Czech and Hungary money

[sddsddean]

Do the above accept Euros from tourists readily? I know before the Euro everyone in Hungary accepted German Marks as their own money was 'not popular'! This is for my Mother in Law who is going to both this summer and it will just be easier if she can use Euros everywhere.

[Eve]

I used their own currency when I went to both - not sure about the Euro thing but I found Czech conversion rates quite hard to get my head around and ended up paying a fair bit more than I might have done otherwise had I been able to work it out better, moreso around the tourist areas in Prague (so much cheaper a little further out - we had some great local places to eat and for coffee stops right by our hotel - far far cheaper).

Also always an idea to check bills carefully as we had a few incidences of tourist tax being added on so you may end up paying more than you anticipated from say a menu.

[boxtops]

OH travels in that area from time to time, and says that they will accept them, but since they are not in the Euro zone, it's far from everywhere that will take them.

Far better if she just takes her normal debit card (although there is a fee on some accounts) and just takes money out of the ATMs in both Czech and Hungary when she gets there.

[sunny-dave]

Jenna is right about watching your bill in Prague (especially anywhere that is serving you alcohol) - there is a nasty habit of just adding a few items for luck, or even a phoney 10%/12%/15% extra 'tax' line (as well as any real service charge).

Watch your belongings *very* carefully too - especially on buses/trams .... Prague is a lovely place, it's just a shame some of the residents seem to regard tourists as walking piggy banks :+(

[sddsddean]

Thanks for the comments. She is going on a coach tour from the UK and all the meals and tours etc are included, so its just for the usual tourist 'tat' she needs a bit of money...and perhaps the odd coffee etc., so by the sound of it she should get away with just Euros I think, unless anyone vehemently thinks otherwise!

[Nibble]

Sorry, but euros are NO use in both Czech & Hungary, Czech still uses their own currency, currently the Czech crown (Kron), Hungary still use the Forint.

Czech exchange rates as of today:
http://fx-rate.net/CZK/

Hungarian rates as of today:
http://fx-rate.net/HUF/

To use euro in either country, your MIL will have to exchange to the relevant currency in Czech/Hungary, with the usual exchange commision rate.

[Eve]

If it's just bits and pieces she will need it for then even if some places do take Euros then I imagine it would be only larger chain like places, hotels, large tourist attractions etc... Many lovely things can be found from street vendors or small local shops and markets, similarly small cafes for coffee, and I can't imagine many of them would take Euros.

Even if they did then there is a change issue. Unless she managed to have the exact amount all the time I imagine change may be given in the local currency (even if they take Euros, doesn't mean they have change in Euros) and it could become a nightmare trying to then work between three currencies in each country.

It would be awful her her to find something nice to buy or somewhere to stop for coffee and for her to be unable to buy anything as she only has Euros.

Also bear in mind that, unlike Prague, English is much less widely spoken (well at least) in Hungary, even in Budapest when out of hotels/tourist restaurants. It may not be that easy for her to broach issues of currency in some, especially smaller, places.

[Nibble]

Leave it to her tour operator, Jenna, the euro IS NOT legal tender in those countries, anymore than in this country. I have driven many,many times in both these countries, and have ALWAYS needed to exchange euro to Forint/Koruna as required at the border!!

Euro are not taken at cafes/shops,etc as it is in this country!

[sddsddean]

Ok, think I'll get her a bit of 'local' cash to save her finding an ATM. Thanks.

[Bigfellah]

Having been to Hungary quite a few times, it has always been easier to take local currrency instead of Euros. As other posts state, you would need to watch very carefully if paying in Euros. Hungarian Forints are quite good value (http://www.bestforeignexchange.com/Exchange-
rates-check-exchange-rates.php)
for the best cash rates - currently about HUF350/£1.