Recently, Prague has been visited by more and more tourists from completely different parts of the world. This is not surprising: beautiful architecture, breathtaking views of Gothic castles, many museums and historical monuments that everyone wants to see.
But before the trip, a novice tourist has a number of questions: where is the best place to buy crowns, which exchangers can be used in Prague, and how much to tip? You will find the answers to them in our article.
What is the currency in the Czech Republic?
The modern currency in the Czech Republic is the koruna. It appeared in 1882 during the period when the Czech Republic was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Then, starting in 1919, the crown began to be actively used in Czechoslovakia, and after the division of this state into two countries (Czech Republic and Slovakia) in 1993, independent monetary units were formed - Czech and Slovak.
All Czech coins differ from each other in size and shape and are made mainly of steel.
On a coin with a denomination of one crown we see an image of a crown, which at one time was a symbol of the strength and power of the monarch.
On a coin in five crowns- an image of the Charles Bridge, which previously united Prague Castle and the Old Town.
Czech coins in ten crowns are produced in two types: 1993 with the image of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul and 2000, where we can see the chapel. The number “10” is engraved underneath it.
100 CZK with an image of Charles IV on one side and a medallion with the national coat of arms on the other;
200 CZK, where a portrait of Jan Amos Comenius, a Czech writer, is drawn and on the other side there is an image of two hands touching each other;
500 CZK— here we see a portrait of Bozena Nemcova on the obverse and an image of a woman’s head covered with flowers on the reverse.
1000 CZK- with a portrait of Frantisek Palacky - a famous Czech historian on one side and an image gothic cathedral another;
2000 CZK with a portrait on the obverse of the early 20th century Czech singer Emma Distinnova and one of the muses of ancient Greek mythology, Euterpe, on the reverse;
5000 CZK- the largest banknote in the Czech Republic. The obverse features a portrait of Tomas Masaryk, the first president of the republic, and the reverse features the national coat of arms and a Gothic cathedral.
How much money and what currency should I take with me to the Czech Republic?
To visit all the famous museums and attractions, discover new ones historical monuments, taste national cuisine, buy souvenirs for your friends and visit local shops, you will need approx. 80 euros in a day. In this case, you can truly enjoy the beauty of the Czech Republic.
If you want to save money, you can lower the bar to 50 euros per day, but then you are unlikely to be able to visit all the places that interest you.
The main thing is to choose the right hotel with three meals a day, since the prices in restaurants and cafes will not be affordable for everyone.
Traveling for a week will cost you 500-600 euros, not including hotel accommodation, but if you plan your route in advance, you can save a lot of money.
Currency exchange in Prague
The first question for those going on a trip to Prague is where to buy Czech crowns: at home, in the Czech Republic itself, or just pay by card?
A fairly good option would be to exchange rubles for crowns in Russia. We advise you to go to several banks and find out the rate, since it is different everywhere.
If you are in Moscow, then without hesitation you can head to First Czech-Russian Bank, where you can exchange rubles for crowns at an adequate rate.
If the situation is such that you did not have time to make the exchange in Russia, then we recommend using a bank card. Use an ATM directly at Prague airport or the nearest exchange office and withdraw money from the card as needed.
Yes, by exchanging rubles for crowns in Russia, you save money, but you also spend more time looking for a profitable bank.
In the case when it is not possible to use a card, we recommend exchanging rubles for euros, and then using the services of exchangers, but even here you can make a mistake.
Almost each of them has its own rate, and you still have to go around the whole city in search of the most profitable exchange.
Before going to the Czech Republic, remember two basic rules:
How to distinguish an Arab exchanger from a Czech one? It’s very simple: all Arab exchangers have a special oval plaque. It is the main distinguishing mark.
Be carefull! Recently, many Czech exchange offices have been trying to disguise themselves as Arabic, so pay attention to the commission when exchanging.
Currently, many Czech exchangers significantly inflate the rate or commission, so be careful!
Arab exchange offices remain popular. By making an exchange here, you will not encounter unwanted commissions, and the rate there is always stable and profitable for you.
Tipping in the Czech Republic
In all areas of service: be it a restaurant, hairdresser or cafe - in the Czech Republic it is customary to leave a tip. The earnings of people working in the service sector are quite low, and their main source of income is tips.
In restaurants, you should give about ten to fifteen percent of the order. If you pay your bill by card, you can include your desired tip amount there.
Taxi drivers will also not refuse a tip, this is usually ten to fifteen percent of the amount, but you can use another option - round the meter readings.
Hotel maids usually leave about one or two euros.
Quite often there is a situation when they bring you a handwritten bill in a restaurant or cafe. This increases the risk that you have already had a tip added to your order.
If you suspect the waiter of this, then simply call the director or administrator and politely explain the situation to them.
Lately, many restaurants are informing you that you don't have to pay if you receive a handwritten bill.
Traveling to the Czech Republic is always a lot of impressions, but remember the following tips to make your vacation cheaper and more enjoyable:
- Take no less when traveling 800 euros(you can be sure that you won't spend that much, but it doesn't hurt to be on the safe side).
- Exchange rubles for crowns at the First Czech-Russian Bank. If this is not possible, we advise you to go around several other banks and choose the best rate.
- Don't change currency on the street.
- Use only Arab exchangers. They have a distinctive sign - an oval plate.
- If it is not possible to receive crowns, use euros.
- Do not waste your time and do not try to exchange rubles for crowns in Czech banks. Once you see the course, you will immediately head to the exit.
- Be sure to bring a bank card with you (preferably Visa or MasterCard).
- Average tip size – 10-15% (ten to fifteen percent) of the total order value.
Video with tips on currency exchange in Prague:
When traveling to the Czech Republic for the first time, tourists are faced with difficulties in exchanging the currency of their home country for Czech crowns. Indeed, crowns are rarely sold outside of this wonderful state, and the exchange has to be done on Czech soil. What difficulties can you encounter when exchanging money? What banknotes are best to take with you?
What is accepted in the Czech Republic?
In the Czech Republic, you can pay not only in crowns, but also in euros. True, payment in euros seems economically unprofitable. For example, if we consider the cost of the Trdlo delicacy in Czech currency, it will cost only 20 crowns, but in EU currency it will cost 2.5 euros. Such differences in amounts will occur very often, so it is best to pay in kroons.
You can exchange money for crowns in large banks, both in the tourist’s homeland and in the Czech Republic. There the percentage of the transaction will be minimal. Small banks and exchangers often charge large commissions of 30-40% of the amount for their services. They write the terms of exchange in small print and swap the buying and selling rates on the electronic display.
These tricks are aimed at making as much money as possible from unsuspecting foreigners. Arabs do the same thing on the streets, exchanging currency at an extortionate rate. All experienced travelers advise you to refrain from using their services.
How to solve the problem with the exchange?
There are several ways to safely resolve the problem of exchanging money for crowns:
- Find out the exchange rate for your own bank card. Often, it is much more profitable than exchange in all other places, but it is still worth having some amount of cash on hand;
- When exchanging at a bank or exchange office, independently calculate how many crowns you will get at the specified rate, and then ask to see the calculation on a calculator. Sometimes the exchange rate is quite acceptable;
- Take advantage of cashbacks or exchange money for crowns in advance. So, in the first case, part of the amount spent is returned to the client’s card, and in the second case, you will have to exchange money for the order.
If for some reason you have to choose only between the euro and the dollar for calculation, then it is better to give preference to the euro. They can be used to pay for purchases without any exchange.
Good to know! " IN historical center In Prague it is almost impossible to change money profitably. The most profitable exchange is possible outside the Old Town».
In small stores and cafes remote from the center, they do not accept bank cards for payment, but the selection there is much better, as are the prices. Therefore, you need to have a certain amount of crowns with you so as not to ruin your vacation due to difficulties with exchange.
The Czech Republic is a country with a long history, as well as a large number of attractions, restaurants and entertainment. There are places where you can spend money usefully and with pleasure. But it’s still not worth changing Russian rubles there, since the exchange rate seems completely irrational. But you can come there with euros or crowns and enjoy all the delights of this state to the fullest.
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The exchange rate of the Czech crown is influenced by two decisive factors: the external debt of the state and the influx of foreign capital (exports, tourism, real estate).
The Czech Republic is visited by a large number of tourists; in a year, as many come as there are residents in the country. They bring money with them. The influx of capital into the country is also ensured by real estate sales; money is brought to Czechs by those moving for permanent residence. The Czech Republic exports products - cars and spare parts, industrial equipment, electronics. All this leads to the fact that the inflow of capital exceeds the exit. This factor strengthens the Czech crown.
The economy is growing and the national currency is strengthening. Czech President Milos Zeman (pictured on the left, click on the photo to enlarge) stated that he would influence the People's Bank so that it would not weaken the crown. The stability of the crown is evidenced by the data on the exchange rate of the crown against the euro: in 2008-2016 it was in the range of 22.97-27.121 per 1 euro. Despite the fact that in 1999, 1 euro cost 38.8 crowns.
Geller
The junior monetary unit of the Czech Republic is the heller. 1 crown consists of 100 hellers. The name comes from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, where the heller was a junior currency unit to the Austro-Hungarian krone. Hellers existed in the Czech Republic for 116 years in a row, but have now been taken out of circulation. All prices are rounded to the nearest crown.
