You're a tourist - but don't be a sucker... and other Prague, Czech Republic Tourist Trap Tips

Taxi drivers in the city get a bad rap, especially the ones outside the airport. Don't be afraid to haggle, and you may have to go through two or three drivers to get the price you want. Remember, they will take advantage of you if you let them.

In the city, always try to flag down a moving taxi. Haggle again, and agree on a price before getting in. You should be able to get anywhere in the city centre for 100-150kc.

Avoid Charles Bridge, the Castle and Stare Mesto during obvious times. During the day and early evening, they'll be absolutely rammed. Plus, they all look better and are more magical when you've got them to yourself.

Don't get chatting to the friendly young ladies on the street. They'll be quite open about frisking you. They're not touching you up, they're trying to find your wallet. And DEFINITELY don't go anywhere with them.

If you do get roped into one of the cabaret/brothels off Wenceslas Square, behave yourself. You'll have paid an extortionate amount to get in, and eyes will be watching you. If you get too lary or start mucking about with the girls, you will get forcibly ejected.

And lastly, try not to look too much like a tourist. Czechs are generally honest, trustworthy people, but don't give anybody the opportunity to single you out and rip you off.

So don't stand around looking gormlessly at a map while wearing an "I LOVE PRAGUE" baseball cap and a seven hundred pound camera hanging round your neck. Because I'd try ripping you off, and I'm from Britain!

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At Least Do This: Prague's sex trade is thriving, thanks largely to the jetloads of ***s going there on stag dos. If you're going there for strip shows and possibly sex, then you're going to pay a lot of money on the Square.

If you must go to a strip joint, then the Golden Tree is a cheap alternative to the Square. Go to Charles Bridge, face away from the castle, and take the street dead ahead. You'll see a board outside picturing a woman with enormous ***, nipples tastefully starred out.

Entry at time of writing is 80kc. There you'll see plenty of girls jiggling about before getting 'em out. Drinks are only moderately more expensive than other bars in the centre. There is also a club downstairs.

And if you're planning to pay for sex, get in a taxi and head for Sex Park in Holesovice. Once you're through the turnstiles, you'll have about forty different girls to choose from. Expect to pay 500kc for a blowjob, or 1000kc for sex. The rooms are clean, if a little clinical, and most of the girls are stunning.
Alternative: Here's a controversial idea -

If you want to see beautiful girls, or want sex, why not go to a REAL bar or a REAL club?

Czech girls in general are gorgeous, and they're usually very friendly with foreigners. So why not chance your arm??

Although you'll rarely have trouble, do be vigilant when eating and drinking in 'touristy' areas of the city. Many places in these areas have little to recommend them. The prices are marked up and their sole purpose is to make as much money as possible from tourists, without offering niceties such as atmosphere, service and good value. The main areas to be wary of are -

The area of Hradcany directly surrounding the castle and leading up to the Loretta.

Mostecka, the strip leading off Charles Bridge castle-side, and around Malostranke Namesti.

Karlova, the strip leading from Charles Bridge towards the Old Town Square.

Old Town in general, mainly along heavily trafficked routes.

Wenceslas Square.

They make the general assumption that tourists are wealthy, are not too concerned about how much they pay, and that tourists are unfamiliar with the currency and pay little attention to the bill. These are generalisations, but they are points on which tourist traps operate.

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At Least Do This: Usually nothing worse will happen than picking up an extortionate tab for mediocre food and shocking service. But here are two examples that you should be wary of -

Example One: Check what you've ordered. On ordering a couple of glasses of wine, priced at 59kc each (still about double what you'd pay in a local wine bar), the wine arrives, accompanied by a jug of wine that the glasses have apparently been poured out of. There is enough wine in the jug for easily four more glasses. On asking for the bill, they charge you for the next wine up, priced at 99kc, claiming they're out of the cheaper wine. On top of that, if you're mug enough to top your glass up from the jug, you'll get charged for each additional glass, totting up to a potentially hefty bill.

Example Two: Check measurements and prices. Wine is usually served in 2dl glasses. The menus, however, sometimes show the price for only 1dl, so potentially you could get charged double for each glass you drink.

Always confirm prices and always check your bill. If you feel you've been cheated, argue the toss and don't be afraid to stand your ground. It'll get nasty, but only up to a point, and if they are ripping you off, they'll invariably back down.
Alternative: The alternative is simple. Although sometimes in Prague it feels like you can't have a shower without a coach load of tourists in there with you, it is still relatively easy to get away from them. They generally have a herd mentality and will follow the flow of the crowd, so ducking down side streets will often result in you finding far more charming, locally priced restaurants, bars and cafes.