Exchange Rate
Currently one US dollar = 24 Czech crowns. For more up to date currency exchange rates, consult www.oanda.com/converter/classic or www.exchange.cz
Exchanging Money
Never change money on the street. Prague has many exchange booths and banks.
Banks
It is usually better to change money in banks, which usually charge a 1–3 % commission. Banks usually close at 5 p.m. on weekdays and are closed on weekends. Some banks close at 3 p.m. on Fridays.
Banks close to NYU Prague Center:
- Komerční banka – Václavské náměsti 42 (middle of Wenceslas Sq, open at 8:30, closes at 6 p.m on M+W, 5 p.m. on Tues and Thurs)
- ČSOB – Václavské náměstí 32 (near Můstek metro station, bottom of square)
- Česká spořitelna – Václavské náměstí 26 (near Můstek metro station, bottom of square, open until 6 pmfrom M–Th and until 4:30 pm on Friday)
Exchange booths
You can find the closest exchange place on this map of reliable exchange offices in the city centre.
Many exchange booths have very high commissions, so be careful if you use another one. When changing money, calculate in advance approximately how much money you will receive to make sure you don’t get cheated. Remember to look at the rate of commission.
Watch this videos for tips about exchanging money:
ATMs
You can use bank ATMs across Prague – most common banks: ČSOB, Česká Spořitelna, Komerční Banka, Raiffeisen Bank, Moneta, Air Bank, etc. You can look up the closest ATM using Google or Apple maps or your banking app.
We strongly recommend against using the Euronet ATMs. See video below for more info.
Credit Cards
Visa and Master Cards are more commonly accepted than American Express throughout Europe.
- An ATM card or a credit card operating on the Cirrus network is generally the best way to get cash in Prague.
- Make sure that your ATM pin code is valid abroad and/or that you can withdraw money from your credit card account with an international pin code. (You normally need 4 digit pin codes in ATMs abroad.)
- Find out the fees your bank or credit card company charges for ATM withdrawals.
- Copy the customer service phone numbers on the back of your cards and keep them in a safe place. Many 1-800 numbers do not work from outside the USA but some have a number you can use to call collect from overseas.
- If there is no such number listed on the back of your card, call the 1-800 number from the States and ask for the number to call from overseas. This way, if your card is lost or stolen or you need customer service, you can inform your credit card company as soon as possible.
Contactless Payments
Google/Apple pay and contactless cards are widely accepted.
Banking/Checks
You will not be able to open a bank account in the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic and most of Europe does not have a checking system. No checks will be accepted in the Czech Republic and no checks can be cashedexcept for travelers’ checks (in banks).
Wiring Money
Money can be sent to:
• Western Union – Vodičkova 41, Praha, tel. 224 222 954, Jindřišská 7, Praha 1, tel. 224 210 101
• There are also exchange booths in the center of Prague where money can be sent, as well as in the main post office on Jindřišská street.