Taxis in Prague
http://www.prague-guide.co.uk/articles/185/1/Taxis-in-Prague/Page1.html
By Libor Kapicka
Published on 07/7/2007
Unfortunately Prague still has one of the worst taxi drivers in the world when it comes to overcharging. It’s a standard warning in any Prague guide book. And as showed in the report foreigner tourists are more likely to be rip off then not (about 63% when taking a taxi off the street and 21% when booking over a phone). We provide an airport and taxi service in Prague with honest and reliable English speaking drivers. Book online - Prague Airport Transfer
Taxi drivers in Prague are famous for trying to rip off both tourists and locals. On the other hand though they are still much cheaper than cabs in other EU countries. Hailing a taxi on the street or taking one from a tourist attraction has the biggest risk of you being overcharged. We advise you call a taxi from one of the most popular companies like Profitaxi or AAA taxi. They have quite good reputation. The minimum cost is 40 CZK and check meter must be at zero when you get in. They charge 25CZK per kilometer and if you ask the driver to wait for they will add 6 CZK per minute. Fare to outside the district of the capital city of Prague is not limited and can be negotiated. At the end of journey driver should give you a printed receipt. If you have a registered company in Prague and are planning to use taxis for a long period you can make an agreement with ProfiTaxi. Due to recent regulations and high fines for overcharging customers - taxi drivers are starting providing more fair service. But still be careful.
From Taxi History: The taxi service in Prague has had a somewhat chequered history. During the rule of Communist Party in Czechoslovakia (1948–1989), the taxi service was nationalised into one umbrella company, and, with a short exception during liberalization related to Prague spring, no independent taxi drivers were allowed. The quality and availability of the service was low. This caused many enterprising people to run illegal taxi services. Their earnings were far above income of typical citizens and became a source of envy. After the fall of the Communism regime, the service was liberalized, and anyone could become a taxi driver. Unfortunately, the chaos of transition from planned to market economy did not leave any time to implement sufficient regulations. The lack of planning and controls has led to a number of serious taxi scams operating in the city; some of which have been linked with organised crime. Many of the victims of overpricing are tourists.
- read sad stories www.prague-taxi.co.uk
- read more stories about taxi drivers www.praguetaxi.co.uk
Don't hail taxis on the street. Either ask a Czech person to call you a cab or call one of the city's more reputable English-speaking companies. Try AAA or ProfiTaxi.
Unfortunately Prague still has one of the worst taxi drivers in the world when it comes to overcharging.
Unfortunately Prague still has one of the worst taxi drivers in the world when it comes to overcharging. It’s a standard warning in any Prague guide book. And as showed in the report foreigner tourists are more likely to be rip off then not (about 63% when taking a taxi off the street and 21% when booking over a phone). We provide an airport and taxi service in Prague with honest and reliable English speaking drivers. Book online - Prague Airport TransferTaxi drivers in Prague are famous for trying to rip off both tourists and locals. On the other hand though they are still much cheaper than cabs in other EU countries. Hailing a taxi on the street or taking one from a tourist attraction has the biggest risk of you being overcharged. We advise you call a taxi from one of the most popular companies like Profitaxi or AAA taxi. They have quite good reputation. The minimum cost is 40 CZK and check meter must be at zero when you get in. They charge 25CZK per kilometer and if you ask the driver to wait for they will add 6 CZK per minute. Fare to outside the district of the capital city of Prague is not limited and can be negotiated. At the end of journey driver should give you a printed receipt. If you have a registered company in Prague and are planning to use taxis for a long period you can make an agreement with ProfiTaxi. Due to recent regulations and high fines for overcharging customers - taxi drivers are starting providing more fair service. But still be careful.
From Taxi History: The taxi service in Prague has had a somewhat chequered history. During the rule of Communist Party in Czechoslovakia (1948–1989), the taxi service was nationalised into one umbrella company, and, with a short exception during liberalization related to Prague spring, no independent taxi drivers were allowed. The quality and availability of the service was low. This caused many enterprising people to run illegal taxi services. Their earnings were far above income of typical citizens and became a source of envy. After the fall of the Communism regime, the service was liberalized, and anyone could become a taxi driver. Unfortunately, the chaos of transition from planned to market economy did not leave any time to implement sufficient regulations. The lack of planning and controls has led to a number of serious taxi scams operating in the city; some of which have been linked with organised crime. Many of the victims of overpricing are tourists.
- read sad stories www.prague-taxi.co.uk
- read more stories about taxi drivers www.praguetaxi.co.uk
Don't hail taxis on the street. Either ask a Czech person to call you a cab or call one of the city's more reputable English-speaking companies. Try AAA or ProfiTaxi.