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Quite sadly

corrupt taxi drivers in Prague are one of the biggest problems commonly encountered by all visitors to Prague.

Tourist spots

Don't even think about getting into a taxi that is parked in front of the train station or at a tourist spots. They are waiting for unsuspecting tourists and are known to charge rates several times higher.

Locals

We hate them as much as you do! Czechs hate taxi drivers as much as they despise the police.

Another tip

If you feel that taxi driver will rip you off purposely make a show of writing down taxi registration no. for example to your mobile - you’re a lot less likely to be ripped off.

Call taxi

Be smart and order a taxi by phone from one of these reliable and courteous taxi companies.

Prague links

Official Prague Taxi Fares

Maximum prices for taxi services in the district of the capital city of Prague:

A ride in the district of the capital city of Prague 28 CZK/km

Boarding fee (flag fall) 40 CZK (1.65 EUR)

Waiting 6 CZK / 1 min (0.25 EUR)

These prices can be raised within a year.

The maximum prices are valid for all vehicles offering taxi services in the district of Prague. The price for waiting includes waiting in a traffic jam (slow traffic) as well as waiting at the customer's request. Fares outside of Prague are not limited/regulated (most taxi companies charge 25 CZK / 1 km), but you should negotiate before you get in.

Prague taxi fare examples:

Airport – Wenceslas Square 570 to 670 CZK.
Prague City centre hotel –Prague Castle 200 to 350 CZK.
Tophotel Praha – city centre 300 to 380 CZK.
Wenceslas Square – Lesser Town 150 to 180 CZK.
10 minute or 2 km city centre ride 90 to 120 CZK.


Long-distance taxi fare examples:

Prague City – Karlovy around 3,400 CZK.
Prague City – Brno around 4,800 CZK.
Prague Airport – Liberec around 3,400 CZK.

 

New taxi regulation effective from 1st May 2013

Prague has quite a bad reputation as a taxi-friendly city. And according to some transport companies a new law designed to clarify the rules is only serving to cause more anger and confusion.
The law, which took effect on May 1 2013, aims to clamp down on illegal practices by unifying existing regulations and making a clear distinction between conventional metered taxi companies and private-hire firms providing passenger transport services for fixed prices without meters. This law is effective for all carriers using vehicles with a capacity of up to eight passengers, not affecting bus carriers.
Under the legislation, all drivers will have to be employed by their carrier, as well as be the registered owner of the vehicle or operator of the vehicle (and be registered with the taxi vehicle register) and possess their own taxi licence. Previously, only the company itself was required to hold a licence, meaning a driver who had been banned from working for one firm could simply have found work with another.
Authorities believe that the new law will lower the practice of ripping off unsuspecting customers, but there are always potential loopholes. All companies will be subject to a maximum rate (in Prague, this is 28 CZK per kilometre set by the local municipal authority), while fares not determined by a meter must be agreed in advance and stated in a written contract between the driver or taxi company and customer.
Many limousine and private carries are not happy about the new law. According to them, it is unreasonable to expect companies that count expensive vehicles like Audis and Mercedes among their fleets to be restricted on the price they can charge. Some taxi companies say it's not also possible for them to plan every single journey and give the names of their clients, because they often wish to remain anonymous.
Drivers found to be in breach of the new rules could face fines of up to 50,000 CZK and have their licence suspended for two years.

 

August 2011

On Thursday 15 September 2011 the Prague magistrate decided in favour of stricter measures against dishonest taxi drivers. This was made possible by the amended Road Act, which introduces new options such as collecting deposits, which can serve as an advance payment of fines, confiscating a vehicle, or seizing documents to the vehicle. The situation with Prague taxi drivers has been bad for a long time. At present we are using all means to punish the taxi operators and drivers who breach the law, but some problems persist. However these are no longer problems of large numbers, but rather problems with specific groups or individuals. These problems cannot be solved fast within the framework of the present legislation, said the mayor of Prague, Bohuslav Svoboda. The problem is that the troublesome taxi drivers are not afraid of any punishment.

 

Warning for Customers

Each taxi has to be equipped with a permanently installed roof light with the ‘TAXI’ sign. The registration number, company name and the price list including the basic rate, kilometre rate and one-minute-waiting rate must be displayed on both front doors of the taxi. These prices must correspond with the prices set on the taxi meters in the taxi. Customers are recommended to order a taxi with 24-hour dispatching offices where the information on fares is available in advance. After the journey is completed, the driver is obliged to issue a correct and fully-completed receipt for payment. The receipt has to be printed using the taxi meter’s printer.
Please beware that some taxi drivers at Old Town Square say that they can charge passengers up to 99 CZK per km (regulated price is 28 CZK) if the price is shown to the client. We strongly advise you not to hire any taxis from the Old Town Square ranks.