Hi,

This question arises from ignorance of Eastern Europe, so please don't misinterpret it as insinuating anything about the region or countries in question. I will be in Prague for a week in September. While there, I would really like to take a train to visit Auschwitz and Krakow.

My question is regarding the safety of train travel, staying in the area and walking around. The issue is that I am of South Asian origin. Is my ethnicity of concern regarding travel in this area? I have read about problems that people of darker skin color have faced in East Germany, for example, and I want to make sure that I am not going to be foolhardy making this trip alone.

Things have improved immensely since 1989 and now people of all colours shapes and sizes visit Prague, Krakow and Auschwitz with no problems whatsoever. You still need to be careful of your valuables on the night train to Krakow - and that goes for everyone, regardless of colour, shape, size or favourite football team.
Jeremy
www.jeremytaylor.eu

Good to hear! Thanks!

Sam

Hi Sam,
In 2003 my husband, daughter & I traveled by train during the day from Prague to Krakow. We spent several days in Krakow, and we did visit Auschwitz. My husband is Chinese and we did not have any problems whatsoever. We always felt safe. We did take the night train back from Krakow to Prague, and it was uneventful. As always, use caution and common sense; that goes for anyone, as Jeremy states. I had read about pickpockets at the train stations, but we didn't have any problems. One minor incident at the Prague train station but this has nothing to do with skin color, racism. A man insisted on showing us what platform our train was leaving from (we didn't need his help because my daughter was living there are the time & used the trains frequently). He still insisted on us paying him; we only had some coins (we weren't going to give a large amount) & he was upset about that. Don't fall for that trick.
Karen

See if you can find a cheap flight. Prague to Krakow takes a minimum of 7-8 hours on the train.

I took the night train from Prague to Krakow last July. I didn't feel it was dangerous and I'm a person of color who traveled solo. I was on a train with all Polish people, who work in Prague but commute back to their homes in Poland every week. However, I think you should pay attention to your luggage and wallet at all times. I also don't recommend wearing jewelry or flashy/expensive-looking clothes. Keep your poker face, be polite, don't speak English loudly as if people don't understand it, and don't wave your US passport around. Low-profile is best.

The train from Prague to Krakow isn't as nice/clean/air conditioned as, for example, the German or Swiss trains. Just FYI.