You don’t get the nickname “the City of a Hundred Spires” for no cause; Prague is a gold mine of beautiful structure. The metropolis is the hub of all issues medieval and Gothic and, unsurprisingly, is the capital of the Czech Republic. It is in central Europe and is a well-liked stop-off on the hallowed Eurorailing itinerary. Consider it an actual celebrity amongst European metropolis breaks.
You can spot the Catholic saints on prime of Charles Bridge, take photographs in Old Town Square, and cruise down the Vltava River. It’s simply one of many greatest cities to go to in Europe for compact city-center sightseeing.
Of course, the actual query is, “Is Prague expensive to visit?” In quick, Prague might be low cost to go to, particularly if you happen to evaluate it with different main European cities. The metropolis had a reasonably drastic rise to fame within the Nineteen Eighties-90s, and with that, its vacationer costs rocketed. If you’re planning a visit to Prague, it’s an excellent concept to have a tough funds in thoughts. In this information, we’ll break down all the prices of visiting so that you might be nicely ready.
Costs of Flights to Prague
Airfare can be your greatest value, relying in your vacation spot. For the sake of this part, we’ll break up you into two teams: North American vacationers and EU vacationers. Obviously, now we have readers exterior of this demographic. Still, US flight costs are comparatively just like these in different areas like Oceania. So we’ll preserve issues easy with simply two teams.
Flying From North America
If you’re flying from the US, you’ll find airfare at round $250 off-peak, averaging round $500-600 for return tickets. Of course, this hikes in summer season, with airfare from the West Coast rising to round $1,000.
Here are a couple of examples of various airfare prices, which differ per departure vacation spot and interval:
$930 return from LAX to Prague in June (two stopovers)
$650-80 return from LAX to Prague in October or January (one stopover)
$650 return from JFK to Prague in June (two stopovers)
$540-50 return from JFK to Prague in October or January (one stopover)
If you need extra affordable costs, flying from the East Coast out of season is your greatest wager. You’ll discover cheaper charges if you happen to’re okay with altering for extra stopovers.
Flying From Europe
If you’re flying from Europe, the very first thing to contemplate is whether or not it is best to even fly. Many nations, together with France, have a strict coverage on short-haul flying, with some even mandating overland alternate options for brief distances.
If you might be already based mostly in Europe, think about touring to Prague through prepare. You can truly catch a prepare for simply over $100 from London to Prague, spending an adventurous 20 hours on the rails, passing by lovely cities like Paris and Stuttgart. It is without doubt one of the simple choices to select. But if that isn’t possible, you’ll find flights from $30 to $150, excluding baggage charges.
Total Suggested Budget from US: $600 for return airfare.
Total Suggested Budget from EU: $100-200 for return airfare or prepare fare.
Costs of Prague Accommodation
Prague has an actual mixture of lodging, which is sweet information for folks throughout all types of budgets. You can discover a luxurious selection within the middle, use public transportation to succeed in a mid-range choice within the fashionable suburban outskirts, or decide an inner-city dorm room.
There are a couple of decisions in the case of discovering locations to remain. The most sought-after vacationer areas (with the biggest value tags until you guide hostel lodging) are Stare Mesto (the Old Town) and Nove Mesto (the New Town). You may additionally keep extra off-the-beaten-track in locations like Karlin for decreased lodging charges and a much less touristy environment.
Generally talking, although, you’ve gotten three choices: a resort, trip rental, or hostel. We’ll present some suggestions and a price breakdown for every.
Option 1: A Hotel for $80-400 a Night
Hotels are the costliest choice when staying in Prague. To get the perfect worth for cash, make advance reservations to get the perfect room, search for properties with breakfast included, and test your location—e.g., is the road central or annoyingly noisy at evening? Prague is a little bit of a celebration vacation spot, so it pays to double-check these items. Remember whether or not you wish to pay additional to be central or use public transportation in trade for cheaper charges, too.
There is an effective vary, although, for various budgets. For occasion, take a look at these prime resort decisions:
1a. The Grand Mark Prague ($$$)
The Grand Mark Prague is a 5-star property stuffed with historical past with rooms for costs of round $400 an evening. You get an included breakfast, bike leases, and entry to services like a health middle on web site.
2b. Pytloun Old Armoury Hotel Prague ($$)
Pytloun Old Armoury Hotel Prague is a beautiful 4-star property with superior rooms ranging from costs of $170 per evening. Its medieval-style restaurant is the actual spotlight of this property.
