Prague has a wide network of cash machines, known as ATMs or bankomats. You can find them at banks, shopping centres, transport hubs, airports, major streets and many metro stations.
Most ATMs accept major international debit and credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard. Many also accept Maestro, Cirrus and other international card networks, depending on the machine and your card issuer.
Most ATMs provide instructions in English, and some also offer German, French or other languages. Withdrawing cash is usually simple, but tourists should be careful about fees, exchange rates and dynamic currency conversion.
Use Bank ATMs Where Possible
The safest and usually best option is to use ATMs attached to recognised banks. These are commonly found at bank branches, shopping centres and busy commercial areas.
Examples of Czech bank ATM networks include Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, Komerční banka, Raiffeisenbank, MONETA, Fio banka and UniCredit Bank.
Standalone ATMs in tourist areas may charge higher fees or push poor exchange rates. They are not necessarily illegal, but they are often less favourable for visitors than bank-operated ATMs.
Best advice: Use an ATM inside or directly attached to a bank branch whenever possible. It is safer, easier to get help if something goes wrong, and usually less likely to have excessive tourist fees.
Choose CZK, Not Your Home Currency
When withdrawing cash, the ATM may ask whether you want to be charged in your home currency or in Czech crowns. Always choose CZK or withdrawal without conversion.
If you choose your home currency, the ATM provider performs the conversion using its own exchange rate. This is called dynamic currency conversion, and the rate is often worse than the rate used by your own bank or card issuer.
- Choose: Czech crowns / CZK / without conversion
- Avoid: home currency / with conversion / guaranteed exchange rate
Important: The wording can be confusing. If the ATM offers “with conversion” or “without conversion”, choose without conversion.
ATM Fees
Older guides often said that Prague ATMs usually have no extra withdrawal charges. This is no longer always true. Some ATMs may charge a local access fee, and your own bank may also charge a foreign withdrawal fee.
The ATM should show any local fee before you confirm the withdrawal. If the fee looks high, cancel the transaction and try another ATM.
Fees vary depending on the ATM operator, your bank, your card type and the amount withdrawn. Some travel-money guides report that Prague ATM fees can vary from no local fee to several hundred Czech crowns, especially at tourist-focused machines. ([wise.com](https://wise.com/gb/blog/cash-or-card-in-prague?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
UK Visitors
UK-issued Visa and Mastercard debit or credit cards are widely accepted in Prague. You can use them in ATMs, shops, restaurants, hotels and transport-ticket machines.
Before travelling, check your bank’s foreign cash withdrawal fee and foreign exchange markup. Some UK banks and travel cards are much cheaper abroad than ordinary high-street bank cards.
If an ATM asks whether you want to pay in pounds or Czech crowns, choose Czech crowns. If a shop or restaurant card terminal asks the same question, choose CZK there as well.
How Much Cash Do You Need?
Prague is now very card-friendly. Most hotels, restaurants, cafés, supermarkets, shops, museums and public transport ticket machines accept cards.
Still, it is useful to carry some Czech cash for small purchases, public toilets, tips, markets, small pubs, luggage lockers or places outside the city centre.
For a short visit, many travellers only need a modest amount of cash and can pay for most things by card.
ATM Safety
ATM card-skimming scams have been reported in Prague in the past, as in many large cities. The risk is lower at machines inside banks, shopping centres and monitored areas.
- Use bank ATMs instead of isolated street machines.
- Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
- Check the card slot for anything loose or unusual.
- Avoid help from strangers at an ATM.
- Cancel the transaction if the machine behaves strangely.
- Use contactless card payments where practical to reduce cash needs.
Safety tip: If your card is swallowed by an ATM, contact your bank immediately. If the ATM is attached to a bank branch, go inside during opening hours and ask for help.
ATMs at Prague Airport
There are ATMs at Václav Havel Airport Prague, but airport exchange rates and some ATM offers may not be the best. If you need cash immediately after arrival, withdraw only a small amount and choose CZK without conversion.
For better value, you can often wait until you reach the city and use a bank ATM or pay by card for your first transport or transfer.
Credit Cards vs Debit Cards
Debit cards are usually better for ATM withdrawals. Credit cards may treat cash withdrawals as a cash advance, which can trigger extra fees and interest from the day of withdrawal.
Use a credit card mainly for hotels, car rentals or larger purchases if your card offers good travel protection. Use a debit card or travel card for cash withdrawals.
Best ATM Tips for Prague
- Use bank-operated ATMs where possible.
- Avoid suspicious standalone ATMs in tourist streets.
- Choose CZK / without conversion every time.
- Reject high ATM fees and try another machine.
- Withdraw a sensible amount rather than many small withdrawals.
- Cover your PIN and check the card slot.
- Carry some cash, but use cards for most payments.
Summary: ATMs are easy to find in Prague, and foreign cards are widely accepted. For the best result, use bank ATMs, avoid tourist-area standalone machines, choose Czech crowns rather than your home currency, and decline any poor conversion offered by the ATM.
