Yeah, that is crazy. Those Corona are more per bottle than I would pay at an NFL game, and those things are WAY over priced! That is just insane to see higher alcohol prices at a mini mart than I paid at bars in Washington DC.
You can better go to an Albert, Billa, Lidl or Tesco. Same beer, but much cheaper. I always suggest Belgian or Dutch tourists to go there instead of the expensive stuff.
Tesco, and to a lesser extend, Billa, is also a rip-off, if you don’t have their Bonus Club card. You can make one on your phone in no time, but it still sucks…
This. I think it's good they featured local restaurants in the video but think it would have been good to additionally compare the prices of the items from the mini market with the ones from the same items in one of the supermarkets.
I just booked my first trip to Prague! I've been rewatching your older videos before I go. Earlier in the year, you posted a video of all the things you could get for under €5. At the end of that video you asked if we would be interested in a €50 version. I'm here to say I'm interested!
Tip: Always check reviews for every place you plan on spending money on. Lots of touristy restaurants use mediocre, frozen ingredients and sell their food at an astronomical markup. For 50€ you have a fancy dinner incl. drinks for 2 people in a pretty good restaurant. Food and drinks are cheap, if you remember the exchange rate and don't do like many brainless tourists, you just pay and worry about how much later
I think this is quite common in a lot of foreign countries, that deals with expensive imports, thats not local; as no one wants to spend soo much $$$ on it.
Thanks for the great video, Janek and Honza! I just came back from Prague last Tuesday after an amazing week of holiday. I stayed at a budget hotel in New Town, close to I.P. Pavlova metro and tram station, and there are numerous inexpensive mini markets around. A good sign for an ok market: Czech customers! One time, I talked to an employee of a nearby restaurant late at night while waiting at the checkout of the mini market for another customer to pay. I paid normal prices for my Coke Zero bottles (well, prices l found ok compared to a typical kiosk here in Germany; it would have been expensive for a big grocery store, but not outrageously so) and had a nice conversation with a local. Rather, two locals: The girl at the checkout was very friendly as well - before she shoved us both out because she was closing up :) To emphasise Janek's tip: Don't buy impulsively in any market you happen to be near. Rather, check out some in the neighbourhood of your hotel, compare prices and if locals are buying there it's a good sign too. Although I assume that for their regular groceries, Prague people use the big retail stores on the outskirts of the "town proper", outside of Old Town / New Town / Mala Strana.
I think the big reason they get away with it is the unfamiliarity of how much the currency is worth. If it was priced in Euro most people would walk away
One of the first things you normally do on entering a foreign country is to verify which the conversion rate between the home and foreign currency is. Whatever else attitude is superficial and it's always a charm to see people getting angry because of their own stupidity.
Maybe the best method to save money is to buy your groceries from the supermarkets like Kaufland, Lidl, Tesco and so on. Yes, it's true that these are located outside the city center (Prague example), but probably is cheaper than this "local" minimarkets from the downtown...
Yes, I said several minimarkets like from the city center charge you overpriced products and it's cheaper to buy from the international supermarkets that I have mentioned it...Also this is one of the worst tourist traps ever. The visitors are falling down in this trap, because they probably don't have any idea of the Czech currency and the conversion rates and so on...
The true frugality is eating sandwiches or buying ready meals from a name brand supermarket such as Aldi (some countries trade as "Hofer" or "Aldi Markt"), Lidl or Tesco (all in CZ, UK, IE and others)
Thanks for the warning! I've only been to Prague once - in 1995 - and I really want to go back. When I was there, we would go to various places - some touristy, some less so. At the cheapest bar I went to, half a litre of lager/pilsener was the equivalent of between 20 and 30 eurocents, I think. That was exceptional even in the mid-nineties.
For tourists, if you go in shopping centres in the city centre, go to the ground floor if they have one and there's usually supermarkets there like Billa, Albert, Tesco, Lidl or Aldi. Much cheaper prices and you won't get scammed. The bakeries in them are all delicious!
We recently did a four city tour including Prague. We looked out for supermarket brands like Spar, Tesco, Aldi etc while we were away and always got reasonable prices. Shop where the locals shop is what we stick to. We did have a coffee in the Starbucks you visited and I would say that the prices are similar to those that I would pay in the UK. We watched a ton of your videos before our trip and they really helped us enjoy our stay in your wonderful city. Many thanks.
glad you're pointing this out. i was in Prague about a month ago and from having watched your videos i was always on the lookout for the bad prices and of course the good deals your channel has shown me over the years. helped me save a ton of money. Honest love to the honest guide
Just came back from Prague! Thank to your precious advices we spared a lot of money and had a great time. My advice? Don't go to Prague without watching all related videos posted by the Honest Guide. Thank you so much 💓 💗
it's like this in Paris too. Avoid mini markets at all costs. There's always a carrefour or monoprix within 5 minute walk and the prices are 80% cheaper and not expired!
Crazy, I went to one in Paris and got a US dollar liter of water bottle as well as a dollar of Fanta bottle. They were way cheaper than the US convenience stores.
The cheapest is to go to supermarket (BILLA, Albert Tesco...) There are plenty of them even in the city center and the prices are like 1/4 of that in these mini markets.
