How Much Does Prague Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Prague remains one of Central Europe's most accessible capitals, offering a blend of historic grandeur and modern convenience. While it is no longer the ultra-cheap destination of decades past, it offers significantly better value than Western European hubs like London or Paris. A solo traveler can expect to spend anywhere from $87 / 1,799 Kč to $801 / 16,493 Kč per day, depending on the level of luxury desired. Costs are largely driven by proximity to the Vltava River, with prices dropping noticeably once moving outside the Staré Město or Malá Strana districts. With a world-class public transport system and affordable local staples like goulash for $8.98 / 185 Kč, managing a budget is straightforward with some planning.
Is Prague expensive to visit?
Prague is a moderately affordable city where daily costs typically range from $87 / 1,799 Kč to $801 / 16,493 Kč depending on your travel style.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Prague
$87
per person /day
$218
per person /day
$801
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $262 | $656 | $2,402 |
| 5-Day Trip | $437 | $1,092 | $4,004 |
| 7-Day Trip | $612 | $1,529 | $5,606 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% budget buffer to cover hidden costs such as the $2.42 / 50 Kč per person city stay tax and the frequent $2.18 / 45 Kč 'couvert' or bread charge found in traditional pubs. This also ensures coverage for the $7.3 / 150 Kč transaction fees if you are forced to use a non-bank ATM in an emergency.
How Does It Compare?
See how Prague stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Prague
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Draft Beer (0.5L) at Restaurant Prices range from $2.12 / 44 Kč in local pubs to $5.3 / 109 Kč in tourist areas. | $2.91 60 Kč |
| Goulash with Dumplings (Havelská Koruna) Classic 'canteen-style' dining. Full meal for ~$8.98 / 185 Kč. | $8.98 185 Kč |
| Mid-range 3-course Dinner for Two Expect to pay ~$58 / 1,200 Kč for a full dinner for a couple. | $58 1,199 Kč |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Public Transport Ticket (90 minutes) Valid for all transfers within the city. Must be validated upon first entry. Costs ~$1.94 / 40 Kč. | $1.94 40 Kč |
| Public Transport 24-hour Pass Excellent value at ~$5.83 / 120 Kč. Includes the Petřín funicular. | $5.83 120 Kč |
| Airport Express (AE) Bus Direct link from Terminal 1/2 to Prague Main Railway Station (Hlavní nádraží). Costs ~$4.85 / 100 Kč. | $4.85 100 Kč |
| Taxi Ride (5km within city) A standard 5km ride costs ~$12 / 240 Kč. Use apps like Bolt or Uber to ensure fixed pricing. | $12 240 Kč |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hostel Mandarinka (City Center) Premium central hostel. Standard dorms in the city center are significantly cheaper at ~$53 / 1,091 Kč. | $132 2,725 Kč |
| Mid-range Hotel (3-4 stars) Book at least 2 months in advance for rates near ~$121 / 2,497 Kč. | $121 2,499 Kč |
| Luxury Hotel (Five-star) Includes properties like Mandarin Oriental or Four Seasons. Rates average ~$606 / 12,484 Kč/night. | $607 12,495 Kč |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Prague Castle Basic Circuit Includes St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, and Golden Lane. Costs ~$22 / 450 Kč. | $22 450 Kč |
| Old Town Hall & Astronomical Clock Includes access to the tower, underground, and historical rooms. Costs ~$15 / 300 Kč. | $15 300 Kč |
| Petřín Lookout Tower The tower is modeled after the Eiffel Tower. Costs ~$11 / 220 Kč. | $11 220 Kč |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Local SIM (O2 Go 10GB) Easy to buy at kiosks and official stores. Costs ~$24 / 499 Kč. | $24 499 Kč |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Prague offers a wide spectrum, from traditional canteen-style meals like goulash at Havelská Koruna for $8.98 / 185 Kč to mid-range three-course dinners for two averaging $58 / 1,199 Kč. Local draft beer remains one of the best values in Europe, with a 0.5L glass costing around $2.91 / 60 Kč in standard restaurants, though prices can reach $5.3 / 109 Kč in tourist-heavy squares.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Havelská Koruna
$7.29–$12 / 150 Kč–250 KčStaré Město · Local chain
Grab a tray and point to what you want; look for the 'Svíčková' for a classic ~$10 / 206 Kč meal.
Lokál Dlouhááá
$8.73–$17 / 180 Kč–350 KčStaré Město · Food court
The fried cheese ('Smažák') is legendary and costs ~$15 / 315 Kč.
Sisters Bistro
$2.91–$7.29 / 60 Kč–150 KčNové Město · Bakery
Try 2–3 different 'Chlebíčky' for a light lunch costing around ~$7.06 / 145 Kč.
Manifesto Market
$11–$22 / 220 Kč–450 KčAnděl · Street market
This is a 100% cashless market; budget ~$14 / 291 Kč for a main and a beer.
