Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
rip-offs in Prague
Prague's new freedom comes with new scams. There's no par-
ticular risk of violent crime, but green, rich tourists do get taken
by con artists. Simply be on guard, particularly when traveling
on trains (thieves thrive on overnight trains), changing money
(tellers with bad arithmetic and inexplicable pauses while count-
ing back your change), dealing with taxis (see “By Taxi,” page
46), paying in restaurants (see Eating chapter, page 126), and in
seedy neighborhoods.
Anytime you pay for something, make a careful note of how
much it costs, how much you're handing over, and how much you
expect back. Count your change. Someone selling you a phone
card marked 190 Kč might first tell you it's 790 Kč, hoping to
pocket the difference. If you call his bluff, he'll pretend that it
never happened.
Plainclothes policemen “looking for counterfeit money” are
con artists. Don't show them any cash or your wallet. If you're
threatened with an inexplicable fine by a “policeman,” conductor,
or other official, you can walk away, scare him away by saying
you'll need a receipt (which real officials are legally required to
provide), or ask a passerby if the fine is legit. On the other hand,
do not ignore the plainclothes inspectors on the Metro and trams
who have shown you their badges.
Pickpockets can be little children or adults dressed as
professionals—or even as tourists. They target Western visitors.
Many thieves drape jackets over their arms to disguise busy fin-
near the Jewish Quarter (see page 133).
Káva Káva Káva
Coffee,
on the boundary between the Old and New Towns, is
in the Platýz courtyard off Národní 37.
Bookstore:
For some good bookstores in Prague, see page 141 in
the Shopping chapter.
Laundry:
A full-service laundry near most of the recommended
hotels is at Karolíny Světlé 11 (200 Kč/8-pound load, wash
and dry in 2 hours, Mon-Fri 7:30-19:00, closed Sat-Sun,
200 yards from Charles Bridge on Old Town side). Or surf
the Internet while your undies tumble-dry at Korunní 14
(160 Kč/load wash and dry, Internet access-2 Kč/min, daily
8:00-20:00, near Náměstí Míru Metro stop, Praha 2).
Local Help: Magic Praha
is a tiny travel service run by Lída
Jánská. A Jill-of-all-trades, she can help with accommoda-
tions and transfers throughout the Czech Republic, as well as
private tours and side-trips to historic towns (mobile 604-207-
225, www.magicpraha.cz, magicpraha@magicpraha.cz). Lída
also speaks Spanish and Portuguese.
Bike Rental:
Prague has recently improved its network of bike
