Currency & Payment
Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Check current rates locally.
Local Currency Overview
Currency type, banknotes, and coin denominations
The Czech Republic uses the Czech koruna (CZK, Kč), historically divided into 100 haléř, though the haléř subunit has effectively been withdrawn. The country has not adopted the euro. Some tourist-facing shops may accept euros, but usually at unfavourable rates, so it is better to pay in koruna.
- Currency
- Czech koruna (CZK, Kč)
- Subunit
- 100 haléř (withdrawn)
- Euro
- Not adopted
- Paying in koruna is generally better than in euros
- Euro acceptance, where offered, tends to use poor rates
Currency Exchange Tips
Best places and methods to exchange money
Be careful with street-side exchange offices, especially in central Prague, as some advertise attractive rates but apply poor real rates or misleading fees. For better value, use banks, reputable exchange offices with clear terms, or withdraw from bank ATMs. By law, exchange offices must let you cancel a transaction within a short period, so always check the amount before you accept.
- Caution
- Street exchange booths
- Better
- Banks / reputable offices
- Tip
- Check amount before accepting
- Avoid booths advertising rates that seem too good
- Bank ATMs are a reliable alternative for cash
Credit Card Acceptance
Card brand availability and usage tips
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in the Czech Republic, and in cities you can pay by card almost everywhere, with contactless common. In smaller towns, markets or with some taxis, cash may still be needed. If a terminal offers to charge you in your home currency (DCC), it is usually better to choose payment in Czech koruna for a fairer rate.
- Networks
- Visa/Mastercard widely
- Cities
- Card almost everywhere
- DCC
- Choose CZK, not home currency
- Carry some cash for markets and small towns
- Declining DCC and paying in koruna is usually cheaper
ATM Usage
How to withdraw cash and associated fees
ATMs (bankomat) are plentiful in Czech cities. For the best value, use machines run by established banks. Independent ATMs such as Euronet are common in tourist areas but may add higher fees and push dynamic currency conversion (DCC). Always decline conversion to your home currency and choose to be charged in koruna.
- Availability
- Plentiful in cities
- Best
- Bank-operated ATMs
- Watch
- Euronet fees / DCC
- Decline home-currency conversion for a better rate
- Independent ATMs may charge more than bank ATMs
Mobile & Digital Payments
Digital payment services available locally
Contactless mobile payments are widely usable in the Czech Republic. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at the many terminals that accept contactless cards, so a phone or smartwatch is convenient for everyday spending in cities. As with cards, it is a good idea to keep some cash for markets, small vendors and rural areas.
- Apple Pay
- Widely usable
- Google Pay
- Widely usable
- Backup
- Some cash for small spots
- Phone and smartwatch payments work at most contactless terminals
- Keep cash for markets and rural areas
Tipping Culture
Expected tipping amounts and etiquette
Tipping is customary but modest in the Czech Republic. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving about 10% for good service is common. It is usual to tell the server the total you want to pay when they bring the bill, rather than leaving coins on the table. Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory, and always optional for poor service.
- Restaurants
- Round up to about 10%
- How
- State total when paying
- Nature
- Customary, not obligatory
- Rounding up is a common everyday practice
- Tell the server your total rather than leaving coins
Price Guide
Average costs for meals, transport, and accommodation
Prices in the Czech Republic are generally lower than in Western Europe, though central Prague can be pricier than smaller towns. A casual meal or a coffee is usually affordable, and local beer is famously good value. Public transport in cities is inexpensive with day or multi-day tickets. Costs are only a rough guide and change over time, so check current prices.
- Overall
- Below Western Europe
- Prague
- Pricier than small towns
- Transport
- Cheap day tickets
- Local beer and casual meals are good value
- Prices are a rough guide and change over time
Visitors resident outside the EU may be able to reclaim VAT on eligible goods bought for personal use and taken out of the EU, subject to a minimum purchase amount per shop. Ask for a tax-free form when buying, keep the goods and receipts, and get the form validated (with a customs stamp or electronic confirmation) when you leave the EU. Refund conditions vary, so check current rules.
- Who
- Non-EU residents
- Minimum
- Per-shop purchase amount
- On exit
- Customs validation
- Request a tax-free form and keep receipts at purchase
- Validate the form when leaving the EU to claim the refund