3c. Elysee Hotel ($)
You can bag rooms on the Elysee Hotel for nightly costs below $100, sneaking it into our funds class in your journey. The 4-star resort has comfy room decisions with helpful facilities like kettles.
Option 2: A Holiday Rental For $120-600 a Night
Going self-catered is improbable generally. You simply get that additional independence and the prospect to cook dinner pasta in your PJs while you don’t fairly really feel like eating out. Whether you need consolation or grocery payments slightly than costly restaurant tabs, Prague has many rental decisions. And an house may be extra appropriate than a room if you happen to journey in a bunch.
Just take a look at a few of these in your journey:
2a. Apartment with Roof Terrace ($$$)
This four-bedroom house sleeps 12 company and has its personal rooftop overlooking Prague. At a value of $430 per day, it’s an excellent luxurious choice.
2b. Cozy Prague Apartment ($$)
This property is a fantastic place to base your self when visiting. For nightly costs of practically $120, you get a one-bedroom house simply 5 minutes on foot from the central sights.
Option 3: A Hostel For $20 a Night
If you actually wish to preserve the value low, a hostel is a good selection. In shared services, you possibly can cook dinner breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a low value utilizing groceries.
3a. White Wolf House Hostel & Apartments ($)
White Wolf House Hostel & Apartments is nice for funds journey. It provides a shared kitchen and dorm rooms beginning at simply over $20.
Costs of Food in Prague
Food is modestly priced in Prague. An off-the-cuff meal prices round $10, and a sit-down meal for 2 prices $50. Groceries are even cheaper: a greenback for a pint of milk, $8.50 for 1kg of hen, and round $2.50 for eggs.
If you do fancy partying, it is best to spend below $3 for a beer and $6 for the standard bottle of wine. Here’s a tough breakdown of important meals prices, although:
Luxury: $50 per individual
If you eat out at a sit-down restaurant for each meal, funds round $50 per individual. Add an additional 10% for an elective service cost. I doubt you’ll do that day by day, however you possibly can have it inside your funds.
Mid-Range: $35 per individual
If you might be joyful to seize grocery meals for breakfast and lunch and simply eat out for dinner, that value will drop to $35. This is often what we do. It saves a bit of cash and provides in a bit selection.
Budget: $15 per individual
If you intend to make use of groceries at self-catered lodging, you possibly can spend as little as $15 a day. Just ensure you have lodging that permits you to cook dinner your personal meals.
Total Suggested Budget: $15 to $50 per individual per day, relying on whether or not you’re planning to go self-catered or eat out each meal.
Costs of Things To Do in Prague
Prague is gorgeous, even if you happen to simply stroll round, and you’ll get pleasure from many free issues. In sooner or later, you may simply spend nothing on sightseeing in Prague simply due to all its lovely (and free) structure. You can go to the next superb sights completely freed from cost:
Old Town Square
Prague Astronomical Clock
Charles Bridge
Statue of King Wenceslas
Statue of Franz Kafka
Lennon Wall
Some of the greatest issues to do in Prague are free, and you may get an excellent style of its structure and historical past in your journey with out spending a greenback. If you’re visiting Prague for the primary time, these are all nice issues to tick off your listing.
However, in case you are keen to splash a bit of money, we’ve acquired a lot extra issues so that you can expertise. Why not select a couple of from each lists?
Prague’s paid sights embrace Prague Castle, the Museum of Communism, the National Museum, the Museum of Senses, and particular actions like sightseeing cruises, medieval experiences, and beer spas. The costs differ per exercise, however right here’s a tough abstract of what you may spend:
Total Suggested Budget: A value of $0-120 per day, relying in your pursuits.
Costs of Transportation in Prague
If you might be staying centrally in Prague, you gained’t want to fret in regards to the value of public transportation. You simply gained’t spend something on transport as you might be inside strolling distance of all the primary sights. The solely transportation value for this state of affairs is your airport switch, which is as low cost as $5.
If you might be staying on the outskirts, you will have to consider a transport value. Remember that many lodging provide complimentary very low cost bike leases. But if not, you possibly can take Prague’s bus or Metro techniques for a price as little as $1.50 a trip.
Consider a automotive rental solely in case you are planning main day journeys. Even then, Prague is so nicely linked that you simply’ll probably simply take public transportation or a guided tour—like a tour to Saxon and Bohemian Switzerland through group coach.
Total Suggested Budget: An common of $3 per individual when taking no day journeys, plus the $10 complete value of airport transfers.
