Sharelle

I meant to ask this in my last post? Which is the best as far as personal safety? Is there ine with better police presence? I get so nervous about carrying my belongings around while on public transportation especially in Europe.

Michael

It must be a question of perspective. As far as I am concerned, I do not see why carrying belongings should make you nervous <i>especially in Europe</i>. I suspect that people unfamiliar with large U.S. cities would feel just as uncomfortable there.

Sharelle

Well you are right. Its just that it would such a hassle to lose a passport and credit cards. I have recently started wearing money belts while travelling. While I was at school there were a few students that had their pockets picked so it left me very nervous. But not to the point that it is noticible. I am just aware, That saves me.

TopMan

I'd say your use of a moneybelt is an excellent idea but do you realize how many people use public transport systems and DON'T use a moneybelt and still feel safe?

&quot;Police presence&quot;??????unless there is a policeman standing next to you at all times does it really make a differnce to a potential pickpocket?

PatrickLondon

Certainly in London, there is a great reliance on CCTV rather than patrolling police, and I would imagine other major cities are no different. Don't forget they need CCTV to keep an eye on operations anyway, rather than have people standing around on the platforms - so just because you can't see anyone doesn't mean people aren't keeping a watch on you and anyone who might harm you.

elina

I have never seen a police in public transport in Europe. Is there a country with police in metros, trains and busses?

walkinaround

elina...

all european countries use police as one of many ways to decrease crime within their transport systems. maybe i'm misunderstanding your question.

StCirq

elina:

I've seen police - or what look like police - in the London, Paris, and Rome transport systems on quite a few occasions. I think it's pretty normal.

And I don't understand the OP's &quot;especially in Europe&quot; comment. European public transportation doesn't strike me as any less safe than in the USA. You need to take reasonable precautions anywhere.

bob_brown

holy Cripes. Any US city is far less safe than major Eurpean cities that I have visited.

In Munich, Vienna, Copenhagan, anywhere in Switzerland, Salzburg, and Innsbruck I feel quite safe. I don't particularly like the Paris Metro, preferring to ride the buses, but compared to New York, I feel less uneasy there. London has a very crowded Tube system, with the cars often being packed to the limit. But I never felt unsafe riding the Tube, except when I backed off a car full of Brits shouting obscenities about Americans.

One thing I noticed about Vienna, the people there tend to respect your personal space as much as is possible in a crowded U-Bahn car. In both Munich and Vienna, you are responsible for cancelling your own transit ticket on the U-Bahn. There is no turnstile type gate to go through or ticket taker to check.

There are periodic &quot;controls&quot;, but I have never experienced one.

I wonder how well that type of system would work in the US?

suze

When you say &lt;carrying my belongings around while on public transportation&gt; I'm curious exactly what you mean? When you are going between cities and have a suitcase with you? Or are you just asking about every-day items?

My other comment is about the phrase &lt;especially in Europe&gt;. I don't think you can answer most travel questions as it applies to ALL of Europe. Countries are different from each other, and cities within those countries differ dramatically (Venice is not Rome is not Florence is not Naples in terms of safety).