Living Costs

Explore the costs you can expect and find out where you can save money.

To cover your basic living expenses, you will usually need around 500-800 EUR per month, especially if you live in a student dormitory or shared accommodation. Your monthly budget can be higher if you rent a private flat, study in Prague or Brno, eat out often or travel regularly.

How much will you spend?

Living in Czechia can still be affordable for students, especially if you plan your budget and choose accommodation carefully. Czechia uses the Czech crown (CZK), not the euro. The prices below are only indicative. They can change over time and may differ by city, provider and season.

Food and drinks

Typical prices can look like this:

meal in a student canteen: 4 EUR
restaurant meal: 7-10 EUR
coffee in a café: 2,50 EUR
bread: 1 EUR
bottled water: 0,80 EUR (tap water is drinkable in Czechia)
milk, 1 litre: 0,90 EUR
apples, 1 kg: 1,80 EUR
chicken meat, 1 kg: 6 EUR

You can expect to spend around 150–230 EUR per month on food. Cooking at home and eating at university canteens will help you keep costs lower, while restaurants, cafés and food delivery can quickly increase your budget.

Accommodation

Accommodation will probably be the biggest part of your monthly budget. Prices vary a lot by city. If you want to keep costs lower, a student dorm or a shared flat is usually the best place to start. The lower end is more typical in smaller university cities, while the upper end is more likely in Prague or Brno.

student dormitory (shared room): 160 – 330 EUR
student dormitory (single room): 250 – 450 EUR
room in a shared flat: 250 – 500 EUR
small flat outside the city centre: 500-900 EUR
small flat in the city centre: 600-1000 EUR

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Public transport and travelling

Public transport in Czechia is reliable and student-friendly. In most university cities, students can get discounted long-term passes. A yearly student public transport pass can cost roughly 50–100 EUR, depending on the city and tariff rules. Always check the current price with the local transport provider. You may also use trains and buses to travel between cities or to nearby countries. Some examples of prices on one-way tickets based on prices in May 2026:

train Prague–Brno: 16 EUR
train Prague–Berlin: 37 EUR
train Brno–Vienna: 18 EUR
bus Prague–Krkonoše mountains: 4 EUR
bus Brno–Bratislava: 10 EUR

Leisure time and everyday costs

Your spending outside classes will depend on your lifestyle Set a monthly limit for leisure activities. It will help you enjoy student life without losing control of your budget. Here are some examples based on prices in May 2026:

cinema ticket: 7 EUR
swimming pool admission 5 EUR
gym monthly fee: 35 EUR
mobile phone student tariff with unlimited data: 25 EUR

Study costs

Do not forget smaller study-related expenses. You may need to pay for:

printing and copying
books or study materials
equipment for your field
your ISIC card

Student Budgeting Tips

There are many simple ways to keep your budget under control without missing out on student life.

Use Your Student Card

Your student card or ISIC can help you get discounts on transport, culture, sport, shopping and selected services.

Cook More and Use the Canteen

Many restaurants serve daily lunch menus at lower prices. Eating in a student canteen or cooking at home is cheaper than eating out regularly. Supermarket loyalty cards and special offers can help you save on groceries.

Share Your Accommodation

Shared accommodation can reduce your monthly costs. Rent, utilities and household equipment are divided between more people.

Buy Second-Hand

You can often find room equipment, dishes, books and clothes second-hand in a great shape. Try student groups, second-hand shops, swap events or local marketplaces. It is cheaper and a more sustainable choice.

Make the Most of Free Activities

Many Czech cities offer free or affordable events, museum nights, student activities, walking tours or outdoor events. Czechia is also great for hiking. You can explore marked trails across the country with very low costs.

Track Your Spending

Set a monthly limit and check your spending regularly. A simple note, spreadsheet or budgeting app can help you see where your money goes.

Student Budgeting Tips

There are many simple ways to keep your budget under control without missing out on student life.

Use Your Student Card

Your student card or ISIC can help you get discounts on transport, culture, sport, shopping and selected services.

City comparison

Prague and Brno are among the most expensive student cities in Czechia. Smaller university towns are more affordable, especially when it comes to rent and some everyday services. As a general guide, typical living costs can vary by around 10–20% between cities. The difference in accommodation costs may be even greater.

Example of an indicative comparison (source: Numbeo, 5/2026)

Item	Prague	Brno	Olomouc	Plzeň	Ostrava
Lunch in a restaurant	9.50 EUR	8.25 EUR	7.60 EUR	8.25 EUR	9.50 EUR
Cappuccino	3.30 EUR	3.25 EUR	2.40 EUR	2.80 EUR	2.85 EUR
Soft drink	1.75 EUR	1.45 EUR	1.35 EUR	1.75 EUR	1.70 EUR
Bottle of water	1.20 EUR	1.15 EUR	1.20 EUR	1.55 EUR	1.35 EUR
Small flat in the city centre	1,060 EUR	870 EUR	635 EUR	635 EUR	620 EUR

Prices are only indicative. Accommodation costs always depend on the location, flat size, equipment, energy prices and current availability.

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