Tourist Scams in Czech Republic

Prague taxis from Václav Havel Airport and Wenceslas Square are notorious for overcharging foreigners. A fair trip from the airport to the center should cost 500–700 CZK — scam taxis charge 2,000–4,000 CZK.

How to avoid: Use Bolt or Uber apps from Prague Airport — they are cheaper and transparent. If taking a metered taxi, only use AAA Taxi (14014) or Liftago app. Avoid taxis soliciting outside the arrivals hall.

Taxis waiting near Wenceslas Square frequently overcharge tourists, running meters at the highest tariff or using unofficial vehicles entirely. Fares from the Square to Old Town (5 min drive) have been charged at €40+.

How to avoid: Use Liftago, Bolt, or Uber which show the fare in advance. Only use licensed taxis with the price per km visible on the door.

Bars and strip clubs on Wenceslas Square and surrounding streets present tourists with inflated drink bills. Attractive staff encourage rounds of drinks, and the bill at the end bears no relation to any menu. Bouncers prevent departure until paid.

How to avoid: Research bars thoroughly before entering. Avoid any bar or club where a person on the street urges you to enter. Ask for the drinks menu and check prices before ordering anything. Keep a running total mentally.

Exchange bureaus on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square advertise "0% commission, best rates" but apply a buy/sell spread that costs tourists up to 20% more than a bank ATM rate.

How to avoid: Use Raiffeisenbank or Komerční banka ATMs for cash. Never exchange money at kiosk bureaus in tourist areas.

In beer halls and tourist pubs, waiters bring unrequested rounds of drinks and add them to your tab without asking. This is particularly common in Old Town and at beer hall style establishments during tourist season.

How to avoid: Tell your server at the start of the meal that you will order drinks yourself and they should not bring unrequested rounds. Check your bill carefully.

Groups of individuals — often young women working in teams — approach tourists at Charles Bridge (Karlův most), Old Town Square, and outside the main train station (Praha hlavní nádraží) with clipboards or tablets claiming to represent charities helping deaf children or homeless families. While the tourist is engaged in signing, one team member stands close behind to pick pockets or open bags. Czech police confirmed in 2025 that organised charity petition collecting in Prague's tourist zones is banned and any such approach should be treated as a pickpocket operation.

How to avoid: Do not stop to sign petitions or engage with charity clipboard collectors in tourist areas. Keep your bag zipped and in front of you. If approached, decline firmly and keep walking without looking at the clipboard. If in doubt, note that legitimate charities in the Czech Republic do not solicit signatures from tourists on busy streets.

Men claiming to be plainclothes police approach tourists near Old Town Square, claiming to be checking for counterfeit money or drugs. They inspect wallets, note currency amounts, and may take money claiming it is "suspicious."

How to avoid: Real Czech police wear visible uniforms. Any plainclothes "police" check is almost certainly a scam. Insist on going to the nearest police station (stanice) and ask for a badge number. Never hand over your wallet on the street.

On Prague's crowded trams (particularly lines 22 and 17 along the tourist corridor from Vinohrady through Mala Strana) and at busy metro interchange stations like Muzeum and Mustek, coordinated teams of 2-3 operate a relay method: one member creates a distraction or jostles the target at the doors, a second lifts the wallet or phone, and a third takes the item off the vehicle before the victim realizes anything is missing. The exchanges are practiced and take under 10 seconds. Peak risk is during rush hour and when tourist-heavy trams are standing-room-only.

How to avoid: Keep wallets and phones in zipped front pockets or a crossbody bag worn in front. Be especially alert when boarding or exiting trams at crowded stops. If someone bumps into you deliberately, immediately check your belongings.