Numismatists are “chasing” for heller coins. Thus, one of the collectors paid 12,650 euros at auction for 5 hellers from 1924. Who would have thought that a small metal plate would be so valuable among numismatists?
Currency exchange for Czech crowns
In almost all supermarkets, gas stations or large stores you can pay in euros, and the rate at retail outlets is often more favorable than at exchange offices. True, you will receive change in crowns.
How much money to take to the Czech Republic?
Czech crown banknotes and coins
The design of Czech banknotes and coins is unique and represents a work of art. The banknotes were designed by Ondzich Kulganek, a Czech painter and forensic numismatics expert. The front side is decorated with portraits of Czech political, cultural and government figures. On the back of the banknotes are images of heraldic symbols and stylistic collages.
Crowns are printed in Prague at the factories of the National Mint. Next you can find a photo and description of each bill, click on the photo to enlarge.
The smallest denomination of the banknote is 100 crowns. The obverse contains an image of Emperor Charles IV. We turn the banknote and see a medallion with a fabulous national motif. Its size is 140 mm x 69 mm.
The 200 Czech crown banknote contains a portrait of the Czech teacher, writer and founder of scientific pedagogy, Jan Amos Comenius, so it is not surprising that on the reverse side we see the hands of a child and an adult touching their fingers. Its size is 146 mm x 69 mm.
Women are also honored to be on Czech currency banknotes. On five hundred crowns there is a portrait of Bozena Nemcova, the founder of modern Czech prose (takes 2nd place in our ranking ""). On back side It is quite logical to depict a woman’s face in flowers. The size of the bill is 152 mm x 69 mm.
The 1000 Czech crown banknote measures 158 mm x 74 mm. On it is a portrait of the famous historian and political figure of the Czech Republic Frantisek Palacky, it was he who wrote the current version. On the reverse side there is an image of the Gothic cathedral and the coat of arms of the Czech Republic.
Two thousand crowns measuring 164 mm x 74 mm is decorated with a portrait of Ema Destinova, an opera singer. The reverse side of the banknote depicts Euterpe (the muse of lyric poetry and music) with a violin and cello.
The largest banknote is 5000 crowns. It is as follows in terms of face value and size: 170 mm x 74 mm. It depicts the first president of Czechoslovakia, Tomas Massaryk, and the reverse side of the note shows a collage of images of Gothic cathedrals.
Coins in the country are used in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Czech crowns. The reverse of all coins is almost the same: the Czech lion, the name of the state on the rim in Czech and the year of minting.
The obverse is different: 1 CZK - crown of St. Wenceslas (now it can be viewed in), 2 CZK - Velkomoravian decoration, 5 CZK -, 10 CZK - Petrov's Cathedral in Brno - in the first version and part of the clock mechanism - in the second, 20 CZK - statue of St. Václava, 50 CZK - image with the inscription in Czech “Prague - the mother of cities”.
The shape of the coins is different: 1, 5, 10, 50 crowns are round, the rest of the coins are in the form of a regular dodecahedron. They are made from different alloys: copper and nickel, carbon steel, which is coated with copper or brass. The 50 crown is made of carbon steel, but the rim is plated with copper and the core with brass.
Respondents participating in a survey on the transition to the euro expressed the opinion that the Czechs had lost their identity when replacing the koruna with the euro. Most of all, opponents of the transition to the euro are concerned about the design of the new currency: they do not like the euro purely in appearance, pointing to the disgusting appearance of the banknotes, while the Czech crowns are beautiful and pleasing to the eye.
The Czech national currency is the koruna. In the world classification, this currency is denoted by the abbreviation CZK; the Czechs themselves write the following symbols on their price tags: Kc.
Currently in circulation are banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 crowns and coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 crowns. One Czech crown is equal to 100 hellers, but hellers were recently abolished.
Many may be asking the question: why has this country, which has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and joined Schengen a long time ago, not switched to the euro?
The fact is that the country’s economy is not yet ready to adapt to a new payment unit, which will significantly undermine the well-being of the population. After all, it is one of the most, and its cheapness is due to the presence of a “strong” krona in relation to the euro. If we bring Czech prices to the average European level (that is, increase them), then we will have to adequately index salaries and pensions, and the country’s authorities are apparently not ready for this. It is no coincidence that in recent years there has been a “freezing” of pensions. The Czechs believe that in this way the government is preparing the population for the transition to the European currency. And the transition, sooner or later, is still inevitable.
Exchange rate of the Czech crown against the ruble, dollar and euro
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The third line shows the current exchange rate of the Russian ruble against the Czech crown.
Currency Converter
However, at the moment, the Czech Republic is still a happy owner of the crown, and the interest of tourists from all over the world in this country is associated, among other things, with a relatively inexpensive stay in it.