Saving Money in Prague: 5 Top Tips to Save Money
This funds doesn’t need to be set in stone while you go to Prague. You can simply lower the price of a visit to Prague by simply being savvy throughout your keep. The metropolis has tons of free issues to do and low cost room choices. And even if you happen to don’t wish to compromise on actions and lodging, there are methods to restrict your spending whereas out and about. Here’s what it’s essential to know.
1. Get Used to European Tipping
No matter what you might be doing in Prague, be it leaping on a tour, consuming at a restaurant or taking a taxi, it pays to know the European commonplace for tipping. As a typical rule, a tip of 10% is okay at a sit-down restaurant. Don’t anticipate to tip if you happen to seize a takeout breakfast or groceries. Similarly, even an informal lunch doesn’t essentially mandate a tip. It is kind of a change from the US method to tipping and lowers your total value.
Keep tipping for extra formal environments, like sit-down dinners. Also, at all times be certain that to tip your information in case you are on a tour. Just understanding tipping etiquette can prevent a number of cash whereas visiting Prague.
2. Research Tourist Traps Beforehand
Prague has so many vacationer traps, from polka music CDs to beer and rituals like touching statues. Research beforehand to know that the sights and actions you’re paying for are value their salt, and test cancel insurance policies. And equally, use your frequent sense – do you actually wish to pay for the trinket or queue to the touch some shiny steel? If you’re feeling a bit pushed for time to analysis your self, simply take a look at the vacationer traps we dodged the toughest right here.
3. Consider Travel Times
What time of yr you journey to Prague can massively affect its value. You may go to in the midst of summer season, when costs are hiked. Or you may go to out of season, from January till May. These months provide extra budget-friendly experiences, with cheaper lodging charges and actions. March onwards is especially good since you get the sunnier climate, too.
4. Get Your Walking Shoes On
We’ve clearly established that public transportation in Prague is reasonable while you’re savvy. However, strolling continues to be a way more reasonably priced various. Get these strolling sneakers on and take to the town streets with gusto. Given how compact the Old Town is, you possibly can see a lot on foot in Prague, regardless of your age or health stage. Don’t spend cash on public transportation if you happen to will help it.
5. Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
There are many nations the place you must issue bottled water prices into your funds. Prague shouldn’t be certainly one of these; water is secure to drink in Prague. Just carry a correct water bottle so you possibly can refill it at your lodging. And voila—you’ve saved your self loads of petty money whereas visiting Prague. Better but, you’ll be significantly better hydrated and far much less prone to fall foul of heatstroke in summer season. It’s a win-win.
The Price of Visiting Prague: FAQs
Are you feeling extra ready to go to Prague? Budgeting is a improbable strategy to method a brand new metropolis. And with all this info, you’ll get essentially the most out of the town with none nasty surprises in your checking account. Whether you utilize public transportation, keep in a 5-star room, or take luxurious personal excursions, these pointers will see you thru.
What about some extra sensible recommendation earlier than you go to Prague? In this part, we’ll go over some necessary FAQs.
How a lot does a meal value in Prague?
You can get an informal sit-down dinner for below $10 or a three-course meal for 2 at a mid-range restaurant for $50.
Is Prague an costly metropolis for vacationers?
Accommodation in Prague’s metropolis middle and consuming out within the outdated city might be dear for vacationers. However, with some advance planning, Prague isn’t massively costly.
Is $100 a day sufficient for Prague?
Definitely, $100 is sufficient for mid-range lodging, informal meals, and one paid exercise. Budget extra if you wish to keep in one of many extra central or luxurious motels in Prague metropolis middle.
How a lot ought to I funds per day in Prague?
Budget between $50 and $75 a day to get pleasure from Prague, not together with lodging. Accommodation in Prague ranges from $20 in a hostel to $60 for a mid-range resort within the outskirts and $150+ for luxurious central lodging.
So, Is Prague Expensive?
No, comparatively talking, Prague shouldn’t be costly subsequent to different main European cities. You can simply get by on $100 a day in a mid-range resort or $50 in a hostel. While there are “expensive” decisions like high-brow central motels and Old Town fancy eating places, you’ll discover loads of alternatives to economize. It is all about planning a funds earlier than your vacation in Prague; this manner, you understand how to chop your journey value.
Are you interested by visiting extra of the Czech Republic? Here’s our full journey information. The nation is just beautiful, with a tradition and nature that impressed the likes of William Shakespeare. There’s hundreds to see, so why not add some additional time to see the remainder of the Czech Republic after visiting Prague?