Prague on a Budget: 11 Ways to Enjoy the City for Cheap

1. Join a Free Walking Tour

Free walking tours are the unsung heroes of Europe — and Prague has some of the best. These tours typically start in Old Town Square and are led by enthusiastic locals or expats who know their stuff (and their sarcasm). You’ll get a crash course in Prague’s complicated history, find out why defenestration is a real political strategy here, and maybe even get restaurant recommendations that won’t annihilate your wallet.

You don’t have to book in advance, but I’d recommend it — especially during peak season. Most guides work for tips, so yes, “free” still means €5–€10 if you’re not a complete monster.

➤ Book a tour with Free Walking Tour Prague

2. Explore Prague Castle Without Paying

Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle complex in the world — and yes, parts of it are totally free. You can wander the grounds, admire the Gothic spires of St. Vitus Cathedral from the outside, and take in sweeping views of the city from various lookout points — all without opening your wallet.

While the interior ticket (which includes St. George’s Basilica and the Old Royal Palace) costs around CZK 250 (~€10), the real budget win is showing up on free admission days. On October 28th, Czech Independence Day, entrance to the castle interiors is completely free. But fair warning — you’ll be there with everyone and their grandma, so show up early.

If you’re not around for that magical free day, stick to the courtyards, Golden Lane after hours (it opens for free in the evenings), and the Instagram-worthy views — especially at sunset.

➤ Check official hours and ticket info here

3. Catch Sunrise on Charles Bridge

If you only remember one thing from this post, let it be this: Charles Bridge at sunrise is pure magic — and totally free. No tourist mobs. No screaming children. No guy aggressively trying to sell you a caricature of yourself with a giant head. Just Gothic statues, golden skies, and the kind of peaceful vibe that almost makes you forget how early it is.

This is the moment you take that photo you’ll use in every “Throwback Thursday” for the next six years. And the best part? You didn’t pay a cent. You beat the crowds and the pickpockets. Win-win.

Pro tip: grab a pastry and coffee from a bakery near Old Town before heading up. The sugar helps soften the betrayal of your alarm clock.

4. Eat at Lokál or a Czech Canteen

Let’s be honest: some budget meals abroad feel like punishment. But in Prague? You can eat well without spending much — especially if you avoid restaurants with medieval knights on the menu.

For traditional Czech food that won’t insult your wallet or your digestive system, head to Lokál — a beloved chain serving up beer-friendly classics like svíčková (marinated beef in creamy sauce) and fried cheese that slaps way harder than it should.

Want to go even cheaper? Try a Czech canteen (jídelna) — humble, cafeteria-style spots that dish out hearty meals to locals on their lunch breaks. Think goulash, dumplings, and stewed veggies for under €5. You may have no clue what you’re ordering, but it’ll usually come with gravy and it’ll definitely fill you up.

5. Ride the Trams Instead of Overpriced Tours

If you thought Prague’s trams were just for locals on their commute, think again. These charming clunky carriages basically double as DIY city tours — but for the price of a cheap coffee.

Instead of coughing up €30 for a crowded hop-on hop-off bus, grab a 30-minute public transport ticket for CZK 30 (~€1.25) and hop on Tram 22, which snakes past Prague Castle, Lesser Town, National Theatre, and more. It’s scenic, slow enough to sightsee, and best of all — budget-approved.

You can also use trams to climb the city’s hills, then walk down like a smug travel genius who just saved €28.

➤ Check routes and prices on the official Prague transit site.

6. Find Free Churches and Viewpoints with Million-Euro Views

If you’re traveling Prague on a budget, skip the overpriced observation decks and head straight for the free viewpoints that locals (and smug travelers like us) already know about.

Start with Letná Park, where you’ll get panoramic views over the Vltava River and Prague’s many bridges — all without spending a koruna. Bonus: there’s usually a cheap beer stand nearby. You’re welcome.

Then there’s Vyšehrad, a historic fortress area with killer views and a surprisingly peaceful vibe. It’s free to enter, has one of the city’s coolest cemeteries (yes, that’s a thing), and gives you a crowd-free photo op of the skyline.

As for churches, the outside of St. Nicholas Church in Malá Strana is stunning enough that you can skip the entry fee. But if you really want to go in, check times — some churches host free organ concerts that give you a soundtrack to go with the Gothic vibes.

➤ Check for free concerts and open hours here.

7. Watch the Astronomical Clock (It’s Free… Kinda)

Every hour on the hour, Prague’s Astronomical Clock comes to life — and by “comes to life,” I mean it sort of whirs, the little saints shuffle past, and the crowd collectively says, “Wait, was that it?”

Still, it’s a must-see if you’re doing Prague on a budget. It’s free, it’s iconic, and it gives you a great excuse to hang around Old Town Square and people-watch. Just don’t expect a Broadway-level production. This is medieval engineering, not Disney animatronics.

Want to actually understand what you’re looking at? Here’s a nerd-level guide to the Astronomical Clock — or just pretend you do, like everyone else.

8. Visit a Museum on a Free Entry Day

Believe it or not, you can get your cultural fix in Prague without handing over your last koruna at every museum entrance. Many of the city’s best museums and galleries offer free or discounted entry on certain days, if you know when to show up.

For example, the National Gallery Prague offers free admission to its permanent exhibitions on the first Wednesday of the month after 3 PM. Some smaller galleries and city-run museums also have similar deals — or are completely free year-round.

Check museum websites before you go and plan your culture stops accordingly. Worst-case scenario? You accidentally learn something while staying under budget.

9. Grab a Trdelník (Then Learn It’s Not Really Czech)

You’ll see these sugary chimney cakes roasting on every corner of Prague’s tourist zones, practically begging you to Instagram them. They look delicious. They smell amazing. They are tasty. But here’s the kicker: Trdelník isn’t actually Czech.

The pastry has roots in Slovakia and Hungary, and only became a “Czech tradition” when someone realized tourists would pay €5 for warm dough rolled in sugar and filled with Nutella. You won’t catch locals eating it — unless they’re ironically indulging after a breakup.

That said… if you’re craving something sweet and need a budget-friendly snack that also doubles as a photo prop, go ahead and get one. Just do it knowingly. And maybe with a little shame.

10. Skip the River Cruise — Take the Public Ferry Instead

Prague’s river cruises promise “romance” and “panoramic views” — and they’ll deliver… for €25, plus a drink that somehow costs more than your hostel bed. Or, you can do what savvy budget travelers do: hop on the public ferry and get the same views for a fraction of the price.

Run by the city’s transit authority (yes, it’s legit), the P1 ferry crosses the Vltava between Podbaba and Podhoří, and is part of the regular public transport system. If you already have a valid metro/tram ticket, it won’t cost you anything extra. Same river. Same skyline. Way fewer regrets.

Bring a drink and pretend you’re on your own personal yacht. It’s called imagination. It’s also called saving €20.

➤ Check ferry times and stops here.

11. Stay Outside the Old Town to Save Big

Sure, waking up to a view of the Astronomical Clock sounds romantic… until you see the price tag (and the crowds). If you’re doing Prague on a budget, staying outside Old Town is a no-brainer.

Neighborhoods like Žižkov, Vinohrady, or even Holešovice are packed with budget hostels, cute cafés, and real people who aren’t trying to sell you a beer-themed snow globe. You’ll pay 30–50% less, get way more space, and still be 15–20 minutes by tram or metro from all the main attractions.

Plus, you’ll actually hear Czech being spoken — wild, I know.

➤ Browse budget-friendly areas to stay on Hostelworld.