How do I avoid Prague taxi scams?

Never hail a taxi on the street near tourist areas (Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square) — unofficial drivers charge 4-10x metered rates. Always order via Bolt or Uber app (both operate in Prague with verified drivers and app-based pricing) or call a known-honest company (AAA Taxi, Tick Tack Taxi). Prague metered rates are CZK 60 base + CZK 39/km in 2026; a 5km central ride should be CZK 250-350 (~€10-14). Report scams to Městská policie at Letenská 21.

How real are the currency-exchange scams in Prague?

Very real — street-front 'Change' booths in tourist areas offer rates sometimes 60-70% worse than bank rate, with confusing fine print, no-refund policies, and aggressive bait-and-switch on advertised rates. Even with the 2019 anti-scam law, deceptive booths persist. Defence: use ATMs from major Czech banks (ČSOB, Komerční Banka, Česká Spořitelna) for interbank rate. eXchange.cz on Kaprova 14 near Old Town Square is the well-known honest exchange. Most Malá Strana restaurants accept cards; cash is needed only at smaller pubs.

Common Tourist Scams in Malá Strana, Prague (and How to Avoid Them)

By The Kakapo Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-05-29 · Part of the Malá Strana, Prague safety guide

Prague taxi-scam protocol

The scam: unofficial drivers at tourist hotspots (Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square) charge 4-10x metered rates; some refuse to use meter and demand cash.
The defence: never hail a taxi on the street near tourist areas. Always order via Bolt or Uber app, or call a known-honest company (AAA Taxi, Tick Tack Taxi).
The metered-rate sanity check: Prague metered taxis cost CZK 60 base + CZK 39/km in 2026; a 5km central ride should be CZK 250-350 (~€10-14).
Uber and Bolt: both operate in Prague with verified drivers and app-based pricing; the safer default for tourists.
The official taxi ranks: at the airport, at major hotels — generally honest, but Bolt/Uber is still cheaper.
Recovery if scammed: report to Městská policie (municipal police) at the station listed below.

FAQ

How do I avoid Prague taxi scams?: Never hail a taxi on the street near tourist areas (Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square) — unofficial drivers charge 4-10x metered rates. Always order via Bolt or Uber app (both operate in Prague with verified drivers and app-based pricing) or call a known-honest company (AAA Taxi, Tick Tack Taxi). Prague metered rates are CZK 60 base + CZK 39/km in 2026; a 5km central ride should be CZK 250-350 (~€10-14). Report scams to Městská policie at Letenská 21.
How real are the currency-exchange scams in Prague?: Very real — street-front 'Change' booths in tourist areas offer rates sometimes 60-70% worse than bank rate, with confusing fine print, no-refund policies, and aggressive bait-and-switch on advertised rates. Even with the 2019 anti-scam law, deceptive booths persist. Defence: use ATMs from major Czech banks (ČSOB, Komerční Banka, Česká Spořitelna) for interbank rate. eXchange.cz on Kaprova 14 near Old Town Square is the well-known honest exchange. Most Malá Strana restaurants accept cards; cash is needed only at smaller pubs.

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Sources

Scores are the Kakapo Safety Index — compiled from government travel advisories and public crime, health and transit data. All data sources.