Travel costs in the Czech Republic: korunas, cards, and a daily budget

• The national currency is the Czech koruna; the common abbreviations are Kč and CZK.
• Since January 1, 2026, a 24-hour adult ticket for Prague public transport has cost 140 CZK in the PID Lítačka app and 150 CZK as a paper ticket.
• As of October 11, 2026, regular adult admission to the National Museum complex in Prague is 360 CZK; the ticket does not include the Czech Press Photo or Children’s Museum exhibitions.
• A specific meal pairing from the online menu of Prague’s Lokál Dlouhááá, viewed on October 11, 2026, costs 79 CZK for a soup and 255 CZK for a main course.
• The daily expenses added up below total 834 CZK. Breakfast, additional drinks or meals, accommodation, and long-distance travel are not included.

For a transparent cost comparison, use prices for specific services rather than an assumed national average. The following example is for an adult visitor and is based on prices published on October 11, 2026:

• Prague public transport: 24-hour ticket in the PID Lítačka app, 140 CZK.
• Admission to the National Museum complex: 360 CZK.
• One soup at 79 CZK and one main course at 255 CZK from the menu of a single Prague restaurant: 334 CZK in total.

Subtotal: 140 + 360 + 334 = 834 CZK. This is a transparent example of a day’s expenses, not an average daily spend or a recommendation for a particular restaurant. Prices, the services you choose, and your food preferences will affect your personal budget. Hotel, breakfast, dinner, long-distance transport, parking, and other admission fees are additional. For help finding the right area to stay, see the Czech Republic accommodation guide; for planning your visit to the capital, read the Prague travel guide.

If you need a comparison in euros, divide the CZK amount by the exchange rate expressed in CZK per euro. At a purely hypothetical rate of 25 CZK per euro, 834 CZK would equal 33.36 euros. This is explicitly not a current exchange rate. For an actual booking, the rate and any fees charged by your bank or card provider apply. A reference rate helps with comparison, but does not guarantee the rate a merchant, ATM, or exchange office will use.

The Czech koruna is the most reliable currency to use for budgeting. Some shops, restaurants, and tourist venues may also accept euros, but do not count on it. The merchant may use its own exchange rate and give change in korunas. Before paying, ask for the total in the currency being offered. It is sensible to carry a small cash reserve, as you cannot assume that card payments will be accepted everywhere.

If a card terminal or ATM asks whether you want to be charged in korunas or your home currency, choose the local currency, CZK, by default. Conversion at the point of sale, often called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), shows the amount in your home currency immediately but may include an additional markup. If DCC is offered, that markup must be shown against the European Central Bank’s latest exchange rate; you can decline the conversion and pay in korunas. This is often cheaper, but not guaranteed: your bank may also charge conversion or foreign transaction fees for a payment in a foreign currency.

Check ATM fees before confirming as well. The ATM operator may display its own fee, and your card provider may charge additional fees. Compare the total shown, decline any unexpected conversion into euros, and cancel the transaction if the costs are unclear before confirmation. Check your card fees before travelling, as terms vary by provider.

If you exchange cash, compare the amount you will actually receive, not just a prominent figure on the rate board. Exchange offices set their rates independently of the Czech National Bank’s reference rate. When exchanging euros for korunas, the office is buying your foreign currency, so the relevant column from the office’s perspective is usually “Buy.” Before exchanging, ask how many korunas you will receive after all stated conditions are applied, and keep the receipt.

If you exchange money at an exchange office, you may withdraw from the transaction free of charge and without giving a reason, within three hours and at the same location. This right applies up to the equivalent of 1,000 euros; for a larger exchange, you may withdraw the portion up to that equivalent. The receipt is important when exercising this right. If you have a complaint, contact the exchange office first; the Czech National Bank’s guidance on currency exchange explains the next steps for customers.

You do not need to exchange large amounts of cash in advance. Decide which expenses you want to pay in cash, compare the rate with a current reference rate, and exchange only an appropriate amount. For the rest of your travel planning, compare travel to and around the Czech Republic, especially long-distance transport and local mobility. The types of holiday that suit you in the Czech Republic will also vary depending on your destination and personal plans. If you are planning a medically oriented stay, consider treatment costs separately from a self-funded wellness holiday; see Spa stay in the Czech Republic: treatment or relaxation?.

What currency do I need in the Czech Republic?

Budget in Czech korunas (CZK or Kč). Some providers may accept euros, but the exchange rate and change you receive may not be in your favor. Ask for the total in CZK and, where possible, pay in the local currency.

Which currency should I choose at a card terminal?

As a rule, choose CZK and decline conversion into your home currency. This usually means your card provider handles the conversion rather than the merchant or ATM. Still check your provider’s exchange rate and fees; the total cost is not guaranteed.

Can I cancel a cash exchange?

At an exchange office, you may cancel the exchange free of charge within three hours and at the same location, for amounts up to the equivalent of 1,000 euros. Keep the receipt; for larger amounts, this right applies only to the portion up to that limit.

How much cash should I bring?

There is no single amount that suits every itinerary. First plan the cash payments you expect to make and keep a small reserve in CZK. Factor in your card fees and possible ATM charges rather than exchanging a large amount in advance.