If you're visiting Prague for any length of time, you'll need some Czech currency.

The Czech Republic eventually plans to adopt the euro but no entry date has yet been set.

Until then, while it's currently possible to use euros in larger stores and fast-food chains, the koruna (crown) remains the official unit of currency, and the only practical choice for tourists.

If you need crowns while you're in Prague, you have two main options: either change your foreign currency into crowns at an exchange office or bank, or withdraw money from a Czech ATM, using your bank card from home.

EXCHANGING MONEY IN PRAGUE
Change money at either a bank or a reputable exchange office.

For Prague's best exchange rates and 0% commission, try our partners at Broadway Change.

In general, banks charge a commission of between 1 percent and 2 percent and are open from 8am to 5pm, from Monday to Friday.

If you need to change money outside these hours or are tempted by the generous rates offered, you can use an exchange office.

Beware, however, of high commission fees, and check beforehand exactly what rate you're getting -- some exchange offices are more reliable than others.

In particular, watch out for exchange offices that advertise attractive "We Sell" rates in their windows but conceal a much less favorable "We Buy" rate.

To compare the rates offered by a range of Czech banks and exchange offices, see Kurzy.cz's English-language Czech currency exchange rates page.

Finally, please remember that the last Communist-era restrictions on currency conversion, under which money could only legally be exchanged at disadvantageous official rates, were abolished in 1995.

For this reason, it makes no sense to change money on the streets: you're probably going to get ripped off.

WITHDRAWING MONEY FROM AN ATM IN PRAGUE
If you're a Visa or MasterCard user, finding an ATM in Prague won't be a problem.

At the time of writing, Visa's ATM Locator website listed 100 bank machines in Prague that accept Visa or Plus while MasterCard's ATM Locator listed 97 machines that accepted MasterCard, Maestro or Cirrus.

(Since 2004, Diners Club members have also been able to use MasterCard's ATM network.)

Bear in mind, though, that your bank is almost certain to charge a fee for any withdrawals you make in foreign countries. Check with them for details. (Generally, Czech banks don't charge holders of foreign cards a fee to use their ATMs.)

Because of bank fees, it will probably work out cheaper to make one or two large withdrawals than to make several small ones.

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