Hi all, we're Canadians on a coach tour through the Prague & Budapest. Our money: 25 CAD = 482.39 CZK & 25 CAD= 5,503.91 HUF.
As we're only in each city for two nights and I understand they really don't accept Euros; how much do you think I would need, just for souvenirs or incidentals? I assume we can use credit cards for lunches or dinners & other tours.
Thanks,
Jean
When I arrived in Prague and Budapest I had the equivalent of US $200-300 and that took me through several days of transit tickets, entrance tickets and other small purchases. Things are cheaper in these cities and while many will say just visit an ATM when you arrive, I travel solo and like to arrive prepared with a bit of cash. Credit cards are widely accepted in both, never had an issue with that.
For us it would be close to zero since we don't buy souvenirs or many incidentals. But I would be tempted to have at least 50 equal to your currency. Easily get that amount from an ATM on arrival. And you can easily get more if needed.
I agree, I like to have some local currency with me; but as we're on a most pre-paid coach tour we'll only need a small amount and wondered how much local money to take, i.e. would $30 CAD in each country's currency be enough? We really don't intend spending a lot of their currency except for credit card purchases. We'll only need the local currency for small souvenirs etc.
The other countries all take Euros which we'll have enough with us or go to an ATM.
I also don't buy chintzy souvenirs but I do like to get a nice dish or plate (we entertain a lot) to put nuts etc. in. Reminds us of our trips.
Is it cheaper to get $ at an ATM or just get it at your local bank. The ATM's do charge you a fee to take money out and to pay a $5 fee for a small amount worth it!
I do get Euros at an ATM as we take out a lot more.
I am a regular visitor to Prague and would suggest around 1000kc per person per day so that would be about $40 and that would cover everything you would need, if using credit cards then a few 100kc might do you for incidentals.Credit and debit cards are widely used in Prague.
Hard to say, there are cheap souvenirs and there are expensive ones. Most restaurants in the center take credit cards, pubs usually don't. Toilets are not free like here and they don't accept credit cards. If I was in your situation I would probably change 50 dollars per city but somebody else could change different amount based on their shopping habit.
I've been to Prague and the Czech Republic several times, most recently last May. Things are less expensive, and I generally plan on 750-1000 CzK a day, including a good meal out and an admission fee or two. I rarely use a credit card, preferring to get cash at an ATM. The Raiffeisenbank ATMs are my favorites, because they allow you to select the denominations of your bills (unlike the ATMs at the airport, which seem to issue only 1000 CzK bills). Look for the bright yellow and black signs. I generally purchase opera and concert tickets on line before leaving the US, using the Bohemia Tickets website, and those go on the credit card. The multiday transit passes are a good idea if you plan to use the trams and the metro a lot. If you are 70+ as I am, you ride for free, but should carry your passport to prove your age to the transit inspector (though I've never been asked). In restaurants, instead of a 15-20% tip, you just "round up" to a reasonable number - if the tab is CzK 270, make it 300, etc. And yes, you will need some change for the public toilets, though not the ones in museums and restaurants.
It says on the the Czech website http://www.prague.eu/en/practical: that foreigners over 70 years of age can travel for free on Prague public transport. To be able to travel in Prague public transport for free they need to arrange a special document issued by the Prague Public Transport Company in their offices listed on http://www.dpp.cz/en/advance-sales-in-metro/ for which they need their ID (passport), a passport sized photo (with signature on the back side) and to fill in a short form to be able to buy the document for 20 CZK (ca. 1€). It takes ca. 5 minutes.It is not possible to use a passport to be able to travel for free???
I'm cheap as they come, but on a 2-day visit I wouldn't bother with the hassle of getting a senior transit card. Just not worth the time for what would be really modest savings. Perhaps if I were staying well out of the historic center and anticipated making two round-trips a day into the tourist zone--nope, not even then.
I would assume that only those with the card would be able to travel free. Transit personnel wouldn't have time to look at passports.
Thank you everyone for all your information! Love this site!
Jean
passport work fine for over 70's on public transport,the PIT card is for those 60-69,over 65 you get transport free with the card and 60-65 year old can get good discount. I just found out that I qualify for this card now ( was 60 last year) as a regular visitor to Prague it is worth my while making the effort to get the card as it last for 5 years,also lets me get a monthly pass for the price of 2 24hr tickets.
for a visitor who is there for just a few days it is not worth the effort especially if you are just going to be based around the main tourist sites.
I am back in Prague for a week in late march/April and then again for nearly 2 weeks in late June/July and will be back later in the year.
