The Czech Republic is relatively small in size, but it is one of the major tourist, business and transit centers connecting Western and Eastern Europe. And the capital of the state ─ Prague is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Thousands of businessmen and tourists from all over the world have to use a taxi in the Czech Republic. How else could you manage to do everything and go everywhere? After all, they come not only to work, but also to admire the local beauties, bridges and castles, enjoy the world's best beer or relax in unique resorts.
Czech public transport
Transport in the Czech Republic is represented by the following types:
- automobile;
- railway;
- aviation;
- river.
The country is compact, therefore the public transport system is well developed and passenger transportation is established between all settlements. There is a subway in Prague.
The Czech Republic ranks 38th in the world in terms of the length of highways and highways.
In large cities, there are several means of transportation in the arsenal of a potential passenger: bus, train, electric train, tram, funicular and, of course, a taxi.
In general, the potential of the transport system exceeds current needs, even taking into account the huge tourist traffic. It is modern, comfortable and safe.
Read more about what transport in the Czech Republic is today.
How to recognize a taxi
It is not difficult to distinguish in the traffic flow and order a Czech taxi. Privates are issued licenses here, but the rules, including the marking and equipment of machines, are the same.
The external attributes of a taxi of the official carrier are as follows:
- yellow body;
- "Checkers" on the sides;
- a lantern with the Taxi sign on the roof;
- company name, license number and tariffs on the front doors.
The counter and cash register are included in the list of mandatory equipment.
The cabin must have a plate with information about the driver, the serial number in the fleet and the phone numbers of the company in which he works. In some cars, some of the data is printed directly on the passenger doors.
Service use
You can call a car by phone or using mobile applications. Taxis can be hailed on the street with a wave of the hand, found in numerous parking lots near entertainment and shopping centers, as well as train stations and airports.
There are many operators in the country, both international and local. The most popular are:
- AAA Taxi. The service is international, mainly providing services in the capital and the surrounding area. Has six tariffs (different in the city and outside of it) with the time of arrival to the client from 6 to 12 minutes. It has its own website www.aaataxi.cz and a mobile application that is downloaded to the gadget for free from Google Play and AppStore. Telephones for communication: +420 222 333 222 or 14- You can order a car directly from the site.
- Modry Andel. You can call the car from the website www.modryandel.cz, by calling +420 737 222 333 or by SMS to the same number, as well as through the application available for installation on Android and iOS.
- Czech service, which also has its own portal www.sedop.cz with a form for remote ordering. Contact numbers: +420 227 227 227, 281 000 040, 777 666 333 are available 24 hours a day. There are three tariff plans, business class cars with drivers are offered for rent.
- City Taxi. The company provides its services around the clock. Calling is possible by phone, via SMS, online, from a mobile application, by email. Phone numbers: dispatcher: + 420 257 257 257; order by SMS: 777 257 257. The site has a Russian version - citytaxi.cz/ru.
In addition to those listed above, Czechs and visitors often use the following services:
- Speed Cars. Tel. dispatcher: + 420 224 234 234.
- Profi Taxi. Tel .: + 420 844 700 800.
- Tel .: + 420 244 11 4411, 2 2213 5111.
- Taxi Praha: + 420 844 700 800.
There are no big differences between them. The service is European everywhere, high quality, works around the clock and quickly.
Service price
The cost of the trip depends on the distance and the size of the city in which the order is made. The fare system includes separate rates for day and night trips, including out-of-town trips.
The most expensive services are, of course, in Prague. It is worth considering that the most expensive taxis in the country operate in the central region of Wenceslas Namesti and at the Charles Bridge. Especially on routes to the airport from the center and remote areas of the city (the trip costs around 500 CZK or about 20 euros).
The average check in the capital includes:
- boarding: 30-40 CZK;
- travel (for 1 km): 20–28 CZK during the day if the order is made by phone, via SMS or mobile application, or 30 CZK if the taxi is taken from the street. Countryside rates start at 15 CZK.
- waiting over the norm (5 minutes): 6-7 CZK per minute.
