Trams and the metro are the cheapest ways to travel. It’s more cost-effective to buy daily or multi-day passes instead of paying for individual rides. Tickets can be bought at ticket machines at metro stations, the PID Lítačka mobile app, or at Tabák kiosks (newsstands), which are often cheaper than buying from the driver. If you’re traveling at night, night trams and buses (numbers 90–99) are much cheaper than taxis.
For groceries, Penny Market, Lidl, and Albert are the cheapest supermarkets. Farmers’ markets (Farmářské trhy) are great for fresh fruits and local delicacies at good prices. For souvenirs, it’s best to shop outside tourist areas, where prices are often two to three times lower. Shops selling Czech products offer unique souvenirs like Opavia Czech wafers at reasonable prices.
If your hostel, like Prague Dream Hostel, has a fully equipped kitchen, this is a great way to save money on food. You can buy groceries at a supermarket and cook breakfast or dinner yourself. Instead of paying for expensive coffee in a café, you can get a “káva s sebou” (coffee to go) at metro kiosks for half the price.
There are also some local tips that will help you save even more money. When exchanging money, it is best to use reputable exchange offices, and never exchange money at the airport or train stations, as their rates are much worse. Beer prices in tourist areas can be as high as €3–4, but just five to ten minutes away, prices drop to €1.5–2. Many bars have “šťastná hodina” (happy hour) when beer is even cheaper. Prague has clean and safe tap water, so instead of buying bottled water, bring a reusable water bottle. Downloading an offline map from mapy.cz can also help you navigate the city without using mobile data. Since Prague’s city center is compact, you can easily walk to most major sights without spending money on transport.
Prague is a city where you can travel on a budget if you know the right places and tips. Follow these recommendations, and your trip will be not only cheaper but also more enjoyable. Stay at Prague Dream Hostel to save on accommodation and make the most of your experience.
