If you are a budget-conscious backpacker bouncing through Europe, Prague is without a doubt a place that should be on your radar. It’s no secret that Prague is one of the most beautiful cities not just in Europe, but in the world. The capital city of the Czech Republic, Prague has so much to offer a backpacker visiting the city on a budget.
With its 1.3 million people, Prague is renowned for its history, architecture, food, nightlife, and the fact that its beer is often cheaper than water. Prague just feels magical, and the serenity of the city will have you feeling as if you have time-traveled back to medieval times. The castles, cathedrals, bridges & majestic swans in the Vltava River are sure to have you falling in love with the historical capital of Bohemia.
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Where to Stay in Prague
The best place to start your search of where to stay in Prague is through Booking.com & Hostelworld. Sort the results by ratings, price, and distance to the city center to help guide your decision. For the backpacker who really wants a local experience and is okay with stepping outside their comfort zone, Couchsurfing is an incredible community that will give you the gifts of new friends around the globe for life. We’ve met some incredible people both hosting travelers back in the U.S., and by staying with hosts during our travels. For the backpacker on a budget, Couchsurfing is one of the best gifts you can ask for. There is no cost, however, you’ll want to make sure you treat your host to some drinks, cook a meal for them, do the dishes and offer to host them in your home city to repay the favor.
We split our 6 days in Prague by staying in two different parts of the city. We spent 3 days at Hostel Dakura, located in the largest district of Prague 6. Prices here are currently about 775-830 Czech Crown ($33-$36 USD) for a single-bed private room or roughly the same price for a 2-bed private room (split the cost with another backpacker to help your budget!). Prague 6 has more of a residential feel, and staying in this area is a good way to see how typical life for a local is away from the tourist crowds.
We spent the other 3 days at Cosmopole Hostel, located in the city center, where prices currently are 248 Czech Crown ($11 USD) for a bed in a 12-bed mixed dorm. Both these hostels are great for a backpacker on a budget and offer you a chance to see different sides of the wonderful capital of the Czech Republic. Cosmopole offers free breakfast and can hook you up with any type of tour you are looking for, and both of these hostels have kitchens so you can cook some cheap meals and keep your backpacker budget in check.
Currency in Prague
The currency used in Prague is the Czech crown (Koruna česká). We suggest taking out smaller amounts of cash from an ATM, and using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees when you can. You’ll earn miles or points on your credit card every time you swipe. When you do take out cash, if you sign up for a checking account from a bank like Charles Schwab, they will reimburse all of your ATM fees at the end of each month. This way you can take out smaller amounts of cash, which is always smart, and not worry about the fees. This is a better idea than hiding 12,000 Koruna in your backpack. Trust us on this one. It’s way more fun to spend that extra Koruna on a few Pilsner Urquell’s and beef goulash with fried cheese instead of bank fees.
Things to Do in Prague
Charles Bridge
Prague was luckily spared and almost undamaged by the destruction that took place during WWII. That’s part of what makes the city so special. The Charles Bridge was completed in 1402, and walking across this famed bridge that connects the Lesser Quarter with the Old Town will certainly have you feeling like you took a trip back 600+ years. It’s a pedestrian-only bridge, and during the day it is jam-packed with tourists taking photos of the views along the river and the famous statues that line the bridge.
BROS TIP: either set your alarm early or get there after a late night of partying. You might just have the entire bridge to yourself, as we did after enjoying the Prague nightlife into the wee hours of the morning.
Prague Castle
Old European cities and castles seem to go hand in hand. Construction on the Prague Castle began in the 9th century and it is the largest ancient castle in the world. The castle has a long history, with it being the seat of power for kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors, Presidents of former Czechoslovakia and it houses the office of the President of the Czech Republic today. If you plan on visiting the castle, expect crowds as it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the city.
BROS TIP: how to save money in Prague? Take in the views for free along the Vltava River and from the Charles Bridge.
Dancing House
Also known as “Fred and Ginger”, the Dancing House is actually the Nationale-Nederlanden building. The site was bombed by the U.S. in 1945, and today the modern-style Dancing House stands in contrast to the Gothic and Baroque style buildings in the area. It’s a unique building, and great for a fun photo.
BROS TIP: try to come up with an original way to take a photo of this cool building. We’ve seen people mimicking punching or kicking the building, to give it its distinct bent and curved shape.
Metronome & Letna Park
Letna Park is the perfect place to chill out in some green space while also taking in views of the city. The park is located on Letna Hill, which gives you a great vantage point of the bridges of Prague, the Old Town, and the Vltava River. The best spot for these scenic overlooks is at the Metronome, where the largest statue of Joseph Stalin in the world once stood.
BROS TIP: Be sure to check out the skateboarding scene here. Near the Metronome is one of the skateboarding meccas of the world. Skaters from across the globe flock to this destination, putting on a show for the few who know about it. Afterward, tradition dictates that they toss their shoes over the wire near the Metronome. Click here for some more info on skate parks in Prague.
John Lennon Wall
Since the ‘80s, the wall has served as an inspirational whiteboard, filled with John Lennon & Beatles quotes along with graffiti inspired by other global movements and causes. The wall is constantly changing and being repainted and all the vibes here are ones of positivity, love & peace.
BROS TIP: Prague’s narrowest street (50cm or 1.6 ft) is close by, be sure to check it out!
Old Town & Old Town Square
The Old Town Square is a spectacle in itself. If you weren’t sure what city you were in after too many drinks the night before (remember, beer is cheaper than water!), the view of The Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn and its beautiful towers will confirm you are indeed still in Prague. Equally mesmerizing are the St. Nicholas Church, The Old Town Hall Tower, which offers spectacular views of the Old Town, and the Prague Astronomical Clock (more on this later).
