💰 This page covers what you need on the ground: card acceptance by neighborhood, ATM locations, exchange office warnings, transport payments, and day trips. For the full breakdown of Czech banks, DCC scams, and tipping norms:
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Order CZK → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Prague?
Some. Prague is increasingly card-friendly, but Czech Koruna in your pocket remains more useful than in Western European capitals. Traditional pubs, farmers' markets, and street food stalls still lean cash. Budget 500–1,000 CZK ($23–46) per day in small bills.
Where You Will Need Cash
Traditional pubs (hospody): some of the best and cheapest beer halls in Žižkov, Holešovice, and outer neighborhoods are cash-only. Farmers' markets: Náplavka (Saturday) and Karlín markets have many cash-only vendors. Tipping: must be left in cash (tell the waiter "zaokrouhlete" to round up). Trédelník stands on side streets. Public toilets in metro stations (10–20 CZK in coins).
Where Cards Work Fine
Restaurants and cafes in the Old Town, Vinohrady, Karlín, and Malá Strana. Major attractions (Prague Castle, Old Town Hall, Jewish Quarter). Metro, trams, and buses (ticket machines accept contactless). Shops, supermarkets, and department stores. Ride-hailing (Bolt is the dominant app). Prague is more card-friendly than Budapest, less so than Vienna.
Paying by Card in Prague
Visa and Mastercard work at most restaurants, shops, and attractions. Contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) work at modern terminals. The biggest trap for tourists is not card acceptance, but predatory ATMs and exchange offices that target the Old Town area. Always pay in Czech Koruna (CZK), never euros.
Staré Město (Old Town)
The tourist center around Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock, and Pařížská Street (luxury shopping). Restaurants, hotels, and shops accept cards. The danger here is not card acceptance but predatory exchange offices and Euronet ATMs. If a restaurant offers to charge you in euros, decline and insist on CZK. Tourist restaurants near the square are overpriced; walk two blocks in any direction for better value.
Malá Strana (Lesser Town)
The historic neighborhood below Prague Castle. Restaurants along Mostecká and Nerudova streets accept cards. Hotels and boutique shops take contactless. The area around the Lennon Wall and Kampa Island is tourist-friendly with card acceptance everywhere. Watch for DCC on card terminals: always select "CZK" when the machine asks.
Nové Město (New Town)
The commercial area around Wenceslas Square, Národní třída, and the National Theatre. Shopping centers like Palladium and My Národní are fully card-friendly. Restaurants on side streets south of Wenceslas Square take cards. This area has the highest concentration of Euronet ATMs in Prague, so be vigilant.
Vinohrady
Prague's most popular residential neighborhood for expats and foodies. Restaurants on Mánesova, Vinohradská, and around Náměstí Míru all accept cards. The craft beer bars, wine bars, and brunch spots that line these streets have modern terminals with contactless. Fewer tourist traps here, so prices are 20–40% lower than Old Town for comparable quality.
Žižkov
A gritty, local neighborhood known for its beer bars. The famous pubs along Bořivojova and around the Žižkov TV Tower are mostly card-friendly, though a few old-school hospody (Czech pubs) still prefer cash. This is where you get the cheapest beer in central Prague (40–55 CZK for a half-liter). Some of the small Vietnamese food shops (potíraviny) are cash-only.
Holešovice
A former industrial area that is becoming trendy. The DOX Centre for Contemporary Art and Veletržní Palace (National Gallery) accept cards. Restaurants and cafes around the area accept cards, but the local potraviny (corner shops) and some pub-style restaurants on side streets prefer cash. Prague Market (Pražská tržnice) is mostly cash for the outdoor stalls.
Karlín
A regenerated neighborhood east of Old Town with hip restaurants and co-working spaces. Upscale dining spots on Křížová and Sokolovská accept cards. The Karlín Farmers' Market (Saturday mornings) is mixed: food vendors mostly take cards, artisan sellers vary. The restaurants around Karlínské náměstí take cards reliably.
Nǎplavka Farmers' Market
Prague's most popular farmers' market runs Saturday mornings along the Vltava riverbank near Palackého náměstí. Food stalls selling trédelník, grilled sausages, fresh produce, and craft beer are a mix of card and cash. The food trucks mostly accept cards, but the farm produce vendors and smaller stalls prefer cash. Bring 500–1,000 CZK.
ATMs in Prague
For details on Czech bank fees and how DCC works, see the Czech Republic guide. Prague is one of the worst cities in Europe for predatory ATMs. This section tells you exactly where to find safe ones.
Look for these logos on the street. These banks offer fair rates without DCC tricks.
