So when did all this happen? I was there a couple years ago and it wasn't that bad. :(

My last visit was 2 weeks ago.
I've been to Prague about 20 times. And it was never as bad as it is now.
Never ever Prague.

Oh that is sad to hear! I know you have to be careful with the cab drivers. LOL But thank you, I will watch my step there. :)

I must correct you, drinking water for stupid tourists are more like 8 Euros close to Charles Bridge and castle. Prices have been like that for 15 years. Just stay away from touristy places and you will be fine. Walk into a Vietnamese run grocery store around the next corner where you get 1.5 liters of water for less than half an Euro.

Regarding your exchange rate claims, just go to the next bank and exchange your bill. Fees are minimal. Max. 1%. And opt out of forex services on ATMs. Those services to bill in your home currency are a global scam not unique to Praha. How else are banks supposed to make money these days?

I doubt Berlin is cheaper than Prague. A day pass for the metro is over 7 Euros, twice as much as in Prague. A beer is at least 3 Euro, three times as much as Prague (and not as juicy).

Travel smart :-)

When I go I never go and do "tourist things". I prefer to rent an apartment and live like a local so I do not think I will have any trouble. :)

Hey man, i'm curious, what would you say are completly MUST DO's in Romania?

Lulz i been 12 times in Prague, and only scamming experience was when hot dog seller returned me 50 CZK instead 150 czk.

1. Yeah there is one chain in centre which advertise as 0% commision but exchange ratio is lower then official so you can lose a lot of money on it. There is a video on youtube where one local dude was sitting in front of it entire day and stopping tourists informing them how that provider is bad, but since they still operate i guess he didnt managed to stop them.
But anyway, i find it hard to believe people still using exchange service,l was always using ATM , and only once i exchanged at bus station since i was able to check exchange rate on their website before i arrived. So basically, if you want to use them, check on internet current rate, ask howmuch money you can get, then decide.

2. The thing "in your currency" is nothing related to Prague, it's a simply an ATM feature which let you pick to decide do you want exchange ratio by your card issuer or by ATM bank. Card issuer ratio is always better.

3. Exchange on street? With somany options to exchange and exchange service on every corner it is absurd to do it on street. Any kind of deal on street is bad idea. Including buying hot dogs.

Every tourist city is full of scammers and that is something what is hard to evade. Which is good to educate about it to make sure to avoid any problems.

I always buy stuff in well know brand name stores like lidl, kaufland,tesco or albert.

In age of tripadvisor and airbnb you really need to have bad luck to be burned.

Fiddy Peeps who cunt a4d2go2 Prague...

Yes plus I have been there a few times now so know my way around. :)
But I look Czech so everyone starts speaking that no-syllable language at me until they realize I am a dumb American. LOL
(then they just shake their head and walk away)

You're wrong on the options to pay by card. You want to choose to pay in the local currency. Then it's your bank doing the exchange rate. If you choose your home currency then they're doing the exchange rate which will always be worse.


If you want to change money in Prague http://exchange.cz/ is one of the few legit exchanges in the center.

Also, always count your change and check your receipts. There's a lot of fuckery going on in Prague. My advice is to stay in Prague 7 or 2. Still close to the center, but less scams and slightly lower prices.

exactly. at least this is what I always do when I withdraw cash from ATMs. I never use card to pay, so no idea about that...
and I agree about scams going on in Prague. its beautiful city, but with so-so friendly people, lots of scams, scum etc. etc.

AAAAAAWWWWW :thumbsup

For sure, visit the mountain areas, there are a few very impressive places where the mountains will take your breath away, so one thing to do is : taking a lunch on the the top of one of the mountains in one of the traditional restaurants where you can sit outside and enjoy Romanian food, which is the best food in the world.

Make sure you visit the former president house, I think its almost one of the biggest buildings on the planet, being inside there gives you a deeper knowledge of the contrast and the differences between poor and rich during the previous communist period.

Take a day in one of our parks, and enjoy watching the most beautiful girls of the planet walk by. You do not have to be shy, most speak English and are very social. People in Romania tend to be open and welcome to foreigners when you are polite to them.

Drive a few days through the country side and talk to strangers, they will invite you for one of their local drinks and you will be stunned how amazingly drunk you can become in 1 hour :) but when you do not drink, try at least their home made wine, or grill with them some meat. For them it is a very nice to speak to people from other countries, you would be the highlight of the year for them.

Take a few friends with you and visit the Most Haunted Forrest in Romania, you will feel that there is more between heaven and earth. Google Hoia Baciu Forest and maybe you will see a few ghosts :) or Aliens.

To get a good impression of Romania, you will only need to be friendly and the rest happens automatically. The people here are generous and warm, and they are more than willing to show you around in their country.

PS, if you have mobile traffic, you can also hit up Stefan from Brokerbabe and he is more then willing to show you around in their amazing office in Bucharest. ( shameless plug inserted )

You are a luxury client who loves the brand name premium prices. I.e. a chocolate bar from Swiss manufacturer Lindt will cost 95 Kcs in Albert. The same bar will be 50 in at the Vietnamese shop.

What Jay said as well....
I've been to both for 5-6yrs and its not all the same peeps infact many choose one or the other.

I dont buy chocolate, and i bought water once there and price was same

If you are worried about the price of water then find another job. LOL

Kidding - all those euros add up! :)

albanian food is the best in the world :winkwink::winkwink:

i drink tap water, mostly for ecological reasons...

Lol i am not worried i was just pointing how water price was same in brand name store and vietnamese store. Tho, i did got once free candy bar, they dont offer such things in stores :D