Bakeshop
$4.37–$12 / 90 Kč–250 KčJosefov · Bakery
Ideal for a quick morning pastry and coffee costing ~$8.24 / 170 Kč.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
The city boasts an efficient integrated transport network where a 90-minute ticket costs $1.94 / 40 Kč and covers all transfers across metro, trams, and buses. For those planning extensive sightseeing, the 24-hour pass at $5.83 / 120 Kč is excellent value, as it also includes the Petřín funicular, which otherwise requires a $2.91 / 60 Kč ticket.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging ranges from standard dorms in the city center at approximately $53 / 1,091 Kč to luxury five-star properties like the Four Seasons averaging $607 / 12,495 Kč per night. Mid-range hotels typically cost approximately $121 / 2,499 Kč when booked at least two months in advance, with significant discounts of $41–$59 / 848 Kč–1,212 Kč available during the winter months.
Accommodation Budget in Prague
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Use the 24-hour public transport pass for $5.83 / 120 Kč to include the Petřín funicular, saving the $2.91 / 60 Kč individual ticket fee.
- 2 Dine at Havelská Koruna in Staré Město for authentic Czech goulash and dumplings at the budget price of $8.98 / 185 Kč.
- 3 Look for 'Polední menu' (lunch menus) on weekdays between 11:00–14:00 for multi-course meals at a fraction of the dinner price.
- 4 Drink local beer instead of bottled water; at $2.91 / 60 Kč per 0.5L, it is often the most economical beverage on the menu.
- 5 Avoid blue and yellow Euronet machines which charge flat fees of roughly $7.3 / 150 Kč; use bank-affiliated ATMs for better rates.
- 6 Visit during the shoulder seasons of Spring and Fall for manageable crowds and pleasant 18°C (64°F) weather.
- 7 Walk through the Prague Castle courtyards after 18:00 when the ticketed interiors close but the grounds remain open for free.
- 8 Take the Airport Express (AE) bus for $4.85 / 100 Kč for a direct link to the Main Railway Station rather than a more expensive taxi.
- 9 Stay in districts like Žižkov or Vinohrady, where local pubs offer beer for as low as $2.12 / 44 Kč compared to $5.3 / 109 Kč in the center.
- 10 Fill reusable water bottles at the historic public fountains (pítka) located throughout the city center.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Mar
-25-40%
Apr, May, Sep, Oct
Winter (excluding Christmas) offers significant hotel discounts of ~$41–$59 / 848 Kč–1,212 Kč per night. Spring and Fall provide the best balance of manageable crowds and pleasant ~18°C (64°F) weather.
Events to Watch
- ● Prague Spring Music Festival (May): +20% hotels
- ● Signal Festival (October): +15% hotels in center
- ● Christmas Markets (Dec 20 - Jan 1): +60% accommodation
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walking across the iconic Charles Bridge to view its 30 baroque statues.
- 2 Watching the hourly procession of the Twelve Apostles at the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square.
- 3 Exploring the manicured Wallenstein Garden (Valdštejnská zahrada) with its peacocks and bronze statues.
- 4 Taking in panoramic city views from the hilltop in Letná Park.
- 5 Visiting the Infant Jesus of Prague at the Church of Our Lady Victorious in Malá Strana.
- 6 Wandering the historic grounds and ramparts of the Vyšehrad fortress.
- 7 Viewing the rotating Franz Kafka head sculpture by David Černý near the Quadrio shopping center.
- 8 Leaving a message or photo at the colorful John Lennon Wall in Malá Strana.
- 9 Enjoying a sunset over the city skyline from the grassy hills of Riegrovy Sady.
- 10 Walking through the Jewish Quarter (Josefov) to view the architecture of the historic synagogues.
- 11 Strolling through the Kampa Island park area along the Vltava River.
- 12 Visiting the National Memorial to the Heroes of the Heydrich Terror (crypt access is free).
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise Tasting Menu
Prague's premier Michelin-starred experience focusing on traditional 19th-century Czech recipes. Costs ~$206 / 4,242 Kč.
Private Vltava River Boat Tour (1 hour)
Avoid the crowded tourist ferries and see the skyline at sunset from a private mahogany boat. Costs ~$169 / 3,491 Kč.
The State Opera Performance (Premium Seat)
One of the most beautiful interiors in Europe; seeing opera here is world-class. Costs ~$135 / 2,788 Kč.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Prague
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Prague and what they cost
Kutná Hora (Sedlec Ossuary)
$12 / 240 Kč by train
$16 / 320 Kč
$41 / 850 Kč
Český Krumlov
$22 / 450 Kč by bus
$14 / 280 Kč
$63 / 1,300 Kč
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Czech Koruna (CZK)
1 $ ≈ 21 Kč
Yes
High in shops and modern restaurants; cash is still preferred in smaller 'hospoda' (pubs) and for small tips.
10% is standard in restaurants if no service charge is included. In pubs, rounding up to the nearest hundred is common (e.g., from 185 to 200 CZK, which is ~$0.73 / 15 Kč).
Always use ATMs attached to major banks (KB, ČSOB, Česká spořitelna). Select 'Continue without conversion' to use your own bank's rate, saving ~$5.89–$18 / 121 Kč–364 Kč per withdrawal.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.71–$11 for 1-3GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $18–$26 / 364 Kč–533 Kč for 10-15GB
WiFi: Excellent. Available in almost all cafés, malls, and public transport hubs.
Airalo or Nomad eSIMs are the most convenient for short trips, but a local O2 SIM is better for high data needs (~$24 / 485 Kč for 10GB).
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Prague.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Where to Stay
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Complete Cost Guide
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