A question about currency in Prague
Mar 15th, 2006, 09:47 AM
#21
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I think it would be difficult to have to wait for 100 kids to use an ATM.
Actually, currency exchange is fairly competitive in Prague, that is the good news -- so the standard brand (or even unknown brand) currency exchange booths give pretty good rates, even at the airport (which amazed me). Thomas Cooks used to be a big one, but I think that is Travelex. The American Express office gives a pretty good rate there, also (and they don't always).
If you can get koruna ahead of time, about 100 euro worth, that might be convenient, but he will have to keep track of it. Some places in the US do not have koruna because it isn't that common a currency, so you might have more trouble getting it than, say euro or GBP. It can be done, and ordering by one of those services should be possible.
As for denominations, it's similar to many currencies. Lots of coins, of course, but for bills there are 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and up notes.
I don't think the CK is as bad as 20 to US$1 yet (more like 25), but you can see those bills are roughly similar to US 85 cents, $2, $4, $8, $16 etc. To cut down on bulk, get some 100s and 200s and a 500 or two, if you can (you may not be able to specify).
The USD has really tanked against the CK, when I first went there around 2000-2001, I got about 42 CK to USD.
I think this tour director may be well-traveled, but not to normal European countries (perhaps Mexico), as you do not just say you are going to use USD to pay for things in most European countries. In many, it would be impossible. In some, you might be able to do it after they convert at a bad rate. It's pretty easy to do in Hungary.
Do advise your son to not fool around with changing money on the street, etc., as it is illegal and he will probably get ripped off (I mean from individuals, not businesses).
Actually, currency exchange is fairly competitive in Prague, that is the good news -- so the standard brand (or even unknown brand) currency exchange booths give pretty good rates, even at the airport (which amazed me). Thomas Cooks used to be a big one, but I think that is Travelex. The American Express office gives a pretty good rate there, also (and they don't always).
If you can get koruna ahead of time, about 100 euro worth, that might be convenient, but he will have to keep track of it. Some places in the US do not have koruna because it isn't that common a currency, so you might have more trouble getting it than, say euro or GBP. It can be done, and ordering by one of those services should be possible.
As for denominations, it's similar to many currencies. Lots of coins, of course, but for bills there are 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and up notes.
I don't think the CK is as bad as 20 to US$1 yet (more like 25), but you can see those bills are roughly similar to US 85 cents, $2, $4, $8, $16 etc. To cut down on bulk, get some 100s and 200s and a 500 or two, if you can (you may not be able to specify).
The USD has really tanked against the CK, when I first went there around 2000-2001, I got about 42 CK to USD.
I think this tour director may be well-traveled, but not to normal European countries (perhaps Mexico), as you do not just say you are going to use USD to pay for things in most European countries. In many, it would be impossible. In some, you might be able to do it after they convert at a bad rate. It's pretty easy to do in Hungary.
Do advise your son to not fool around with changing money on the street, etc., as it is illegal and he will probably get ripped off (I mean from individuals, not businesses).
Mar 15th, 2006, 10:03 AM
#22
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wliwl -- If it were an adult trip, I would go with RKwan and some of the other posters and advise you to wait on the currency. But when I was in high school, I also went on a number of band trips, and we were not allowed to just wander the city. There was maybe once near the end of each trip where we were allowed to go off in groups of three or four for an hour.
A lot of our sightseeing and performances we reached by bus, as a group. Along the way we were expected to pay our way, and we couldn't just "leave" and get some money. In fact we could be kicked off the trip if we left the hotel or group on our own.
You may have a Travelex branch near you and not realize it. I needed a money order in Euro, so I hunted one down. Travelex had a branch inside a bank in our city's downtown. It was not well publicized at all.
If there are no local exchange places, I believe you can order from Travelex online, but then you're paying a shipping fee as well. I would ask some of the other moms if you wanted to do this as one group order, and split the fees.
Good luck.
A lot of our sightseeing and performances we reached by bus, as a group. Along the way we were expected to pay our way, and we couldn't just "leave" and get some money. In fact we could be kicked off the trip if we left the hotel or group on our own.
You may have a Travelex branch near you and not realize it. I needed a money order in Euro, so I hunted one down. Travelex had a branch inside a bank in our city's downtown. It was not well publicized at all.
If there are no local exchange places, I believe you can order from Travelex online, but then you're paying a shipping fee as well. I would ask some of the other moms if you wanted to do this as one group order, and split the fees.
Good luck.
Mar 15th, 2006, 10:15 AM
#23
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<<director has requested the kids make minimal use of ATMs>>
Sounds she has not forbidden ATMs but doesn't want the kids overdoing. Once should be enough if he'll only be there three days. He can exchange the Czech money for USD at the airport when he leaves.
