Is Prague Still a Cheap Holiday Destination?

For years, Prague has been known as a budget destination, but this has changed in recent years. Therefore, in this article, we will provide you with an update on the costs of traveling to Prague.

Accommodation Cost:

Hostels remain the cheapest lodging option. A bed in a common room close to the city center costs around 20-40 euros for one night. You can get a better deal by choosing a hostel in one of Prague's neighborhoods.

Pro tip: If you are traveling here in the summer when schools are closed, you have the unique opportunity to sleep on a mattress in a school gym for a fair price of 15 euros. It might not be comfortable for everyone, but if you find this type of accommodation acceptable, be their guest! One night in a hotel in Prague's city center will set you back 90-120 euros. If you opt for accommodation outside of the historical city center, it will be around 60-70 euros. Short-term rentals are also popular among Prague travelers. The price of a rented apartment varies depending on the size, but it's usually around 60-90 euros per night. To book your accommodation, you can check out booking.com, hostelworld.com, kayak.com, and trivago.com.

For those of you who are curious about property costs in Prague, a high-end apartment in Prague's best neighborhood, Vinohrady, costs 17 million Czech crowns.

Transport cost:

Prague's city center is very walkable, and you barely need to use public transport or taxis. However, for those rare occasions, such as taking a tram to Prague Castle or metro to the National Museum, Prague's public transport is cheap and efficient. A basic public transit ticket for 30 minutes costs 30 Czech crowns, and if you don't plan to use public transport more than 4 times a day, it should suffice. For frequent trips, consider buying a 24-hour ticket for 120 crowns or a 3-day pass for 330 crowns. Prague street cabs do not have a good reputation, so we recommend using Uber, Bolt, or Liftago instead. For reference, the ride from the airport to the city center is around 500 CZK, and a short 5-10 minute ride within the city center shouldn't cost more than 150 CZK. For day trips to places like Kutná Hora or Plzen, a direct train ticket costs around 140-200 crowns one way.

Dining Cost:

An average meal in Prague now costs close to 300 CZK. While it's still possible to find less expensive restaurants, traditional Czech dishes such as svickova or goulash will cost you around 280 CZK. Lunch menus offered by many restaurants are cheaper, usually ranging from 150 to 180 crowns. For budget options, check out the food courts in shopping malls like Palladium and Quadrio, both located in the city center. Most of the restaurants there offer international cuisine, with a meal typically costing just over 100 CZK. Some restaurants charge based on the weight of your meal. If you can't find a nearby shopping mall, there are Czech fast food options like Banh mi ba, UGGO, Burrito loco, and Baguetterie Boulevard. The bill for these places usually ends up being around 200 CZK for a meal and a drink.

Drinks: A beer usually costs around 50 CZK, while craft beers are more expensive at around 80 CZK per glass. The beloved Pilsner Urquell is now priced at 62 CZK. A liter of wine typically costs between 100 and 200 CZK. In a mid-range bar, the price of a cocktail is around 100-150 CZK.

Attractions Cost:

Most museums and galleries cost 250 CZK per person, including the National Museum, National Gallery, and Technical Museum. Cheaper exhibitions like the House at the Golden Ring cost 180 CZK. The more expensive museums include the Jewish Quarter Museum, Lobkowicz Palace, Old Town Hall, and Clementinum, which charge around 300-550 CZK per person. For concerts, you can see "The Marriage of Figaro" for 450 CZK if you get gallery seats in advance, or attend a classical music concert at the Municipal House for 600-800 CZK, which is also a bargain.