Prices in the provinces are much more democratic:
- landing - from 25 CZK;
- travel CZK 17–20 per kilometer;
- one minute of downtime - 5 CZK.
Nightly rates are about one and a half to two times higher.
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Mobile order
As you might guess, remote ordering is included in the list of capabilities of most operators. This should be used, because there are a lot of benefits from such an offer.
The mobile application allows you to:
- get service at fixed prices at any time;
- to refuse the need to report the address of the point of departure (thanks to GPS-sensors on gadgets), which reduces the time of car delivery for landing;
- easily and quickly order a vehicle of the required category;
- be the first to know about promotions, bonuses and discounts.
This is a great alternative to the traditional ways of calling a taxi and car rental.
For example, Uber in the Czech Republic is very popular, operates quickly, and its services are much cheaper. To use them, you need a Czech SIM-card or a Russian one with roaming. In the official Google stores, AppStore and on the websites of operators, you can download a similar program for free.
By the way, many European companies have such applications:
- Hopin is an analogue of the aforementioned company operating in Eastern Europe. Customers are promised low rates, there is a choice of language and payment methods.
- WunderCar is a division of the German SW, which guarantees the cost of services below the market twice. After registration, the client receives a promotional code for 150 CZK, designed for an unlimited number of trips.
- In the taxi fleet of the service there are mainly hybrid cars with on-board computers. Collaborates with major shopping centers in the Czech capital.
- There are only about fifty cars, but there is a possibility of independent choice of the driver.
There is also Taxify (covers Prague, Olomouc, Pilsen, Ostrava and Ceske Budejovice) and taxi.eu (operates in the capital). By the way, the prices of the latter to the airport are the lowest on the market.
Among the new ones we can mention the company Profitaxi (website www.profitaxi.cz, tel. 261 314151, 14015).
Shared travel services
For hitchhikers, the well-known BlaBlaCar service is available, which has acquired and is developing a similar Czech service Jizdomat. The website www.blablacar.cz uses only the Czech language, and the services are provided exclusively in the country.
For example, you can get from the capital's airport Ruzyne to Karlovy Vary for only 100 CZK.
Using the service is not particularly difficult. As elsewhere, registration is required, but the commission, which is available in many countries, is absent in the Czech Republic at all.
"Our" taxi in the Czech Republic
Russian-speaking companies are working in the capital especially for Russian tourists:
- Taxi in Prague, tel .: +420 776-251-618, taxi-v-prage.com.
- "Merry Taxi", tel .: +420 212-290-290, + 420 773-183-161, veselytaxi.com.
- Premier, tel .: + 420 777-092-045, taxipremier.com.
The drivers in such companies are local, but know Russian, or Russians who have a long-term visa and have received a license.
The work rules are subject to European requirements and norms. The package of services includes transfers and rental. Prices will be slightly higher or at the level of the average Czech.
Such a purely Russian taxi with a Czech accent is convenient for customers from Russia, because most local portals have a maximum English version.
Travel Tips
Although the services are civilized, it is still recommended to take some precautions:
- Immediately make it clear to the driver that you are familiar with the route and prices. Buy a map, install a mobile application and use the navigator.
- Book a taxi by phone or online. And cheaper and safer.
- Agree on the cost, travel details and payment options before boarding.
- Check if the meter is turned on and at what tariff. During the day, within the city limits, it should be No. 1. Tariff No. 2 is used outside the city, No. 3 - outside the Czech Republic, and No. 4 - at night.
- Always ask for a receipt and do not hesitate to call the service hotline or the police if necessary. The local taxi driver is required to accept a credit card.
- Ask to send a Russian-speaking driver or use "our" taxi.
- Do not catch cars without identification marks.
If you are just going on a trip, order a transfer, for example, through KiwiTaxi or FlyTaxi.
Conclusion
Basically, there are no problems with finding a taxi in the Czech Republic. The challenge lies in the correct and timely selection of a company, driver and specific service. There is nothing new or unusual, but the quality and reliability are European.
