http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...vy-vary.cfm?50
This is the link to my trip report from August 2009.
Hope this helps.

There are legitimate money exchangers at the airport, if you really want one. They have signs and booths, they wouldn't be allowed to operate if they weren't legitimate. Their rates at the PRague airport are actually not as dire as people suggest, they don't charge as much markup as in many cities at the airport. ATMs will be better, of course. Travelex is big there, for example (I think that's the one that used to be Thomas Cooks).

You don't have to worry about being gouged at the airport, just take a group shuttle van or a fixed price airport taxi, they are all right there at the curb. I've done both with no problem. They have the rates posted.

oh, as for the fare -- probalby around 20-25 euro right now from the airport. US$20 is certainly not "too much."

Are Euros used in CK???

Stu Dudley

Stu - not normally. The currency is Czech Kroner (CZK). You might pay a premium for using euros.

Thanks adrienne - I'll have to go to the bank before I leave to get "starting" money for Prague & Budapest. Already have plenty of Euros.

Stu Dudley

Stu - why don't you wait until you arrive and get what you need?

BTW - did you see my response on adapters above?

I'm in the group that suggests having money when you arrive in a country. I've had too many experiences where I would have been SOL if I didn't have cash. I arrived in France once when they were having an ATM strike.

Thanks for the plug answer too!!!

Stu Dudley

there is only one taxi company that can pick up at the airport and they are honest in my experience (i used to live in prague a few years ago - forgive me if info is outdated). i don't remember the cost but maybe equivalent of about €15-20 (not a huge expense).

on the street, always go for AAA (as others have said). it is never a problem to find one if you are willing to go to minimal effort to seek one out. they are very professional and won't gouge you.

Best places to exchange money in Prague? Any legitimate place in the airport to do this? ==> there is a money changer in the baggage area - rates are better than in city but not as good as a bank. ATM is best option to get local krowns

- What should the taxi cost for a ride from the airport to Old Town Prague? ==> between 500 and 600 CZK (=$25-30US)


- How hard would it be to take the train to Old Town Prague from the airport? -> no train - closest thing is bus to end of subway line but to be honest - its easier to take a shuttle bus - I think its 140 CZK

- Suggested things to do in Prague besides the obvious (the Castles, Charles Bridge, Clock tower) ? ==> take the "free walk" tours (google it or let me know if you can't find them) - they have daily walking tours that leave from old town square at 11 and 2 and they get paid based on tips at end of tour - you see all you want in core of city. Otherwise - suggest taking day trip to Plzen or one of the castles

- Best places to eat for the price? --> too broad a question - depends if you like Czech food or not - there are LOTS of good pizza places in Prague 1 and the beer in general is good - the farther you get from old town the cheaper it gets

I know this might be an unusual question but is their any clothing customs accepted in the U.S. that wouldnt be accepted in Prague? For example, the no shorts rule in the Vatican

Yes, you can use the same adapter in Prague and Budapest.

You may find some places that will take Euros, but unless you're going somewhere other than the Czech Republic and Hungary, you won't need them. You will need the Czech Koruna and Hungarian Forint. I usually get a very small amount of foreign currency in advance and then get cash from ATMs. They are everywhere, and provide the best exchange rate. Also, my bank doesn't charge me a fee.

We will be arriving at the central train station and staying at Eurostars Hotel David, 6 Naplavni Prague CZ-120 00 Czech Republic.

Can we walk to the hotel and avoid taking a taxi? We will have only hand luggage.

Depends on what type of walker you are - it's just over a mile between the two but you will need a map so you don't get lost. The directions on the link below are backwards but you can do the reverse route yourself.

http://en.mappy.com/#d[]=6+n%C3%A1plavn%C3%AD,+Prague&d[]=Praha+hlavn%C3%AD+n%C3%A1draz%C3%AD,+Praha&lm=m&i pv=ped&ipu=miles&p=itinerary

I was in Prague in march. I was quoted by an AAA taxi person in the airport terminal that they went by the meter but would probably be around 800cz (around $40 U.S.) to get from the airport to an apartment near the main train station. It may have been more expensive because I arrived at noon.

I said no thanks and took the Cedaz van for 200cz (around $10 U.S.) There is a limit of 2 bags per person. It will take you to the Namesti Republiky Metro stop. I walked to my apartment from there. There used to be a van at the airport that charged you 400cz to drop you off at location that you specified in Prague. I did not see that van. I did call AAA taxi when I was leaving my apartment in Prague to the airport and they charged me 560cz and we dropped off someone at the Holesovice train station on the way to the airport. This was 5 in the morning.

For those that have not been to Prague recently, they are refurbishing the main train station. There are 3 floor levels at the station. They have got most of the bottom 2 floors done. They have made it into a mini shopping center. They have a modern well lit ticket area. It has changed a lot. Burger King has come to Prague and one location is at the main train station. They still had not replaced the flooring which looks terrible.

The transporation pass comes in 24 hour/ 3 day and 5 day.
the pass is 100cz ($5 U.S.) per day. 3 day pass at 300cz and 5 day pass at 500cz.

Fun things that we did in Prague:
We went to an Opera Show held at the National museum. This was held in the evening at a very reasonable price. The most wonderful thing is that the show was held on the steps of the entry hall. We sat on velvet cushions. It was very professionally done with the charaters wearing period costume. English speaking.
We also went to a very traditional marionette show at the Prager Marionetten Theater. The Theater of the characters Spejbl & Hurvinek. It was all in Czech, but very entertaining and gives a fabulous feeling of stepping back in time. It's quite an effort to get there by tram. Further on than the castle, but worth it.
You asked about great places to eat. We enjoyed the waffles and delicious sausages in a bun that are all prepared and cooked in Wencelas.
We also had a delicious meal at Staromestska Restaurace, located right on the square opposite the church tower. Yummy slow roasted pork. And if you do go, try the tuna butter and fresh bread hors derve! YUM. They have a website www.staromestskarestaurace.cz ph +420224213015

My family visited Prague last year. If you're trying to get into the city on the cheap, I recall that there was a city bus stop right in front of the terminal that will take you to an outlying metro station, which of course gives you access to most of the city. The cost was only a few dollars. Perhaps some of the Prague regulars on the board can flesh out my recollection.