The cost of living in Prague is not very high. While it is true that as a capital city the prices are slightly more pumped up than in other places, it is also true that by Italian standards they are not prohibitive at all, on the contrary.
What has just been stated is reflected in almost all areas of daily living.
How much does it cost to live, eat and stay in Prague
Whether one decides to live or stay for a short time in this beautiful city, the costs to be incurred for one’s stay in such latitudes are all in all quite low.
This is undoubtedly influenced by the type of economy that exists here.
Indeed, the Czech Republic is a developing country, and the unemployment rate within its borders is minimal.
This means that currency circulates abundantly, that there is not the crisis that has gripped many other European states for years, and that people basically live well.
Let us also remember that, although part of theEuropean Union, it has its own currency: the Czech koruna.
What is the cost of living in Prague
Let us now turn to practical examples: how much does it cost to live in Prague? This is precisely a sore point for citizens of the capital city.
Renting or buying a house means spending considerable amounts of money.
The closer you get to the center, the higher the cost of apartments will be.
Generally speaking, a studio apartment for rent might require the monthly outlay of about 600 euros, to which then the expenses related to the provision of services (electricity, water, gas) will obviously have to be added.
Buying a house is even more complex: there are few homes available in relation to demand and they often end up being bought even before the building site is decommissioned.
Typically a medium-sized apartment, so about a hundred square meters, can cost in these parts from 240 to 500,000 euros, with prices becoming more expensive as you get closer to the city center.
What is the cost of staying in Prague
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The situation is different when it comes to tourist accommodations, however.
Opting for a hostel and accepting the idea of sleeping in large dorms, one should not spend more than 16 euros per night.
Apartments or rooms, on the other hand, are priced between 200 and 800 euros per week, to which the cost of utilities will obviously have to be added.
Staying in an average-rated hotel requires an outlay of 50 to 80 euros per night.
Another evaluation criterion for sleeping in Prague is to base it on the neighborhood in which you will be staying, because the price will also depend on these.
What is the cost of public transportation in Prague
Public transportation in Prague works very well and is also cheap. A 90-minute ride on the metro costs no more than 32 crowns, about 1.30 euros.
Season tickets are also inexpensive and average around 20 euros per month.
The cost of cabs in Prague is very low compared to Italy. Of course, quite a lot also depends on the route one has to take, but in general this statement still holds true. Be careful, however: in order not to run into unpleasant surprises, always use licensed cabs that do not charge ad hoc tourist fares.
Finally, it is useful to know that in order to better meet the needs of travelers, transport companies make it possible to take out short-term passes (daily and weekly) that can guarantee additional savings.
What are the prices for eating and drinking in Prague
Eating and drinking around here is quite inexpensive. Of course, choosing where to eat will determine how much you will spend because the prices in an upscale establishment are not those of a fast food restaurant.
Usually a full meal in the center costs about fifteen euros, a price more than halved if you settle for a slightly more decentralized establishment. Generally speaking, the most expensive foreign cuisine is Italian; the cheapest, on the other hand, would seem to be Vietnamese.
Surprisingly in these parts beer is priced lower than water: 1.60 for half a liter of the former, 2 euros for the same amount of the latter. A very similar argument applies to wine and other spirits.
Summing up, then , with twenty euros or so one can have a delicious, rich and complete meal.
With just 7 euros pizza and beer are assured. If, on the other hand, one decides to do one’s own shopping and provide the meal oneself, once again one would be dealing with very low prices, provided, however, that one buys in local markets or supermarkets far from the historic center.
Frequently asked questions
How much one spends on average to eat in Prague depends mainly on the type of establishment: if one prefers traditional restaurants and typical pubs, a full meal with drink included can cost between 10 and 15 euros per person, while in higher-end establishments or extremely touristy areas the price easily rises above 20-25 euros. Those looking for cheaper options can opt for street food stalls or sandwich shops, where for 5-8 euros one can still get a light but tasty meal.
Life in Prague is generally cheaper than in many other Western European capitals, although costs have risen slightly in recent years. Rents and real estate in the center can be quite expensive relative to local salaries, but in terms of services, transportation and food, prices remain low and competitive. For travelers who choose to stay overnight in more outlying areas or book in advance, reasonably priced lodging solutions can be found, while public transportation offers affordable passes for unlimited use of subways, streetcars and buses.
A simple half-liter bottle of water sold in supermarkets or kiosks in Prague costs on average between 0.50 and 0.80 euros, depending on the brand and where you buy it. In bars and restaurants the price naturally goes up, easily reaching 2 euros in tourist areas, which is why many travelers prefer to buy small bottles in supermarkets before visiting major attractions.
As for coffee, the price varies greatly depending on the type of establishment. In classic neighborhood cafes, an espresso can cost around 1.50 euros, while in the trendiest coffee shops or tourist spots the cost is on average higher, close to 2-3 euros. In any case, compared to many European cities, taking a coffee break in Prague remains relatively inexpensive, even in the most central spots.
Prices in Prague: conclusions
In conclusion we can say that the average tourist visiting Prague and its environs should not spend more than about seventy euros per day to secure the necessities and the superfluities.
In our list we have not added any other information related to everyday life for the simple reason that we would have ended up making a long and boring list of prices. However, know that doing a little shopping, devoting some attention to yourself (hairdressers, beautician et similia) or even treating yourself to a night of healthy fun on average is possible without ever shelling out more than about twenty euros per person.
If we then want to consider the needs of the tourist, so for example buying tickets to access this or that museum, the situation does not change that much. In that case, however, in order to save further, the suggestion is to buy a Prague Card, a special card that entitles visitors to major discounts or to enjoy a number of services free of charge.
