How to avoid taxi scams in Prague: airport, main station and Old Town

Most taxi rides in Prague are fair, and ride-hailing apps have made overcharging much rarer than it used to be. Still, the old tricks have not disappeared, especially around the busiest sights and stations. This guide explains the rules, the maximum fares and the simple habits that keep you safe.

The maximum fares

The City of Prague sets maximum fares for metered taxis. Since 1 August 2026 they are:

Item	Maximum
Boarding	70 CZK
Per kilometre	42 CZK
Per minute of waiting	7 CZK

The caps apply to rides that start and end in Prague and are charged by the taximeter, and no extra surcharges are allowed. A short ride within the centre should therefore cost a few hundred crowns, not a few thousand.

What a legal metered taxi looks like

• A yellow roof light with the word TAXI.
• The operator's name on the car and a registration sticker.
• A taximeter you can see, showing only the boarding fee when the ride starts.
• The fare list displayed on the car, usually on the door.
• The taxi driver card displayed where you can read it.
• A printed receipt from the taximeter when you ask for one.

Rides booked in apps such as Uber, Bolt and Liftago work differently. Since 2020 they do not need a taximeter or a roof light, because the price is shown in the app before you book.

The common tricks

• Offers in the arrivals hall or at the station. Someone approaches you and offers a ride. Say no and walk on.
• A flat price instead of the meter. A driver names a high fixed price instead of switching on the taximeter.
• A meter that starts high or runs fast. When you get in, the meter should show only the boarding fee.
• The long way round. The centre is small, so follow the route on your phone's map.
• Currency confusion. Some drivers quote in euros at a poor rate or give change in the wrong currency. Pay in Czech crowns, count your change, or pay by card.
• The hotspots. Problems are most common with taxis hailed on the street or waiting at stands near the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square and the main railway station.

Safe ways to get a ride

1. Use an app. Uber, Bolt and Liftago show the price before you ride and record the route.
2. At the airport, use Uber Airport or a pre-booked transfer. Uber Airport is the official service, with pick-up in front of the terminals. Other apps and taxis pick up at the express car parks next to the terminals.
3. Ask your hotel or restaurant to call a car from a company they trust.
4. If you take a metered taxi, check the roof light, the driver's card and the fare list, make sure the meter is on and ask for the receipt at the end.
5. For evenings with several stops, book a driver for the evening instead of flagging taxis. See our private driver and coach hire.

If something goes wrong

Stay calm and avoid an argument. Ask for the printed receipt, note the registration and the driver's name, and take a photo of the fare list if you can. Send a complaint to the City of Prague at [email protected]. In an urgent situation, call the municipal police on 156.

Arriving with family or a group

A pre-booked airport transfer with meet and greet removes the question entirely: the driver waits with your name and the price is agreed before you travel. Our guide from the airport to the city centre compares every option, and our guide to money in Prague covers the other classic traps: exchange offices and ATMs.