Sharelle

I meant to ask this in my last post. I get so nervous about carrying my valuables around while on the subway or on a bus especially in Paris. I could never get used to it and when I did my semester there, I could never let my guard down. Germany seemed much safer and I didnt sense the same danger on the metro there. Not that Paris is all that bad but you could always sense that you needed to be vigilant.
I am going to Madrid and Lisbon in the spring and I will need to use public transportation. I guess its like any other city where you just keep alert.

walkinaround

is the choice of destination determined by the perceived safety of the transport?

since all cities with metros are fairly large, i think that it is wise to be vigilent (but not paranoid) on all transport in all locations. you've answered your own question...just be alert and take whatever precautions you feel comfortable with.

TopMan

Sharelle, you really need to sit down and get hold of yourself...I'm beginning to think you are going to get paralyzed if you even walk out of your house.

Relax, take the precautions you've already thought of, and ENJOY your trip.

platzman

Of all the cities I've visited, and by no means have I visited them all, the safest to me so far include Vienna, Munich and Frankfurt.

nytraveler

Sharelle - I'm not sure what you mean by "never let your guard down". If you mean being oblviious to the possible dangers around you - doing this in public anywhere in the world at any time is ridiculously foolhardy.

(You may have originally come from somewhere you thought it was safe to do so - but it is never safe to do so - even in the smallest town or local mall. [In fact, IMHO, big cities are really much safer because there are usually a lot of people around.] Maintaining vigilence is just a normal part of life. And its only really different in places that are more dangerous - parts of the middle east for example - not europe.)

I think you just have some very serious misconceptions about safety in public places.

laverendrye

Lutenblag, Molvania, is probably the safest city in Europe. The police there patrol in threes: one who can read, one who can write, and one to keep an eye on the two dangerous intellectuals.

martytravels

Not to say that you are a bit paranoid, but that's the feeling I get from this post. I've never felt ill at ease on the Paris Metro, partly because I'm always conscious of my wallet. Same goes for Madrid, just be practical and don't worry so much. It's going to be packed with people and if you've got euros dangling out of your pocket, there's a good chance they'll get plucked. Perhaps you should buy one of those little pouches you attach to your belt and flip inside your pants. It might enhance your feeling of security.

suze

Because you seem overly concerned about this issue from several different posts now, my best advice is to simply get yourself organized with a money belt, neck pouch, hidden interior zippered pockets, or some system to carry your "valuables" in what you feel confident is a safe manner. Then you will be less bothered by the constant need to "keep alert".

cigalechanta

My advice is the same as I'd give you here; Relax, enjoy the ride, keep you hand on your wallet.

roller345

Paris Metro has poor security nowdays. We defeated some pickpockets Sunday at the Duroc station on 11/7 with quick feet and a loud voice saying "THIEF".
A friend tells me that this is a group of North Africans operating out of the Abbesses Metro station and that metro security does not bother them because of tensions in the city?

degas

A friend tells me that this is a group of North Africans operating out of the Abbesses Metro station and that metro security does not bother them because of tensions in the city?

Interesting concept not to arrest thieves since they might get mad at you. I wonder if bribes also play a big role in this crazy farce?