I always look forward to buying snacks in the Albert supermarket when I visit the Czech Republic. It's literally everywhere and has a very welcoming atmosphere. I don't have to worry about getting scammed and it makes me feel like one of the locals which is awesome haha.
Regarding the expired croissant. Expiration dates are guesstimates at the best of times and most of the time just a random date for the company to get out of liability in case you get sick and to more importantly to make you buy new one. The preservative in that croissant would probably make it edible for another few years as long as the seal holds, though the taste might deteriorate to some extent at that point.
These tricks with the currency conversion are there since forever. I never understood why people wouldn't spend like 5 minutes to get familiar with the conversion to the currency they are used to, before going on vacation. It can save you so much money... Great video guys!
If i'm right, minimarkets that also locals use and have normal prices are called potravinys. I don't know what that means, but those were the ones i used many times.
1:45 It would cost that much or even more in a bar in Finland. We have a saying we use here when something is expensive and it goes: "The seller is not dumb but the buyer is."
57 dollar for a six-pack of corona? In Norway 9,50 for one beer is a normal price in a restaurant. Even a coke is 5 euros. And in Göteborg/Sweden I paid 8,35 euros for a Guinness at an Irish pub. So it also depends in which country you are, or whether it is a tourist destination or not. In Decin, yes in Czech Republic I paid 35 crowns/€ 1,43 for a half-of-a-liter beer. But at Lobkowicz Palace Café, in the Prague Castle, they charged me for two drinks (0,2 litres each, 0,4 in total) 150 crowns/€6,15) together. Plus the sandwich I had (275 crowns) the total was 425 CZK. When I asked for the bill the waiter said that 'the service was not included'. When I said I didn't understand this, he pointed at the bottom of the bill: 'Service NOT included: 10% is GOOD, 15% is EXCELLENT'. I told him 'No'. He dropped the change on the table and walked away with 'OK, something was bad, thank you!'.
I’ve been waiting for you to do this. Go to some of the Vietnamese shops, and see how many give you a receipt completely avoiding the tax, regular shops too.
I’ve herd for the longest time “Prague is one of the most expensive cities in Europe” and while some things are you definitely can do it all for cheap and have an amazing time still Just get a Chlebiček some Kofola and maybe a koláče from somewhere outside the center of the city and you’ll pay like maybe $5 if you go to the right spots… I can’t wait to go back
I guess it's similar to mobile pay-to-win games. You know, you never unlock levels with your money, you first need to buy gems, then exchange gems to coins, and then you can spend them. This makes the player get lost in exchange rates and not understand the value of in-game currency. Same thing here, since foreign travelers usually exchange big sums at once and do not understand the value of a koruna, they tend to overspend. Sad how people are just abusing this...
I once paid 2.5 euros for a coca cola, .5 liter in a mini market, just opposite Almanac X Alcron Prague, I think it was 51 Štěpánská. It was an expensive lesson that I have since remembered. Remember, however, that there are mini markets which are reasonably priced. I always use Žabka Mini market at Maiselova 62, 110 00 Josefov, Czech Republic, more expensive than Albert but reasonable, 300 meters from Staromest namesti
Lastsummer I went to Prague, and I loved it. The only thing is that i went to a restaurant you reviewed recently (at the time I went) yet the prices were twice more expensive than the once you showed. I thing they have an english menu for visitors and one for Locals. Kinda shit to be honest, but event then the food was cheaper than in other European capitals I went. The food was great tho
That’s really weird. What was the name of the restaurant? It’s illegal to have different prices like that and I almost doubt any restaurant in Prague would risk that.
@@m3ducraft im really sorry to hear that, just bear in mind that inflation has hit czechia big time and the prices have skyrocketed in the last year (and I think Honest Guide films these videos quite in advance and sometimes reuploads old ones, so its maybe possible that that was the issue). But in the case you want any recommendations where to get a nice meal during your next visit in Prague, let me know :))and I promise those wont have any weird pricing for non czechs
@@vitkrivan9380 I though that was the case when I went. I asumed that since covid restrictions ended, and it was the start of summer vacation many places decided to increase prices in general. Even after that it was a really great experience, food, and trip. Really loved it and would love to go again for longer. If I do the I will make sure to ask, thank you.
Really informative video! As a tourist who lives in Munich and came to Praha for several times (with the Honest Guide Tips) I should include that you can go to the supermarket chains in Praha 1 (for exp: Lidl in the underground which is so close to the Mùstek subway station).
Thank you guys for all the great job you do ❤️ I loved to come to Prague on business, but avoid for 10+ years to bring my family to Prague because tired of that money making scams. Thanks to you I'm reconsidering to bring them soon to Prague. Would be happy to envite you for a thank-you-dinner!
remember going there a few years ago and paying about 1 euro for one beer in restaurants. we did not go to the tourist areas because there are just to many tourists there. water is more expensive than beer in general we noticed. I recommend going a bit away from the centre of Prague to eat.
In Israel 🇮🇱 a can of Pilsner Urquell 0.33 costs in local online shop - 78.2 CZK (13 ILS) Thats crazy. More crazy is that a cheepest czech beer in Israel is about 40 CZK for a 0.5 bottle
Should be illegal-but of course there's no way to legislate pricing. However, the Council has the power not to renew their licenses -that's how they overcome these predatory companies everywhere else. Prague sounds like it approves of it.
