Using Bank ATMs in Prague

Don't forget to ask your bank, too. Be warned that deceptive automated Dynamic Currency Conversion "offers" are common today. Have not been to Czech Republic recently.

Thanks. I did check with my bank and according to them, they have a $5000 daily limit, bahaha. (which definitely seems like a lot and certainly a lot more than I need). I was reviewing a few bank websites in Prague to see if they mention a limit. So far no luck. But if I can get the 10000 CZK in a few ATM transactions over a couple of days that I need for our day tour I will be happy. Local guides would prefer CZK at the end of their tours.

Each time you go to the ATM choose the "other amount" option. Then key in 1800 or 2800 or 3800 etc. You get the idea. So you'll have some bigger 1000/2000 notes and some smaller 200 notes. Local guides won't be carrying much in the way of change to break large notes. Local guides usually express a preference for CZK but I've never met one yet who'd turn down payment by Mr Green (U$).

I had significant difficulty avoiding ATM fees when I was in Prague in 2018. The general trend is for fees to be imposed by more and more banks, so I'm pretty sure the situation hasn't improved since then. In addition, I ran into two machines that suddenly refused to give me money after I declined their offers of DCC (dynamic currency conversion). As soon as I said I wanted to transact the business in euros rather than in dollars at the ATM's horrible conversion rate, the transaction ended.

I'm not suggesting you won't get your money, just that it may cost you either more than anticipated in fees or more time than expected as you try multiple ATMs to find one that's not really expensive to use.

I live off my US bank account while living in Hungary and ocassionally I need big cash. So sometimes I have to draw the max, then repeat, then repeat, then repeat.... all at the same time. Same machine. Never a problem.

Be sure to use a “bankomat” affiliated with a real Czech bank (e.g. Ceska Sporitelna, CSOB, Komercni banka, Unicredit). Not just an “ATM” cash machine attached to every wall, there rates/fees are not good.

Some Czech banks charge a fee and some do not. Each ATM operator makes their own decision on whether to charge a fee and the amount. If they do, the fees will be listed as you go through the process and you have the option to decline and cancel the withdrawal.