Czech currency
 

In considering a possible spring trip to Prague in '09, I was doing some research and noticed currency rates. It appears to be 1 USD to 16 plus Koruna as of 8/8/08. But, I'm having trouble figuring out what kind of costs that would translate to for hotels, transportation, etc. If you're from the US and have been to Prague lately, could you discuss how you found the costs, and if possible, how they might compare to countries using the Euro. In other words, would the exchange rate, as it is now, be better for the Czech Koruna or the Euro?

As far as I was aware the Koruna was replaced by the euro and prices quoted in the old currency are intended as a guide only.

I was last in Prague late 2007, but I believe my findings still hold true. Prague is neither less nor more expensive than many other parts of Western Europe. It is definitely NOT a bargain basement tourist destination. You will find as much variation in cost between cities/towns in any single country (i.e. Germany) as you'll find crossing the border - the change in currency really doesn't mean a lot.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by your question would the exchange rate, as it is now, be better for the Czech Koruna or the Euro?

The Czech Koruna (Crown) has dropped against both the euro (more) and the dollar (less), so the euro is stronger than the crown.

What you plan to do with that info I'm not sure. I use priceline.com for hotels in Prague - be sure you know what hotels are offered in what zone by checking out biddingfortravel.com Some hotels can be quite far out of town - or so I've learned the hard way.

The Czech republic is part of the EU and is now part of the Schengen treaty zone. They are NOT part of the euro currency zone, however.

Sorry I disagree about prices.

We found hotels to be similar to major cities in western eueope (but less than London) - since there is still a shortage of nicer places. But we found shopping and food generally to be a little less than western capitols - and music at most venues is a major bargain (esp what we're used to in NYC).

But, it it NOT the huge bargain it was 10 years ago - then perhaps 50/60% of western europe cities.

J62 and all others who've responded. Thank you for your help. I was mainly trying to get a feel for what I could buy with a Koruna compared with a Euro and a USD. Much has been posted here about the poor exhange rate for US travelers and the slightly improving situation, but had no idea how that compared with the Koruna. The "as it is now" refers to the changing exchange rate, I'm aware that these change daily and can't be predicted into the future, so I just wanted an idea of what the comparisons would be now. Also, I had no idea what sort of costs were involved in Prague. I've been to The Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Spain and France and the currest offerings of a large travel agent price Prague at about the same as Rome for the same time and class of hotel. Still, having not used a foreign currency in Europe other than the Euro, or knowimg anyone who has been to Prague, I was trying to arm myself to make an informed decision about chosing Prague, Rome, or somewhere else. So, hope that clears it up. Thanks to all.

Why not look at the web site for the hotel itself? That way you can get a comparison so you will know if Orbitz or whoever is better or not.

I stayed at the Mala Strana and the price was quoted to me on the web in euro, but the bill was in Czech koruna.

If you look at the Mala Strana web site, you will see a price of €85 for the internet rate.

If you can beat that at Priceline, then you know you are doing well.

By the way, the Czech Republic uses the Koruna as legal tender, not the euro. Some organizations will, however, accept euro, and give the price in that currency. If you want to pay in euro, you will have to arrive with euro currency in your pocket because the ATMs dispense Koruna notes.

> As far as I was aware the Koruna was replaced by the euro and prices quoted in the old currency are intended as a guide only.

Sorry but worldinabag got it completely the other way around. Hotels may quote prices in Euro only as a guide but charge you in Koruna. Koruna still is the Czech currency. Usually best is pay in Koruna, the local currency.

Well, that's something else I've learned from this forum. Thanks for clarifying :)

The current goal for Czechy to adopt the euro is 2012.

However, Slovakia is expected to adopt the euro next year.

Try www.hrs.de

You'll find lots of cheap but good hotel rooms.

Czeck Korunas is the currency of CZ not € YET. However as previously mentioned hotels will display charges in € and even $ sometimes.

Muck

I find prices in Prague to be a bit cheaper for food, attractions, and many other things compared to places like France or Germany (or certainly UK). However, hotels right in Prague are not quite as cheaper comparatively as most other things.

The exchange rate is just as bad for the CZK as the euro (if not worse, but changes against the dollar probably about the same as against the euro). A lot of people have some unusual idea that the value of the USD is low only compared to the euro, but that isn't true at all. The USD is valued low against virtually every major currency in the world, definitely every place in Europe. So just forget that idea that you can do better against any particular type of European currency compared to the euro in valuing USD. When I first went to the CZK I got around 42 to the dollar (and this was not that long ago, probably around 2000) and I think now you get around 25.

Costs are relative to a lot of things, but it is not just the euro versus CZK. For example, costs in Prague seemed a bit cheaper for food on average against some other huge capital cities, but that would not be true compared to smaller cities or towns in countries using the euro, where they would be cheaper, also.

1.00 USD = 16.2070 CZK

Don't think it would be a good idea to change USD into Euro to change into CZK. You would be paying a percent with each change.

It is better to make sure that if you use your credit card that you are charged in the currency of that country and not in Euro as you may not get a good rate at all. In fact you may be taken advantage of if the business would give you a very poor exchange rate to charge CZK to you in Euro. Then your credit card would charge a fee to bill you in USD.