It's pretty similar around the world, especially in western countries, I can't speak for sure for other countries, but in Australia, places like Ezymart or those tiny convenience shops will charge almost double what the big giants of woolies, coles, aldi and IGA charge
That there are shops and restaurants that are tourist traps doesn't surprise me, they exist in every country I've ever been to. What surprises me is that there is no legal regulation that requires them to be more transparent, such as being forced to have prices on products. Here in Portugal, each store can sell at whatever price they want... but it is mandatory by law to have prices posted, with VAT included. And selling expired products can lead to business closure... businesses that are regularly inspected. The way things work in Prague, you get the idea that your government is complicit in these swindling practices, not a good look for your country! Thank you for your videos, you are doing a real public service. Greetings from Portugal.
It's weird that I can already expect these little tourist shops to screw you over somehow no matter where you go. Prices are too high, quality sucks and a lot of times the people owing or running these stores are grumpy and rude assholes.
Greetings from Ireland, I once went into a shop in the town where I live and I was almost suffocated by the smell of nail polish remover! The person behind the counter was removing the sell by dates from some packaging! Px
I’ve encountered those markets on my wedding trip to Rome in July this year. Me and my wife wanted to buy a wine, and went to this „mini market”. No prices anyway, and the wine that costs 3-4€, guy wanted to sell for 15€.
Been there recently with a bus trip. Bus sold 250ml bottles of water for 1,50 euroes, some boat trip sold a 1,5L bottle for 7,50 euroes during its lunch and then you have these overpriced ones as well on the street. I just went to the Albert and got a 1,5L bottle for like 30 eurocents and kept it cooled in the fridge of the hotel. xD I always carry around a large thermos bottle, so all the water i bought stayed cold during my trips into the city too. Best thing to do is to shop like a local and explore like a tourist! ;D
another amazing video from honest guide i am czech and its so bad that these people exist that make shops and have expired food,stuff double the price its actually so bad what the people doing im glad you keep making these videos i wanna prob go one day to prague :) :3
I was there with a friend (prague) yesterday and was staying for 3 days before. BUT I've watched your video before and knew about the minimarkets and how expensive they are. Also exchanged money on the airport. We had such a great time, eating whatever we wanted, drinking whatever, it was really nice and didn't cost a fortune. The best value was the cocktails and drinking at bars. Sooo cheap compared to Sweden!
Pickpockets and street scammers certainly exist in Spain, and some restaurants and bars may have hygiene or quality issues and inflated prices to swindle tourists, but the croissant situation is absurd even in Spain, a country where scams are not uncommon. However, here at least, there is still quite a bit of trust in the oversight and prevention efforts of inspections and reports by the authorities, at least for the food stores. In general, most tourists expect there to be a minimum of control in a Western country, which is why many visitors may not expect scams like those in those Czech shops, they are so blatant and exaggerated that they become hilarious.
What are some of the grocery chains that locals shop at? That's where I tend to shop when I am traveling. I prefer to not eat every meal at a restaurant, but have something on-the-go. I like to find where the locals shop and load up there. Thanks for all the honesty!
I kinda liked the idea of visiting Prague, now I'm not so sure I can afford it. Maybe Monaco would be cheaper? But I did enjoy your content and you earned a like and a sub!
Don't worry so much, be happy. Just do your research before you travel anywhere. Look for interests, but also common rules, prices, habits, what to do, what not - and you will be fine.
is there any mechanism in Czechia that forbids mini markets to sell expired products? or any regulations to limit the maximum price of goods in markets?
expired food is a no no, there is/would be a fine if inspectors will see this. Maximum price limit I have not seen on grocery items maybe for like critical products during covid where hand gels/respirators etc but not for a chocolates or beer :D
Erm..... I think about 6 Euros was the price for a Case of Staropramen we payed 20yrs ago ^^ I remember Prague as a real reasonable priced city and was a bit shocked what it had become in 2023. Well... I must admit the fairest price was at the Art deco Cafe and the food was great. But I remember times where me and a friend got out in the city and went to every bar with a beer less than 1 DM.... GOSH we were soooo trashed!!!
We have the same here in Edinburgh too, not one thing has a price marked on or near it. Everything is more expensive than it should be. They have been trading the same way for as long as I can remember. Nothing but crooks
Why do people even visit the old square and other tourist areas. They are boring compared to the regular non tourist areas of Prague. On the first time I visited Prague I didn't even go anywhere near the old town as I knew it would be a waste of time. On my recent visit to Prague I decided to have a quickly have a look just to see what the hype was all about, and the old town, the square, and the Charles bridge were the most depressing boring places in the entire city. I find it depressing how tourists are so thick and just copy each other and go to the same places. I kind of understand why shops overcharge tourists since they are so unbelievably thick and will pay stupid prices for things. Although this is wrong and these rip off shops need to be shut down.
I'm surprised to see you here lol, but you're correct, and I completely agree. I do the same thing when I visit places ESPECIALLY crapholes like Dublin. Since Prague may likely be a busy hellhole for me to hang around for at least an hour or 2. I'd rather hop on transport to the Commie blocks and parks rather than hang around in the centre for the rest of the daylight making that approximately 6-9 hours or so?
