The official currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech Koruna, also called the Czech Crown.

Currency symbol: Kč
International code: CZK

Although the country is part of the European Union, the Euro is not officially used for daily payments.

Czech Coins

Czech coins are available in:

• 1 Kč
• 2 Kč
• 5 Kč
• 10 Kč
• 20 Kč
• 50 Kč

The smaller coins are commonly used in supermarkets, public transport ticket machines, and local pubs.

Czech Banknotes

Banknotes come in several values:

• 100 Kč
• 200 Kč
• 500 Kč
• 1,000 Kč
• 2,000 Kč
• 5,000 Kč

For tourists, the most commonly used notes are 100, 200, and 500 crowns.

Paying in Euros

Some tourist businesses in central Prague may accept Euros, but the exchange rate is usually very poor. It is always better to pay directly in Czech crowns.

When using a card, never accept the “conversion to your home currency” option at the terminal or ATM. Always choose to pay in CZK to avoid expensive exchange rates.

Tipping is appreciated in Prague, but it is usually more moderate than in countries like the United States.

Restaurants and Pubs

A normal tip is around:

• 5% to 10% in restaurants
• rounding up the bill in pubs or cafés

For example:

• If the bill is 186 Kč, many locals simply say “200”.
• For a dinner costing 920 Kč, leaving 1,000 Kč is considered generous.

Important Tip Etiquette

In traditional Czech restaurants and pubs, you usually tell the waiter the final amount you want to pay before the card transaction or before giving cash.

Example:

“One thousand crowns, please.”

The waiter will then include the tip directly in the payment.

Leaving coins on the table after paying is less common than in some other countries.

Guided Tours and Services

Tipping guides, drivers, and hotel staff is appreciated if the service was good, but never mandatory.

Even if Prague is a modern city, having some cash is still highly recommended.

Many authentic local places — especially traditional Czech pubs, smaller hospody, neighborhood bars, or old-style restaurants — may still prefer cash payments or accept only Czech cards.

These places are often:

• cheaper than tourist restaurants
• more authentic
• frequented mainly by locals
• famous for excellent Czech beer and traditional food

In some of the best local pubs in Prague, you may find:

• incredibly cheap beer prices
• handwritten menus
• old-fashioned interiors
• cash-only payments

Tourists who rely only on credit cards can sometimes miss these unique experiences.

How Much Cash Should You Carry?

You do not need large amounts. Usually:

• 1,000–2,000 Kč per day is enough for most visitors
• small notes are useful in pubs and markets

ATM Advice

Use ATMs from reliable Czech banks such as:

• Česká spořitelna
• Komerční banka
• Raiffeisenbank

Avoid tourist exchange offices and independent ATM machines in the city center whenever possible.

Final Advice

The best way to enjoy Prague like a local is to combine both card and cash payments. Cards are convenient, but cash will still open the door to many authentic experiences, traditional pubs, and cheaper local places that many tourists never discover.