Currency in Czech Republic, Budapest, and Poland
 

What curriency is used in the Czech Republic, Budapest, and Poland? For anybody who has recently visited any of these countries, from a financial standpoint how do these countries compare to other places in Europe?

Prices somewhat lower than western europe - but the dollar is tanking everywhere - and that will obviously affect costs.

The official currency in the Czech Republic is the krona, but I am finding that some places will accept euro. Case in point: I received an offer for a private car to take me from the airport to my hotel. The rate was competitive. The offer quoted the price in both euro and krona and stated that either was acceptable.

I would not automatically assume that I can pay with euro notes, but obviously some places will accept them. The one currency that is rarely mentioned is the US dollar!

It has plunged from prince to pauper. I don't think anyone considers it to be a "hard currency" these days.

The Hungarian currency called the Forint.

Poland is missing. Their currency is the Zloty.

The currency in the Czech Republic is the koruna, not "krona".

At lsst report, beverage alcohol was less expensive in the Czech Republic than in Poland. Poles travel to CR to buy it. The money in CR and P trades at equal value. I don't know about Budapest. Try the McDonald's index.

From a finacial point Poland is in a mess while the other two are doing well.

Czech is a small country so the uplift in Prices from Prague is most powerful. Hence even in the boondocks you will pay higher prices. Even so friends of mine from outside of Prague would find it very expensive.

Hungary in the boondocks still buy a glass of wine in a bar for $0.5

ttt

I'll be in Prague, Budapest, Krakow and Warsaw for a three week period in August. When and where should I exchange my curreny upon arrival? Any recommended approach will be helpful...(is there any way to do some exchanging beforehand, possibly somewhere in the US, to cut down on my risk of getting ripped off?).

Hi W,

Bring a credit card and charge everything that you can.

Make sure that the charge is in the ;ocal currency.

Do not let anyone do you a favor and charge you in USD or Euro. They will give you a very poor exchange rate.

Bring your ATM card and get your cash from an ATM machine.

((I))

So as long as I confirm that my charge is being made in the foreign curreny, I should be fine using my credit card as much as possible? I had a thought that this may be the best way to do business, especially since the countries i'm visiting all use different currencies.

These ARE fairly popular places, so they must have an ample amount of ATM's around...I don't mind spending a few extra bucks, but I don't want to get screwed.

It is no problem exchanging cash at major train stations and the fees will be small compared to the same thing in western european countries.

You will find few places that take credit cards outside of Prague and the highly touristy areas.

Make sure you have cash (koruny) if you go outside the tourist traps.

In general, ifyou can walk a few blocks away from the tourist places you will save a lot of money and get better service.

Hi ggnga,

If you have a new laptop from Dell then the wireless card will already be installed at the factory. It's part of the Dell package.

Well...the last message belongs on another post - sorry!

Any other ideas towards the best way to spend money in a foreign land, i'm certainly leaning towards credit card as much as possible. A friend of mine told me to get a small amount of the foreign currency from my local bank before leaving, and us ATM's and Credit the rest of the way.

Don't change at train stations in Budapest. Try to find the hidden exchange shops, and you'll get a very nice rate (above 100 USD to Forint). The official rates (from the National Bank) are:

https://www.otpbank.hu/OTP_Portal/on...0100000000.jsp

i didn´t think the ATM in Keleti station, Budapest, did me wrong.

Before you go call each of your credit cards and ATM cards and notify them of the dates you will be gone and the countires you are going to. At the same time ask them the fees they charge for using the card in a foreign country. You will be amazed at the differences in fees from card to card. In my case I found that my Capital One cc and my Compass Bank ATM had the lowest fees. I carry another cc and ATM card as backups.

ATM's are everywhere so there is no need to change money before you go. Do not change any money on the street.

We just got back from a trip that included the countries you are going to. We found prices in the cites to be very comperable to traveling in the US. Prices are lower outside the big cities. Hve a wonderful time!

Barb, can I contact you via email, i'd like to discuss your trip if you don't mind?

Where exactly did you travel?

Jason, I think you miss the point of this forum in seeking private trip reports. The idea is that we all share, and that we all can benefit from the experiences of others.

[There are some matters that might be more appropriate for private discussion, of course.]

>>>>>
The one currency that is rarely mentioned is the US dollar!

It has plunged from prince to pauper. I don't think anyone considers it to be a "hard currency" these days.
>>>>>

i would think that this is obvious but the reason that the dollar is less mentioned than the euro is because the euro is the dominant currency of the eu. it has nothing to do with it being weak or strong.

thank you Padraig, i undestand. Barb, where exactly did you go and what were the highlights?

i meant to write understand, for all you english majors out there!

What should I expect to pay, in US dollars for an average hostel, apartment, and hotel in Prague, Budapest, Krakow, and Warsaw?

Barb, are you still there? Where exactly did you travel?

I did a call around with my cc companies last Fall and CapitalOne with no fee was clearly the best card to use in Europe.

Should I have any problem using a credit card in Warsaw, Krakow, Budapest, and Prague? I realize I won't be able to use a credit card everywhere, but does anyone have any light to shed?

ttt

worldview -- We visited Prague, Vienna and Budapest in 2003. I have a long file. If you would like to have it e-mail me. I'm sure things have changed to some extent since then, but you might find it helpful in making some of your plans. I did all our planning, reservations, etc.

Visited Prague,other Czech cities and Krakow last fall (07) using Capital One credit card (no international fee) and ATM card with Plus and Interlink coverages with no trouble at all. The various currency has been discussed, and local currency is easy to get from ATMs which are very plentiful in major tourist areas in Prague and Krakow. The smaller Czech cities had fewer ATMS, but with planning ahead it was easy to get currency for those day trips ahead of time so used either credit card or cash. Prices in Prague and Krakow are lower than other major European cities, but still MUCH higher than when the dollar was strong and before the euro. Be sure to notify ATM bank and credit card companies of your travel dates and destinations so transactions are not denied for fraud protection. Also had ATM with Cirrus and Pulse coverage for back up, but it has only been needed in South America. Do review other posts here for safety and theft issues in Budapest and Prague. Several people we know had pockets picked in Prague and Budapest so be alert and cautious with moeny and credit cards. The cities are beautiful and fascinating so enjoy your trip!