You’ve probably heard the horror stories about Prague exchange offices. Maybe you've seen the videos of tourists getting handed obsolete Belarusian rubles by "friendly" guys on the street. It happens. Honestly, if you’re trying to convert Czech crowns to USD, the biggest mistake you can make is thinking the rate you see on Google is the one you’ll actually get at a random window in the Old Town.
The Czech Koruna (CZK) is a bit of a weird beast. Even though the Czech Republic is in the EU, they’ve clung to their crowns like a stubborn relative. As of mid-January 2026, the rate is hovering around $0.048 USD for 1 CZK. Or, for those who prefer thinking in round numbers, $1 will get you roughly 20.70 to 21 CZK. But that’s the mid-market rate—the "pure" price banks use to trade with each other.
Getting your hands on that rate as a human being? That's where it gets tricky.
The ATM Trap and the DCC Scam
Most people think ATMs are the safest bet. Kinda. If you use a legitimate bank machine—look for names like Česká spořitelna, Komerční banka (KB), or ČSOB—you’re usually fine.
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But there’s a massive "gotcha" called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC).
The screen will pop up with a very polite question: "Would you like to be charged in your home currency (USD) or the local currency (CZK)?" It sounds helpful. It’s a trap. If you choose USD, the ATM provider chooses the exchange rate, which is almost always 5% to 15% worse than your bank's rate.
Always, always choose CZK. Let your own bank back home do the math.
Then there are the Euronet machines. You’ll see these bright blue and yellow boxes everywhere. They are ubiquitous. They are also, frankly, predatory. They target tourists with high fees and massive minimum withdrawal suggestions. I’ve seen people try to get "a little cash" and the machine suggests 10,000 CZK. That’s enough for about 150 beers. Unless you’re planning a legendary bender, you don’t need that much cash.
Cash is Slowly Dying, But It's Not Dead Yet
Prague has gone through a massive digital shift since 2024. You can tap your phone or card for almost anything. Trams? Tap. Most restaurants? Tap. Even some public toilets now have contactless readers.
But "almost anything" isn't "everything."
If you head into a traditional hospoda (pub) for a Pilsner or visit a small shop in a town like Kutná Hora or Olomouc, you might see the dreaded "Cash Only" sign. It’s also just polite to have a few 100 CZK notes for tipping. Czechs don’t tip like Americans—rounding up to the nearest hundred or adding 10% is the standard move.
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Why you shouldn't exchange at the airport
The Václav Havel Airport in Prague is beautiful. Its exchange rates are not. You will lose a significant chunk of change—sometimes up to 20%—if you convert your money there. If you absolutely need a few crowns for a bus ticket, use an ATM. Better yet, just use the contactless reader on the 59 trolley or the Airport Express bus.
The "Best" Way to Convert Czech Crowns to USD
If you’re a traveler or an expat moving money back home, you have a few real options.
- Digital Wallets (Wise/Revolut): This is the gold standard in 2026. If you have a Wise or Revolut account, you’re getting the mid-market rate with a tiny, transparent fee. You can hold CZK in the app and convert it to USD whenever the rate looks good.
- Exchange Offices (The "Honest" Ones): There are actually a few legendary exchange spots in Prague that give great rates. Exchange.cz on Kaprova street is the one locals and savvy travelers swear by. They don't charge commission and their spread is razor-thin.
- Bank Transfers: Only do this if you’re moving thousands of dollars. Standard banks like AirBank or Raiffeisenbank are reliable but will hit you with wire fees and a spread that isn't as competitive as the digital-first apps.
Avoid the Street "Changers"
This bears repeating because it still happens every single day. A guy will approach you near a busy exchange office. He’ll offer you a rate that looks too good to be true. It is.
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He will hand you a stack of bills that look official. Usually, they are old, out-of-circulation Hungarian Forints or Belarusian Rubles. They are worthless in the Czech Republic. By the time you realize it, he’s gone. If anyone approaches you on the street to change money, walk away. Don't be polite. Just keep moving.
The Math: A Quick Cheat Sheet
Since the math of 20.83 or 21.15 is annoying when you're three beers deep, use this rough mental guide for January 2026:
- 100 CZK is about $4.80 (Basically a fancy coffee).
- 500 CZK is about $24 (A nice lunch for two).
- 1,000 CZK is about $48 (A mid-range dinner with drinks).
- 2,000 CZK is about $96 (The biggest bill you'll likely see).
Actionable Steps for Your Money
If you’re sitting on a pile of Czech crowns and need to turn them back into US dollars, don't wait until you're at the airport.
- Check the current CNB rate: Go to the Czech National Bank (CNB) website. This is the official baseline. If an exchange office is offering significantly less, keep walking.
- Spend your coins: Most exchange offices won't take coins. Use them for your last coffee or drop them in a charity box.
- Use a multi-currency card: If you're still in the country, just pay for your final meals with a card that has a CZK balance. It's the most efficient way to "convert" without losing money on fees.
- Ask for the final amount first: If you're using a physical exchange office, tell them exactly how much you want to change and ask, "How many dollars will I get in my hand?" Write it down if you have to. If they won't give you a straight answer, leave.
The Czech Republic is increasingly cashless, but the currency market is still a bit of a Wild West for the unprepared. Stick to reputable apps or the few "honest" windows in the city center, and you'll keep your money where it belongs—in your pocket.