If you have planned or are thinking of traveling to Prague, then you already know it’s a beautiful city with vibrant culture and history.
But you may be wondering if it is safe to travel to Prague. The answer is: yes! Prague is one of the safest cities in Europe to visit right now!
In fact, it is a great city for solo travelers, including solo females, to visit.
Still, there are some safety precautions that you should take when traveling abroad to any city.
Below are 7 tips to stay in Prague.
Overview
Every year, the Institute for Economics and Peace publishes the Global Peace Index that measures, then ranks the “peacefulness” of 163 countries.
The ranking takes into account crime statistics, incidents of violence, access to weapons, police presence, and other aspects of society that make a country safe and peaceful.
The Czech Republic was ranked in the Top 10 in 2022 which means that you should feel pretty safe traveling there, and Prague in particular.
The great news is that the rate of violent crime in the Czech Republic and Prague is low.
But just like other cities that are popular tourist destinations, there are pick-pockets and some petty thieves.
Another concern to be aware of in Prague are individuals who will try to scam you, such as taxi drivers who attempt to overcharge you and people on the street who offer to exchange currency.
You shouldn't have any problems on your trip to Prague, especially if you follow our tips below.
And consider checking our Prague Travel Tips Facebook group, where you could hear from our roughly 15k members, including locals, veteran Prague travelers, and newbies.
It's a public group, so there is no need to join to see what others are saying.
7 Tips For Staying Safe in Prague
1. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Always be alert to your immediate surroundings, especially crowded places, like Prague’s metro, trams and buses.
Both locals and tourists can easily become victims of pickpockets when not paying attention to where the hands of the person standing next to them are!
2. Keep your valuables tucked away.
Make sure that your bags, backpacks, and purses are always closed except for when you are retrieving something.
Avoid digging through your wallet in front of people you don't know.
If your phone case doubles as your wallet, be extra vigilant when using your phone in public.
3. Try to blend in with the locals.
Prague is filled with tourists most of the year. Don't be one of those tourists who stand out as foreigners.
Petty criminals may think that tourists are naive and easy targets. If possible, blend in with the locals.
4. Look like you know where you are (even if you don't!).
Before you head out of your hotel for your day of exploring Prague, familiarize yourself with a map of the parts of the town you are visiting.
If you are lost, try asking someone for directions. Even if there is a language barrier, some locals will be happy to try to help you.
Fortunately for travelers with smartphones, paper maps are a thing of the past.
Looking at your phone for directions is fine since even people who live in Prague may do so from time to time.
5. Don’t go to dark, unpopulated areas.
Don't wander onto streets that are not well-lit and are desolate. Try to stay where there are always some people around.
6. Beware of taxi ride scams.
Taxi drivers in Prague are known for trying to take advantage of tourists by overcharging them or taking a longer route than necessary to earn more money.
Ask your hotel or another trusted source for some names of reliable taxi companies in case you should need one.
You can also use a rideshare app like Liftago, Bolt, and Uber instead.
If your only option is to get a taxi in the street, agree on a fare with the driver before you get in and ask that the meter is turned on so that you can see that the final fare is close to what you have agreed upon.
Never hail a cab right outside a tourist attraction. Taxis waiting there are looking for the next gullible passenger.
7. Never leave your bags unattended.
Whether in a restaurant, bar, theater, or even your own hotel lobby, do not leave your bags, backpacks, and luggage unattended.
This is especially important in airports (in any country).
Anyone can walk off with a suitcase if you aren’t standing right next to it.
Safe Areas to Stay in Prague
If you are looking for safe neighborhoods to stay in, check our post on where to stay in Prague.
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