Yes, I have read quite a lot on safety in Prague on this forum and although I try not to worry too much about it and being a single traveler, I can%26#39;t help but worry when I am advised to basically stay out of the main attractions during large crowds in the middle of the day. Also to avoid the most commonly used tram routes (the #22). Based on %26#39;Inside Prague%26#39; article, tripadvisor.com/Travel-g274707-s206/Prague:C… no matter how vigil a tourist can be, how can we take such precautions? I personally find it a bit hard having to walk all the attractions early in the morning for example to reduce my chances ofbeing pickpocketed, and by gangs of experts too. And what do I do during the peak of the day? Stay in my hotel? Yes I know, some of you might say that I exagrate but when I read articles that advise you to avoid crowded attractions in the middle of the day, how much advise do I filter out to make sense of it?
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Amalia,
I recently returned from Prague, and like you, I read all the warnings before I left and didn%26#39;t know what to expect. (After reading some of the stuff people write you get the impression you%26#39;re going to be forcibly restrained while several people proceed to rob you of every posession you have while everyone stands idly by!) I really think the pickpocket/safety issue is exaggerated by some individuals. Yes, they have pickpockets in Prague (and apparently very talented ones), but they have pickpockets in every major city in the world. I don%26#39;t think anyone is advising you to sit in your hotel during the peak of the day. Just be aware of your purse/camera, etc., leave your passport in the hotel safe, and use common sense when you are in crowds. We rode the 22 and 23 trams frequently and spent most of our time in crowds (can%26#39;t avoid them in Prague), but we never once had a problem. Just keep an eye on your stuff as you would in any major city. Prague is a wonderful place, and I felt safer walking around there anytime of the day or night than I%26#39;ve felt in D.C. or New York (where I%26#39;m originally from). Hope you have a good trip.
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Just returned from Prague about a week ago. I was a bit worry like you before we went but everything turned out okay. We crossed the Charles Bridge several times a day and almost eveytime I saw police patrolling. I actually felt safe at most tourist hot spots. Just exercise common-sense precautions and you will be fine. Prague is fabulous; relax and enjoy your trip like we do.
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bear in mind the Insider page has been written by a TA employee from information gathered on this forum.It is not written by a genuine visitor to Prague.
I have been to Prague on many occassions and to the main tourist sights at their busiest,but like all busy places i am careful of my possesions I don%26#39;t leave myself open to be robbed. The majority of theft is oppertunistic,so don%26#39;t give them the oppertunity.Leave the things you don%26#39;t need in the hotel safe.spread any money and credit /debit cards into different pockets,dont leave you handbag/purse open and keep it close to your body in busy areas.Whwn getting on and off tram/metro look a round,just looking at any potential thief is usually enough to put them off.Prague is no worse than any other tourist city and a lot better than many.I have recently been to Rome and Naples,Prague is a delight for safety compared to them.
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Just use your common sense, as unclegus says, watch out and you will be fine! I have walked up and down Prague%26#39;s streets the last 12 years at any time of day, alone, with visitors like a tourist in all the touristy areas and I have never had a problem.
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Thank you so much to everyone! I do feel better now. I won%26#39;t be worried that much and will enjoy the beautiful city. Plus I usually don%26#39;t carry handbags on trips anyway. I also have that money belt that I have found so usefull in the past. There is room to put your passport, money, etc in it. I will of course have my small back with camera/camcorder too and will have my eyes glued to it.
I agree that Prague is a common pickpocket place just like any other crowded city. I was in London last June and was taping my son at an area near the London Eye. There was a tourist near us whose empty camcorder bag was left on the floor about 4 feet away from us and was stolen by someone who I am pretty sure was standing RIGHT next to us! Amazing! And we didn%26#39;t see a thing. I was so busy taping my 6 year old that the thief stole the tourist%26#39;s bag, left with it and no one had a clue. The bag was empty but still. The tourist is now without a camcorder bag whe it should have been with him at all times.
So I guess it can happen everywhere. Amy :o)
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We were in Prague 2 weeks ago and I didn%26#39;t see any gangs of pickpockets nor did I see any one robbed. We never left the tourist areas either.
I was brought up and still work in New York city. I%26#39;ve seen all sorts of scams and pickpockets at work. I witnessed none of this kind of activity while in Prague. Not only was the bridge patrolled by uniformed police but if you look hard enough you can spot a few patrolmen without uniform and private security.
Just like any other city. Men, keep your wallet in your front pocket and women, keep your purse under your arm.
I think anyone who has any kind of experience in a city would be fine. The bulk of complaints I%26#39;m sure come from folks that are from small towns and think that once you%26#39;re on vacation you%26#39;re safe. Same group that wonders why you can%26#39;t leave your doors unlocked at night and your keys in the car.
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I was in Prague 3 weeks ago, also a single female traveler and never had any problems, never felt unsafe, not even walking to my hotel at 2 am.
Like everyone else said, just use your common sense, pickpocketing is a crime of convenience, they won%26#39;t confront you to take your stuff, they%26#39;ll grab it if you make it easy for them.
Go to Prague, have fun, enjoy this wonderful city, just be aware of your surroundings and valuables at all times.
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its no good saying %26quot;i went and didnt get targeted%26quot;
there are most certainly plenty of pickpockets in prague,i was targeted twice on consecutive days on the metro !!!
once they got my mobile phone,wife fought back and grabbed the mans hand ,dug her fingernails in ,he dropped it!!
all over in 3 seconds!
second time we actually got followed down the escalator
we knew what was going on and swerved at the last minute onto a differnt carriage, its as you are boarding the train they get you.
on the way home i spoke to a fellow brit going to the airport,asked him if he had his pocket picked- guess what he had!!
please dont post that you went to prague and nothing happened,
that doesnt help anybody !
i crossed a road with my eyes shut and made it to the other side safely... does that mean its ok to do??
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Stating that I went to Prague and nothing happened to me helps people as much as %26quot;I went to Prague and was pickpocketed twice%26quot;. People need to hear both sides of the story, instead of being scared away from the place.
Like it%26#39;s been said many times here, it%26#39;s the same as any big tourist city, be aware and use common sense.
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pt485:
Your feelings on the pickpocket issue in Prague are well documented on this forum. I%26#39;m sorry you were targeted. I%26#39;m sorry your fellow Brit was pickpocketed. I have been to Prague, I have many friends and workmates that have been to Prague, I have friends that have left the US and have made Prague their home, I have seen pickpockets at work in midtown Mannhatten, NYC. I saw none of this activity while I was there, none of my friends or workmates saw any of this and my friends that have moved to Prague have seen this happen.
Our opinions should not be discounted because %26quot;we saw none of this happening%26quot;. Your opinion should not be discounted for the same reason. You should continue to remind people that they need to be careful, but don%26#39;t make the city out to be %26quot;Den of thieves%26quot;.
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