Prague Personal Security
 

Plan to travel to Prague this Dec and I am concerned with the personal security risks. We plan to use a private guide and avoid public transportation, but do plan to walk by ourselves as much as possible. I live in a large US city and have traveled all over the world, so have some experience and common sense. But from the reports I read, the situation in Prague seems serious. Is it legal to carry mace? Is it a good idea?

Hello, Alex!

Alright, I'm not exactly sure where you are getting your information--though you are not the first person that I have heard this from, so I don't want you to think that I'm being critical--BUT here's my take....

My husband and I have lived here for a year. We live near the city center (so we aren't secluded out in a suburb or expat community somewhere); we take public transportation everywhere, all the time, to all parts of the city. In fact, public transit runs all night as well, and we have taken it, too, and have never felt unsafe.

Now, if you have common sense (i.e. aren't flashing your money around or throwing your passport at people in the street), watch your personal belonging just like you would at home and basically pay reasonable attention to what is happening around you, you should have no problems! :)

Prague is such a beautiful and graceful city--especially in the snow!--that I would hate for you to come unnecessarily anticipating a "serious" situation here that doesn't exist.

Mace? I think not.

As you get closer to your trip, let me know if you need restaurant or activity suggestions! :)--MP

I don't know which reports you're getting your information from, but here in Europe Prague isn't viewed as a particularly dangerous city. Experience and common sense should be adequate precautions.

I'd have to agree with these posters. You can walk the streets of Prague even late at night---particularly in the central historic district---and feel perfectly safe. You might have to watch for pickpockets on trams and around the touristy areas, but they're pretty easiliy discouraged, particularly in the winter, when you can simply put your wallet, etc., in an inside pocket of your coat. I haven't read about this crime wave you mention either.

i worked in prague for many months...lived on the edge of the city centre in working class karlin. there are a lot of dodgy people in prague and they have had some problems with mafia types. as for the average tourist however, there is little to worry about as long as you are careful. i regularly walked alone all over the city at crazy hours of the night (perhaps not very smart) and never had any indications of problems. i took the trams all the time and they are very safe. i also took the underground sometimes and never had a problem there either (however, if you are particularly paranoid, you might want to stick with the trams as they will feel safer to you).

What about Wenceslas Square? I've heard that's pretty shady ... any concerns about being there at night or staying close by there or in the New Town?

I think the main problem with the Wenceslas Square area is that it's kind of seedy in a Times Square in the 1980s kind of way. But in terms of personal security, I still don't think street crime is that much of an issue there. It's well lit at night and quite busy. Anyway, someone like alexrey who is really worried about safety will probably take cabs anyway.

You appear to have confused Prague with Iraq.

It is perfectly safe (no need for personal guide or to avoid public transit) other than the usual scams and pickpockets in major train stations that you see everywhere in the world.

Some people have trouble with cabbies since they dont know approx price of a ride. We had a problem with only one - and I just paid him what it should have been - rather than what he was asking. When he complained I offered to call the polic and he left. (The key is if the driver refuses to pull up in front of the hotel - insist he does - if he still refuses pay half of what he's asking.

...or you could just take AAA taxi and not deal with any of this BS. they are one of the best taxi companies i have ever dealt with anywhere in the world...completely professional. you can either call them or you can usually find them on the street. if you take a random taxi, you will have to deal with some BS (fixed price "deals" instead of the meter, outright scams, etc).

AAA cannot be found at the airport...a company called airport cars handles airport transport...they are always honest as well (although a meter is not used by airport cars, the price is fixed and after MANY trips, the price was always correct).

I've been to Prague three times now (about 5-10 days each time), and love the city. I go all over alone and I'm a female, and take public transportation, also. It's not seriously dangerous there if you do use common sense. I have heard their metro system might be a little more dangerous than some cities late at night. I stick to buses/trams the few times I did want to take public transportation late (like after the opera).

Maybe your reports are from people who were there under Communism or something. Seriously, I have a friend who was a professional classical musician who told me Prague was dangerous and he had to have body guards when he went there -- but that was about 25 years ago. I do have a friend who was just robbed of 300 euro in the Prague metro system, also, so I would exercise caution on that regard (she does not). I don't know the details on that one yet as she's living in Finland now and I haven't spoken to her recently -- if it was just a pickpocket or more forcible, I don't know, but she was going around with a lot of money on her (she was there as a tourist with her husband, whom she was with when that happened).

Kind of a dumb question, but why would trams be safer than underground? Rick Steves says trams 22 and 23 are especially prone to pickpockets.

