Unpopular opinion: that 'free walking tour' in Prague cost me a full afternoon of my trip.

Everyone says to do them, right? Cheap way to see a city. I joined one near the Old Town Square, the guide said it would be about two hours. Two hours turned into almost four because he kept stopping to chat with shop owners he knew and took a super long break at a cafe that was clearly a sponsor. I was stuck. Felt rude to just leave the group. By the time it finished, I'd missed the entry window for the castle I'd planned to see. So my 'free' tour actually cost me a prime sightseeing slot and half a day. Has anyone else had a free tour totally blow up their schedule? What's a better way to get a quick, cheap city overview that actually sticks to a time?

3 comments

3 Comments

hannah3202mo ago

Oh man, that line about being "stuck" because it felt rude to leave really hits home. I've totally been there, but honestly, you can just walk away! I did that in Barcelona when a "free" tour started pushing a paid tapas add-on super hard. I just smiled, said thanks, and peeled off. The guides expect it, and it saved my afternoon.

baker.holly2mo ago

Yeah "the guides expect it" is such a good point from @hannah320, I used to feel so bad but now I just dip out too.

roberts.leo2mo ago

Spot the same thing with those pop-up shops in malls where they try to get you into a demo. They rely on that awkward feeling to keep you there. Holly's right, you just have to decide your time is more important than being polite for a second. It's a skill that works for pushy sales calls and bad dates too. Once you walk away the first time, does it get easier every time after?