Word on the Street: Taxi fares

Also in News: 1 in 2 airport taxis a ripoff

They are overcharging and not only tourists. It happened to me once. I was going late at night, or should I say early in the morning, back home from the disco, and paid some 400 Kč for a few kilometers. It really wasn't a long journey. I don't think the situation is getting better in general, as I hear a lot of stories.

Josef Prášek, student

Josef Prášek

Andrew

Zurab

Zíb

Roman Nezbeda

Ludvík Vondrák

Owen

To be honest, I have been warned before that the situation here is far from perfect. We have been preparing ourselves, tried to get as much information as possible and got recommendations to use specific taxi services. We arrived by train only half an hour ago, and were specifically advised not to take the cabs waiting in front of the station.

Andrew, tourist from Spain

It happened to me! I had been warned in advance, but on the day it happened I was in a hurry and had no time to go by public transport. My brother lived in Prague for some time, and he warned me. It seems the situation is not improving because he was here for the first time some 10 years ago.  But it is not a problem only here in Prague, also in Poland or even New York. Drivers have this famous trick of pretending to not know the way.

Zurab, tourist from Georgia

I use only one taxi service, and I don't have any problems. Of course, the difference is that I am local, and I know whom should I call when I need a cab. I know exactly what their prices are and what I can expect. A cabdriver has never tried to overcharge me. But if you come to Prague as a tourist, it can be pretty tricky.

Petr Zíb, executive recruiter

I don't use taxis much, to tell you the truth, but like almost everyone around I've heard stories about cabdrivers. I am not even from Prague, but it really is famous for this and its one of the reasons I don't use taxis here. It is definitively better to use public transport or your own car.

Roman Nezbeda, shop assistant

I have taken a taxi twice in the past year. Sure, I know about the bad reputation of cabdrivers, and when I use them I am very careful. On the other hand, I must say, nothing bad has ever happened to me or my friends. Overall, I prefer to walk, or use public transport. The public transport system is just cheaper, faster and better. 

Ludvík Vondrák, civil servant

Before I came to Prague, I hadn't heard any bad stories. I've been here for some time now, and my Slovak girlfriend who lives in Prague warned me that this might occur. But, as I say, I personally do not really have any bad experiences.

Owen, tourist from England