The Czech Republic operates on the Czech koruna (CZK), which has traded between 21 and 25 korunas per US dollar since 2020. The country does not use the euro despite European Union membership since 2004. ATMs display as "bankomat" and appear on nearly every block in Prague, Brno, and Ostrava, with Euronet machines typically charging 3 to 5 percent conversion fees above what local bank ATMs charge. Česká spořitelna, Komerční banka, and ČSOB operate fee-free networks for many international cards. Credit cards function in establishments displaying Visa or Mastercard symbols, which includes approximately 80 percent of restaurants and hotels in cities above 50,000 population, but cash remains necessary in villages below 5,000 residents and at outdoor markets throughout the country. Currency exchange offices advertise rates prominently, but actual rates after commission often fall 8 to 12 percent below the interbank rate, particularly in tourist areas within 500 meters of Prague Castle or Charles Bridge. Exchange CZK 1,000 at Prague's main station and you receive approximately CZK 900 in value after fees at typical exchange offices, compared to CZK 970 when withdrawing the same amount from a Česká spořitelna ATM using a card with no foreign transaction fees.
Accommodation in Prague during May through September costs CZK 800 to 1,200 per night for hostel dormitory beds with 6 to 8 occupants, CZK 1,800 to 2,800 for private rooms in pensions outside the historical center, and CZK 3,500 to 6,000 for three-star hotels within the Prague 1 district that includes Old Town and Malá Strana. A specifically documented example is Hotel Josef in Josefov, which listed standard rooms at CZK 4,200 in June 2024, while Hostel Rosemary charged CZK 950 for dormitory beds the same month. Apartment rentals through booking platforms range from CZK 2,000 for studios in Prague 3 or Prague 7 to CZK 5,500 for two-bedroom apartments in Prague 1, with minimum stays of three nights common during summer. Prices drop 30 to 40 percent between November and March excluding Christmas and New Year weeks. Brno accommodation costs approximately 25 percent less than Prague equivalents, with three-star hotels at CZK 2,200 to 3,800 and hostels at CZK 650 to 900. Český Krumlov reverses this pattern during peak season, when its limited accommodation stock pushes prices 15 to 20 percent above Prague levels for comparable quality. A pension room in Český Krumlov that costs CZK 3,200 in July drops to CZK 1,800 in February.
Restaurant meals cost CZK 150 to 250 for lunch menus at neighborhood establishments serving svíčková, vepřo-knedlo-zelo, or guláš with soup and a non-alcoholic drink, rising to CZK 200 to 350 for the same meals at dinner when lunch menu pricing ends, typically at 15:00. A specific reference is Lokál, a chain operating in Prague, Brno, and Plzeň, where svíčková costs CZK 219 and includes bread dumplings and cranberry sauce as of 2024 pricing. Half-liter Pilsner Urquell or Budvar costs CZK 45 to 65 in neighborhood pubs, CZK 70 to 90 in Prague 1 tourist areas, and CZK 55 to 75 in Brno and regional cities. Supermarket prices for the same beer in bottles range from CZK 16 to 22 per half-liter. A complete meal of roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut, soup, and two beers costs CZK 350 to 450 at traditional hospody pubs in residential districts, doubling to CZK 700 to 900 in restaurants within 200 meters of Old Town Square. Smažený sýr with tartar sauce and fries appears on menus at CZK 140 to 180. Breakfast at hotel buffets adds CZK 200 to 350 to room rates, while bakery purchases of rohlíky rolls and káva coffee cost CZK 45 to 70 total.
Public transport within Prague operates on a unified ticket system charging CZK 30 for 90-minute transfers, CZK 40 for 24 hours, and CZK 120 for 72 hours as of 2024 rates. A monthly pass costs CZK 550 and requires no registration or identity verification. The metro, tram, and bus network covers all districts, with trams running every 4 to 8 minutes on major routes during daytime hours and every 30 minutes on night tram routes between midnight and 05:00. Tickets purchased from drivers cost CZK 40 for the same 90-minute validity, creating a CZK 10 penalty for not buying from machines or shops beforehand. Validators display as yellow boxes near doors, and inspectors issue CZK 1,500 fines for unvalidated tickets. Brno charges CZK 25 for 60-minute tickets and CZK 100 for 24 hours. Regional train travel between Prague and Brno costs CZK 221 for second class on fast trains completing the 206 kilometers in 2 hours 30 minutes, or CZK 152 on slow trains taking 3 hours 45 minutes. Student Agency/RegioJet buses cover the same route for CZK 139 to 189 depending on time and demand, with departures every 30 to 60 minutes throughout the day. Prague to Český Krumlov by Student Agency bus costs CZK 180 to 220 and takes 3 hours including a stop in České Budějovice.
Entrance fees to Prague Castle grounds remain free, but St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane require tickets starting at CZK 250 for the basic circuit covering those three sites. The full circuit adding St. George's Basilica and Powder Tower costs CZK 350. Students with ISIC cards and seniors over 65 pay half price at state-operated sites. Charles Bridge charges no fee. Municipal galleries in Prague charge CZK 120 to 180 for temporary exhibitions, while the National Gallery's permanent collections at Veletržní palác cost CZK 300 for adults and CZK 150 for students. Kafka Museum charges CZK 280. Kutná Hora's combined ticket for St. Barbara's Church, Italian Court, and Sedlec Ossuary costs CZK 340 for adults. Lednice Castle entrance costs CZK 190 for the shortest route through six rooms, rising to CZK 350 for the full tour of 26 rooms. Český Krumlov Castle charges CZK 300 for the standard route and CZK 450 for the extended route including the baroque theater. Free entry days occur on specific dates at national museums, typically the first Monday or Wednesday of each month, with schedules published annually in January.