Česká spořitelna
ČSOB
Komerční banka
Raiffeisenbank
Best ATM Locations by Area
Old Town: Česká spořitelna on Rytířská street (two blocks south of Old Town Square). Komerční banka on Na Příkopě (the main shopping street). ČSOB on Dlouhá. All are inside bank lobbies, away from the Euronet machines on the square itself.
Malá Strana: Česká spořitelna on Karmelitská. Fewer branches here than in Old Town, so note the location before exploring.
Vinohrady: Komerční banka and ČSOB both have branches on Vinohradská near Náměstí Míru. Raiffeisenbank on Anglická.
Wenceslas Square: Česká spořitelna on the upper end of the square. Komerční banka nearby on Na Příkopě. Walk past the Euronet machines lining the square to reach them.
Airport: ČSOB ATM in Terminal 2 arrivals. Avoid the Travelex and other exchange counters.
⚠ Euronet ATMs: Prague's Biggest Tourist Trap
Prague has more Euronet ATMs per square kilometer in the tourist zone than almost any city in Europe. They are bright blue, say "ATM" in large letters, and cluster around Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square, and Prague Castle. They push DCC aggressively (offering to charge in your home currency), which costs you 10–15% more than a bank ATM. They also charge €5+ in operator fees. Always use a bank-branded ATM (Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, or Komerční banka) and always choose to be charged in CZK.
Paying for the Metro, Trams & Taxis
Metro, Trams & Buses (DPP)
Prague's public transport is run by DPP. A single 30-minute ticket costs 30 CZK, a 90-minute ticket 40 CZK, and a 24-hour pass 120 CZK. You can buy tickets at yellow machines at metro stations (accept coins and contactless cards) or use the PID Lítačka app (card payment). Contactless Visa and Mastercard work directly on the validators in trams and at metro turnstiles. The system charges 30 CZK for 30 minutes and caps at 120 CZK per day.
Prague's tram network is excellent and covers the city center better than the metro. Tram 22 from Nové Město through Malá Strana to Prague Castle is essentially a scenic tour.
Taxis & Ride-Hailing
Prague taxis have improved significantly but overcharging tourists still happens, especially outside major landmarks. Always use an app. Bolt is the most popular and cheapest ride-hailing option in Prague. Uber also operates. Liftago is a Czech app that dispatches licensed taxis. All charge your card through the app. A ride from Old Town to the airport costs about 500–700 CZK by app (about $22–30 USD).
Airport to City Center
The Airport Express (AE) bus runs from Václav Havel Airport to Prague Main Station (Hlavní nádraží) in about 35 minutes for 100 CZK. Payable with contactless card onboard. Public bus 119 connects to Nádraží Veleslavín metro station (32 CZK, contactless works). A Bolt/Uber to Old Town costs 400–600 CZK. Do not use the taxi drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall.
Tipping in Prague
The Czech Republic guide covers general norms. Here are the Prague specifics.
Prague Tipping Specifics
Restaurants: Tipping 10% is standard at sit-down restaurants. The Czech way is to tell the waiter the total you want to pay (bill + tip combined) when they bring the check. Say "zaokrouhlete" to round up, or say the number: if the bill is 470 CZK, say "520" and they will bring you change from your payment. Do not leave coins on the table.
Beer halls and pubs: At traditional hospody, round up to the nearest 10 CZK. A 5–10 CZK tip on a round of beers is fine. At upscale craft beer bars in Vinohrady and Karlín, 10% is appreciated.
Tour guides: Free walking tours: 200–300 CZK per person. Private tours: 300–500 CZK total for a half-day. River cruise guides: 50–100 CZK.
Hotels: Porters 50–100 CZK per bag. Housekeeping 50–100 CZK per night at upscale hotels.
Prices in Prague
Prague is significantly cheaper than Western European capitals. A couple can eat and drink very well for what a single meal costs in Paris or London. Prices in the Old Town tourist zone are 30–50% higher than in neighborhoods like Vinohrady or Žižkov.
| Item | Price (CZK) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Half-liter Pilsner (local pub) | 45–65 CZK | $2–3 |
| Espresso (local cafe) | 55–75 CZK | $2.50–3.50 |
| Cappuccino | 65–95 CZK | $3–4.50 |
| Craft beer (Vinohrady bar) | 75–120 CZK | $3.50–5.50 |
| Svíčková (local restaurant) | 180–280 CZK | $8–13 |
| Dinner for two with beer (Vinohrady) | 800–1,400 CZK | $35–65 |
| Tourist-zone dinner for two | 1,500–2,500 CZK | $70–115 |
| Single tram / metro ride | 30–40 CZK | $1.40–1.85 |
| 24-hour transit pass | 120 CZK | $5.50 |
| Bolt to airport | 400–600 CZK | $18–28 |
| Prague Castle circuit ticket | 350 CZK | $16 |
| Old Town Hall + Clock tower | 300 CZK | $14 |
| Jewish Quarter combo | 500 CZK | $23 |
| Charles Bridge | Free | Free |
USD estimates based on approximately 22 CZK = $1. Rates fluctuate. Prague has some of the cheapest beer in Europe.
