Money in Prague is easier than it looks. The koruna throws people off — the numbers are big — but the rules are simple, and avoiding two specific tourist traps will save you more than any pre-trip currency app.
The currency
The Czech Republic uses the Czech koruna (Kč or CZK). It is not on the euro. As a rough guide:
- 1 EUR ≈ 25 CZK
- 1 GBP ≈ 28–29 CZK
- 1 USD ≈ 23 CZK
Notes come in 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 CZK; coins in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 CZK. A few quick rules of thumb: a pub beer is 50–80 CZK, a tram ticket is 40 CZK, a sit-down lunch is 200–350 CZK.
Two traps to avoid
1. Tourist-area exchange offices
The exchange offices around the Old Town and Wenceslas Square frequently advertise "0% commission" while quoting rates 20–30% worse than the official mid-market. The board shows the rate they pay you, not the rate they sell at, and the difference is enormous. Local consumer-protection regulation now requires them to allow a 3-hour cooling-off period for cancellation — but they hope you don't know that.
The rule: only use exchange offices if you have a recommendation. The Exchange.cz branch on Kaprova 14 (near the Jewish Quarter) is the one everybody points at, but even there, ATMs are usually marginally better.
2. Euronet (and similar) ATMs
The brightly-coloured ATMs sitting near tourist sites — branded Euronet, ATM Cash, EuroCash and others — apply markup of 8–15% on top of any fee your home bank charges. They prompt you to "lock in" the conversion at their (terrible) rate. Refuse, or use a different machine.
Use ATMs at Czech banks: ČSOB, Česká spořitelna, Komerční banka, Raiffeisenbank, Moneta. When asked "Do you want to be charged in EUR/GBP?", say no — the conversion your home bank does is almost always better.
Cards vs cash
- Restaurants, hotels, shops: cards accepted everywhere. Contactless works for any amount.
- Pubs (hospody): traditional ones are often cash-only. Modern ones take cards.
- Markets: Christmas market stalls increasingly take cards but expect to use cash for smaller items.
- Public transport: contactless tap on any tram, bus or Metro gate works fine.
- Tipping: easier in cash. Some card machines simply don't offer a tip option.
Tipping in Prague — the actual norms
| Where | How much |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 10% (round up if it's small) |
| Pub (food) | 10% or round to nearest 50 CZK |
| Pub (just drinks) | Round up — 5–10 CZK per round |
| Cafe | 10% or round up |
| Taxi / Bolt | Round up to the nearest 50 CZK |
| Hotel porter | 50–100 CZK per bag |
| Hotel housekeeping | Not expected; 50 CZK appreciated |
| Guided tour | 100–200 CZK per person for a half-day, 200–400 for a full day |
| Hairdresser / spa | 10% |
How to tip
When the bill comes, the polite phrase is to state the round total you want to pay before the waiter takes your card or cash. For example, a 437 CZK bill: hand over a 500 and say "500" — the tip is included. Or pay by card and add the tip in cash on the table.
Czech servers don't expect oversized tips and may not actively chase them; 10% is enough. If service was poor, 5% is acceptable.
Hidden costs to know about
- Tap water / sparkling water — restaurants will bring bottled by default. Ask for "kohoutková voda" (tap water) if you don't want to pay for sparkling.
- Bread basket — sometimes charged 30–50 CZK whether you eat it or not. Send it back if you don't want it.
- Couvert / cover charge — older restaurants sometimes have a small per-person charge; it should be shown on the menu.
- Ribs by weight — menus showing "spare ribs 89 CZK / 100g" can deliver a 1.2kg portion at the table.
Take out enough cash for two days at a time from a Czech-bank ATM (300–600 CZK per day for incidentals). Pay larger expenses by card. You'll avoid both the daily withdrawal fee and the temptation of a bad-rate exchange office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency is used in Prague?
The Czech koruna (CZK or Kč). 1 EUR is roughly 25 CZK; 1 GBP is roughly 28–29 CZK. Some larger hotels and tourist-area restaurants quote prices in euros and will accept them, but you will get a worse exchange rate than paying in koruna.
Should I use ATMs or exchange offices in Prague?
ATMs from major Czech banks (ČSOB, Komerční banka, Raiffeisenbank) generally give the best rates — refuse the "conversion" prompt to be charged in your home currency. Avoid the brightly-coloured Euronet/independent ATMs and the tourist-trap exchange offices (especially around Wenceslas Square, Old Town and the airport) that advertise 0% commission but use punishing rates.
Do I need to tip in Prague?
Tipping is expected in restaurants (around 10%), appreciated in taxis (round up) and customary at hotel bars (small change). It is not necessary in fast-food shops, takeaway windows, or for hotel housekeeping. Check the bill — some tourist-area restaurants now add service automatically.
Can I use credit cards everywhere in Prague?
Card acceptance is good in restaurants, hotels, shops and Metro stations. Smaller pubs (traditional hospody), some bakeries and the Christmas-market food stalls are cash-only or cash-preferred. Always have 500–1000 CZK in cash on you for small transactions.
Is Prague expensive?
Cheaper than London, Paris or Amsterdam; more expensive than Budapest or Krakow. Beer is famously inexpensive (45–80 CZK in pubs, €1.80–€3.20). Restaurants, hotels and taxis have climbed sharply since 2019 but still represent good value in European terms.
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