8 Proven Budget Travel Hacks for Your Dream Vacation in Prague.

I’m Cynthia and I’ve lived in Prague for almost 10 years. I’ll be sharing 8 budget hacks you can use to save money and make the best of your vacation in Prague. That’s it for the fluff, let’s get into it. 

(None of the brands/shops/restaurants mentioned in this article are sponsored. They are brands I use regularly and I am satisfied with their services/products/food).

1. Always hold some cash.

This one might be a no-brainer but holding cash cannot be over-emphasized. I know it is 2024 but there are still lots of pubs, shops, and restaurants that are not fans of card payments. For instance, some locals have told me they refuse cards because of high bank charges. 

Prague is located in the heart of the EU but does not use the Euro as its currency. Part of the Czech Republic wants to switch to the Euro, while the majority insist on sticking with the Czech Crown (Koruna). On average, one US dollar goes for twenty-two Czech koruna.

How much cash should you hold? I’d advise an 80-20 split of your budget. You should do just fine holding 20% as cash.

2. Don’t change money at the airport.

Where should you exchange your money for Czech koruna? You would often find the worst exchange rates at the airport and train station. You have to avoid any ATM or money exchange kiosk at the airport, I cannot stress this enough. The best money exchange shops are found in Prague 1. I always frequent the shops on Jindrisska Street, beside the main post office. Exchange Centrum and Capital Exchange.

3. Avoid the overpriced Uber and catch a bus instead.

Except you have some really heavy luggage, you do not need an expensive taxi or Uber to leave the airport. In a few years, a direct train line to the city center will be built. However, the easiest and cheapest way from the airport to the city is by public transport. A ten-minute ride on the bus 119 from the airport will take you directly to the metro green line. An additional 15 minutes on the green line will get you to the city center. About one dollar and thirty cents (30 Czech Koruna) for the entire 25-minute trip. 

Extra tip: download the PID Litacka app at the airport (with free wifi). Go to the “tickets” section and buy a ticket with your Apple or Google Pay. The app comes in English and is very easy to use. Always remember that a ticket takes 2 minutes to get activated, after tapping the activate button. If the timer is still counting down and you get caught by spot checkers, you will get fined.

4. Where should you stay?

People spend the most time figuring out what part of the city to stay when planning a trip. If you have ever seen a map of Prague, you will understand why.  It is very confusing. I’ll do my best to keep it simple and thus, make your search a lot easier. 

The best areas for foreigners and tourists are Prague 1, Prague 2, Prague 3, and Prague 8. I’ll cover the pros and cons of staying in each district.

Prague 1

Pros: This area has the majority of the tourist interest spots. The astronomical clock, Charles Bridge, National Museum, National Library, Prague Castle, and all the cool churches are clustered here. Everything is a walking distance away. This includes the train and bus stations. 

Cons: Always packed with a lot of people, especially in summer. It is the tourist side of the city making everything here overpriced. From hotels to restaurants to corner shops, everything here is expensive. 

Prague 2 and 3

Pros: Arguably the best area of the city for foreigners. Slightly less expensive than Prague 1. This district has some of the best restaurants in the city. It has got a few metro stops and great tram connections to the city center and popular interest points. Calm and quiet neighborhoods. 

Cons: The one small disadvantage of staying here is the little extra time it takes to get to areas of interest around the city. 

Prague 8

Pros: Great for those getting into or leaving the city by bus. This district has amazing bistros and cafes scattered all around. Fantastic tram connections to the city center and tourist attractions. Calm and quiet neighborhoods. 

Cons: It is almost as expensive as Prague 1. Hotels and hostels here can get expensive during peak tourist periods. Lastly, I have nothing against Airbnb but I prefer booking.com. it has options for people looking to stay in a hostel, hotel, or apartment.

5. Where should you shop?

There are a couple of big chain stores in the city. The cheapest stores to shop are Lidl and Kaufland; while Albert, Tesco, and Billa are the most expensive. Albert and Lidl have the most amount of locations in the clustered areas of the city. There are corner shops around the city, called Potraviny. I’d strongly advise you to use them only in emergency situations. Their items are always pricy and most of them do not accept card payments. 

6. Where should you eat?

Food preference is a very subjective topic, so I’ll keep this one short and broad. Some would argue that Prague 1 has the best restaurants but I believe Prague 2 is the clear winner here. In terms of price, quality, and variety, Vinohrady and New Town are the best. For the best wings in the city, you should try Winghause. If you are into Indian food, Everest is clear above the rest. Las Adelitas is my go-to for Mexican food. While Johnny Pizza boasts of being the best in the city. On average, a meal in any of these places should cost about 15 bucks.

7. Should you buy a city pass?

The Prague city pass can be a waste of money or a huge money saver. It all depends on how long you plan to stay in the city and if you are a hardcore tourist. When I’m in a new city, I don’t go into every place of interest. I usually take photos of most of them outside and go into one or two.

If you plan to tour as many places as possible, then the 3-day city pass would be perfect for you. It covers:

• Guided Walking Tour 
• Petřín Tower & Mirror Maze 
• Prague Castle – circuit 
• Lobkowicz Palace 
• River Cruise 
• Clementinum
• Old Town Hall with Astronomical Clock 
• Prague Jewish Town
• Hop-on Hop-off Vintage Tram 
• Powder Tower & Municipal House 
• St Nicholas Bell Tower 
• Museum Kampa & Werich Villa 
• 72-hour public transport ticket

Without the city pass, you would spend at least $213 on everything. The pass costs $122 for 3 days. That’s a huge $90 saving. However, if you plan to spend most of your time in the city doing less touristy stuff, then skip the city pass.

8. Buy a travel adapter before arriving.

Like every other city in the EU, power outlets in Prague are different from those in the US, UK, and Canada. If you don’t want to get frustrated the moment you step out of the plane, you have to get a decent travel adapter before your trip. The adapters in the city usually cost an arm and a leg and don’t even last that long before breaking. I’d recommend you get a multipurpose one from Amazon that can power both laptops and phones.

Here’s a bonus hack for those who made it to the end: Check out Slevomat!

if you plan to have some interesting experiences while you are in the city, you should check out slevomat.cz. It’s got some of the best deals for individuals, couples, and groups. I have gotten everything from Thai massages to group shooting lessons. Think of it like the Czech version of Groupon.com. Just be sure to use Google Chrome when browsing the website so that you can translate from Czech to English.