Taking a Taxi in Prague
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:
- AAA Radiotaxi - tel. 140 14 or 222 333 222, www.aaa-taxi.cz
- City Taxi - tel. 257 257 257, www.citytaxi.cz
- Profi Taxi - tel. 140 35 or 2 61 31 41 51, www.profitaxi.cz
- Halotaxi - tel. 244 114 411, www.halotaxi.cz
- Sedop - tel. 777 666 333, www.sedop.cz
