Prague has plenty of taxis, but visitors should still choose carefully. Although the situation has improved considerably in recent years, accepting a random taxi from the street or from a busy tourist area remains one of the easiest ways to pay more than necessary.
The safest and simplest option is to order a car through a reputable mobile app, a telephone dispatcher or a pre-booked transfer service. App-based bookings are particularly convenient because the estimated or fixed fare is displayed before the journey and the route is recorded electronically.
Avoid accepting an unsolicited taxi offered by a driver near a major tourist attraction, railway station or nightlife area. Order a ride through an app or telephone dispatcher instead, and check the fare before starting the journey.
Traditional Metered Taxi Prices in Prague
Traditional taxis with a taximeter are still widely available. An unoccupied taxi may display an illuminated roof sign and can be hailed on the street or taken from a taxi rank, although ordering in advance is usually safer.
For a standard metered taxi operating within Prague, the maximum regulated charges are:
- Initial charge: up to 60 CZK.
- Distance charge: up to 36 CZK per kilometre.
- Waiting charge: up to 7 CZK per minute.
Electric taxis may apply a slightly higher regulated maximum tariff: up to 70 CZK for the initial charge and up to 39 CZK per kilometre.
The applicable tariff should be clearly displayed inside or on the vehicle. Check that the taximeter is running correctly when the journey begins and ask for a receipt at the end of the ride. For longer journeys beyond the Prague city boundary, confirm the estimated total price before departure.
Taxi Apps in Prague
Mobile apps have made taxi travel in Prague much easier and more transparent. Bolt, Uber and Liftago are widely used, while some traditional dispatch companies also provide their own booking options.
App-booked rides work differently from traditional metered taxis. The passenger should be informed of the price before the journey and receive a confirmation after the ride has finished. Prices may change according to demand, traffic conditions and the type of vehicle selected, so compare the available options before booking.
- Bolt: A popular app-based option with upfront pricing.
- Uber: A familiar international service with upfront pricing and several vehicle categories.
- Liftago: A Czech booking platform that allows passengers to choose from available offers.
- AAA Radiotaxi: A long-established Prague taxi dispatcher available by phone and online.
- Modrý anděl: Another established telephone-dispatch option listed by Prague City Tourism.
Prices shown in taxi apps can vary. During busy periods, weekends or late-night hours, dynamic pricing may apply. Check the final quoted price before confirming the booking.
Recommended Telephone Taxi Dispatchers
If you prefer to book by telephone, ask the dispatcher for an approximate fare and keep the vehicle information sent to you. Reputable dispatchers provide a record of the booking and make it easier to identify the driver if a problem occurs.
- AAA Radiotaxi: +420 222 333 222 or 14 014.
- Modrý anděl: +420 737 222 333.
Taxi from Prague Airport
Václav Havel Airport Prague has an official contract taxi service operated through Uber Airport. Vehicles are available around the clock outside the arrivals halls at Terminals 1 and 2.
You can book an airport taxi through the Uber app, at a self-service kiosk or at one of the counters inside the arrivals halls. Prague City Tourism states that the average taxi fare from the airport to the city centre is around 690 CZK, although the actual amount depends on the destination, traffic and booking conditions.
Passengers who prefer a fixed-price service arranged before arrival can also book a Prague Airport Transfers vehicle in advance.
Do not accept offers from drivers approaching passengers inside or outside the terminal. Use the official airport booking system, a recognised app or a transfer service booked before your arrival.
How to Avoid Taxi Problems in Prague
- Order rather than hail: use a reputable app, dispatcher or pre-booked transfer whenever possible.
- Check the price: confirm the app fare or approximate cost before the journey starts.
- Watch the meter: when using a traditional taxi, make sure the taximeter is running correctly.
- Ask for a receipt: a metered taxi driver should provide one at the end of the journey.
- Keep the booking record: save the vehicle registration number and digital journey confirmation until the ride is complete.
- Avoid cash pressure: clarify the accepted payment method before departure if you are not booking through an app.
A Brief History of Taxis in Prague
Taxi services in Prague developed a poor reputation during the years after the fall of communism, when rapid liberalisation was not matched by sufficiently effective controls. Tourists arriving in unfamiliar areas were particularly vulnerable to excessive fares.
Stricter regulation, higher penalties and the growth of app-based booking platforms have improved the situation significantly. Most visitors now travel without difficulty, provided they book through a reputable company and check the price in advance.
DO NOT USE Taxi service in Prague – YOU WILL BE RIPPED OFF, one way or another. I flagged taxi, thief overcharged me using fixed meter and con me to believe that O gave him 200 crones instead of 1000. I paid $40 for ride which only cost $5. Be aware. Use alternatives like welcomepickups from airport to city , and Uber Taxify within the city – you will save aggravation and headache. Believe me, it’s not worth to face crooked taxi drivers. The Prague don’t do much in fighting them. laws are not there, the cases hard to prosecute. By using alternative services, the taxis will be obsolete due to fair competition.
While many hotel receptionists, web forum posts and guidebooks suggest that you stay away from taxis, the trick is to be sure the taxi driver switches on the meter at the #1 tariff. But best option is always to call for a taxi or prebook online (or have your hotel call one for you).
Just got bent over by a taxi driver. Don’t pre pay for a taxi and if they pull out a little yellow sheet and tell you how much it is just tell him to go fuck himself for me
I wanted to share this story with you before you think of going. A taxi driver very calmy not once but twice held us to ransome from the Pardubice racecourse to Prague airport by getting us out the car and locking our bags and money in the car to attempt to get more money out of us.
The whole incident of being left on the streets of Prague on the way to the airport with no money, no passport, no directions was very frightening. The taxi driver laughed as our bags were locked in the car and he attempted again to extort us.
it was only thanks to some neighbouring passers by (english) that we escaped. We lost ALL OF OUR MONEY but did get our bags back.
The supporting english did give the taxi driver a little lesson in not to behave in such a manner and he will think long and hard about doing this again in the futu
There is a newer taxi service also called AAA, but bearing a different logo. The newer service is not reputable and it would be advisable to know the logo of the reputable AAA service.
However, even with the reputable AAA, we had it through the driver from the headquarters that we would be charged a flat rate for a lift to the airport . . . who then proceeded to use the meter and charge us by the kilometer. Unfortunately for them, we only had the flat rate fee in cash and no more. It was an unpleasant exchange and the driver went away muttering something about buses. In short, an agreement may not be the final word, but then, you can only pay what you have in your pocket.
Are AAA Taxis really good?
Yes on most occations AAA Taxis are OK; there are not many negative posts from travellers. You can order AAA Taxi by phone or by sms. Even you can specify what languages would like your driver to speak but in most cases you will be lucky if driver speaks some English as all bookings are subject to availability.