What Currency Does Prague Use? Money Tips for Visitors

Prague and the entire Czech Republic use the česká koruna (Czech crown, CZK) — not the euro. Many tourist-zone shops accept euros, but their exchange rates are terrible. Withdraw crowns from a bank ATM, pay by card in CZK whenever possible, and avoid the exchange offices near Old Town Square. These three habits alone will save you real money.

The Czech Republic joined the EU in 2004, but it has no firm timeline for adopting the euro. The crown has been the national currency since 1993, when Czechoslovakia split into two countries. For visitors, this means you need to think about exchange rates, ATM fees, and where to get your money changed — and the wrong choice at any of those steps can cost you more than a restaurant meal.

We walk guests through these details on nearly every tour. The money questions usually come up within the first hour.

The Czech Crown — What You Need to Know

The currency code is CZK and the symbol is Kč, which you will see on price tags and menus. Notes come in 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 CZK denominations. Coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 CZK.

As a rough guide (as of 2026), 1 EUR gets you approximately 25 CZK, and 1 USD gets you around 23 CZK. These rates fluctuate, but they give you a working baseline. A coffee costs about 60-80 CZK, a pint of draft beer in a local pub runs 50-70 CZK, and a main course at a mid-range restaurant is typically 200-350 CZK.

One thing our guests often appreciate: the crown makes mental math easy. Divide by 25 for euros, or think of 100 CZK as roughly 4 EUR. After a day or two, you stop converting and just start thinking in crowns.

Where to Exchange Money (And Where Not To)

The exchange offices around Wenceslas Square, Old Town Square, and along Na Příkopě are the ones to avoid. They advertise "0% commission" in neon signs, then apply an exchange rate that effectively charges you 10-20%. We have seen tourists lose 30-40 EUR on a single exchange without realizing it. The rate posted on the LED board outside is often not the rate you get at the counter.

If you prefer exchanging cash, go to Exchange on Kaprova street — it consistently offers rates close to the market rate with no hidden fees. Another reliable option is any branch of a major Czech bank: Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, or Komerční banka. Bank branches charge a small fixed fee but their rates are honest.

A practical detail we share with every guest: the Czech National Bank publishes the official exchange rate daily on its website. Check it on your phone before walking into any exchange office, and you will immediately see whether the rate offered is fair.

ATMs — The Smart Way to Get Crowns