Hi Folks,

I am a regular traveller to Prague since the past 1.5 years because of work and hence I am well aware of the tricks played there by the taxi folks..
Was there last Monday and I took a metered cab from outside the railway station.. I am aware that we always need to check the rate mentioned outside the window before boarding unless taking the cab from the fair price stands and as there is no fair price stand in the main railway station, I took a note of it and boarded it.. It showed the standard rate which for prague during normal day hrs is 28 Czeck crowns per km... The meter normally shows the rate code as 1 which means standard fare.. Just as the taxi started, I noticed the driver changing the meter code to 6 which was about 56 CZK per kms .. I questioned him on this after 300- 400 mts and told it shd be 1 and why has he given it as 6..
He realised tht i was well aware of their work and hence winked and said its ''Czech speciality'' and reduced it to 1 again.. When i got down he reduced the extra amt but that was clearly because he was scared..

I am hearing recently that these things hv gone up in Prague and was shocked to see the easy attitude of the driver.. he just smiled and reduced it..Just sharing my experience here for any other persons travelling there..

BTW.. for anyone who does not know.. ALWAYS take taxis from the fair priced stands.. these r there normally everywhere and the usual price is 28CZK per kms with starting rate of Czk 40.. U can also call them and they r pretty prompt. there r many agencies for these in prague and are quite dependable.. BUT NEVER take any taxi from the main tourist places like old town sqr, wnechelas sqy, namesti republicky, lesser town etc etc WHICH IS NOT standing in the fair price stand.. these will charge u approx CZK 90 - 100 per kms which is 4 times the normal rate... Better safe than sorry...

My recent experiences there in restaurants hv also not been upto expectation..and I know of lot of tourists who say similiar things..
Prague is such a beautiful place and all this is giving it a bad name abroad..

Hope the authorities do something..