Scams to Watch For

You land in Prague, step out of the airport, and the first person to greet you wants triple the fare. That’s not friendly – it’s the opening move of the city’s infamous taxi mafia. By the time you reach Old Town Square, you’ll be offered a bracelet you didn’t ask for, shown a menu with hidden fees, and pointed toward a currency booth that will rob you at 50% of the real rate. This page exists so you can spot every single one of these traps before they cost you money or time. Consider it your pre-emptive strike.

Taxi mafia: the #1 Prague scam

Prague’s taxi drivers have a well-earned reputation for overcharging tourists 3–5 times the proper price. The scam is simple: you hail a cab near Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, or Prague Castle, and the driver either “forgets” to turn the meter on or quotes a flat fee that’s laughably high. A 10-minute ride that should cost around 150–200 Kč suddenly becomes 800–1000 Kč.

The rule: never, ever hail a cab off the street in the tourist zone. Instead, use one of three honest options:

Bolt or Uber – both work reliably in Prague, with transparent pricing.
Liftago – a local app that shows fixed fares up front.
AAA Radio Taxi (call 222 333 222) – the largest licensed operator; you can pre-book or call after landing.

Airport taxi: FixoTaxi is your friend

Prague’s Václav Havel Airport is crawling with touts who offer “special” rides into town. Ignore them. The only officially licensed airport taxi is FixoTaxi, which charges a flat fee (~600 Kč to the center) set in advance at their kiosk inside arrivals. Alternatively, use Bolt or Uber from the designated ride-share pickup area. Do not walk outside and take a random driver’s offer – that’s the mafia’s territory.

Need more general transport survival tips? See our Prague overview page.

Currency exchange: 0% commission = 50% loss

The “NO COMMISSION 0%” signs are everywhere on Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, and near Charles Bridge. What they don’t tell you: the exchange rate is fixed at 50–60% of the real mid-market rate. You hand over €100 and get back Kč that are worth maybe €50. Never use street exchange booths.

Only use ATMs inside bank branches. Look for ČSOB, Komerční Banka, Česká spořitelna, or KB. These give you the real rate plus the standard bank fee (around 100–150 Kč per withdrawal, which is manageable). For a full breakdown of cash and cards in Prague, read our Prague money guide.

ATM scam: the helpful stranger

Another classic: you’re at an ATM and a “helpful” person appears, saying your card isn’t inserted properly. They offer to help, and while you watch, they swap your card or skim it. Never let anyone assist you at an ATM. Cover your PIN with your hand, and if you need help, walk away and find a bank branch with a staffed counter.

Euronet: the worst ATMs in town

Euronet operates dozens of ATMs in the tourist core. They charge a 5–9 EUR fee per withdrawal plus a terrible exchange rate. You’ll lose 15–20% compared to a bank ATM. Avoid them like the plague. If you see a colorful ATM with “Euronet” on it, walk three blocks and find a bank branch.

DCC: the silent ripoff at every terminal

When you pay by card, the terminal may ask: “Pay in your home currency?” Always say NO. That’s Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), and it adds a 3-5% markup. Always choose to pay in Czech koruny (Kč). This applies in restaurants, shops, and taxis.

Restaurant tricks: the menu is a minefield

Restaurants in Old Town and on Wenceslas Square love to spring surprise charges. The key warning signs:

Menus that quote both Kč and EUR – pay in Kč. The EUR price is usually rounded up 20% above the real rate.
Small-print extras like “cover charge” (prkné), “bread basket,” or “hotel service charge 10%”. These can add 100–200 Kč to your bill. Ask before ordering: “Is there any cover charge or extra fee?”
“Special” tourist menus – restaurants within three blocks of the main squares often offer fixed-price “traditional menus” that are overpriced. Walk three blocks away from the tourist epicenter and you’ll find normal Czech prices.

Street scams: friendly approach = trap

Petition + clipboard scam

On Old Town Square and Charles Bridge, a person with a clipboard approaches and asks you to sign a petition (often for a deaf charity or some cause). While you’re distracted, an accomplice dips into your bag or asks for a “donation.” The clipboard also covers their hands. Keep walking – don’t even make eye contact.

Friendship bracelet scam

Same locations, same tactic: someone ties a colored bracelet around your wrist while saying it’s a “gift.” Then they demand payment – usually 200–500 Kč. Don’t let them touch you. If they manage to tie it, say “No money” firmly and walk away; they’ll usually give up.

Three-cup shell game

A group of men on Wenceslas Square or Old Town Square will be playing a “guess the ball” game with three cups. A shill wins easily to draw you in, and then you lose real money. The cups are rigged. It’s a scam – don’t play, don’t stop to watch.

Pickpocket hotspots

Prague is not dangerous violent‑crime‑wise, but pickpockets are professional. Keep your wallet in a front zipped pocket and your bag zipped and in front. The riskiest places:

Tram 22 and Tram 9 – the tourist lines to Prague Castle. Crowded trams are prime territory.
Old Town Square – especially during the night light show on the Astronomical Clock.
Charles Bridge – day or night, the crush of people is a pickpocket’s dream.
Wenceslas Square at night – the bars, clubs, and late-night crowds create easy distractions.

Worried about neighborhood safety? Check our Prague safe neighborhoods guide for where to stay and where to avoid after dark.

Strip club bait‑and‑switch

Near Wenceslas Square and the Old Town, touts lure men into “gentleman’s clubs” with promises of cheap drinks or free entry. Inside, drink prices are not posted, and a single beer costs 2,000 Kč. The bill for the evening can easily hit 20,000 Kč. If a tout tries to pull you in, keep walking. Legitimate strip clubs usually have prices visible and don’t use touts on the street.

Exim Tours: the fake tourist info center

There’s a so‑called “official tourist information” center run by Exim Tours on Old Town Square. It is not official. They sell overpriced tours, push their gift shop, and give directions that funnel you into their partner businesses. Genuine Prague Information Service (PIS) offices are located at Staroměstské náměstí 1 (the Old Town Hall) and Na Příkopě 20. Use those.

Fake police

This one is rare but nasty. Two people claiming to be plain‑clothes police approach and ask to inspect your wallet for “counterfeit money” or “drug money.” They may demand a cash “inspection” on the spot. Real Czech police will never ask to handle your money. They’ll show a badge (with a hologram and a photo) and can produce a station name. If you’re suspicious, say “I want to call your station” and threaten to dial 158 (police emergency). Genuine officers will understand and can call themselves. Scammers will melt away.

Online apartment scam

“Cheap Prague flat” ads on Facebook Marketplace or random websites ask for a deposit (usually 50% of the rental) before you arrive. The apartment doesn’t exist. Only book through established platforms (Booking.com, Airbnb, local agencies) and never pay by bank transfer or Western Union. Even on Airbnb, read reviews – some scammers create fake listings with stolen photos.

What to do if you get scammed

If you’re robbed, cheated, or feel unsafe, here are the numbers to know:

Emergency: 112 (works in English)
Police: 158
Tourist Police helpline: +420 974 825 008 (English-speaking, can send officers to your location if needed)

Report the scam to the local police station. The Old Town station is near the Astronomical Clock (Staroměstské náměstí 1). They take reports seriously, though recovering cash from a street scam is unlikely. The main purpose is to alert authorities and, if you have travel insurance, to get a police report for your claim.

Prague is a fantastic city – just don’t let the scammers write your story. Keep your wits about you, use the apps, pay in Kč, and walk away from anyone who approaches you unsolicited. That’s the real survival strategy.