The Czech Republic’s currency is the Czech koruna, abbreviated CZK and written locally as Kč. It has been the country’s currency since February 1993, when the former Czechoslovak koruna split into separate Czech and Slovak currencies following the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia. Despite Czech EU membership, the country has not adopted the euro, and there is no fixed timeline for it to do so.
Denominations #
Banknotes come in CZK 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000. Coins come in CZK 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50. The koruna is technically divided into 100 haléře (hellers), but these were withdrawn from circulation in 2008 and no longer exist as physical coins; prices are rounded to the nearest whole koruna. Each banknote carries a portrait of a significant figure from Czech history, ranging from Charles IV on the CZK 5,000 note to figures from Czech literature and science on the smaller denominations, worth glancing at if you’re curious who’s on your change.
What Things Actually Cost #
As a rough mental conversion: CZK 25 to 27 per euro, CZK 22 to 24 per US dollar. A beer at a traditional pub costs CZK 45 to 80; a daily lunch menu at a local restaurant costs CZK 150 to 250; a single Prague public transport ticket costs CZK 40; a 24-hour transport pass is CZK 120. Full current pricing across accommodation, food, and transport is in the Czech Republic budget guide.
Getting Koruna #
Use a bank ATM (Bankomat), not a currency exchange office (směnárna). Bank ATMs, Česká spořitelna, Komerční banka, ČSOB, and Raiffeisenbank are the main networks, apply the real interbank exchange rate. Currency exchange offices in tourist areas, particularly around the Old Town Square in Prague, are specifically set up to offer worse rates through hidden fees or a rate several percent below the bank rate, regardless of “0% commission” signage. When an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency instead of CZK, always decline and choose CZK; the alternative, dynamic currency conversion, always applies a worse rate.
Cash vs Card #
Contactless card payment is standard across Prague and most Czech cities. Traditional pubs, market stalls, and smaller village businesses are more likely to be cash-only, so carrying CZK 500 to 1,000 covers the gap. For anyone staying longer term, opening a Czech bank account is straightforward with a registered address and residence document, and most Czech banks operate in English for basic services; the living in Prague guide covers this process in more detail.
A Brief History of the Koruna #
The name koruna (meaning “crown”) dates back to the original Austro-Hungarian krone, and the currency has existed in various forms since 1892. The modern Czech koruna, introduced in 1993, replaced the Czechoslovak koruna at a 1:1 rate for Czech residents. It has floated freely against major currencies since 1997, and the Czech National Bank manages monetary policy independently, one of the specific reasons the country has not rushed toward euro adoption.
Counterfeit Awareness #
Counterfeiting is not a significant issue for ordinary visitors, but Czech banknotes carry standard modern security features, holographic strips, watermarks, and colour-shifting ink, that are worth a glance if you’re ever handed an unusually worn or unfamiliar-feeling note, particularly from an informal cash exchange. This is a minor precaution rather than a genuine risk for most travellers.
Related: Money and Currency | Plan: Budget | Living in Prague