Me as a german being completely confused. How can someone pay seriously 6€ for one CAN (not even a bottle) of beer. In Germany you can get a "Kasten" /Box with 20 Bottles (0.5l) for like 7€.
2.8 euro for a beer in a bar that's bloody expensive!! ...I know in Prague you can get one for about 1.80 in other bars, so 6.80 for a can you have to pour yourself is robbery.
Preparing for my 3rd trip to Prague this year. Hell, beer on the tap in a concert venue is still cheaper than boring canned beer in these mini markets. They are just... podvodnici. Pure scam. I was literally stopping people from going inside in May.
Žabka is a lifesaver in Prague. 20 CZK for a water bottle, rather than 50 or more CZK in other shops in populated areas. Tesco and other super markets are still better though.
150 crowns.. one of the most expensive beers in his life.... Lets convert that to CAD... $8.72 A lot for buying a can off a shelf, but at a basic sit down restaurant, that would be the high end of normal restaurant prices for a beer around here. I have certainly paid more than that for a beer on occasion.
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You have not mentioned about LIDL, Albert etc. in the old town
The 3 months are NOT actually free, you get them after you pay at least 59$ for 2 years subscription.
Don't go to Prague the place looks like a rip off thanks for letting us know
@@j_r_- so now you know what to avoid and if you watch their other videos you'll find out how to really enjoy Prague
Czech Koruna paying for it
As someone from Norway, which has some of the wolds highest prices on Alcohol, the Corona is still over twice as expensive as in Norway.
in normal supermarkets in Prague Corona cost around 35 Czech crowns (1.45€)
@@davidpelc or even less sometimes. I love Prague.
Yeah, that is crazy. Those Corona are more per bottle than I would pay at an NFL game, and those things are WAY over priced! That is just insane to see higher alcohol prices at a mini mart than I paid at bars in Washington DC.
@@NavyDood21 how much are they at NFL games? In Norwegian supermarkets it is like 3,5-4,5€ per bottle
why the authorities not take action ??? if in malaysia this shop would be forced to closed for good
If you buy Corona in Prague, you deserve to get robbed by a mini market owner.
Facts
its better than local beer tho
@@dilettante7939 bruh :D in what reality?
@@dilettante7939no no its not Corona is not even good beer in Mexico
The worst beer I’ve ever tasted
You can better go to an Albert, Billa, Lidl or Tesco. Same beer, but much cheaper. I always suggest Belgian or Dutch tourists to go there instead of the expensive stuff.
I would pay a little more in a small, locally owned shop but not from a scammer like in this video.
I'd rather go to Globus Hypermarket LOL
Tesco, and to a lesser extend, Billa, is also a rip-off, if you don’t have their Bonus Club card. You can make one on your phone in no time, but it still sucks…
This. I think it's good they featured local restaurants in the video but think it would have been good to additionally compare the prices of the items from the mini market with the ones from the same items in one of the supermarkets.
My rule is to discover the country's supermarket chains in advance and always go into the mini ones located in the city center.
I just booked my first trip to Prague! I've been rewatching your older videos before I go. Earlier in the year, you posted a video of all the things you could get for under €5. At the end of that video you asked if we would be interested in a €50 version. I'm here to say I'm interested!
you can buy that 5€ stuff 10 times
Tip: Always check reviews for every place you plan on spending money on. Lots of touristy restaurants use mediocre, frozen ingredients and sell their food at an astronomical markup. For 50€ you have a fancy dinner incl. drinks for 2 people in a pretty good restaurant. Food and drinks are cheap, if you remember the exchange rate and don't do like many brainless tourists, you just pay and worry about how much later
So not only expensive, but expired?
Damn.
I think this is quite common in a lot of foreign countries, that deals with expensive imports, thats not local; as no one wants to spend soo much $$$ on it.
Thanks for the great video, Janek and Honza! I just came back from Prague last Tuesday after an amazing week of holiday. I stayed at a budget hotel in New Town, close to I.P. Pavlova metro and tram station, and there are numerous inexpensive mini markets around. A good sign for an ok market: Czech customers! One time, I talked to an employee of a nearby restaurant late at night while waiting at the checkout of the mini market for another customer to pay. I paid normal prices for my Coke Zero bottles (well, prices l found ok compared to a typical kiosk here in Germany; it would have been expensive for a big grocery store, but not outrageously so) and had a nice conversation with a local. Rather, two locals: The girl at the checkout was very friendly as well - before she shoved us both out because she was closing up :)
To emphasise Janek's tip: Don't buy impulsively in any market you happen to be near. Rather, check out some in the neighbourhood of your hotel, compare prices and if locals are buying there it's a good sign too. Although I assume that for their regular groceries, Prague people use the big retail stores on the outskirts of the "town proper", outside of Old Town / New Town / Mala Strana.
Yeah, look for shops called "potraviny," not for mini markets, that's for tourists.
I think the big reason they get away with it is the unfamiliarity of how much the currency is worth. If it was priced in Euro most people would walk away
One of the first things you normally do on entering a foreign country is to verify which the conversion rate between the home and foreign currency is. Whatever else attitude is superficial and it's always a charm to see people getting angry because of their own stupidity.
