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Cesky Krumlov on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, Český Krumlov can be done on a budget, especially if you sleep in a hostel or pension. Plan on about Kč 1,600 per person per day (bed Kč 700, food Kč 600, sights Kč 250, transport Kč 50).
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | Kč700 | Kč1,600 | Kč3,200 |
| Food & drink | Kč600 | Kč1,100 | Kč2,000 |
| Sights & tickets | Kč250 | Kč700 | Kč1,400 |
| Local transport | Kč50 | Kč200 | Kč500 |
| Per person, per day | Kč1,600 | Kč3,600 | Kč7,100 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Cesky Krumlov day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk through the castle courtyards and over the Cloak Bridge
- Visit the castle gardens (free; roughly April to October)
- See the bear moat at the castle entrance
- Explore Náměstí Svornosti, the main square
- Climb Cross Hill for the evening view
- Look over the town from the Seminary Garden terrace
Cheap eats
- Bramboráky, potato pancakes: a cheap side or snack
- Kulajda, dill and mushroom soup, as a filling starter
- Lunch menu in a pub across the river
- Half-litre of local beer: Kč 60–80
- Bakery pastries and a picnic by the Vltava
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels and pensions in Latrán, where rooms cost about Kč 1,200–2,200, a short walk from the castle and the main square.
Getting around cheaply
The cheapest way to arrive is the RegioJet or Flixbus bus from Prague (about 3 hours, around Kč 250–400). The town is entirely walkable; buses and trains reach České Budějovice in 30–40 minutes.
A sample budget day
- Morning: castle courtyards and gardens (free) and the tower (about Kč 180–200)
- Lunch: pub lunch menu across the river (about Kč 250)
- Afternoon: the main square and Cross Hill (free)
- Evening: svíčková and a beer (about Kč 380–450)
- Total: about Kč 900 plus your bed (about Kč 700), so roughly Kč 1,600
More ways to save
- Stay at least one night so you can see the town before the tour groups arrive.
- Pay in koruna, not euros; shop exchange rates for euros are often poor.
- Withdraw cash from bank ATMs and avoid independent ATMs with high fees.
- Share a canoe or raft to split the boat price.
- Make Hluboká and České Budějovice a day trip by bus.
- Buy picnic food at supermarkets near the bus station.
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Common questions
Can I visit Český Krumlov on a budget?
Yes, at about Kč 1,600 a day with a hostel, pub lunches and free sights.
Can I pay in euros?
Some places accept euros, but at poor rates; pay in koruna or by card.
What is free in Český Krumlov?
The castle courtyards, gardens, Cloak Bridge, main square and Cross Hill.