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Occasional in Czech Republic

Scam in Czech RepublicFood and drink

Tourist-area drink overpricing in Czech Republic

Restaurants around Old Town Square in Prague and riverside establishments in Karlovy Vary.

How it works

Venues in prime tourist spots charge much more for drinks than nearby alternatives. A small serving can also make a price look better than it is.

Warning signs

  • The menu does not clearly show the serving size.
  • The price is much higher than nearby venues.

How to avoid it

  1. Read the drinks menu before ordering.
  2. Check both the price and glass size.
  3. Compare places away from the main square or riverside.

If it happens to you

Ask for an itemised bill and compare it with the menu. Challenge any charge that differs from the listed price.

  1. Get somewhere safe. Do not chase a thief or confront a group.
  2. If you are threatened or injured, call 112. For police, call 158; for a medical emergency, call 155.
  3. Block stolen cards through your bank or card issuer. Secure affected accounts.
  4. Save receipts, booking records and screenshots. Write down the time, place and vehicle or business details.
  5. Report the incident to police and ask for a report reference. For a bad currency exchange, return with the receipt within 3 hours to request a refund.
  6. Contact your insurer, rental company or embassy as relevant. Ask your card issuer about disputed payments.
What it can costSome Old Town Square restaurants charge over 100 Kč for a small beer glass, compared with quoted usual prices of 25–40 Kč for half a litre. Some Karlovy Vary riverside venues charge twice as much as places at least 20 m away.
Where it happensRestaurants around Old Town Square in Prague and riverside establishments in Karlovy Vary.Prague, Karlovy Vary

What travellers report

Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.

More scams in Czech RepublicOverpriced nightclub entry and drinks: how to avoid it

Questions

What is the tourist-area drink overpricing scam in Czech Republic?

Venues in prime tourist spots charge much more for drinks than nearby alternatives. A small serving can also make a price look better than it is.

How can I spot it early?

The menu does not clearly show the serving size. The price is much higher than nearby venues.

How do I avoid tourist-area drink overpricing in Czech Republic?

Read the drinks menu before ordering. Check both the price and glass size. Compare places away from the main square or riverside.

What should I do if it happens to me?

Ask for an itemised bill and compare it with the menu. Challenge any charge that differs from the listed price.

Where in Czech Republic does this happen?

Restaurants around Old Town Square in Prague and riverside establishments in Karlovy Vary. It has been reported in Prague, Karlovy Vary.

How much can it cost me?

Some Old Town Square restaurants charge over 100 Kč for a small beer glass, compared with quoted usual prices of 25–40 Kč for half a litre. Some Karlovy Vary riverside venues charge twice as much as places at least 20 m away.

How common is this scam in Czech Republic?

Occasional. The Czech Republic is generally safe, but scams and pickpocketing are common in busy tourist areas, especially in high season. Watch for taxi overcharging, misleading exchange rates, worthless foreign money and theft in crowds. Most detailed warnings concern Prague, with pickpocket warnings also covering parts of Brno.

Who can I report it to?

Police: call 158 for police assistance or 112 in an emergency. For a theft or fraud report, provide the location, time, receipts and any vehicle or business details. City police (městská policie): if a Prague exchange office refuses a refund requested within 3 hours, politely ask a nearby city police officer to accompany you and help. Czech National Bank: file a complaint if an exchange office refuses the refund. Keep your receipt and a record of the refusal. Taxi company: report the disputed fare with the receipt, licence plate, taxi licence number and driver's name, if available. Card issuer or bank: use its official app or contact number to block missing cards, report unauthorised transactions and ask about payment disputes. Airport security staff: report missing items immediately at the screening area. Give the screening lane, time and item description. Travel insurer: contact the claims service and keep the police report, receipts and evidence of your loss. Your embassy or consulate: contact it through official channels if your passport is stolen or you need help replacing travel documents.

What number do I call in an emergency in Czech Republic?

General emergency: 112, Police: 158, Medical emergency: 155, Fire brigade: 150.

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