Czech Republic: Castles, Cobblestones & Cheap Beer
Gothic spires, fairytale towns, and the best beer culture in Europe. All for less than you’d think.
The Czech Republic punches so far above its weight it’s almost unfair. Prague alone would be enough to justify a trip, but then you’ve got fairytale towns like Český Krumlov, the gothic weirdness of Kutná Hora’s bone church, spa towns that look like they belong in a Wes Anderson film, and beer that costs less than a coffee back home. Seriously. A pint in a local pub can cost you about £1. The country is compact enough that you can see a lot in a week, but interesting enough that you’ll want longer. We spent most of our time in Prague and still left with a list of things we didn’t get to. This guide covers what we learned and what we’d do differently next time.
2 hrs
From the UK
May–Sep
Best time
Czech
Main language
CZK (Koruna)
Currency
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See the Czech Republic in 60 Seconds
Best Time To Visit
Typically, the weather is similar to other parts of Europe and it can be broken down into three tourist seasons:
Low Season (Jan-Feb) – The weather is very cold in winter so the perfect time for travellers who love to dress up warm and escape the crowds. Get those thermals!
Mid Seasons (March & April, Oct & Nov) – With cooler weather, the shoulder months make for the best exploration; another time to avoid the huge crowds that Summer brings. Spring is when everything is in coming into full bloom, so coming here in April is considered to be the prettiest month.
High Season (May-Sep, Dec) – June to August will give you the heat and the longer days, most tourists come here in this season, especially at weekends and over the holidays. Although it can rain, this doesn’t stop the crowds that you’ll come across at all major tourist destinations. December you will have the Prague Christmas markets.
Click here for a more in-depth look at the best time to visit Czech Republic.
What To Expect
11°C
- Temperature
Capital: Prague
Language: The official language in the Czech Republic is Czech with a lot of the older inhabitants also being able to speak Russian and German. “Hello” in Czech is “Ahoj” , pronounced “ahoy”
Currency: The official currency of Czech Republic is the Czech koruna (CZK). £1 GBP is equivalent to 30.20 CZK. $1 USD is 21.85 CZK . Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: To get the best exchange rate in Czech Republic, it’s wise to use your credit card whenever you get the chance. There’s typically no service charge and are widely accepted throughout the country. If you need some Koruna’s, you will find that ATMs are very prevalent in Czech Republic. Never use Euronet ATM’s, these will charge you for withdrawals and also give you a poor exchange rate.
Plugs: 230V electricity. Power outlets are two-prong round sockets. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: While traveling in the Czech Republic is very safe, we always recommend to be cautious and vigilant when you travel, especially in big cities like Prague. Pick pocketing and bag snatching are probably the most serious threats that you could come across here but as long as you are aware of your bags when in big crowds or on public transport this shouldn’t be a problem.
Random useful tip: When in Prague, visit the Charles Bridge as early as possible and you will have the bridge to yourself! We recommend between 6am and 8am. By the time midday arrives, the bridge will be packed with tourists!
Never ever: You will often see people asking you to give money to charity or to signup for something, do not do it! These are most likely scammers! Also, do not change your money in exchange places, most will give you a terrible rate! Its always best to withdrawn money from a bank!
Explore the Czech Republic
From Prague’s spires to Bohemia’s castles, here’s everything you need to plan your trip.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does the Czech Republic Cost?
One of Europe’s best-value destinations. Here’s what to actually budget for.
