Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is one of the hottest tourist destinations in Europe at the moment. And it’s easy to see why, as the city is filled with great attractions, delicious food, and cheap beer. Unfortunately, as with all popular travel destinations, Prague has many tourist traps that look to trick visitors into spending more money than they should and end up making the experience less enjoyable. Continue reading to find out how to avoid this from happening to you.
Exchange Offices with Big “We Sell” Advertisement
One of the most common tourist traps in Prague is exchange offices that look to exploit tourists who didn’t do their research. You’ll usually recognize them by the big signs that advertise what seems to be a good rate. However, once you take a better look, you will notice the small lettering that says “we sell.” This means that the “great” rate they are offering isn’t actually what you’ll get to exchange your money to Czech koruna. It is what you would get if you would buy some other currency using the Czech koruna.
You should always research the internet to see what is the common exchange rate for your currency at any given moment and then look for exchange offices that offer something in that range.
Karlova Street Shops
Many Prague locals recommend avoiding Karlova Street which connects the Old Town with Charles Bridge, and its food and souvenir offering. According to them, the souvenir shops and restaurants charge twice as much for their products, which are also low quality, compared to the price you would usually pay at some other place in the city.
Taxis
The taxi industry in Prague has a bad rap, and rightfully so. They are known to overcharge tourists and take routes that are a lot longer than they should be. According to recent anonymous buyer research, only 20 percent of taxi drivers took the shortest route between point A and point B.
The better option is to use public transportation, which is well connected and cheap or call an Uber. If you can’t avoid taking the taxi, then it is recommended to negotiate the price before you start the drive.
Overpriced Food and Drinks
It is always good to inform yourself about food and drink prices before you even step a foot in Prague or anywhere else, for that matter. There is a lot of great and affordable food joints and restaurants in Prague, but there are also some that will look to overprice you.
This is especially the case with stands on the main square that sell Czech ham on weight. They regularly try to sell more than you can eat while also trying to make you get a drink with your food even if you are not in the mood for one. You can learn more about it in this helpful video by Honest Guide.