If you happen to be in town during Christmas time, you’ll be in for a real treat. Christmas markets can be found in all the squares of the city during the season, however, the market in the Old Town Square is special. It is considered one of the best Christmas markets in the world, adorned with medieval-style markets and a tall tree, decorated to the gills.
BROS TIP: Be sure to wander around the Old Town outside of the Square. There are lots of narrow cobblestone streets, old houses, cool little bars, and restaurants, and the area is like an open-air museum.
Prague Astronomical Clock
First installed in 1410, this is the oldest operating clock in the world, a must-see when visiting Prague. It is located in Old Town Square and the clock displays a show hourly. There are animated figures including a creepy skeleton representing death and a man holding a bag of gold, representing greed. The clock has so many details that you’ll spend a good amount of time just admiring all the craftwork.
BROS TIP: get there 10-15 minutes before the hour to get a good viewing spot. Also, at night it might be a bit less crowded, plus this city really just struts its stuff at night.
Drink & Eat Like the Locals
When looking for what to do in Prague, or any new destination, drinking & eating as the locals do is always at the top of the Bros list. Food is a key way to getting in touch with how the people of Prague live. The Kulatak Restaurant is the perfect spot to enjoy authentic Czech cuisine. The options range from goulash & pork knuckle to schnitzel and pickled camembert cheese. No matter what you choose, a Pilsner Urquell beer, or “pivo” in Czech, is almost mandatory.
Having a few Pilsner Urquells while mingling with the locals (they are super friendly!) will have you feeling like a true Czech in no time. The Czech city of Pilsen is where Pilsner beer originated from in 1842. Pilsner Urquell is the world’s 1st blond lager, and it is still produced here in droves today. You’ll literally see the large tanks filled with liquid gold everywhere.
Prague also has tons of pubs, bars, and clubs for you to take in the nightlife. Pubs are pretty much everywhere, as beer is such an important part of the Czech culture. The top-rated clubs in the city are One Club Prague & Ace Club. When you’re ready for dessert, grab a Trdelník or Trdlo, a traditional chimney cake filled with sugar, chocolate, whipped cream, strawberries, or whatever other sugar-filled ingredients your heart desires.
BROS TIP: For the backpacker on a daily budget in Prague, street beers are the way to go! Like most of Europe, drinking in public is tolerated as long as you are not hammered drunk and disorderly. Keep it classy and you’ll have no trouble trying the local beers for cheap while walking off those calories around the city. Cheers!…or should we say Na zdraví! (nah ZDRAH-vee!)
Learn about the history
In Prague, there are numerous museums, but if you are backpacking on a budget, you’ll likely have to pick and choose. The Jewish Quarter is an area that was formerly a Jewish ghetto and is home to some old well-preserved synagogues, including the Spanish Synagogue. Right next to this synagogue is the Statue of Franz Kafka, another important historical figure in the city of Prague. The city has a tremendous history through thousands of years, so there is plenty to keep your mind going.
BROS TIP: take a walking tour so you can learn through a knowledgeable local as you walk through historic sites and parts of Prague. Or do what we would end up doing a lot. Use google to learn about what you are seeing and experiencing.
Other Stuff
Prague has concert halls, galleries, music clubs and professional sports including soccer, hockey, basketball and tennis. The city is classified as an Alpha-global city, similar to cities like Vienna & Washington D.C. Even as a backpacker on a budget tour in Prague, there is plenty to do.
BROS TIP: Traveling means being observant. Use this instinct, and look up current events going on in Prague. If you notice an advertisement on the metro for an interesting event, look it up and go. We found a snowboarding movie premiere at an awesome venue, which made for a sick night out in Prague.
Getting In & Out of Prague
Prague is easily accessible by bus, train, or plane. Getting around while in the city is also a breeze thanks to its extensive modern transportation system.
Most European cities are well served by bus companies. We use Flixbus when we are traveling around Europe. Seats can be reserved easily online in a few minutes to the next European city of your backpacking adventure. Prague has multiple bus stops where you can get off, depending on your final destination. The city has a very thorough public transportation system, including buses, trams, and a metro, so you should not have an issue getting from Point A to Point B for relatively cheap.
Prague is well connected to the Euro Rail network and has trains running to and from most major European cities daily. International trains arrive at Praha hlavní nádraží, the central station, abbreviated to Praha hl.n. The station is connected to the Metro Line C which can help get you where you need to go.
The main airport that serves the city is Václav Havel Airport Prague. Public buses can take you into the city center via a 45-minute drive.
The charming city of Prague is one of those destinations you’ll want to go back to. For the Bros, it is one of our favorite cities in Europe. Prague is worth visiting for a backpacker on a budget, or any type of traveler for that matter. The city has something for everybody, and it just feels different than other European cities. You feel like you’re living in a different era, or in another universe. Prague is a blessing for the backpacker on a budget. Things to see and do, a rich local cuisine, amazing beer culture, and fascinating history. Prague is the majestic medieval city along the Vltava River that will keep you wanting more.
Costs Traveling in Prague
The Bros want to share our costs traveling in Prague because we think this honesty can inspire people to travel to new destinations they otherwise thought were out of reach.
By sharing our stories and by showing exactly how much some of these experiences actually cost, we hope we can help someone out there take the steps to accomplish their travel goals. See below to check out exactly how much it cost us during 6 days in Prague as backpackers on a budget.
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READY TO TRAVEL TO PRAGUE ON A BACKPACKER BUDGET?
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