🎒
Backpacker
~£30 / $37 / €35 per day
- Hostel dorms from £10/night
- Street food & supermarket cooking
- Public trams and buses
- Free walking tours, parks & bridges
🍜
Mid-Range
~£87 / $109 / €105 per day
- Private rooms & budget hotels
- Restaurants and local pubs
- Mix of transport and day trips
- Castle tours, museum visits, beer tastings
🏨
Upscale
~£175+ / $218+ / €210+ per day
- Boutique hotels in Old Town
- Fine dining and wine bars
- Private tours and spa treatments
- First-class rail, private transfers
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: £10-£21 / $12-$26 / €11-€25 per night
- Campsite: £5-£10 / $6.50-$12 / €6-€11 per night
- Budget hotel: £42-£70 / $52-$87 / €50-€83 per night
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb apartment: £70-£140 / $87-$175 / €83-€165 per night
- Boutique hotel: £100-£175 / $125-$218 / €120-€210 per night
- Luxury hotel: £200+ / $250+ / €240+ per night
City Travel
- Bus/tram/metro single: £0.70-£1.40 / $0.90-$1.75 / €0.80-€1.60
- Day pass: £4.20 / $5.25 / €5
- Bolt/Uber short trip: £3-£7 / $3.75-$8.75 / €3.50-€8
Long Distance
- Train Prague-Brno: £10.50-£17.50 / $13-$22 / €12-€20
- Bus Prague-Brno: £7-£14 / $8.75-$17.50 / €8-€16
- Car rental per day: £35-£70 / $44-$87 / €42-€83
Eat Cheap
- Street food/fast meal: £3.50-£7 / $4.50-$9 / €4-€8
- Supermarket meal prep: £2-£4 / $2.50-$5 / €2.50-€5
- Coffee: £1.40-£2.50 / $1.75-$3.10 / €1.60-€3
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant: £9-£17 / $11-$22 / €10-€21
- Beer (local pub): £1-£2.50 / $1.25-$3.10 / €1.25-€3
- Beer (tourist area): £2.50-£4 / $3.10-$5 / €3-€5
Budget Fun
- Museum entry: £3.50-£9 / $4.50-$11 / €4-€10
- Free walking tour (tip): £3.50-£7 / $4.50-$9 / €4-€8
- Castle entry: £9-£17 / $11-$22 / €10-€21
Big Experiences
- Guided beer tour: £17-£42 / $22-$52 / €21-€50
- Private city tour: £35-£70 / $44-$87 / €42-€83
- Day trip to Český Krumlov: £25-£50 / $31-$62 / €30-€60
Ways to Save Money in the Czech Republic
💧 Tap water is safe to drink everywhere. Bring a reusable bottle and skip the bottled stuff.
🚶 Most Czech cities are compact and walkable. Save the transport money for intercity trips.
🍺 Drink where the locals drink. Tourist-area pubs charge 2-3x what a neighbourhood hospoda does. If there’s no English menu, that’s usually a good sign.
🏨 Book outside the city centre. Prague’s public transport is so good you don’t need to be in Old Town to reach everything quickly.
🛒 Cook some meals. Hostels and Airbnbs usually have kitchens. Hit up a Billa or Albert supermarket and you’ll eat well for a few quid.
🎟️ Check for discount days. Many museums and castles offer free or reduced entry on specific dates. A quick Google before your trip pays off.
🚌 Book trains and buses early. RegioJet and Leo Express both have early-bird fares that are significantly cheaper than walk-up prices.
📅 Visit in shoulder season (April-May or September-October). Lower prices, fewer crowds, and the weather is still perfectly decent.
🚕 Skip taxis entirely. Use Bolt instead. Or just walk. Prague’s “distances” are laughable compared to most capital cities.
🍻 Beer is cheaper than water in most pubs. No really. A half-litre can cost under £1.25/$1.55/€1.50 in a local spot.
Getting Around the Czech Republic
The country is compact and the transport is excellent. Getting between places is one of the easy bits.
Walking
Best for city centres. Prague, Brno, Český Krumlov — all compact and pedestrian-friendly.
✅ Free and the best way to soak it all in
✅ Most attractions within walking distance
❌ Not practical between cities (obviously)
Car Rental
Best for rural Bohemia, national parks, and smaller towns like Telč or Karlovy Vary.
✅ Total freedom outside the cities
✅ Roads are well maintained
❌ Parking in Prague is expensive and limited
Public Transport
Best for getting around Prague, Brno, and Ostrava. Trams, buses, and Prague’s metro.
✅ Cheap. Day pass around £4.20/$5.25/€5
✅ Prague metro covers the whole city
❌ Less useful in smaller towns
Bolt & Uber
Best for airport transfers and late-night trips. Way cheaper and more reliable than street taxis.
✅ Cheaper than traditional taxis
✅ No language barrier, price shown upfront
❌ Surge pricing during peak hours
Intercity Bus
Best for budget intercity travel. RegioJet, FlixBus, and BusBud run comfortable routes.
✅ Cheapest intercity option from £7/$8.75/€8
✅ Wifi, power sockets, sometimes snacks
❌ Can be slower than trains on some routes
Train
Best for city-to-city travel. Czech Railways, RegioJet, and Leo Express run frequent comfortable services.
✅ Prague to Brno in 2.5 hours
✅ RegioJet includes free drinks and wifi
❌ Book early for best prices
Which Is Right For You?
Sticking to one city
Walk everywhere, tram for longer stretches
Hitting multiple cities
Train or bus between them
Countryside & small towns
Rent a car for the day
Airport to city centre
Bolt app or Airport Express bus
Quick Tips
📅
Book RegioJet Early
Prices jump closer to departure. 2-3 weeks out is the sweet spot for intercity trains.
💳
Get a Transport Pass
Day passes in Prague are always cheaper than buying individual tickets.
