The currency is the Czech crown (Koruna česká – Kč), divided into 100 hellers. The following denominations are in circulation: Notes: 100; 200; 500; 1000; 2000 and 5000 Kč.

Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Kč.

The Czech Republic is still what is considered a „cash economy”, which simply means that most transactions are made in person, in cash. Nevertheless many stores and service providers accept most major bank cards.

There are branches of all the main Czech as well se foreign banks such as

• Československá obchodní banka, ČSOB – http://www.csob.cz/en
• Komerční banka, KB – http://www.kb.cz/en
• Česká spořitelna, ČS – http://www.csas.cz

(Students of Charles University who open an account with the ČS bank can be issued a Maestro Univerzita Karlova Student + international electronic card for personal use. The card is designed for students aged 18 – 30, who are enrolled in bachelor, master or doctoral study program (full-time students only). The cardholders are eligible for a variety of discounts with the bank business partners. For more, see the bank web site).

• Citibank – http://www.citibank.com

and other smaller branches where you can open an account. Bank opening hours are generally 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday and some banks are open on Saturday morning. Nearly all banks have 24-hour AMT cash machines and a foreign exchange desk where you can exchange your currency and travellers cheques.

• American Express – information at: +420 222 800 333, +420 222 800 111
• Visa/MasterCard/Eurocard – information at: +420 272 771 111
• Diners Club Czech – hot line: +420 222 316 675, +420 267 197 450, (on weekend +420 221 779 924)