@@irondasgr whoooa what a tough guy you are
@@gfuentes8449 at least i have my money in my pocket
Maybe the best method to save money is to buy your groceries from the supermarkets like Kaufland, Lidl, Tesco and so on.
Yes, it's true that these are located outside the city center (Prague example), but probably is cheaper than this "local" minimarkets from the downtown...
There are also supermarkets in the city center.
Yes, I said several minimarkets like from the city center charge you overpriced products and it's cheaper to buy from the international supermarkets that I have mentioned it...Also this is one of the worst tourist traps ever. The visitors are falling down in this trap, because they probably don't have any idea of the Czech currency and the conversion rates and so on...
There are at least 4 to 5 Billa and Albert mini-marts in the historic centre (Old & New Town).
why the authorities not take action ??? if in malaysia this shop would be forced to closed for good
@@muhammad11ali11 We have a free and capitalist state.
The true frugality is eating sandwiches or buying ready meals from a name brand supermarket such as Aldi (some countries trade as "Hofer" or "Aldi Markt"), Lidl or Tesco (all in CZ, UK, IE and others)
What's up fellow backbackers
Thanks for the warning! I've only been to Prague once - in 1995 - and I really want to go back. When I was there, we would go to various places - some touristy, some less so. At the cheapest bar I went to, half a litre of lager/pilsener was the equivalent of between 20 and 30 eurocents, I think. That was exceptional even in the mid-nineties.
An average beer in an average bar will still cost less than 2€ to this day
@@thibautfz2041 not really in BAR, let me know exact location where beer cost less than 48CZK in BAR
Went to prague in june and 0.5 liter good ice cold beer costs around 1 euro in pubs but you have to search for the ones which only locals go to.
@@alikarpuz6938 share the name of pub. Even my local pub on outskirt of prague charge 1.5eur
@@peterinvestor i went to a place in Žižkov that did a 0.5L Kozel for 38CZK. this was only a few months ago.
For tourists, if you go in shopping centres in the city centre, go to the ground floor if they have one and there's usually supermarkets there like Billa, Albert, Tesco, Lidl or Aldi. Much cheaper prices and you won't get scammed. The bakeries in them are all delicious!
We recently did a four city tour including Prague. We looked out for supermarket brands like Spar, Tesco, Aldi etc while we were away and always got reasonable prices. Shop where the locals shop is what we stick to. We did have a coffee in the Starbucks you visited and I would say that the prices are similar to those that I would pay in the UK.
We watched a ton of your videos before our trip and they really helped us enjoy our stay in your wonderful city. Many thanks.
glad you're pointing this out. i was in Prague about a month ago and from having watched your videos i was always on the lookout for the bad prices and of course the good deals your channel has shown me over the years. helped me save a ton of money. Honest love to the honest guide
Just came back from Prague! Thank to your precious advices we spared a lot of money and had a great time. My advice? Don't go to Prague without watching all related videos posted by the Honest Guide. Thank you so much 💓 💗
I love Prague, I made it a point to avoid the mini-markets for anything. You're right the restaurants charge less for the same damn beer.
it's like this in Paris too. Avoid mini markets at all costs. There's always a carrefour or monoprix within 5 minute walk and the prices are 80% cheaper and not expired!
Crazy, I went to one in Paris and got a US dollar liter of water bottle as well as a dollar of Fanta bottle. They were way cheaper than the US convenience stores.
The cheapest is to go to supermarket (BILLA, Albert Tesco...) There are plenty of them even in the city center and the prices are like 1/4 of that in these mini markets.
Really, Billa is cheap in Czechia? In Austria it's one of the expensive super markets😬
Supermarket yes, Billa rather not. In general Lidl should be the cheapest
I always look forward to buying snacks in the Albert supermarket when I visit the Czech Republic. It's literally everywhere and has a very welcoming atmosphere. I don't have to worry about getting scammed and it makes me feel like one of the locals which is awesome haha.
Regarding the expired croissant. Expiration dates are guesstimates at the best of times and most of the time just a random date for the company to get out of liability in case you get sick and to more importantly to make you buy new one. The preservative in that croissant would probably make it edible for another few years as long as the seal holds, though the taste might deteriorate to some extent at that point.
Watch the Astronomical Clock but avoid the astronomical prices. Thanks for the tip.
Explore: Prague is just much more than Clock, Brigde, Castle and Cathedral. You'll avoid crowds and astronomical prices.
I sometimes go inside those minimarkets to warm up during the winter or shelter from the rain, pretending I’m not sure what to buy
if tourists are stupid enough to buy corona beer in the world capital country of beer, they deserve to pay such crazy prices!
These tricks with the currency conversion are there since forever. I never understood why people wouldn't spend like 5 minutes to get familiar with the conversion to the currency they are used to, before going on vacation. It can save you so much money...
Great video guys!
Most other cities don't try to scam you as hard as Prague, it's generally not tolerated
If i'm right, minimarkets that also locals use and have normal prices are called potravinys. I don't know what that means, but those were the ones i used many times.
