Learn where to exchange money in Prague and where not! Although Prague is very card-friendly, having a small amount of Czech Crowns (CZK) can enhance your comfort and serve as a backup. You can withdraw cash from a bank-branded ATM or visit a currency exchange office. Just be cautious and choose the right exchange service, as it can be a bit challenging at times.
Who is writing this blog for you?
Hello! I am Dana, Prague local. Besides designing and guiding my small-group tours, I also like writing about Prague. To prevent future visitors from the local tourist traps. And changing money is definitely one of them. Hope this blog post saves you lot of money and nerves.
Please feel free to drop me a line if you need further help or wish to see Prague with me – away from the crowds, silly souvenir shops and spots ripping tourists off: dana@praguebehindthescenes.com
More info, tips and inspiration also on my social profiles.
How much for one Euro and USD (January 2025)
The fair exchange rate for 1 Euro is approximately 25 CZK, while 1 USD currently hovers around 24 CZK. Please note that exchange rates can fluctuate, so consider this information as a general guideline and always check the current exchange rates in the verified Prague exchange office where locals like to go.
1 Euro for ca 25 CZK.
1 USD for ca 24 CZK.
Please read on to learn where to go and not to be scammed.
Where do locals go to exchange money in Prague?
Many Czechs, myself included, frequent a place called EXCHANGE CZ located on Štefánikova street. This office provides the most competitive exchange rates. It features a pleasant office environment that is clean and organized, with private boxes, no long lines, and a trustworthy experience (Google rating 4.9 says a lot) — quite the contrast to the downtown exchange offices that often resemble money laundering spots:-) The only drawback is that it’s slightly off the beaten path (but nothing too extreme).
My recommendation: visit this place if you’re planning to exchange a larger sum of money or if you’re in the area. For exchanges of 20 to 200 euros or USD, it’s quicker to stop by the Palladium shopping mall (I am writing about Palladium exchange office lower on this page).
Address: Exchange CZ, Štefánikova 203/23, Prague 5
Where to exchange money conveniently downtown?
Go to Palladium shopping mall. This exchange office offers good rates and is conveniently situated downtown. Right by the main entrance of Palladium shopping mall. It’s just a 3-minute walk from the Powder Tower or 10 minutes from Old Town Square. You’ll find this exchange office on the left side from the main entrance to the mall. Check the arrow in the picture, you can´t miss it. It´s a huge pink building that looks like a cake. And right by the main entrance, there is a small exchange office. Voilá, this is it!
My personal impression from the first visit wasn´t ideal but that´s just my subjective experience. I generally don´t like places where they have a scam Euronet ATM right in the place. I would also expect a receipt and prefer clerks who don´t chew a toothpick while talking to me. But I got a good rate and everything was proceeded quickly. The location is very convenient
My recommendation: If you’re looking to exchange only 20, 50, or 100 euros (or dollars, francs, pounds, etc.), this is the place to go. There’s no need to exchange a large amount, as Prague is quite card-friendly. Typically, having 50-100 euros per person is more than sufficient for your entire stay and for minor expenses like using restrooms or tipping in cafés – the rest you can pay by card.
Cash for cash only
Many of my clients also ask me if the exchange offices accept cards. So I rather mention it here as well: You need to bring the foreign cash and they will give you cash back. Many exchange offices don´t exchange coins, just bank notes. Please only bring bank notes.
But no Scandinavian cash!
If you are coming from Norway, Sweden or Denmark and you need Czech cash, please use our ATMs. Czech exchange offices don´t accept SEK, DKK or NOK. This is currently very common in most countries, not only in the Czech Republic. But no worries, you can perfectly pay here by cards!!!
What currencies are available for exchange?
USD, EUR, GBP, CHV, JPY, CAD, AUD, PLN, HUF.
How much money should you exchange?
If you prefer cash in Prague and don´t want to pay by card at all, one person should have around 2500 CZK / pp / day. To cover all meals, drinks, tickets, basic grocery. This is equal to approx. 100 euro. But of course, it also depends on your standards. Here is an example of what you can purchase for 100 euros.
