Cheapest is to
withdraw money from an ATM, as there’s no charge or commission (except if your bank imposes some charge, usually 1.5%). You can also get a cash advance at major banks and exchange offices (usually charge 2% commission). Most private exchange offices in Prague charge commission of up to 10% and they will advertise higher exchange rates hoping customers will not realize there is a high commission fee. You can negotiate commission at any exchange office. Generally it depends on the amount you are exchanging but they’re willing to lower commission down to 3%. Bureaux de change is probably the most useful if you need money at the weekend or outside of normal business hours - otherwise we do not recommend them. Hotels and souvenirs shops usually charge around 5% to 6% commission. And last advaice, never change money on the street, there have been several cases where customers received counterfeit notes.
Actual Approximate Rate of Exchange:1 EUR = 25,00 CZK; 1 USD = 16 CZK; 1 GBP = 32 CZK
Best Exchange office in Prague?
If you're looking for best exchange rates without any commission there's only one company called
www.exchange.czThey have just one office : Kaprova 13, Prague 1.
If you're exchanging amount over 100.000CZK they give you even special VIP rate.
Currencies Accepted.Official currency is Ceska Kornua (Czech Crown). Most stores (also small ones), shops and accept credit and debit cards. Selected department stores and restaurants will accept Euros but exchange rate won't be too good.
Exchange Money Scams: Prague is known for its beauty, and unfortunately, its petty crime. On Tuesday I was rushing down Wenceslas Square as I do every day, and as I was about to descend a staircase into the subway system, I turned around to see a man handing another a wad of cash, and the tourist saying a gracious "thank-you." It happened right in front of my eyes: an illegal money exchange made on the edge of Wenceslas Square ...
The
export and import of valid Czech currency is permitted without authorization from the Czech National Bank to the amount of CZK 350.000,- there are no restrictions on an export and import of foreign currency.
Banking in Prague.Banks in Prague can be found by visiting the website of the
Czech National Bank, while a popular local bank is Ceska Sporitelna (which has an "Expat Center" at Rytyrska 29) and Komercní banka.