Planning a trip to this beautiful city? While it's generally safe for tourists, being aware of common scams will help you avoid unpleasant surprises. This comprehensive guide covers the most frequent tourist traps and how to avoid them.
Currency Exchange Scams
Prague has countless currency exchange offices, but many target tourists with deceptive rates.
How it works: Exchange offices advertise "0% commission" with great rates on their signs, but the actual rate posted inside is terrible. Some use calculator tricks, showing you one number but giving you less. Others have hidden fees in tiny print.
How to avoid it:
- Never exchange money at airports, train stations, or tourist squares
- Use ATMs from major banks (Česká spořitelna, KB, ČSOB) instead
- If you must exchange, compare the "WE BUY" rate, not "WE SELL"
- Avoid any place with "0% commission" signs – it's almost always a trap
- Withdraw Czech Koruna (CZK) directly from your bank card
- Always count your money before leaving the counter
Taxi Overcharging Scams
While improved in recent years, taxi scams still occur in Prague.
Common tricks:
- Taxis without official markings or meters
- "Broken" meters that run excessively fast
- Drivers taking unnecessarily long routes
- Charging in euros at terrible exchange rates
How to avoid it:
- Use ride-sharing apps: Bolt, Uber, or Liftago (local app)
- If hailing a taxi, ensure it has official markings and a visible meter
- Know approximate fares: Airport to city center should be 500-700 CZK
- Agree on a price before getting in if there's no meter
- Avoid taxis waiting directly outside tourist attractions
Restaurant Menu Tricks
Old Town Square and surrounding areas have many tourist-trap restaurants.
Watch out for:
- Menus without prices that result in shocking bills
- Being charged for items you didn't order (bread, condiments)
- Photos on menus that don't match what's served
- Waiters who don't speak English well "misunderstanding" your order
How to avoid it:
- Always check for prices before ordering
- Avoid restaurants with touts outside trying to pull you in
- Walk 2-3 blocks away from Old Town Square for better value
- Use apps like TripAdvisor or Google Reviews to find reputable places
- Ask for the bill and review it carefully
Metro and Tram Scams
Fake Inspection Fines
Scammers dressed as transit inspectors approach tourists on the metro or trams, demanding on-the-spot "fines" for invalid tickets. They may flash counterfeit badges or use intimidating uniforms to pressure visitors into paying cash immediately. This scam is particularly common on tram line 22 (to Prague Castle), line 9 (through the city center), and on Metro Line A near major tourist hubs.
How to avoid it: Official PID (Prague Integrated Transport) inspectors always wear proper uniforms with visible ID numbers and carry official handheld validation devices. They never demand cash payments on the spot. Always ask to see their official ID, and if in doubt, offer to pay the fine at an official transit office or police station. Keep your ticket validated and accessible at all times—unvalidated tickets are the most common legitimate reason for fines.
Counterfeit Money in Tourist Areas
While not strictly a transit scam, counterfeit currency operators frequently target tourists near major tram stops and metro stations like Staroměstská, Muzeum, and Malostranská. They may give you fake change after you buy a ticket from an unofficial kiosk, street vendor, or compromised currency exchange booth. The most commonly counterfeited notes are 500 CZK and 1,000 CZK bills.
How to avoid it: Only buy tickets from official PID machines (located in every station), official transit centers, or authorized newsstands (Tabák/Trafica). Check your change carefully. Authentic Czech banknotes feature raised print, watermarks, and embedded security threads. If you receive suspicious change, refuse it immediately or ask for a different note. Use ATMs from major banks (ČSOB, Komerční banka, Raiffeisenbank) rather than independent Euronet machines, which charge excessive fees and occasionally dispense questionable currency.
Taxi vs. Tram Confusion Scams
Dishonest taxi drivers wait outside major metro stations and tram stops, approaching confused tourists and claiming the tram or metro is "broken," "delayed," or "not running to your destination." They then offer an exorbitantly priced ride—often €30–50 for a journey that should cost €3–5 by public transport. Some drivers even wear unofficial "transit staff" vests to appear legitimate.
How to avoid it: Use official transit apps like PID Lítačka or Google Maps to verify routes and schedules in real time. If a tram or metro line is temporarily suspended, official staff will announce it over station speakers and provide replacement bus services. Never accept rides from drivers who approach you inside or immediately outside the station. Use licensed ride-hailing apps (Bolt, Uber, Liftago) or official taxi stands with visible pricing posted on signage. Remember: legitimate transit staff will never recommend a specific taxi company or ask you to leave the station premises.