euro's or Koruna

Since I almost always get money from an ATM wherever I am I usually have some local currency with me when I'm out and about. I did use Koruna when I was in CR last year for most of my purchases including my hotels. Some smaller markets and such may not be too keen on getting Euros since they then have to exchange them but it varies.

I noticed when I was in the Czech Republic a few years ago that Czech Rail posted ticket prices in both Koruna and euro. I don't know, though, if you could pay in euro. Although the majority of Czechs are opposed to joining the Eurozone, the CR is "obliged" to join as soon as certain criteria are met. When I was in Prague, the exchange rate for euro to Koruna at exchange agencies was not very favorable.

Just to be sure, I would get enough Koruna at the ATM to cover expenses while there.

Use the coin of the realm. Some hotels in that part of the world will give quotes in both Euros and the local currency. We always use the local currency. The American custom of tipping does not hold true so much in central and eastern Europe.

If you tip a cab driver or a hotel person a few euro, what do you think that poor benighted individual is going to do with it? He or she can't spend it and will lose in exchanging it. It is just mannerly to use the local currency, which can easily be had at an ATM.

thank you- It was confusing for me because prices were quoted in euro's- if the euro is "foreign" then of course the local would be better. Happy travels.

I think prices may be quoted in euros to make them look attractive to Europeans. Or the price in euros could be considered more stable (easy to publish), if the Koruna is subject to depreciation. I would always plan to pay in Koruna, getting cash from ATMs, as well as any credit card charges should be in Koruna.

Absolutely use koruna. Some places may accept Euro but not to your advantage, obviously. They tip differently there. Not 10, 15, 20% according to your satisfaction with the service but they round. Let's say 337 koruna in the restaurant. You hand the money to the waiter and say 350, that means you pay 350 and he will give you change back. With the cab driver the same way. In the restaurants where you can pay by credit card and majority of customers are foreigners it's practically the same as here. They got used to it quickly.

So rounding up from 337 to 350 is enough? That's not very much...less than $1 right? I've spent a lot of time in Europe but this summer will be my first time in eastern Europe so I am trying to figure out the unspoken rules like tipping before I get there.

It depends. In more touristy parts of Prague probably not. Czech would get away with it, but most waiters probably expect higher tip from"rich American". It's all up to you like here: if you like the service you can give a little more but don't leave the tip on the table like here. First: waiter outside touristy areas does not have experience with this custom and could think that you forgot money or worse somebody else could get the money.

You can use Euros in many of the tourist places but you will get a very detrimental exchange rate and change will be given in local currency.taxi and shuttle drivers from the airport are usually happy to accept any major currency and happy to take tips in them but Please only tip in local currency for anything else. Tipping is not a big thing in Prague though in the more tourist areas 10% is the norm and much appreciated but no one will chase you down the street for not tipping. I generally tip around 10% but if I was just having a beer and it was 37Kc I would not expect change from 40 Kc but would from 50kc.rounding up a meal from 385kc to 400 is quite norm no need to add extra to make it 10% unless you really get good service.
Credit and debit cards are widely used apart from smaller places in the suburbs

Thank you, the detail is very helpful.

you are welcome. when are you visiting, I am back in the City in May for the World Ice Hockey championships and the Beer festival.