Another question about personal safety ... if it can be called that ... is getting ripped off. I've heard stories of people not giving proper change, adding things to restaurant bills, etc. Any incidences of this ?

i didn't say that the trams were safer than the underground. i don't have the stats to make these claims. i said that the trams feel safer...they are well lit and the driver is in there with you.

i don't feel that the underground is unsafe...however, you can get into an isolated car (difficult to avoid in some areas when it is not busy). you also need to navigate through tunnels, dimly lit staircases, etc. this makes it feel less safe. the tram feels very safe. you should guard yourself against pickpockets all over prague. i can't imagine a forceful pickpocket on the central city tram but certainly more possible on the underground.

never had a problem with overcharging.

Thank you all for all of the responses. I am pleased that they were positive. There are many serious incidents reported in Trip Advisor, Frommer's and other travel web sites. The gypsy gangs activities seem common. This is where a group surrounds the victim, attacks and robs.
I do not fit the typical victim profile, kind of big, but like to avoid trouble.
Did not get an awnser as to legality of mace, we are going to be driving in the countryside and it is not unreasonable to have in the car.
Thanks, Alex

By the way, when making car rental reservations I was advised that CZ does not allow german made rental cars to cross the border. Any one knows why? The rental agent claimed that he did not. Thanks

I t has nothing to do with the CZ government. It's the car rental agencies - will typically only allow you to take less expensive (vs luxuty) rental to Czech repubich.

There used to be issues of leaded vs non-leaded gas - now I think it;'s just a matter of fleet requirements (lots of people want to go Ger to CZ vs the other way and you have too many cars in the wrong place).

I think if one is a resident vs. a visitor there is a different kind of thinking as to one's safety. Where I live it's a major city and from what I read, there are pickpocketers on the public transporation. Yet I don't even think about it and I use the public transporation daily. But I am aware of my surroundings and my belongings.

Of course one needs to be aware of their surroundings and of the people around them in any city, but we never had a moment of feeling unsafe in Prague. We stayed in the heart of the old city and walked everywhere. As for the cars...the German made cars are highly valued by the car thieves.

As with all generalizations, they're wrong.
Some (repeat, some) rental companies won't allow any car into Czech Rep.
Some won't allow German cars into CzRep (if they happen to be Porsche or Mercedes Benz). Some rental companies allow anything into CzRep.
We've had no problem taking cars into CzRep, SlovRep, or Hungary. Merely had to advise when booking our intent as to country(s). Weren't permitted to take car to Romania or Ukraine. Companies we've used were Europcar, AutoEurope (and thru them Hertz, Avis), and Gemut.com
Re the security, I never felt at all threatened, day or night, walking or on tram. Maybe at 6', 205# they wouldn't risk it. But I tend to look AT people, particularly if they look "shaky", not away from them.

What reports are you reading?
Leave the mace at home.

I was by myself in Prague this May. The city felt very safe to me, I stayed in the center and walked back to the hotel quite late. I heard a lot of reports about pickpocketing, not violent crime, before I went. I wore a moneybelt and didn't have any incidents.

However I recommend to order a taxi pickup in advance from airport and train station and try to have smaller bills. In my case the taxi driver lost his ability to count and didn't want to give me correct change right away hoping I'll get tired and take what he is willing to give me.

The manner of Czechs is somewhat different. The most helpful people were not necessary very smily and effusive.

I was in Prague in 2003. DH & I walked around the Old Town at night and we never felt afraid. However, we DID run into a scam. I have posted about it before.

A young girl about 18 approached us & asked if we spoke English. When we said we did she said she had been robbed and could we give her money. Yeah, right!

They use this scam in Chicago too! If she had really been robbed she should go to the police!

A couple of follow-up bits:

1) About JoeTro's questions: I have not heard from anyone here nor has it happened to me that we've had anything extra added to the bill in a restaurant, but it is never a bad idea to check. (Perhaps run a mental tally when you order since you won't be able to read the bill when it comes--then you'll have a ballpark figure to expect.)

One thing that we were told to expect was that the Czech and English menus would have different prices, but **this has not been the case** in any of the restaurants we have visited (neighborhood or touristy). To guard against it, if you are concerned, you can keep the Czech menu and compare it to the English one they bring. We did this "to practice our Czech" when we first arrived. A majority of the restaurants in the main area have menus printed in Czech and translated into English, so you shouldn't have any problems with that.

About the change, I haven't ever been shortchanged. I would suggest that you get a quick handle on which coins are worth what, though, as it makes it easier to keep track of what you spend (and what change you receive). One of our relatives gave someone a HUGE tip by dropping his change in one of the only tip jars in town because he didn't realize how much each coin was worth! I bet he made her day! :)

2) About taxis at the airport: AAA taxi does pick up at the airport, and they always run with a meter. Generally, we live on the other side of Wenceslaus Square from the airport, and the ride to/from the airport to our apartment costs about 500 CZK.

A couple of things you might do if you are really concerned that you might still be overcharged:

1) Call your hotel in advance and find out what the cab fare from the airport should be.

2) You could also print a map online from your cab driver if you think you are staying somewhere that might be difficult to find.

