Hi,
can we use credit cards (Visa-Mastercard) in prague, or is it better to use cash?
Can we pay with euros, or usdollars at the hotels?
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Great question !!
We will be in Prague Nov 5-7 and plan to use $ 100 USD to buy euro%26#39;s
at the airport when we arrive to cover cab to hotel and other misc. while in Prague.
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Why on Earth do you want euros? The legal tender is the Czech Crown, and it is a largely cash-based society, like the rest of central Europe, so it is best to have Czech Crowns on you in cash to pay for your every-day needs. You might find somewhere that takes euros, but you will pay more as the exchange rate will be against you. Most pubs will only take cash anyway - anywhere that takes cards will generally be on the pricier side as locals will pretty much always pay in cash.
Certainly don%26#39;t change money at the airport as the exchange rates are terrible - use the ATM when you get there for all your monetary requirements. The taxi will probably not accept Euros, and certainly not US dollars. Would a taxi driver accept Euros or Canadian dollars in St. Paul (or Istanbul?) :)
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Hi,
In Istanbul or in other touristic citiies in Turkey like Bodrum, Antalya you can use any currency to pay a taxi if you do not mind the exchange rate.
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You need cash, mostly. Some large hotels (Marriott, etc. will gladly take your credit card, but make sure they first give you the bill in CZ Korunas (Crowns), then do the calculations with them. The last 18 months Travellers Cheques in Euros or Dollars became again quite popular. Exchange them in Banks, check the commission rate %26amp; exchange. Also, make sure your bank or whoever gets you the Travellers Checks does not charge you anything, or very little (mine does it free). The Cash GCEK is referring to is at the airport on arrival. Both Terminals 1 %26amp; 2 have them. I assume you will arrive in Terminal 1, then ATM is vedry close to the following you may need: Bus Tram Metro Kiosk, where you get the tickets for Public Transportation which I recommend - read all the advice %26amp; Forums. The ATM machine is cledarly marked, quite safe, pick English as a language %26amp; follow instructions. It gives you large banknotes, see if you can immediately buy a few Metro/Bus/tram Tickets - that way you have some smaller banknotes %26amp; change.
I am not sure how it is in Turkey, but it%26#39;s a good idea to let your bank know where you are going, so they do not block it. Same for Credit Cards. Also carry Emergency Numbers of yourf passport %26amp; scrambled numbers of any credit/debit/ATM cards.. Scrambled meaning backwards or any other system you may have...just in case...
When you get to your hotels, familiarize yourselves with banknotes %26amp; coins..
Learn the rate...probably Euros to Korunas (Cz Crowns) - Forget dollars; not likely to rise in value...
As in any large cities - be careful when in crowded bus, metro, etc.
Other than that, I hope you%26#39;ll have fabulous time.
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But in Prague if you offered a taxi driver dollars he would probably laugh at you and direct you towards the exchange office :)
As a general rule, use only Czech Crowns everywhere.
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I don`t know about taxis but in many restaurants , travel agencies and shops euros are wellcomed.
Can you pay in euro ? yes in some occasions
Should you pay in euro ? not cause the exchange rate you`ll be offered will be a joke.In rare occassion you can bargain a little and get excellent rates (personal experience) but it won`t save you much. Go to a bank or an ATM and get crowns. It`ll make your life easier
And of course you can use credit cards. You are not going to visit a village in the middle of the jungle !
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Yes you can use them, but in a pub it is not normal to pay with a card (same in Germany/Austria, etc.) It doesn%26#39;t mean that it is in the middle of a jungle :) I find it more civilised, anyway, as you can keep better track of what you are spending. I don%26#39;t think I have ever paid by card in a restaurant, certainly not a pub - I would only use it for getting petrol, maybe.
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The comment about the credit card wasn`t about something you posted but for the OP.
I don`t pay with cards either but i it`s convinient way when you visit places you have to change money.
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Some places accept euros but will give you a very poor exchange rate, and they will give you your change in Czech crowns.
We paid cash in cafes, pubs, and smaller shops, but had no problems using credit cards in restaurants and in larger shops, especially European chains like Promod, Pimkie etc
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regarding credit cards, all chain hotels accept credit cards, you can also use them in department stores like Kotva, food places like Tesco, and many restaurants.
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