As others wrote, there are ATMs everywhere. The Kotva department store in Republicky, very close to the Municipal House and Smetana Hall, has three ATMs side by side.
If he brings USD, warm him to not make an exchange with anyone approaching him on the street. It's a racket; he'll lose his money and it is illegal.
Sounds she has not forbidden ATMs but doesn't want the kids overdoing. Once should be enough if he'll only be there three days. He can exchange the Czech money for USD at the airport when he leaves.
As others wrote, there are ATMs everywhere. The Kotva department store in Republicky, very close to the Municipal House and Smetana Hall, has three ATMs side by side.
If he brings USD, warm him to not make an exchange with anyone approaching him on the street. It's a racket; he'll lose his money and it is illegal.
Mar 15th, 2006, 06:37 PM
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Hey wliwl,
I'm getting a kick out of this post. I'm a violinist & high school orchestra director who goes to Prague every year (but... without my students!!)
Anyway, where are they staying? Lots of the bigger hotels have an ATM in the lobby, or nearby. Is there a local tour guide, as well? Usually they will organize a way for a large group to exchange currency.
Students will usually go off on their own in small groups, and figure out ways to get errands like that done. Be it a currency exchange booth, an ATM, or paying in Euros for something, and getting the change back as Koruna.
Sounds like a fun trip. Tell him that I hope he has a blast. If he falls in love with Prague, he can try the chamber institute I attend there called Ameropa (www.ameropa.org) Best of luck!!
I'm getting a kick out of this post. I'm a violinist & high school orchestra director who goes to Prague every year (but... without my students!!)
Anyway, where are they staying? Lots of the bigger hotels have an ATM in the lobby, or nearby. Is there a local tour guide, as well? Usually they will organize a way for a large group to exchange currency.
Students will usually go off on their own in small groups, and figure out ways to get errands like that done. Be it a currency exchange booth, an ATM, or paying in Euros for something, and getting the change back as Koruna.
Sounds like a fun trip. Tell him that I hope he has a blast. If he falls in love with Prague, he can try the chamber institute I attend there called Ameropa (www.ameropa.org) Best of luck!!
Mar 16th, 2006, 03:50 AM
#26
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Thanks again everyone.
Amp322:
They will be staying at the Hotel Crowne Plaza. I suppose it's probably a "bus tour" kind of hotel? They have a guided tour scheduled, and that day they have an evening concert (but I don't know the venue yet!).
They have one whole day on their own. I have no idea how much "free rein" they'll have, but I'm fine with that as these kids are all pretty serious, mature kids.
My son has been to Europe with us before and is in the city here a lot alone, so he knows basic safety stuff (plus he's HUGE - 6'5"
. They are also going to Berlin, Potsdam, Leipzig, and Dresden. I would have shadowed this trip except that I don't like moving around so much on a short trip. It will be just fine for them though. It does seem sad though that they are going ot be playing over there and I'm not going to be there to watch!
My next big hurdle is tracking down another shirt for his tux, with sleeve length 38-39, as I can't picture him wearing the same shirt for all 5 concerts.
I try to impress upon my kids the importance of packing lightly (except, see my threads about my college age son permanently losing ALL his clothes on US Air...), but when you consider hauling shoes that are a size 14, a tuxedo, other rather large clothes (his hoody alone would fill my suitcase), and the cello - well, there goes that idea!
Amp322:
They will be staying at the Hotel Crowne Plaza. I suppose it's probably a "bus tour" kind of hotel? They have a guided tour scheduled, and that day they have an evening concert (but I don't know the venue yet!).
They have one whole day on their own. I have no idea how much "free rein" they'll have, but I'm fine with that as these kids are all pretty serious, mature kids.
My son has been to Europe with us before and is in the city here a lot alone, so he knows basic safety stuff (plus he's HUGE - 6'5"
. They are also going to Berlin, Potsdam, Leipzig, and Dresden. I would have shadowed this trip except that I don't like moving around so much on a short trip. It will be just fine for them though. It does seem sad though that they are going ot be playing over there and I'm not going to be there to watch! My next big hurdle is tracking down another shirt for his tux, with sleeve length 38-39, as I can't picture him wearing the same shirt for all 5 concerts.
I try to impress upon my kids the importance of packing lightly (except, see my threads about my college age son permanently losing ALL his clothes on US Air...), but when you consider hauling shoes that are a size 14, a tuxedo, other rather large clothes (his hoody alone would fill my suitcase), and the cello - well, there goes that idea!
Mar 18th, 2006, 09:32 PM
#27
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Yeah- I always laugh at people who say to pack light. When you have to perform, you need concert outfits, an instrument, music, etc. Several times, I've been asked to bring a folding stand!! Needless to say, I'd rather buy one along the way in each country, than pack one in my suitcase!!