This can be done at www.mapy.cz . Click "Plánovaè tras" and, at "Start" enter "Ruzyne Airport, 160 08 Prague 6". Then at "Cíl" enter the address for your hotel. The directions will print in Czech which you won't be able to read, but your cab driver will!

I hope this helps.

Also, the number for AAA taxi is worth keeping on-hand throughout your trip in case you decide not to use public transport for all things: +420 233 113 311 (you can also get a business card at the info counter in the airport).

3) All taxi talk aside: public transit from the airport terminals to the city center is quite easy and far less expensive. I'm sure there must be info about this somewhere, but if not, feel free to post a question to that end.

:)--MP

I would have to agree that taking the trams is an easy and conveneient way to travel, including #23 which I have taken numerous times and never been pickpocketed.

What I would be careful about are some of the absolutely corrupt taxi drivers. Get an agreement beforehand as to prices if at all possible.

You are, IMO, foolish to "avoid public transportation" in that city when a few elementary precautions are all that are necessary.

I was at Prage at new year last year,crowded night, lots of people on the streets and it did not fell unsafe AT ALL!!! Hard to believe anyone would rate Prague as unsafe!!! In terms of incident report, all guides, for any major cities in europe will say that you have to watch for pickpockets, but that does not mean that they are dangerous places!!!!

This whole thread is making me laugh. Just returned from my 10th trip to Prague. Only problem I encountered was the heat wave my first week there (my ankles were swelling up from the temps!) Other than that, took the metro, bus, trams, walked around at midnight in Wenceslas Square & Zizkov, and returned alive & with all my $. Never once wished I had mace. Drink some Kozel when you're there...((b))

Forgot to tell a recent story, and to be fair, I should add it here. A friend of mine was pickpocketed near Old Town, 2 weeks ago,while buying ice cream. She had both hands full of food, and her purse was wide open. Someone saw this as a prime opportunity to take her wallet, and she was leaving for Spain the next day. Needless to say, she had to do some scrambling to get credit cards, etc.

So, Just don't do anything stupid,and you should be fine ...

As with any other big city, just be aware of your surroundings and don't do anything stupid like flash your cash or flaunt your iPod. I've been to Prague, alone, and never had a problem walking around by myself. My neighbors (guys) had problems walking around since the prostitutes would bother them, though!

When I left Prague, I went to the train station and was rushing to the train. Some homeless looking guy grabbed my suitcase and helped me run to the train. I gave him money, of course....and in retrospect it was worth it for his help! But I guess I was lucky to have had such good experiences.

Have you been to Rio? I think Rio's much more dangerous. (Never had a problem there, either, though.)

One more thought, how would one even carry mace to Prague, especially with all the new security precautions... :-?
... lol!!!

Wow! Never expected so many responses.I am very pleased that the negative percetion seems to have been exagerated. Thank you for your help.
On another subject. We plan to stay 5 days in Berlin, 2 in Dresden, 5 days in Prague, 1 in Telc, 1 Karlovy Cesky, then back to Berlin for departure with an overnight in Pargue. Total of 17 days.
It has been suggested that we shorten Berlin and Prague and go into Saxony.
Sounds like a very good idea due to time of year, December.
Any suggestions as to where to go? Driving conditions? Not experienced snow drivers.
We secured a Peugot 406 through Hertz. Best I could do with out going into premium allowable cars such as a Volvo S80?? Tried Europcar and had same restritions, higher rates.
Thanks for all of the responses.
Alex

Alex,

I would repost this last question as a separate thread. You'll receive many more responses that way.

I have one last piece of info about cabs from the airport since I was there last Friday to pick up my husband.

The AAA taxis have a whole fleet of taxis at the airport, and they've just painted them all yellow. They were parked outside the terminal (terminal 1, in this case, the terminal for non-Schegen flights, and the terminal I assume you will be arriving as well), and if you look and there are none in sight, they do have a kiosk inside the terminal where they will call one from the rest of the fleet parked on the airport premises.

Look forward to your next thread! :)
--MP

bookmark

I went to Prague three years ago with a group of 17 Swiss. We had hired a wonderful Czech tour guide who spoke perfect German. She met us in front of our Ibis hotel and we took the tram to the castle. Our group stayed together in the tram and knew to be wary of pickpockets. Suddenly a group of rough middle-aged men came in. Our tour guide warned us in German to be very careful right now. One of the men heard the German and started calling us Nazis and trying to touch us on the shoulders. The women of our group huddled more into the center of our "circle" as the men in our group avoided eye contact with these men and stood straight. It was a scary situation and I was very glad when we reached our stop. Nothing was stolen.

We loved Prague for it's beauty, food and the very nice people. But we were on guard with our money the whole time.

Just proves that ANYONE (not just English speakers) can be caught in a unwelcomed situation.