Czechs and crowns
Czechs love their crowns. In stores they mostly accept them, but if they have to take euros or dollars from the buyer, they will recalculate prices at a very unfavorable rate, and they will definitely give the change in their national banknotes.
By the way, the Czech crown is one of the oldest monetary units peace. They began to use it in calculations back in the 12th century, simultaneously with the emergence of . Interestingly, koruna also means “crown” in Czech, a symbol of power.
In the corresponding article I gave advice about. Don't neglect them. And be sure to visually learn what the Czech currency looks like - often street scammers slip careless tourists (more often foreign than ours) Hungarian forints or Bulgarian levs instead of crowns. So, under no circumstances change money on the street, no matter how favorable the exchange rate is promised to you. The correct exchange offices are located on Panskaya Street (there are several of them) and on Political Prisoners Street, 14.
If you are used to cashless payments, you won’t have to bother exchanging money. In large, tourist, and hotels, bank cards are accepted for payment: American Express, VISA, Master Cards and Access.
Despite the fact that since 2004 the country has been a member of the European Union, the country's nationality is the koruna. This is one of the oldest banknotes in the world. It appeared back in 1882, when the Czech territories were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Later, from 1919, it was used as a monetary measure in Czechoslovakia. After the collapse in 1993 into two states - the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it became the Czech official unit.
Currency of the Czech Republic
digital code - 203;
abbreviation - state Kč and international - CZK;
territory of use - Czech Republic
coins – 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 crowns (Kč)
Coins have different sizes, colors and designs.
banknotes - 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 crowns (Korun Českých)
All banknotes are different from each other appearance– size, color and pictures on both sides.
100 – King Charles IV and the coat of arms of the Czech Republic 
200 - writer Jana Amos and two touching hands 
500 - writer Bozena Nemcova and the image of a woman’s head with flowers 
1000 – historian František Palacký and the Gothic cathedral 
2000 - singer Emma Distinnova and the ancient Greek muse Euterpe 
5000 - 1st President Czech Republic Tomas Masaryk and coat of arms with a Gothic temple 
You should definitely know what type of coins and paper bills are; this is one of the important points related to security in the Czech Republic. There are often cases when scammers slip tourists Hungarian forints and Bulgarian levs.
"A few questions related to money"
What currency should I take to the Czech Republic?
When traveling to the Czech Republic, tourists have a fair question - what currency should they take with them? There are a large number of exchange offices in the republic, so you should not worry too much about this issue. Take dollars or euros - all this can be freely exchanged for the Czech crown. A very convenient way to pay using non-cash cards. There are countless ATMs on the streets of Prague and other Czech cities; plastic is accepted almost everywhere.
You should not think that when going to the Czech Republic, you need to purchase Czech currency in your homeland. You can’t buy crowns in Russia everywhere; the exchange rates for them are unfavorable and you can lose 5-10 percent when exchanging.
Rules for importing currency across the border
Although the import and export of currency into the republic is not limited, amounts exceeding 5 thousand dollars will have to be declared. At the Czech border you may be asked to show cash; you must have at least 280 US dollars with you.
Where can I exchange Euros or dollars for Czech crowns?
Everyone decides for themselves what currency to use to travel to the Czech Republic; you can take euros or dollars and exchange them on the spot. This can be done in border zones, hotels, banks or exchange offices.
Among all the possible places where you can change money in Prague or other cities in the country, the most popular are exchange offices. But you need to be very careful with them. Most charge a large commission, it can reach up to 20 percent. Therefore, before exchanging, it makes sense to inquire about real rates.
To complete the transaction, you need a passport, on which a receipt is issued. It may be required when exchanging money back. If there are a large number of exchangers, it is advisable to contact the “Arab” ones; it is most profitable to change money there.
You should not change currency at train stations, airports and hotels, as the exchange rate will not be in your favor. It is better to exchange euros and dollars for crowns at Arab exchange offices - they have the most attractive rate. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 18.00. Exchange offices usually open until 20.00, some open 24 hours a day. You need to beware of scammers posing as law enforcement officers in plain clothes, who will ask you to count your crowns for the presence of counterfeit banknotes, and also pay attention to banknotes that have gone out of circulation.
In general, the Czech Republic is considered a relatively inexpensive European country, which is an additional factor in attracting millions of tourists every year.
Foreigners are treated very well here, since many understand that tourism is one of the most important ways to replenish national income. It is known that in the Czech Republic, visitors are officially charged a slightly higher fee for accommodation; unofficially, they can inflate the bill in a restaurant and in a taxi.
What currency should you pay in the Czech Republic?
In shops, restaurants and other public places in the Czech Republic, people mostly accept their own money. But buyers can pay in euros or dollars, but sellers will recalculate all prices at a very unfavorable rate and will definitely give change in local currency.
