés will be opened for participants at the Prague Congress Centre: Café Melodie on the ground floor, Restaurant Gloria on the first floor and a small buffet on the second floor. Information on restaurants in Prague will be provided by the Information Desk staff.
SHOPPING
Most shops in Prague are open from 9:00 to 18:00, Monday through Saturday. Shops in the city centre are usually open from 9:00 to 20:00, Monday through Sunday.
SMOKING POLICY
For the comfort and health of all participants, smoking will not be permitted at any official function and also registration area and foyers. Hard smokers could smoke at Café Melodie on the ground floor.
STAFF
If you have any questions, you can contact members of the GA IAU staff who can be easily recognized by their special GA IAU T-shirts. Members of the Technical Support staff wear T-shirts with "Technical Support" on the back.
TAXI SERVICE
In the city centre, taxis are easy to hail from the street but we strongly recommend to use hotel taxis or to call taxi by phone through the radio taxi service. GA IAU staff will be happy to assist you with taxi service at the Prague Congress Centre or at the airport.
TIME ZONE
GMT/UTC +1 (Central European Time)
TIPPING
Service is usually included in the bill in bars and restaurants but tips are welcome. If you consider the service good enough to warrant a tip, we suggest about ten percent.
