Prices, money and useful tips
Prague is still cheaper than most Western European capitals, but prices soar in the most touristy areas. A few simple tricks will let you eat and drink very well for half the price.
💳 Pay smart, save more
- Always pay in koruna, never in euros or your home currency.
- Use a fee-free card and only withdraw cash from Czech bank machines.
- Don't change money at the airport or at exchange offices in tourist areas.
🆓 Free or nearly free
- Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock's procession.
- The Castle courtyards and gardens, and the changing of the guard at 12:00.
- The Vyšehrad grounds, Letná park and Petřín Hill (if you walk up).
- Wallenstein Garden and the Franciscan Garden, just off Wenceslas Square.
- The John Lennon Wall and Kampa Island.
🍽️ Eating well for less
- Lunch menu (polední menu): on weekdays at lunchtime, many restaurants offer soup and a main course for around CZK 180–250 (≈ €7.50–10).
- Beer: half a litre of draught beer costs around CZK 60–80 (≈ €2.50–3.30) in a neighbourhood pub, and much more on Old Town Square. Walk a couple of streets away from the tourist areas and prices drop.
- Be wary of restaurants with staff touting at the door and picture menus on the streets leading to Charles Bridge.
- The trdelník, the chimney-shaped pastry sold all over the centre, isn't a traditional Czech sweet and it's pricey. Try a cake at a neighbourhood bakery instead.
🚇 Cheap transport
- Buy tickets in the app: they're cheaper than paper ones.
- With two or more busy days, the 72-hour ticket offers the best value.
- From the airport to the centre, bus 59 + metro costs CZK 46, against CZK 200 for the Airport Express.
💡 GuideMapp tip: make lunch your main meal. A weekday lunch menu at a Czech pub feeds you very well for under €10, and in the evening something light will do.
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