Jan Nettig
Prague is cheap by Western European standards and expensive by Central European standards. A well-planned mid-range trip in 2026 costs about half of what the same trip would cost in Vienna, and about a third less than Berlin. But “cheap” is relative and depends heavily on your choices — a 3-star Old Town hotel in July costs three times a 3-star Vinohrady hotel in February.
Here’s a realistic breakdown of what a trip to Prague actually costs in 2026.
Quick answer — daily budget per person
- Backpacker: €50–70 per day (hostel dorm, self-catering + one restaurant meal, transit pass, one paid attraction).
- Mid-range: €130–180 per day (3★ hotel double room split between two people, three restaurant meals, transit, two attractions).
- Comfort: €250–400 per day (4–5★ hotel, restaurants including one high-end, tours or private guides, taxis).
Flights
From US East Coast: $500–900 round-trip in shoulder seasons, $800–1,400 in high summer. Nonstop is possible from Newark and Miami on United; connecting via a European hub is much cheaper.
From UK: £60–200 round-trip on easyJet/Ryanair; £150–350 on BA/Wizz Air.
From Western Europe: €30–150 on low-cost carriers year-round.
Cheapest months to fly: January, February, November (excluding Christmas week).
Accommodation (per night, in Prague)
| Type | Winter | Shoulder (Apr, Oct) | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm | €15–25 | €20–35 | €30–50 |
| 3★ hotel (Old Town) | €90–120 | €130–170 | €180–250 |
| 3★ hotel (Vinohrady) | €70–95 | €90–130 | €130–180 |
| 4★ hotel | €130–180 | €170–230 | €230–350 |
| 5★ hotel | €280–400 | €350–500 | €500–900 |
| Airbnb 1BR apartment | €60–100 | €80–130 | €110–180 |
Prices in 2026 are ~10% higher than 2024. New Year’s Eve, Christmas markets, and Prague Spring festival dates have surcharges of 30–100%.
Food and drink
Coffee: 60–120 CZK (€2.50–5) in a café. Standing at a bakery counter: 30–50 CZK.
Beer (0.5 L): 45–90 CZK (€1.90–3.70) in a normal pub. 100–150 CZK in an Old Town tourist pub. 30–40 CZK in a suburban Vinohrady/Žižkov bar.
Traditional Czech pub lunch: 200–350 CZK (€8–14) — svíčková, guláš, roast pork with dumplings, includes a beer.
Mid-range restaurant dinner: 400–700 CZK per person (€16–29) with wine.
High-end restaurant dinner: 1,500–3,500 CZK per person (€60–140) with wine — Field (1 Michelin star), La Degustation (1 star), Sansho, Eska.
Grocery basics (Albert, Billa): Bread 25 CZK, cheese 100 CZK/250g, beer 30 CZK/can, wine 150–300 CZK/bottle.
Transport
Prague public transport:
- Single 30-min ticket: 30 CZK (€1.30)
- 90-min ticket: 40 CZK
- 24-hour pass: 120 CZK
- 3-day pass: 330 CZK
- Monthly pass: 550 CZK (bargain for longer stays)
Airport to city: 30 CZK for the AE bus + metro. Uber/Bolt to Old Town: 400–600 CZK.
Taxi/Uber inside the city: Rare need. Uber/Bolt are 100–200 CZK for most trips.
Trains to day-trip destinations: Kutná Hora 100 CZK, Karlovy Vary 200 CZK, Český Krumlov (bus) 250 CZK. Book on cd.cz or regiojet.com in advance.
Attractions
| Attraction | Price (CZK) |
|---|---|
| Prague Castle Circuit A (all sites) | 450 |
| Prague Castle Circuit B (most) | 250 |
| St. Vitus Cathedral (extended access) | 500 |
| Old Town Hall Tower + Astronomical Clock | 250 |
| Jewish Museum (7 sites combined) | 500 |
| Museum of Communism | 380 |
| Národní Galerie (1 building) | 250 |
| Petřín Tower | 200 |
| Vyšehrad Cemetery | Free |
| Charles Bridge | Free |
Prague CoolPass: 60/120/etc. hour versions covering 90+ attractions. Only pays off if you visit 4+ major sites per day.
Sample 3-day mid-range budget for two people
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| 3★ hotel Vinohrady, 3 nights | €330 |
| 2× 3-day transit pass | €28 |
| Breakfast 3× | €60 |
| Lunch 3× (pub) | €60 |
| Dinner 3× (mid-range restaurants + drinks) | €180 |
| Beer/coffee stops | €40 |
| Prague Castle (2 tickets) | €20 |
| Jewish Museum (2 tickets) | €40 |
| Museum of Communism (2 tickets) | €30 |
| Two other paid attractions | €30 |
| Souvenirs/misc | €50 |
| Total for two, 3 days (excluding flights) | ~€868 (€434 pp) |
How to save money in Prague
- Stay in Vinohrady or Žižkov instead of Old Town — 30–40% cheaper.
- Visit in January, February, or November — half the summer prices.
- Drink beer at pubs, not hotels.
- Buy transit passes, not single tickets.
- Eat lunch at Lokál or similar traditional pubs — daily menu (denní menu) around 180–220 CZK including soup + main.
- Free walking tours (tip-based, usually €10–15 tip is fair).
- Church interiors are usually free during services or for a small donation.
Money and cards
Czech Republic uses the koruna (CZK / Kč), not euro. As of 2026, €1 ≈ 24 CZK, £1 ≈ 28 CZK, $1 ≈ 22 CZK.
Card payments are accepted almost everywhere. Bring a fee-free card — Revolut, Wise, or Chase Sapphire in the US. Avoid airport/hotel exchange (poor rates); use ATMs in-city or Exchange, Uno Change (both reputable).
Don’t use “Dynamic Currency Conversion” — always pay in CZK, never in your home currency at the terminal. DCC is a 5–8% surcharge.
Gear that saves money over the trip
- Osprey Farpoint 40 carry-on — avoids checked-bag fees on European low-cost carriers.
- Eagle Creek Silk money belt — theft prevention pays for itself once.
- Anker 313 wall charger — no need to buy adapters in expensive tourist shops.
- Revolut / Wise multi-currency card — no FX fees on any transaction. Set up before you leave home.
FAQ
Is Prague expensive in 2026?
Cheaper than Vienna, Amsterdam, or London. Comparable to Berlin. More expensive than Budapest or Krakow.
Do I need cash in Prague?
Some, yes. Small pubs, markets, and tips work best in cash. Keep 1,000–2,000 CZK on you.
How much for a beer in Prague?
45–90 CZK in a normal pub. Don’t pay more than 100 CZK unless you’re in a tourist trap on the Old Town square.
Cheapest month to visit Prague?
February. Second-cheapest: November (excluding the last week when Christmas markets open).
