The Czech Republic is considered one of the most affordable destinations in Europe, especially outside of Prague, offering low-cost food, drink, and transportation. While Prague is more expensive due to its high tourism, visitors can still find budget-friendly, high-quality accommodation for around USD $40–$50 per night.
For a step up in ambiance and service, mid-range restaurants in Prague offer excellent value for money. Expect to pay between €15 and €25 per person for a sit-down meal, including a main dish and a drink.
Czech people are known to be generally friendly and helpful, but also rather timid and shy around foreigners, especially if they don't feel confident about their English. We're almost always on time when it comes to meetings, but, at the same time, we're not a workaholic culture.
Tap water is safe to drink in Prague! You can drink water from taps in Prague without worrying about the effect on your health. In parks and streets, you'll see drinking fountains with clean water; don't be scared to fill bottles with it.
Winter is cold and windy in the Czech Republic, including Prague, with temperatures hovering around -3°C to 2°C. Snow usually comes this month and melt after a few days. January: The coldest and darkest month of the year. The country experiences temperatures as low as -5°C at nighttime and 2°C at daylight.
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Is tipping customary in Prague?
In Prague, tipping in restaurants is customary, but the expectations are modest compared to some other countries. A tip of 5% to 10% of the total bill is considered polite and sufficient in most establishments. For casual dining or smaller bills, rounding up to the nearest convenient amount is also a common practice.
Coke probably around 25-35 CZK. Food in not much fancy restaurant roughly same. Bottled water in Lidl from 4 to 15 CZK for 1,5l. Smaller bottles are around 20 CZK.
Mobile payments (Google Pay and Apple Pay), as well as debit and credit cards backed by Visa, Mastercard and American Express, are accepted at hotels, shops, bars, cafés, restaurants, and on public transport; shopping in Prague is no different than in London, Paris or Berlin.
Wondering “Is Prague expensive to visit”? Prague sits in a sweet spot: cheaper than Paris but pricier than Budapest. In 2025, mid-range travelers average €70–€140/day, while savvy backpackers thrive on €35/day.
Czechs appreciate calm and quiet in public spaces. Loud or overly animated behavior can be considered disruptive. For example, keeping your voice low on public transport is not just polite but expected.
Should you carry your passport with you in Prague?
Always carry your passport. The police may fine or arrest you if you do not. They will normally accept a scan of your passport if you have not committed a crime.
As a tourist in Prague, avoid eating at Old Town Square restaurants, buying Russian Matryoshka dolls, exchanging money on the street for bad rates, getting scammed by "cannabis" cookies, and making a toast without eye contact. Also, don't forget your passport, stick only to central areas, ignore local customs like standing on the right on escalators, and be prepared for walking and crowds.
Public toilets in Prague can be found in most metro stations. You pay CZK 15 or 20 (€0.40 – €0.80) per visit. These toilets are clean and usually have toilet paper. WC zeny or WC damy is for women and WC muzi or WC pani is for men.
In fact, Prague is considered one of the safest destinations in the whole area. However, like any big city, there are some areas that are not recommended for walking around at night. Most of these less safe areas are located away from where you would normally move around as a tourist.
Yes, this is one of the first shocks for many visitors to Prague. It's very common to pay 10 – 20 CZK for using public restrooms. Not in cafés or restaurants where you are a guest! But in the subway stations or in public areas.
