Czech Money, Tipping & Travel Tips

Czech Money, Tipping and Practical Tips for Your Tour

Ivo Salay • October 14, 2026

The short answer: the Czech Republic uses the koruna (CZK), not the euro. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in cities, cash is useful in small towns and at markets, and tipping is not expected: locals usually just round up the bill. Below are the practical details that help you enjoy a tour in Brno and South Moravia.

Currency: the Czech koruna

The Czech Republic is a member of the European Union but has not adopted the euro, and there is no set date to do so. Prices in shops and restaurants are in Czech korunas (CZK). The official Czech National Bank website publishes the current exchange rates. Our own website shows tour and transfer prices in euros.

Cards and cash

In cities and larger businesses, Visa and Mastercard, contactless payments and mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted.
Cash remains common in smaller towns, at markets and for small purchases, so carry some korunas when you visit villages or wine cellars.
If a machine asks whether you want to pay in your home currency or in korunas, choosing korunas usually gives a better exchange rate.

How to tip in Czechia

Tipping is not mandatory, and nobody will expect it from you. Czechs usually just round up the bill and leave a little more only when the service was really good.

Restaurants and bars: round up the bill, for example from 380 CZK to 400 CZK. If the service was excellent, a little more is a nice thank-you, but it is never required.
How to do it: when you pay, tell the waiter the total you want to pay including the tip, rather than leaving change on the table. If your bill is 380 CZK and you hand over 500 CZK, say "400" and you get 100 CZK back.
Check the bill: some restaurants add a service charge (servis). If it is included, an extra tip is not required.
Cards: not every restaurant lets you add a tip to a card payment, so ask before the transaction or leave cash.

Tipping your guide or driver is entirely optional. Some of our transfer pages list tips and gratuity among the items not included in the price, so how much to give, if anything, is up to you.

Practical tips for your tour

Pickup: whenever possible, guests choose the pickup location. Tell us where you are staying when you book.
Last-minute bookings: online reservations close 12–24 hours before the tour starts. If you are booking later, message us and we may still have seats.
What we provide: on our tours, we have bottled water and umbrellas for bad weather, and Nordic walking poles and child booster seats on request.
Entrance fees: castles and museums usually charge separately, and these fees are not included in our tour prices. We can help book in advance.
Comfortable shoes: many stops involve cobblestones, gardens or caves.
Accessibility: our tours are not wheelchair or stroller accessible, so tell us about mobility needs when you book.

Electricity and emergencies

The Czech Republic uses 230 V, 50 Hz power with Type C and E sockets, so US travelers need a plug adapter and, for devices that are not dual-voltage, a converter. The European emergency number 112 works throughout the country.

Plan your trip

Ready to start planning? Browse our tours from Brno, see our door-to-door transfers or read the best day trips from Brno. If you plan to taste wine, read renting a car or hiring a driver, and see our contact page for questions.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Czech Republic use the euro?

No. The Czech Republic uses the koruna (CZK) and has not set a date for adopting the euro.

Can I pay by card in Brno?

Yes, in most restaurants, shops and attractions in the city. Carry some cash for small towns, markets and small purchases.

How much should I tip in a Czech restaurant?

Tipping is not expected. Locals usually just round up the bill and leave a little more only for really good service. Check whether the bill already includes a service charge.