Studying in Prague: How to make the most of student life without breaking the bank

Prague, “The Golden City” in the heart of Europe, is easy to fall in love with. But falling in love with its prices? Not so much. Whether you are a local, a university student, or an expat interested in exploring everything the city has to offer while keeping your finances in check, this article provides valuable tips on cost-saving measures, including budget-friendly food options, discounted entertainment opportunities, and advice on creating a personalized budget plan.

Starting adult life in a new city or country is a lot less scary when you have a roof over your head. The obvious priority when choosing a home is making sure that you can get the highest possible quality for the lowest possible price. 

Student housing is always an option. But given the prices, would you rather pay three months’ worth of rent for a flatshare in what could otherwise be a nice, well-placed unit somewhere in the city, but with dirty kitchens, overpriced circuit laundry, and sometimes poor security, or find yourself a small place that may be farther away from the city center but you wouldn't have to share with anyone?

If you’d opt for the latter, have a look at the locals’ go-to, SReality.cz or RealityiDnes.cz for cheap but good quality studios/apartments within or outside of Prague’s center. The websites allow you to adjust the parameters of your potential home (as well as your budget) and find the best option. Alternatively, you could check out websites such as HousingAnywhere.com, or Eulivia.com.

Neighborhoods within the city center are naturally a lot more expensive (we're looking at you, Vinohrady!), but splitting the rent with friends or classmates is always a smart option. Not only is it a lot more affordable, but you can also live and explore the city with students who are in the same boat as you. Just make sure you lay down ground rules before moving in together.

However, if you prefer the concept of student housing but your school’s student housing is not ideal, there are communal, student-oriented accommodations with amenities like common study areas, a multitude of hangout spots, as well as small, cozy kitchens and bathrooms for individual apartments/rooms. Check out The Fizz, where each apartment/room is different in size, price, and what it has to offer.

Cooking isn’t for everyone, but when you’re on a student budget, going to restaurants or ordering take-outs through Wolt every single night will drain your bank account before it gets to the 10th of the month.

But before you get to cooking, you’ll need groceries. Please don’t forget that you are a student, and every crown in your wallet will come in handy at some point. Instead of going to an overpriced Večerka shop which you find on every single corner of the city, go to the nearest supermarket.

Lidl is great on quality products and fun deals; Albert comes in close second with decent prices and quality; Penny Market is great on low prices and deals, though make sure to look for quality products. Avoid Billa if you intend to save money on your groceries. It’s good quality, but more expensive.

Additionally, most supermarkets have a phone app which you can download and sign up to receive notifications about great deals and items on sale and accumulate points which you can then use for purchase benefits.

And finally, if you are dead set on going out to a restaurant or for drinks with friends (you are allowed to, don’t worry), consider using Slevomat.cz, an online portal where you can purchase vouchers and coupons for countless restaurants and clubs around the city and save a good amount of money on food and drinks. Make sure to check the portal often – there are some big sales going on at any given time!

Working with a tight budget isn’t about getting rid of all the fun and joy in life. Not only is Slevomat.cz great for food and drinks, but it’s also useful when it comes to scoring good deals on entertainment and travel. From spa and relaxation to trips and fun adventures for both individuals and groups, Slevomat.cz seems to have it all covered. Again, check the portal regularly, because it will offer you many opportunities to travel cheaply and have a great time while doing it.

However, your best bet as a student is to use your student card to the maximum. Whether you have ISIC, ITIC, EURO 26, or ALIVE, your student card will be your key to enjoying Prague’s culture and entertainment without overspending; cheap tickets to the cinema, theaters, and museums or galleries (which are often free for students), as well as other attractions such as the zoo or even some amusement parks. 

Speaking of traveling in the city, as comfortable as driving a car or riding an Uber is, both will cost you more than the temporary comfort is worth. Lucky for you, Prague is known for its public transport; buses, trains, trams, metro, you name it, we have it! Your best bet is getting yourself a Lítačka card and the PID Lítačka app, which will become your best friend for the local public transport.

For a student, the monthly Lítačka pass within Prague costs CZK 107, and you can also buy tickets with the Lítačka app in case you plan to go on a trip outside of Prague; as well as register your phone as the identifier of your Lítačka profile through the app so that you can use it without the physical card.

You can also use the Jízdní Řády IDOS app to see more information about precise times of public transport locations, arrivals, and departures which you enter yourself. Google Maps is a personal favorite (it has on-map directions, who wouldn’t want that?), but it’s good to have them both!

As we’ve established, you’re sure to use your phone a lot – getting a local SIM card and a phone plan should be one of the top priorities on your list of to-do things. Some of the most popular phone operators with good quality phone plans would be T-Mobile, Vodafone, and O2. 

Be sure to check out what each operator can offer you, and bring your student card when you go to purchase your sim card and phone plan because all three operators offer beneficial student tariffs for young people until the age of 26. 

This one is a little tricky because not everybody can work in the Czech Republic unless they have some type of residency permit. However, work-study jobs should always be an option at your school, and they are a great way to earn some money, gain extra experience, and potentially meet a whole lot of interesting people. In other cases, you could apply for an online part-time job, or reach out to international firms about the internships they offer.

With a little planning and some savvy decisions, your study or work situation in Prague can turn into an exciting experience and open the doors to a financially sound future.