How Not to Waste Money in Prague: Smart Tips for First-Time Visitors

Written By Vaclav Zahradnik

How Not To Waste Money In Prague - Tips for First-Time Visitors

💸 How Much Cash Do I need in Prague?

When planning a trip to Prague, one of the most common questions tourists ask is: “How much cash do I need?” While locals might tell you that you can use a card everywhere, that’s not entirely true. Although most restaurants, shops, and attractions accept cards, there are situations where cash is still necessary—especially in less touristy spots or in case of technical issues. Just to be safe, make sure you have at least 500 CZK un cash per day for your trip.

💳 Can You Pay by Card in Prague?

Generally, yes. However, always be prepared with a small amount of cash for unexpected situations like:

  • Using public restrooms

  • Buying water or snacks from street vendors

  • Paying at small restaurants or cafĂŠs

  • Times when the card terminal is out of order

💶 Can You Pay with Euros in Prague?

Technically yes, but you shouldn’t. Some stores and restaurants accept euros, but the exchange rate they offer is often terrible—definitely not in your favor. If you do bring euros, you'll likely need to exchange them into Czech crowns (CZK).

🔁 Where to Exchange Money (Safely)

⚠️ Disclaimer: We’re not responsible for what goes on behind the scenes at those exchange offices. If any of them get shut down for shady dealings—don’t say we didn’t warn you.

  • Banks also exchange money, but usually at worse rates (e.g., 24.4 CZK vs. 25 CZK at an exchange office). If you're uncomfortable with currency exchanges, banks are the safer (and pricier) choice. And hey, if something goes wrong, you can always complain at a bank.

💰 How Much Money Do You Need Per Day in Prague?

Your daily Prague budget depends on your travel style:

  • Budget traveler: Prague is becoming less friendly to budget travelers, with prices increasing steadily. If you're living on fast food, supermarket meals, and avoiding paid attractions, you could survive on €30–40/day.

  • Mid-range traveler: For a typical day with a sit-down meal, a tour or museum visit, and a couple of drinks, expect to spend €60–80/day.

  • Luxury traveler: If you're splurging on fine dining, high-end hotels, and private tours, there's no upper limit—but if you're in this category, go ahead and hit that Super Thanks button below 😄

🏧 Using ATMs in Prague

ATMs are everywhere, but almost all will charge you a fee for using a foreign card. This is standard. The fee depends on your bank and card type. Some banks even add a foreign transaction fee on top of the ATM's own charge, so check with your bank before your trip.

💡 Tipping Etiquette in Prague

  • Standard tip in restaurants: 8-10%

  • For free walking tours: There's no set rule, but anything below €5 per person is considered a small tip. Many tourists don’t realize that guides often pay €2–3 per guest to platforms, so tipping €1 or €2 doesn’t even cover their costs.

🚖 Taxi vs. Bolt/Uber in Prague

Prague has a longstanding issue with its cab drivers: they have been banned and reinstated over the years, but the general advice remains the same - do not take cabs from the street! Instead, use a taxi app service or ask your hotel reception to arrange a cab for you.

  • Bolt and Uber are usually cheaper than traditional taxis.

  • However, communication can be tricky. Many drivers aren’t locals, so you need to know exactly where you're going. Use landmarks or share the GPS pin for best results.

  • We have discussed the current state of taxi services in Prague in this video!

Line to the St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle

🕐 Skip-the-Line Tickets at Museums or Attractions: Are They Worth It?

Be cautious. On official websites, a "skip-the-line" ticket usually means you’ll skip the ticket queue, but not necessarily security lines or attraction queues.

For example, at Prague Castle, skip-the-line tickets only allow you to avoid the ticket office line—you’ll still wait for each individual site inside.

Also, beware of third-party sellers inflating prices for “skip-the-line” offers. Unless the price is at least 40% more and includes something extra (like a 20-minute guided tour), it’s usually not worth it. Many tourists leave bad reviews after discovering they paid extra for someone to just hand them the same ticket they could’ve bought online.

🎟️ Buying Tickets from Resellers

Let’s say you want to see a concert tonight. The official venue site says it’s sold out. You can try reseller sites—the price will be higher, but you’ll get in. Still, if you’re planning in advance, buy directly from official sources like the National Theatre website to avoid unnecessary markups.

🎫 Prague Visitor Pass: Is It Worth It?

We’ve written a complete breakdown of Prague Visitor Pass prices in this article.
In short: you need exceptional time management and energy to get your money’s worth, as the pass is quite pricey—around €120 per person. That said, it is possible to break even if you plan carefully.

However, keep in mind:

  • The Prague Visitor Pass does not offer discounts for seniors or families, so savings are more limited for those groups.

  • Skip-the-line service is not included, which means you'll still need to collect tickets and wait in queues at many attractions.

✅ Final Tips for Not Wasting Money in Prague

  • Carry some cash just in case.

  • Avoid using euros unless absolutely necessary.

  • Use trusted exchange offices or banks—never exchange money on the street.

  • Watch out for overpriced skip-the-line tickets on third-party sites.

  • Always check your ATM and card fees before withdrawing money.

  • Don’t under-tip—especially on free tours.

Author: Valeriia Zahradnikova and Vaclav Zahradnik, Prague guides certified by Prague City Tourism agency. Valeriia and Vaclav have worked in tourism for over 10 years and have guided thousands of Prague visitors.

Vaclav Zahradnik
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