Yes - POTRAVINY = groceries
potraviny means literally food, when it has Czech name, it's means for native people, not for tourists
1:45 It would cost that much or even more in a bar in Finland. We have a saying we use here when something is expensive and it goes: "The seller is not dumb but the buyer is."
57 dollar for a six-pack of corona? In Norway 9,50 for one beer is a normal price in a restaurant. Even a coke is 5 euros. And in Göteborg/Sweden I paid 8,35 euros for a Guinness at an Irish pub. So it also depends in which country you are, or whether it is a tourist destination or not. In Decin, yes in Czech Republic I paid 35 crowns/€ 1,43 for a half-of-a-liter beer.
But at Lobkowicz Palace Café, in the Prague Castle, they charged me for two drinks (0,2 litres each, 0,4 in total) 150 crowns/€6,15) together. Plus the sandwich I had (275 crowns) the total was 425 CZK. When I asked for the bill the waiter said that 'the service was not included'. When I said I didn't understand this, he pointed at the bottom of the bill: 'Service NOT included: 10% is GOOD, 15% is EXCELLENT'. I told him 'No'. He dropped the change on the table and walked away with 'OK, something was bad, thank you!'.
you guys forgot to mention that Corona in a addition to every beer from Mexico is a Pilsner pivo
🍺
The most expensive stuff I bought are a bag of chips for 10€ - not in Prague but in Greece but prices in supermarkets for things are similar there.
Amsterdam has them too
A friend of mine lived in Prague teaching English in the late ‘80s; it was dirt cheap back then.
Fun fact: Globus, one of the biggest supermarkets in Prague, is based in my little, german hometown
I’ve been waiting for you to do this. Go to some of the Vietnamese shops, and see how many give you a receipt completely avoiding the tax, regular shops too.
I remember my shock visiting Prague 10+ years ago and finding out that beer in pubs was cheaper than beer in markets in Poland :)
I’ve herd for the longest time “Prague is one of the most expensive cities in Europe” and while some things are you definitely can do it all for cheap and have an amazing time still
Just get a Chlebiček some Kofola and maybe a koláče from somewhere outside the center of the city and you’ll pay like maybe $5 if you go to the right spots… I can’t wait to go back
I guess it's similar to mobile pay-to-win games. You know, you never unlock levels with your money, you first need to buy gems, then exchange gems to coins, and then you can spend them. This makes the player get lost in exchange rates and not understand the value of in-game currency.
Same thing here, since foreign travelers usually exchange big sums at once and do not understand the value of a koruna, they tend to overspend. Sad how people are just abusing this...
I'm now having a great time in Prague :-)
Thanks for the hint to pay (almost) everything by card
Here in Brazil having no prices near the products is completely illegal
I once paid 2.5 euros for a coca cola, .5 liter in a mini market, just opposite Almanac X Alcron Prague, I think it was 51 Štěpánská. It was an expensive lesson that I have since remembered. Remember, however, that there are mini markets which are reasonably priced. I always use Žabka Mini market at Maiselova 62, 110 00 Josefov, Czech Republic, more expensive than Albert but reasonable, 300 meters from Staromest namesti
You know how they say, as long there is sheep, there won't be a shortage of wool
The 6.2 euro can of beer is just about the same as one beer in a bar in Norway, ask me how i know...
Lastsummer I went to Prague, and I loved it. The only thing is that i went to a restaurant you reviewed recently (at the time I went) yet the prices were twice more expensive than the once you showed. I thing they have an english menu for visitors and one for Locals. Kinda shit to be honest, but event then the food was cheaper than in other European capitals I went. The food was great tho
That’s really weird. What was the name of the restaurant? It’s illegal to have different prices like that and I almost doubt any restaurant in Prague would risk that.
@@vitkrivan9380 It had a bird name, I think the translation was peakock or something. I will look for it and write here if I find it
@@vitkrivan9380 U Červeného páva it was
@@m3ducraft im really sorry to hear that, just bear in mind that inflation has hit czechia big time and the prices have skyrocketed in the last year (and I think Honest Guide films these videos quite in advance and sometimes reuploads old ones, so its maybe possible that that was the issue).
But in the case you want any recommendations where to get a nice meal during your next visit in Prague, let me know :))and I promise those wont have any weird pricing for non czechs
@@vitkrivan9380 I though that was the case when I went. I asumed that since covid restrictions ended, and it was the start of summer vacation many places decided to increase prices in general. Even after that it was a really great experience, food, and trip. Really loved it and would love to go again for longer. If I do the I will make sure to ask, thank you.
Thanks, and congratulations about your videos.
We will fly to Prague next 21/08.
Regards from Portugal.
as an australian watching this, i converted the 6.2 euro and it equals 10$ which is less than what we would pay here for one single can
The water for 1000Kc must be magic.
When I visited Prag in the early 90th a cup of coffee was about 0,20 Dollar. A 5star meal 12 Dollar.
Really informative video! As a tourist who lives in Munich and came to Praha for several times (with the Honest Guide Tips) I should include that you can go to the supermarket chains in Praha 1 (for exp: Lidl in the underground which is so close to the Mùstek subway station).
Mustek has a Billa, not Lidl, but yeah that's a food advice
@@d.6593 Mustek has albert btw not billa and he did not say that there is lidl in mustek but that its close to it.