Breakdown of what you can purchase in Prague for around 100 euros / 2500 CZK
(one person / day / and downtown prices)
Breakfast at a bistro + 2 take away pastries for later as a snack (400 CZK)
Entrance ticket to the interiors of Prague Castle (450 CZK)
Lunch with one beer (250 – 400 CZK)
24-hour public transport ticket (120 CZK)
Two coffees (160 CZK)
Mineral water from supermarkets such as Albert, Billa, or Lidl (20 CZK)
Delightful dinner featuring dessert and two glasses of wine (1000 CZK)
What if you exchange money in Prague at a bad place and get scammed?
If you get ripped off at some unfair exchange office and you find it out later, according to Czech law, within the timeframe of 3 hours, you can be refunded at the place of transaction. You just need the original receipt and make sure there is time of the purchase! Don´t be afraid and ask your money back if you were scammed. It’s your right. If the incident occurs shortly before the closing time, there’s no need to panic. The receipt remains valid and does not expire after three hours; the countdown pauses until the office reopens. You can return the next morning, immediately once they are open again.
IMPORTANT!!! Never ever exchange money on the streets! This is always a scam! Scammers frequently operate right outside legitimate currency exchange offices. Just one example: as soon as the office closes, they take their positions, pretending they are employees. Be cautious; they are full-time scammers from Romania and Bulgaria and you will end up with expired Belarusian rubles if you give them your money. This is a big shame of Prague and total fail of our police and city deputies. They have been operating here almost 20 years!! How do I have this knowledge? There’s an excellent YouTube channel run by two journalists regularly covering this topic…absolutely outstanding, investigative work.
Watch out – some bank notes can be expired!
Some older versions of Czech bank notes are no longer valid and we are withdrawing them from circulation. The new versions still look the same, just have a wider silver security strips. Only 5000 CZK bank note remains unchanged (with a thin strip).
So, what to do if you get the old one? No worries. It actually happened to me while paying in a drug store and to my clients as well – but they left the expired bank note in a bar as a tip (100 CZK). Oh well, also solution:-) Of course, not ideal..
If you happen to have an expired bank note, it´s not a tragedy, simply go to the Czech National Bank downtown, address: Na Příkopě 864/28 Prague 1. They will help you and give you a new one. But as I said before, rather pay by card everywhere because the Czech National Bank is only open on working days until 2pm, and they even take one hour off for lunch break. So this wouldn´t be very exciting part of your Prague trip.
Do you prefer ATMs? Make sure you choose the right one!
In case you prefer withdrawing money from an ATM, please avoid Euronet Worldwide machines (of course, they are strategically located everywhere downtown, actually all over Europe).
Once their ATMs detect a foreign card, they will push you to withdraw a high amount of money – like 10 000 CZK – for this amount you can get 160 large tap beers. Any other machines are ok (not best, just ok, you will always lose some money on transaction fees, withdrawal fees, etc. but of course it also depends on your bank or if you are EU citizen or not).
What truly matters? Always select the “without conversion” option on the ATM screen when navigating through the various confusing choices.
Summary
1) Try to pay by card (Visa, Mastercard, phone, watches…) everywhere you go. Amex is not always accepted, be careful!
2) Want to exchange money? Go to a fair exchange office called Exchange CZ (this is a place where locals go) or to the office by the entrance to Palladium shopping mall (description in the article).
3) If you intend to pay by card during your stay and only need some extra cash for small purchases, tips, and public restrooms, consider exchanging approximately 50 to 100 euros per person for the entire duration of your visit.
4) Always ask the exchange office clerk for some smaller bank notes and coins. Coins are very useful when paying for public WC (10 – 30 CZK).
5) If you prefer cash and don´t want to use cards: exchange 100 euro / pp / day.
6) When using an ATM, avoid Euronet machines!
6) Check your bank notes if they are valid (some older versions are not valid anymore and we are withdrawing them from circulation). The new ones have a wide silver strip. But this situation doesn’t happen often, don´t be afraid!!!
7) If you’re coming from Denmark, Norway, or Sweden, it’s best to exchange your currency in your home country or use an ATM upon arrival. SEK, NOK, and DKK are generally not exchangeable in most places, including the Czech Republic.
If you like my content and the free information on my website, you can support my work and writings by buying me a virtual coffee. Thank you for your kindness and have a lovely stay in Prague! Without being scammed!
Dana, owner and guide for Prague Behind The Scenes | small-group tours and experiences.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to tour with me, I am a tiny business and you will always communicate directly with me: dana@praguebehindthescenes.com
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