Day Trips from Prague
Kutná Hora (Bone Church)
About 70 minutes by train from Prague Main Station. Tickets are about 120 CZK and can be purchased with a card at machines or on the ČD (Czech Railways) app. The Sedlec Ossuary (bone church) and Cathedral of St. Barbara accept cards for entry. Restaurants in the center of Kutná Hora take cards. A few small cafes near the ossuary prefer cash. Bring 500 CZK as backup.
Český Krumlov
A UNESCO town about 2.5 hours south by RegioJet or FlixBus (bookable online with card, 200–350 CZK). The castle accepts cards for entry. Restaurants along the Vltava river in the center take cards. The old town is compact and tourist-oriented, so card acceptance is high. A few souvenir shops and trdelník stands may prefer cash.
Karlštejn Castle
A dramatic Gothic castle about 40 minutes by train from Prague. Train tickets 60 CZK (card at machine). Castle entry (tour required, advance booking recommended) accepts cards. The walk from the train station up to the castle passes through a small village with restaurants that take cards. Souvenir stalls along the path prefer cash.
Pilsen (Plzeňský Prazdroj Brewery)
About 90 minutes by express train. The Pilsner Urquell brewery tour can be booked online with a card. The tour includes beer tasting. Pilsen's city center is card-friendly. The brewery restaurant and surrounding bars accept cards. Train tickets purchasable with contactless at Prague station machines.
Prague Quick Reference
A quick reference for how to load your pockets depending on where you are heading.
| Destination | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town dinner | ✅ Yes | Cash for tips | Insist on paying in CZK, not EUR |
| Vinohrady restaurants | ✅ Yes | Cash for tips | Best value dining in Prague |
| Žižkov pub crawl | ✅ Mostly | Some for old pubs | Cheapest beer in central Prague |
| Náplavka market | ✅ At food trucks | For produce vendors | Saturday mornings |
| Prague Castle | ✅ Yes | Coins for toilets | Book circuit ticket online |
| Kutná Hora day trip | ✅ Mostly | 500 CZK backup | Train tickets take cards |
| Pilsen brewery tour | ✅ Yes | Not needed | Book online |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Prague use the euro?
No. The Czech Republic uses the Czech Koruna (CZK). Some tourist restaurants in Old Town accept euros but give terrible exchange rates (sometimes 30% worse than the real rate). Always pay in CZK. ATMs dispense CZK and are everywhere in central Prague.
Can I tap my card on Prague's metro and trams?
Yes. Prague's DPP transit system accepts contactless Visa and Mastercard at metro turnstiles and on tram validators. Tap on and the system charges 30 CZK for 30 minutes or caps at 120 CZK for a full day. You can also buy paper tickets at yellow machines with contactless cards.
Are Euronet ATMs a problem in Prague?
Prague is one of the worst cities in Europe for Euronet ATMs. They cluster around Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square, and Prague Castle. They push Dynamic Currency Conversion and charge high fees, costing you 10–15% more than a bank ATM. Walk to a Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, or Komerční banka ATM instead.
Should I exchange money at the Prague airport?
No. The exchange counters at Václav Havel Airport offer some of the worst rates in the city. Use a bank-branded ATM at the airport instead (ČSOB in Terminal 2 arrivals). Better yet, just tap your card on the Airport Express bus into the city.
Are the exchange offices on Old Town Square legitimate?
Some are predatory. Czech law requires exchange offices to display the real rate and allow you to cancel within 3 hours if the fee exceeds 2%. Still, the safest approach is to use a bank ATM or pay by card. If you do use an exchange office, check the rate on Google before handing over cash, and avoid any that advertise "0% commission" (the bad rate is their commission).
Do I need cash for a day trip to Kutná Hora?
The train from Prague accepts cards. The Sedlec Ossuary and Cathedral of St. Barbara accept cards for entry. Restaurants in Kutná Hora's center mostly take cards. A few smaller cafes near the bone church prefer cash. Bring 500 CZK as a precaution.
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Country-specific deep dives for Prague: which card to bring, where the no-fee ATMs are at the airport, and how to dodge the local DCC traps.