Unfortunately for Prague,
its taxi drivers have become a scar on its reputation.
Fortunately for you, getting around Prague by public
transportation is so easy and convenient that you
may be able to simply forget about the existence
of taxis. Taking a taxi is a good choice when you
are traveling with a lot of luggage, it is freezing
cold, you need to get to a distant part of Prague,
or you need to travel at night when the metro isn't
running and the trams and buses run less frequently.
Although the situation is getting
better (and the City of Prague is working on it), many
Prague taxi drivers are still as rude and dishonest as
ever and will try to take advantage of you if you are
a foreigner and "don't
know the ropes". Luckily, there are
more and more reputable taxi companies that you can rely
on for good service and fair rates.
Here are some tips that might save you nightmares
and a few hundred crowns:
• Don't get into a taxi that
is parked in front of the train station or at a tourist site.
These are waiting for unsuspecting tourists
and are known to charge rates several
times higher than they should be.
• If you need to catch a taxi
on the street, make sure it is a real, registered taxi.
The yellow roof lamp must be permanently
installed and must say TAXI in black letters on both
sides. The company name, license number
and rates should
be printed on both front doors.
• Try to
find out beforehand how much your ride should cost. If
you're stopping a taxi on the street, you can ask the
driver before getting in and even pay in advance
if the amount sounds reasonable. If you're ordering
a taxi by phone (always a good idea), you can get a price
estimate from the dispatcher.
• Once in the car, make sure
that the rate on the taximeter corresponds to the price
list posted in the car. If it doesn't,
bring it to the driver's attention or have
him stop the car and get off.
• You have the right to request
a printed receipt from the driver. If he refuses to
give it to you, you can refuse to pay the
fare.
• Be smart and order a taxi
by phone from one of these reliable and courteous taxi
companies:
