Money in Prague: koruna, cards, tipping and exchange-office traps

Money in Prague is simple once you know three things: the currency is the Czech koruna, cards work almost everywhere, and the few traps are easy to avoid. This guide covers cash and cards, exchange offices and ATMs, and how tipping works.

The currency

The Czech Republic is in the European Union but does not use the euro. The currency is the Czech koruna, or crown (CZK, written Kč on price tags). Coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 crowns, and banknotes in 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 crowns. In September 2026 one euro was worth about 24 crowns and one US dollar about 21 crowns.

Cards and contactless payments

Visa and Mastercard are accepted in almost all hotels, restaurants, shops and museums, and contactless and mobile payments are the norm. You can even pay for public transport with a contactless card at the ticket terminals on board trams, buses and trolleybuses. A few small pubs, market stalls and public toilets still take only cash.

Cash: how much and where to get it

You need only a little cash: for markets, small cafés, tips and the occasional place that does not take cards.

• Use bank ATMs, ideally at a bank branch. Stand-alone ATMs in tourist areas that do not belong to a bank often charge high fees.
• Always choose CZK. When an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, decline. This offer, called dynamic currency conversion, uses a poor exchange rate.
• Withdraw larger amounts less often if your bank charges a fee per withdrawal.

Exchange offices: the rules and the traps

Czech law protects customers of exchange offices. Every office must display its exchange rates, including the least favourable rate it applies, and inform you about your rights in Czech and English. Commission fees are not allowed, except for coins and cheques, and you must receive a receipt. Since 2019 you can cancel a cash exchange of up to the equivalent of 1,000 EUR within three hours, free of charge and without giving a reason, at the branch where you made it.

The traps are still worth knowing:

• Attractive rates that apply only to very large amounts. Read the small print on the board.
• Buy and sell rates confused. The rate that matters is the one at which the office buys your currency.
• Street money changers. Never exchange money with people on the street: it is a classic scam with worthless or foreign banknotes.

Before you hand over your money, ask how many crowns you will receive in total. The office must tell you.

Tipping

• Restaurants and cafés: about 10 percent for good service is customary. Tell the waiter the total you want to pay when you settle the bill, or add the tip on the card terminal, rather than leaving coins on the table. Tips are not included unless the bill clearly shows a service charge, and in that case you do not need to tip again.
• Pubs: rounding up the bill is common.
• Taxis: rounding up is a nice gesture for good service. In ride-hailing apps a tip is optional.
• Hotels: a small tip for porters or housekeeping is appreciated.
• Guides and drivers: appreciated but never expected.

Watch for menus or bills in tourist areas that add a service charge and then still ask for a tip on the terminal. You pay only once.

A few more tips

• Check the bill before you pay, including bread, nuts or starters you did not order. Our guide to Czech food explains how to spot tourist traps.
• Hotels add the city's accommodation fee per person and night, usually shown separately.
• Visitors from outside the EU can claim back VAT on larger purchases in shops that offer tax-free shopping. Ask for the form when you pay.
• Taxis: read our guide on how to avoid taxi scams in Prague.

Paying for the services we arrange

When we arrange your stay, you receive one written, itemised quote and an invoice for each payment. There is nothing to pay in cash to our drivers or guides unless you choose to leave a tip. Our travel concierge service handles tickets, tables and last-minute requests during your stay.