⚠️
Avoid Euronet ATMs
They charge fees AND give bad exchange rates. Use any bank ATM instead.
🚕
Use Bolt, Not Street Taxis
Street taxis in Prague have a reputation for overcharging tourists. Bolt fixes that.
Book Tours & Tickets
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit the Czech Republic?
For most visitors from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and other Western countries — no. The Czech Republic is part of the Schengen Area, so you can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. UK citizens don’t need a visa for short trips but will need a valid passport (not an ID card). EU/EEA citizens just need a national ID card or passport. Check the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for your specific nationality before you travel, as rules can change.
Is the Czech Republic safe for tourists?
Very safe. It consistently ranks as one of the safer countries in Europe. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The main risk is petty crime — pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas (Prague’s Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, public transport). Keep your valuables close, don’t leave bags unattended, and you’ll be fine. The “charity petition” and “fake monk” scams are common in Prague too. If someone approaches you with a clipboard or a friendship bracelet, just keep walking.
What currency does the Czech Republic use?
The Czech koruna (CZK). Not the euro, despite being in the EU. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in cities — restaurants, shops, transport. But carry some cash for smaller towns, market stalls, and the occasional cash-only pub. Avoid Euronet ATMs (bright yellow machines everywhere). They charge fees and give terrible exchange rates. Use a bank ATM instead — Česká spořitelna, Komerční banka, or any other bank-branded machine. And never agree to “dynamic currency conversion” at ATMs or card terminals. Always pay in CZK.
How much does a trip to the Czech Republic cost?
It depends on your style, but as a rough guide: budget travellers can manage on around £30/$37/€35 per day (hostel dorms, street food, public transport). Mid-range travellers will spend about £87/$109/€105 per day with a private room, restaurant meals, and activities. And if you want luxury hotels and private tours, expect £175+/$218+/€210+ per day. Beer is absurdly cheap — a half-litre in a local pub can cost under £1.25/$1.55/€1.50. See the full cost breakdown further up this page.
When is the best time to visit the Czech Republic?
May to September gives you the best weather and longest days, but also the biggest crowds (especially June-August in Prague). April and October are the sweet spot — mild weather, fewer tourists, and lower prices. Winter (December-February) is cold but Prague’s Christmas markets are genuinely worth it if you don’t mind the chill. January and February are the quietest months and cheapest for accommodation, though some attractions may have reduced hours. For a detailed breakdown, check our full best time to visit guide.
Is Prague the only place worth visiting?
Not even close. Prague gets about 90% of the attention but the rest of the country is brilliant. Český Krumlov is a fairytale town on a river bend that’ll have you reaching for your camera constantly. Brno is the second city with a great food and bar scene. Karlovy Vary is a gorgeous spa town. Kutná Hora has the famous bone church. And Bohemian Switzerland National Park has some of the most dramatic scenery in Central Europe. If you only go to Prague, you’re missing most of what makes this country special.
How do I get from Prague airport to the city centre?
The cheapest option is the Airport Express bus (line AE) which costs about 100 CZK (£3.50/$4.40/€4) and takes 30-35 minutes to Prague main station. Local bus 119 to Nádraží Veleslavín metro station is even cheaper at around 40 CZK (£1.40/$1.75/€1.65) but takes longer with the metro transfer. A Bolt or Uber from the airport runs about 400-500 CZK (£14-£17/$17-$22/€17-€21) depending on traffic and time of day. Whatever you do, don’t take an unmarked taxi from arrivals. The airport taxi situation in Prague has improved, but app-based rides are still more reliable.
Do I need travel insurance for the Czech Republic?
Yes. Even though the Czech Republic has good medical facilities, hospital bills for uninsured visitors can be steep. An emergency room visit alone can run into hundreds of pounds. EU citizens with an EHIC/GHIC card get some coverage, but it doesn’t cover repatriation, cancellations, or lost luggage. For everyone else, travel insurance is non-negotiable. Compare policies and find recommended options in our Travel Insurance guide.
Can I drink the tap water?
Yes. Tap water is safe and perfectly drinkable across the Czech Republic — in Prague, in smaller cities, pretty much everywhere. Bring a reusable bottle, refill it, save your money. There’s no reason to buy bottled water here.
Is English widely spoken?
In Prague and other tourist areas, yes — most people working in hotels, restaurants, and attractions speak at least some English. Younger Czechs generally speak it well. Outside the main tourist centres, you’ll find less English (more German, actually). Learning a few Czech phrases goes a long way though. “Děkuji” (thank you, pronounced roughly “dyeh-koo-yih”) and “Ahoj” (hello/bye, casual) will get you some smiles. Google Translate works fine for anything more complex.
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