5 Common Tourist Traps in Prague & How to Avoid Them

One of the most visible traps in the heart of Prague involves fragrant stands selling traditional Czech ham, or Pražská šunka, and sausages near Old Town Square. The menu display can look reasonable at first glance, with a number such as 100 CZK or 140 CZK beside the product.

The catch is in the small print: the price is often per 100 grams, not per portion. Staff may carve a large piece weighing 500 grams or more without confirming the total. At the register, one paper plate can cost 600 to 800 CZK.

Before anything is cut, state the exact weight or final total that you want to pay. Better still, walk five minutes away from Old Town Square to a traditional hostinec, where a full Czech meal is often much better value.

Exchanging cash on the street can cause serious financial loss in Prague. People standing near busy exchange offices or metro stations may offer “better rates without fees”. In reality, they can hand over worthless or out-of-circulation banknotes instead of Czech koruna.

Some exchange booths also show an exceptional rate on a large outdoor board. That rate may apply only to VIP transactions, for example exchanges above €1,000. The much lower rate for smaller exchanges can be printed on a small sheet inside.

Use a verified exchange office or pay by card. Keep your receipt: under Czech law, you can cancel a currency exchange within three hours, up to €1,000.

The ATM you choose makes a real difference. Bright yellow and blue Euronet machines are common in the historic centre, at metro entrances, and at the airport. They encourage Dynamic Currency Conversion, which lets the machine operator apply its own exchange rate.

These machines may also present very high preselected withdrawal amounts, such as 10,000 CZK or 20,000 CZK. That is far more cash than most visitors need in a city where contactless payments are widely accepted.

Use ATMs attached to major Czech banks, choose a smaller custom amount, and select “Decline Conversion” or “Charge in CZK”. Your own bank generally provides the more favourable rate.

Karlova Street and Celetná, on the main Royal Route between Old Town Square and Charles Bridge, have many small convenience shops. In these locations, basic drinks and snacks can cost far more than they should.

A 0.5L bottle of water may cost 90 CZK to 120 CZK on the busiest tourist streets. Walk just 100 metres away from the main corridor and a standard supermarket can sell the same bottle for a fraction of the price.

Look for Billa, Albert, or Penny Market when you need everyday essentials.

Prague’s public transport system is one of the city’s safest and most convenient assets. A street taxi hailed at Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, or the main railway station is a less predictable option.

Some visitors encounter inflated flat rates or manipulated meters when they take an unbooked taxi in the tourist centre. This is easy to avoid.

Use Uber or Bolt, or take the metro and trams. Uber is the official airport taxi partner, and a 24-hour public transport pass works across metro, tram, and bus lines.