Where then , btw i meant mysak center with billa, its next to mustek@@vasekkanta
Thank you guys for all the great job you do ❤️ I loved to come to Prague on business, but avoid for 10+ years to bring my family to Prague because tired of that money making scams. Thanks to you I'm reconsidering to bring them soon to Prague. Would be happy to envite you for a thank-you-dinner!
remember going there a few years ago and paying about 1 euro for one beer in restaurants. we did not go to the tourist areas because there are just to many tourists there. water is more expensive than beer in general we noticed. I recommend going a bit away from the centre of Prague to eat.
In Israel 🇮🇱 a can of Pilsner Urquell 0.33 costs in local online shop - 78.2 CZK (13 ILS) Thats crazy.
More crazy is that a cheepest czech beer in Israel is about 40 CZK for a 0.5 bottle
Should be illegal-but of course there's no way to legislate pricing. However, the Council has the power not to renew their licenses -that's how they overcome these predatory companies everywhere else. Prague sounds like it approves of it.
It's pretty similar around the world, especially in western countries, I can't speak for sure for other countries, but in Australia, places like Ezymart or those tiny convenience shops will charge almost double what the big giants of woolies, coles, aldi and IGA charge
That there are shops and restaurants that are tourist traps doesn't surprise me, they exist in every country I've ever been to.
What surprises me is that there is no legal regulation that requires them to be more transparent, such as being forced to have prices on products.
Here in Portugal, each store can sell at whatever price they want... but it is mandatory by law to have prices posted, with VAT included.
And selling expired products can lead to business closure... businesses that are regularly inspected.
The way things work in Prague, you get the idea that your government is complicit in these swindling practices, not a good look for your country!
Thank you for your videos, you are doing a real public service.
Greetings from Portugal.
Don't worry, it is the same thing in Prague, you cannot find and punish all the shit there is.
Mini markets near the Astronomical clock sells really expensive water. The 1 liter bottle cost could buy me 2 liters from a grocery.
That's honestly crazy! Well done for exposing these scam stores. You guys ROCK !!
It's weird that I can already expect these little tourist shops to screw you over somehow no matter where you go. Prices are too high, quality sucks and a lot of times the people owing or running these stores are grumpy and rude assholes.
Awesome video as always. Good info for sure.
Greetings from Ireland, I once went into a shop in the town where I live and I was almost suffocated by the smell of nail polish remover! The person behind the counter was removing the sell by dates from some packaging! Px
I am going to arrive prag for study econ and ı learned to many things from you sir. Thank you a lot.
I’ve encountered those markets on my wedding trip to Rome in July this year. Me and my wife wanted to buy a wine, and went to this „mini market”. No prices anyway, and the wine that costs 3-4€, guy wanted to sell for 15€.
Been there recently with a bus trip. Bus sold 250ml bottles of water for 1,50 euroes, some boat trip sold a 1,5L bottle for 7,50 euroes during its lunch and then you have these overpriced ones as well on the street. I just went to the Albert and got a 1,5L bottle for like 30 eurocents and kept it cooled in the fridge of the hotel. xD I always carry around a large thermos bottle, so all the water i bought stayed cold during my trips into the city too. Best thing to do is to shop like a local and explore like a tourist! ;D
I was in Prague last week, went to a corner store and bought a 1L Sprite + small pack of Ice cube it was 5 euros!
the beer only cost 1 euro in Bila :D
It is standard to write EUR amounts with 2 decimals. Do 6,50 EUR instead of 6,5 EUR.
Go to Billa, Globus, Tesco or Pramen. Normal prices.
€6,2 for a beer can is extremly expensive even in Sweden… and we have very expensive alcohol.
in a shop, the very same pilsner beer can cost 1.2EUR in average
another amazing video from honest guide i am czech and its so bad that these people exist that make shops and have expired food,stuff double the price its actually so bad what the people doing im glad you keep making these videos i wanna prob go one day to prague :) :3
We never use the mini markets when we visit, always go to Albert or Billa...
I was there with a friend (prague) yesterday and was staying for 3 days before. BUT I've watched your video before and knew about the minimarkets and how expensive they are. Also exchanged money on the airport. We had such a great time, eating whatever we wanted, drinking whatever, it was really nice and didn't cost a fortune. The best value was the cocktails and drinking at bars. Sooo cheap compared to Sweden!
There has to be a logical explanation for the high prices. It has to be govt regulation, taxes, etc., specific to those mini markets.
24pack × 600m per bottle of water in AUSTRALIA is $6.00 AUD ( 4 euros ). Average wage $96.000 per year and minimum wage $24 per hour.🇦🇺
Pickpockets and street scammers certainly exist in Spain, and some restaurants and bars may have hygiene or quality issues and inflated prices to swindle tourists, but the croissant situation is absurd even in Spain, a country where scams are not uncommon. However, here at least, there is still quite a bit of trust in the oversight and prevention efforts of inspections and reports by the authorities, at least for the food stores. In general, most tourists expect there to be a minimum of control in a Western country, which is why many visitors may not expect scams like those in those Czech shops, they are so blatant and exaggerated that they become hilarious.
