Quick answer: Prague runs about EUR 70 per day mid-range - noticeably less if you eat local and walk. Cheapest window: April–May or September–October.
What things actually cost
| half litre of Pilsner in a local pub | 2 EUR |
| goulash with dumplings | 8 EUR |
| 90-minute public transport ticket | 1.60 EUR |
| flat white in a specialty cafe | 3 EUR |
| Prague Castle main circuit ticket | 10 EUR |
| tram ride with 30-minute ticket | 1.20 EUR |
Eat well for little
- Svíčkovábeef sirloin in creamy root-vegetable sauce with bread dumplings, about 8-10 EUR at a proper hospoda
- Goulash with dumplings at LokálPilsner Urquell tank beer and classic Czech cooking, mains around 8 EUR
- Chlebíčky (open-faced sandwiches) at Sisters near Dlouhá street - the Czech deli tradition, about 2 EUR each
- Vepřo knedlo zeloroast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut, the Sunday classic, 8-9 EUR
- Tank Pilsner in a local puba half litre costs about 2 EUR in Žižkov or Vinohrady, double that on Old Town Square
Money mistakes to avoid
- Using street currency-exchange kiosksseveral are notorious for terrible rates and fake 'commission-free' signs; withdraw from bank ATMs (decline the conversion) or pay by card
- Hailing taxis on the street near tourist sightsovercharging is common; use Bolt or Uber instead
- Never leaving the Royal Routethe Old Town Square to Charles Bridge corridor is a fraction of the city; cross to Vinohrady, Letná or Vyšehrad and prices halve while crowds vanish
- Buying trdelník as 'traditional Czech'it is a tourist invention; fine as a snack but do not queue 20 minutes or pay over 3 EUR for it
Transport without the tourist tax
From Václav Havel Airport take bus 59 to the metro and ride into the center on one 90-minute ticket for about 1.60 EUR, or the Airport Express to the main station for about 4 EUR. The center is very walkable and the tram network fills every gap - a 24-hour pass costs about 5 EUR.
Planning the full trip? Start with the 3-day Prague itinerary.