The currency of the Czech republic is the koruna crown, plural koruny or korun. The currency code CZK is often used internationally, but the local symbol is KÄ for Koruna Äeská. 1 koruna is made up of 100 haléŠhaléÅů, abbreviated to hal., but coins are only issued in whole koruna values from October 2008 on.
The exchange rate is approximately 25KÄ = â¬1, 30KÄ = £1 GBP, 20KÄ = $1 US, or 16KÄ = $1 Canadian. As of 5 April 2012, â¬1 = 24,66KÄ Google.
Coins are issued in 1KÄ, 2KÄ, 5KÄ all stainless steel, 10KÄ copper-colored, 20KÄ brass-colored and 50 KÄ copper-colored ring, brass-colored center. Notes are issued in 50KÄ pink - no longer used, 100KÄ aqua, 200KÄ orange, 500KÄ red, 1000KÄ purple, 2000KÄ olive green and 5000KÄ green-purple. See some banknote samples (http://www.cnb.cz/en/czec...). Be aware that all 20KÄ banknotes, haléŠcoins, and older-style 1000KÄ and 5000KÄ banknotes from 1993 are NOT a legal tender.
Some major stores mainly bigger chains will accept Euros, and it's also fairly common for accommodation providers to quote the price in Euros. At shopping areas along the Austrian border and petrol stations in the whole country change is given in Euros, but supermarkets and similar stores in downtown Prague and probably other cities return only KÄ, even though they accept â¬.
Never exchange money on the street. Also, if you're in Prague, don't exchange it in the banks. The "real" exchange rate you should be looking for can be found here (http://www.exchange.cz/in...). There is no "black market" with better rates, but there is a good chance you'll end up with a roll of worthless paper. Be very careful when you are exchanging money at a small exchange kiosk. They try to use tricks in order to give you a bad exchange rate. Ask for the total amount you will get and recompute it by yourself. Do not trust "0% commission" in big letters signs often there is an "only when selling CZK" amendment in small letters, and buying CZK still includes a commision. On this (http://kurzy.fin.cz/kurzy...) website you can get good overview of reliable exchange places and rates.
Generally, exchange offices on the airport, rail stations and main tourist streets do not offer a good rate. Local people exchange money in exchange offices in less frequented areas, such as around the "Politických vÄzÅů", "Opletalova" or "Kaprova" streets. In some cases, one can get a better rate by using ATMs instead of changing cash.
Major stores throughout the country accept Visa and EC/MC, as do all the tourist stores in Prague.
