A question about currency in Prague
 

My son is going to Germany and will have Euros (or he'll get them there).

He is also going to Prague for 3 days. What will he need for money there? I see the currency is Koruna, but what are the denominations? He will be with a large group (an orchestra) so visiting an ATM will be hard. He doesn't need a lot of money there, just incidentals and a couple of lunches. Do you think I can order these from a Chase bank?

Thanks for suggestions.

I would think that if he is with a large group, some arrangements will be made for members to get Czech currency.

I suspect that in a "large group" there are going to be a LOT of people who also want to get to the nearest ATM (and they are everywhere in Prague) so I do not usderstand why you feel getting to one will be "hard."

I'd use an ATM to get whatever cash I needed.

Well, if you were the chaperone with 100 high school kids in an orchestra, would you want to wait while they all used the ATM? Yikes! That's the problem.

I would never bring Euros to Europe or any other money - I'd just use my ATM card, but the orchestra director has requested the kids make minimal use of ATMs. She mentioned that she is not going to bring any Korunas, she's just going to use dollars or Euros (?) in Prague.

So anyway, do they accept Euros in Prague? Does anybody know what denominations this money comes in?

Thanks again.

Don't use Euros or dollars in Prague, most places won't take them, and if they do, they'll rip him off on the exchange rate. There's got to be a way he can get to an ATM, they don't all have to go to the same one, right? And if he's getting lunch on his own, he'll have the 30 seconds it takes to grab money from an ATM, I assume? As for the actual denominations of the coins/bills, why does it matter? 100 $1 bills are worth the same as 5 $20 ones, after all. If you're asking about the exchange rate, it varies of course, but is right now roughly 25 koruny to 1 US dollar.

I would worry about sending my kid with an orchestra director who thinks she/he is going to use dollars in Prague. JMHO

Kristinelaine: so would I; it's like thinking Americans will take Canadian dollars (though I'm sure if you offer enough dollars to anyone, they'll take it; kind of a universal currency in large enough quantity, but I'd rather not pay $50 or whatever for a burger).

I clearly remember that we were standing in a short line in Prague to use an ATM, that seemed not be working, someone said, "hey there are two right next to MacDonald's." I suspect they'll have no problem finding lots of ATMs. Hopefully, all 100 will be going the exact same route at any given time.

Besides an ATM, he could just use cash while in Prague.

For pocket change, the simplest (and most expensive) choice is to simply stop in any currency exchange (every 5th storefront in the tourist section of town it seems) and change 50 euro or so into Koruna. Yes, he will pay a couple of bucks for the convenience and won't get a great exchange rate, but I wouldn't bother getting Czech money before the trip myself.

Many street vendors will take Euro, and real shops (crystal, wood carving, puppets, etc) all take credit card, and probably Euro as well.

Most of the artists displaying their wares on the Charles bridge will also let you pay in Euro. Exchange rate is favorable to them, but you don't need to pay the currency exchange fee.

I would never recommend this method for large $ exchange or purchase, but for lunch and incidentals it's no big deal.

Current exchange rate is about 24 Koruna to the dollar.

She is a very professional musician, having graduated from Juliard and held the second chair violin of the Cleveland Orchestra, so I presume she's traveled plenty. I also know she's taken this youth orchestra (it's not really a high school orch. per se - it's like higher than that) to Europe many times. So I do trust her, plus my kid is 16 and very mature so he'll be fine.

Those of you who have looked at my Rome/Paris photos - it's the kid who is always sitting or lying down! HA.

Oh well I'll just tell him he'll have to figure out where to use the ATM card. That will be fine I guess.

Thanks again.

You might want to try your local airport money exchange. At least that way he'd have a few korunas to play with.

Bring a bunch of $20 bills for incidental expenses. Trade small amounts as she goes so she doesn't end up with a bunch of koruna to get rid of. The ATM fees of $5.00 per transaction are killers. Exchange rates at the plentiful street money stores are within a hair of ATM rates, as of January. Do not believe any stranger in the train station. Repeat. The place is a den of con artists who have no limit of patience and perseverance.

Oops, it's your son not your daughter. Same advice.

If the group is taking the train in or out of Prague be aware that the station is a haven also for drunks, homeless and druggies!
Hopefully the chaperone knows this and will insruct the group accordingly

Thanks everyone. I think I'll ask the bank about ordereing a very small amount of Korunas and then sending him with about 100€. I got thinking that since he's hauling around a cello that's worth about twice what my car is worth I'm not going to stress about $150. Ha!

I wish I was going on this trip (well, without the 100 teenagers ;) ).

Almost everybody in this thread tells you that your son doesn't need to get kuronas ahead. Lots of places to exchange them. And I'll add my vote.

I don't see why after listening to all of us, you still think you need to order some from your bank.

Echoing RKWAN:
Let's see: minimum time waiting for luggage = 10 minutes. Minimum time getting 400 koruna at ATM = 30 seconds. Seems like a no-brainer. Yet the teacher insists (despite advice & logic to contrary) on no ATMs, and parent ignores all advice he/she requested. Is there a closed mind here?

I second what everyone is saying about not needing to do it ahead of time, but you should do what you're more comfortable with.

Anyhow, he won't need much money there, food and incidentals are relatively inexpensive.

All the best.

I'd worry more about your son having to keep track of a bunch of dollars, Euros, and koruna, and not lose them or get ripped off. It's easy to find ATMs in Prague. They are everywhere. And vendors do take euros, too, in a pinch. You'd pay more to get the korunas here in the States, and have them mailed to you than he'd pay using euros once or twice till he finds an ATM. Don't worry, it's very easy there.

Take it easy, people. Wliwl merely asked for advice. There is nowhere in the rule book that says she must follow the advice. Jeez.