Although part of the European Union, the Czech Republic has not adopted the euro, so for your purchases in Prague you will have to pay in the local currency, the Czech koruna (abbreviated internationally to CZK and locally to Kč).
Some shops, hotels and restaurants accept payment in foreign currency, mainly euros and dollars, but the exchange rate applied is always inconvenient and change will be given to you in Czech crowns.
The exchange rate obviously changes all the time, but as a guide, one Czech koruna is equivalent to about 0.03 euro. Coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 crowns and banknotes of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 crowns are available.
You will find it rather difficult to change euros into Czech koruna before you leave for your holiday in Prague: some banks only exchange ‘hard’ currencies such as the dollar or the British pound, and those that accept to exchange other currencies only do so by appointment.
Don’t be alarmed, you will find it easy to change money as soon as you arrive in the Czech Republic. You can do this at exchange counters at the airport or at one of the many exchange offices you can find in the city centre. Many medium/high category hotels offer a currency exchange service.
The most convenient solution, however, is to withdraw kroons with an ATM: it is very common and it will not be difficult for you to find one. Before you leave, check with your bank if there are any restrictions and what the daily withdrawal limit is.
The Czech crown is the official currency introduced in the Czech Republic on 1 January 1993, following the break-up of the former Czechoslovakia.
Prominent figures from Czech history and culture such as King Charles IV, the philosopher Comenius, the writer Božena Němcová and the historian František Palacký, called “the father of the Czech homeland”, are depicted on the banknotes.
City Card allow you to save on public transport and / or on the entrances to the main tourist attractions.