Specifically, for a young (early 20s) woman, travelling solo? Her first trip and she is considering booking her accommodation in 6-bed hostel room - is this wise or should she look into other accommodation; a B&B perhaps - any recommendations? She'll be taking a train from Dusseldorf to Prague - a long ride, so would a first class car be safer to avoid possible theft scenarios? Are there any areas of Prague she should absolutely avoid? On a more positive note, any areas should shouldn't miss? What is the minimum amount of time she should be there - I think she has 4 days to explore Prague.

You got it ... I'm her Mom.

Thanks for your help.

I love Prague. I've been there in wintry March with family,and I've been there in springtime solo, and I've never felt unsafe. I can't speak to hostels or the train ride. As in most cities, the location can be okay, or it can be great. Where is the hostel? For safety, if she's a savvy traveler she'll keep her money and other valuables safe, and try not to fall prey to scams or pickpockets, but that's true for any city. 4 days is a great amount of time to explore Prague. I have a Prague file; if you'd like to see it, email me at ESL1051 at yahoo.com

As a middle aged woman I traveled solo in Prague about three years ago. My son was playing lacrosse for a US team and I went to watch him. The team stayed and played in the suburbs while I stayed in town. It is not optimal but obviously can be done. It was in mid-summer, a high tourist time. I did use some public transportation - metro and bus - with success. Other times I took taxis which I arranged with the hotel desk. One afternoon I was on the Charles Bridge when I realized someone was standing much closer to me than necessary. I moved and he moved. Then he went away. I was sitting at an outdoor cafe when a woman was robbed of her bag following a commotion that was set up.

I would not hesitate to do it again but one has to be very aware. At all times when seated I placed my tote bag between my feet under the table and always sat where I could see out from the cafes. I did not stay in a hostel but in a nice hotel so I cannot speak to tht aspect. I think a woman (or man) in their 20s can manage quite well with the right where-with-all. I am returning to Prague this fall but with my husband and friends.

Düsseldorf to Praha certainly is a long ride. I'd suggest backtracking to Köln and taking the CityNightLine overnight train. See http://tinyurl.com/y57vft for insight on night trains.

I think that the biggest danger in Praha is the train station itself. Rather than violence there are panhandlers and potential thieves everywhere. Tell your daughter not to talk to anyone who approaches her. She should arrive with a map and explicit instructions on how to get to her hostel or B&B, and make a beeline out of the station ASAP.

Praha is a fascinating city. Get her a Lonely Planet book to study before she gets there. Lonely Planet "Europe on a Shoestring" also has good recommendations for economy sleeps and eats.

My best friend and I visited Prague a few years ago, both female and 25 at the time. We felt completely safe. We stayed at Sir Toby's Hostel (www.sirtobys.com), and it was nice, despite being a little removed from the city centre. We had a triple room, but there were only two of us. I've stayed in much larger hostel dorms, so I think that's a matter of personal preference. I do agree though about the train station. We didn't have any issues, and in fact, met a younger guy who helped us figure out the tram/street car to our hostel, but I would venture to guess we were the exception and not the rule in that case.

As for things to see and do, we took a tour, which I think was called "The Ultimate Tour" or something like that, but I don't recommend it. The tour guide spent more time marketing the other tours in Prague she gave, and also about the various crystal shops. It wasn't very informative. On the tour, however, we saw Charles Bridge, the Jewish Ghetto, the castle, Vitrus' Cathedral, and also took a ride on a river boat. We were served lunch too at some restaurant, but the portions were more comical than anything else. I'd recommend visiting a jazz club. We did that one evening and it was really fun.

I don't know if I'd spend a solid four days in Prague, but she might be able to occupy herself. As for the train, we took an overnight train from Prague to Munich, and it was pretty safe. The man in charge of our carriage checked on us a few times during the night, and told us to sleep with the door locked and not to open it. I think that's pretty customary though on any overnight train. He also had us sleep with our passports in our pillows so we'd be able to find them when we crossed the border and had to show them in the middle of the night. That was a helpful hint, and I felt really comfortable under his watch.

Tell your daughter to enjoy eastern Europe...Prague is beautiful!

I took a night train from Venice to Prague 3 years ago. It was a first class cabin with sleeping berths. I forgot to lock the door, and in the middle of the night, two women came in and climbed into two of the other berths. They were ushered out at the next stop just after the Car Man checked tickets -- he did not try to wake me, as he had already checked my tickets. I did not realize that I could lock the door.

That "first class" cabin did not have it's own private w/c.
Additionally, advise your daughter to take bottled water and snacks for a long train trip. Although we were given a small bottle of water in Venice, I did not see or have access to anything else until 6:30 am the next morning just outside of Prague (the diner/concession was closed on the night train!)

As far as safety in Prague, I think it is safe to walk around old town square and lesser town, and the castle and gardens areas... just be alert as others have stated.

Wencelas Square (to the National Museum) is great during the day and seedy at night. Pubs and cafes near Charles University (Old Town to Jewish Quarter) are friendly and fun, as are "hidden" places in Lesser Town/Malastrana. She shouldn't be afraid to talk to people, just keep details vague....

Always have a few extra tram tickets (about $1 each or 18 kc) for a quick passage away from an area. Tram tickets are sold in Tobacco stores, and sometimes they are not open. And of course, a good map that shows streets and trams. Some hostels will require maybe a short tram ride, but really the city is very walkable!

What are her interests? If she is an artist, she may want to sit and sketch for hours, and four days will only whet her appetite. Same for the photographer, or writer.... Whatever the case, I hope that she will enjoy the city. After 9 years of several visits, it remains one of my all time favorite cities! I also recommend lonely planet books!!

Yes. Don't send her to DC

I feel that if one knows how to be safe in your home city and you keep your wits about you, you can travel safely most places.

Our daughter (20) spent four days alone in Prague and then met up with friends. It was high on her list of favorite cities. The hostel idea is a good one for a 20-something traveling alone. Our daughter has done that several times and made good friends with her dorm mates. She has stayed in both co-ed and female only dorms with no problems. She was fairly travel savvy before this trip, but now is a pro!

Prague is generally safe but please be careful and watch out for pickpockets. Especially on the metro and trams near the city center/old town where all the tourists go. The thieves work in groups, basically they will crowd around their "target" and push and shove the target inside the metro so that when the money is taken, the target has no idea what happened. I'm not trying to scare you but this has happened to me and I'm not even a tourist here. Also, the thieves who work in a gang like this are usually not Czechs, they are from Bulgaria or Yugoslavian.