What are some of the grocery chains that locals shop at? That's where I tend to shop when I am traveling. I prefer to not eat every meal at a restaurant, but have something on-the-go. I like to find where the locals shop and load up there. Thanks for all the honesty!
Tesco, Billa, Albert, Kaufland, Globus, Lidl.
I kinda liked the idea of visiting Prague, now I'm not so sure I can afford it. Maybe Monaco would be cheaper? But I did enjoy your content and you earned a like and a sub!
Don't worry so much, be happy. Just do your research before you travel anywhere. Look for interests, but also common rules, prices, habits, what to do, what not - and you will be fine.
Try Krakow instead
Saner: "Why is it more expensive in the minimart than in the fancy restaurant? I'm going to explain." Also Saner: "Why is that? I don't know!"
Czeski film, as we say in Poland for something as crazy as your Prague prices 😉
I remember buying water in Jordan for 1.5$ until i found a real shop that sold the same bottles for less than 0.3$
is there any mechanism in Czechia that forbids mini markets to sell expired products? or any regulations to limit the maximum price of goods in markets?
In Brazil you can go to jail selling expired food, it's consider crime against public health.
expired food is a no no, there is/would be a fine if inspectors will see this. Maximum price limit I have not seen on grocery items maybe for like critical products during covid where hand gels/respirators etc but not for a chocolates or beer :D
Thanks to HG videos, I got to know Albert and Billa during my trips to Prague ❤
Erm..... I think about 6 Euros was the price for a Case of Staropramen we payed 20yrs ago ^^ I remember Prague as a real reasonable priced city and was a bit shocked what it had become in 2023. Well... I must admit the fairest price was at the Art deco Cafe and the food was great. But I remember times where me and a friend got out in the city and went to every bar with a beer less than 1 DM.... GOSH we were soooo trashed!!!
We have the same here in Edinburgh too, not one thing has a price marked on or near it. Everything is more expensive than it should be. They have been trading the same way for as long as I can remember. Nothing but crooks
Why do people even visit the old square and other tourist areas. They are boring compared to the regular non tourist areas of Prague. On the first time I visited Prague I didn't even go anywhere near the old town as I knew it would be a waste of time. On my recent visit to Prague I decided to have a quickly have a look just to see what the hype was all about, and the old town, the square, and the Charles bridge were the most depressing boring places in the entire city. I find it depressing how tourists are so thick and just copy each other and go to the same places. I kind of understand why shops overcharge tourists since they are so unbelievably thick and will pay stupid prices for things. Although this is wrong and these rip off shops need to be shut down.
I'm surprised to see you here lol, but you're correct, and I completely agree. I do the same thing when I visit places ESPECIALLY crapholes like Dublin. Since Prague may likely be a busy hellhole for me to hang around for at least an hour or 2. I'd rather hop on transport to the Commie blocks and parks rather than hang around in the centre for the rest of the daylight making that approximately 6-9 hours or so?
Me as a german being completely confused. How can someone pay seriously 6€ for one CAN (not even a bottle) of beer. In Germany you can get a "Kasten" /Box with 20 Bottles (0.5l) for like 7€.
0.5L of beer costs 0.5€ in normal Prague supermarket
On 03:01 is slovinian beer kozel from/by pivovarna Laško😊
Love and peace from sLOVEnia 🇸🇮 🤍
The funniest part to me is that a 6 pack of Pilsner Urquell in the USA is $10 USD.
I went to Prague 2 decades ago, a beer was about 50p a pint, those were the good ol days
That beer cost can buy me new pair of glasses
Zagreb is also too much expensive for us Croatians too
as a guy living in czech i only go to those mini markets as a last resort like all the shops are closed then is fo there
6.2 euros is about the price of a 6pack of those but Jupiler in Belgium (6×0.5L=3L)
I would say its a lot but if he paid 6 euro per beer its still not as bad as most clubs and pubs in Dublin where beer can easily be 7-8 euro.
2.8 euro for a beer in a bar that's bloody expensive!! ...I know in Prague you can get one for about 1.80 in other bars, so 6.80 for a can you have to pour yourself is robbery.
Preparing for my 3rd trip to Prague this year. Hell, beer on the tap in a concert venue is still cheaper than boring canned beer in these mini markets. They are just... podvodnici. Pure scam. I was literally stopping people from going inside in May.
Žabka is a lifesaver in Prague. 20 CZK for a water bottle, rather than 50 or more CZK in other shops in populated areas.
Tesco and other super markets are still better though.
150 crowns.. one of the most expensive beers in his life.... Lets convert that to CAD... $8.72
A lot for buying a can off a shelf, but at a basic sit down restaurant, that would be the high end of normal restaurant prices for a beer around here. I have certainly paid more than that for a beer on occasion.
6.2€ for can of Pilsner is more expensive than in COOP in Switzerland 😅. I was there 2 weeks ago. It was 2€… in Switzerland!!!
Iphone 15 pro is cheaper too in Switzerland.
My guess was prices are high because rent is expencive and only tourists go there but i guess i'm wrong.
A lot of brands put a recommended retail price label on their products, always look for those when travelling in foreign countries
You should make a new video but then compare the mini markets with regular supermarkets, because that would be the logical alternative for most.