Prague Dos and Don'ts — Local Etiquette for Visitors

Prague is forgiving toward visitors, but a handful of local customs catch tourists off guard every day. Pay in Czech crowns instead of euros, validate your transit ticket before boarding, stand right on escalators, and skip the exchange booths on the main tourist streets. These small adjustments save money, avoid fines, and earn genuine smiles from locals.

Prague doesn't have complicated social rules. Czechs are reserved but friendly, and they appreciate visitors who make even a small effort. We've guided hundreds of guests through these streets, and the ones who pick up a few local habits always have a better time — they pay less, eat better, and get treated like regulars instead of tourists.

Here's what we tell every guest before their first morning in the city.

The Dos

Learn a Few Czech Words

You don't need to speak Czech. But three words change everything: dobrý den (good day), prosím (please), and děkuji (thank you). Walk into any shop or restaurant with "dobrý den" and the staff's attitude shifts immediately. Czechs know their language is difficult, and they genuinely appreciate the effort.

One phrase we teach every guest: "Jedno pivo, prosím" — one beer, please. It's the fastest way to get a smile from a bartender in Prague. Pronunciation tip: "yed-no pee-vo, pro-seem." Practice it once and you'll remember it all trip.

Pay in Czech Crowns

The Czech Republic uses the česká koruna (CZK), not the euro. Many tourist-zone restaurants accept euros, but they set their own exchange rates — and those rates are almost always terrible. A meal that costs 300 CZK might be listed as €15 when the real rate would make it closer to €12.

Withdraw crowns from any bank ATM (look for Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, or Komerční banka) and pay in cash or card in CZK everywhere. When a card terminal asks "pay in your home currency?" always choose CZK — the "convenient" conversion is a markup called Dynamic Currency Conversion, and it typically costs 3-7% more.

Validate Your Transport Ticket

Prague's trams, metro, and buses run on an honour system. There are no turnstiles or barriers — you walk straight on. But plainclothes inspectors patrol regularly, and the fine for an unvalidated ticket is 1,500 CZK (roughly €60) on the spot.

Paper tickets must be stamped in the yellow validators at metro entrances or inside trams and buses. The Lítačka app (Prague's official transport app) is easier — buy a 24-hour or 72-hour pass digitally and skip the validators entirely. We recommend the 72-hour pass for most visitors. At 330 CZK, it pays for itself after a few rides.

Walk on the Right Side of Escalators

Prague's metro escalators are steep and fast — among the deepest in Europe. The unwritten rule is firm: stand on the right, walk on the left. Locals commuting to work will not hesitate to push past if you block the left side with luggage or a group photo.