What is the Currency in Prague?

Find out what currency Prague uses, how the Czech koruna works, and money tips for UK visitors to the Czech Republic

What is the Currency in Prague, Czech Republic?

If you're planning a trip to Prague—famous for its medieval charm, affordable food and drink, and stunning architecture—it’s important to understand what currency you’ll be using during your stay. This guide is tailored for UK visitors and covers the official currency of the Czech Republic, payment tips, and how to avoid hidden costs while abroad.

What currency does the Czech Republic use?

The official currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech Koruna, abbreviated as CZK and often written with the symbol Kč. This currency is used throughout the country, including the capital, Prague.

Although the Czech Republic is a member of the European Union, it has not adopted the euro and has no immediate plans to do so.

How is the Czech koruna structured?

The koruna is a decimal currency divided into 100 haléřů, though haléř coins are no longer in circulation.

Current denominations include:

  • Banknotes: 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 CZK

  • Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 CZK

As of the time of writing, £1 is worth approximately 28–30 CZK, but exchange rates fluctuate—check a reliable site or app before your trip.

Can you use euros in Prague?

Technically, euros are not accepted as legal tender. Some tourist-focused businesses may accept euros for convenience, but you’ll often get a poor exchange rate and your change will be in koruna. For the best value and to avoid confusion, always pay in CZK.

Should you bring cash or use a card in the Czech Republic?

The Czech Republic is increasingly card-friendly. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in restaurants, hotels, shops and even public transport ticket machines in Prague. Contactless and mobile payments (like Apple Pay and Google Pay) are also supported.

However, it's smart to carry some cash in koruna, especially when visiting smaller cafés, market stalls or rural towns.

UK travellers should use fee-free travel cards, such as Starling, Monzo or Revolut, to avoid transaction charges and unfavourable conversion rates.

Where to get Czech koruna

You can:

  • Exchange pounds for CZK in the UK before travelling

  • Withdraw koruna from bank-affiliated ATMs in Prague (widely available)

  • Exchange currency at reputable bureaux de change in the city (avoid tourist trap kiosks)

Avoid currency exchanges in train stations or near major tourist attractions, which may have poor rates or hidden fees.

Tips for managing money in Prague

  • Always pay in CZK, not GBP or EUR, to get the best rate

  • Choose local currency (CZK) at ATMs or payment terminals—never accept conversion into GBP

  • Keep small denominations for tipping and public transport

  • Tipping is appreciated: around 5–10% in restaurants is standard

  • Use mobile payments or contactless where accepted to avoid cash handling

Common mistakes to avoid

A frequent mistake is assuming the Czech Republic uses the euro. While it's in the EU, the koruna remains the only legal currency. Another is accepting dynamic currency conversion at card terminals—this usually results in poor rates.

In summary

Prague and the rest of the Czech Republic use the Czech Koruna (CZK) as their official currency. While card payments are widely accepted, carrying some cash is still helpful. UK visitors should avoid paying in euros or pounds and stick to koruna to get the best value.