Prague welcomes millions of travelers from all over the world every year. As the tourists stream in, others flourish. Among them, the pickpockets, thieves, and con artists.
Useful phone numbers (free of charge)
Czech state police: 158
Czech city police: 156
European emergency phone number: 112
Pickpockets
Pickpocketing is one of Prague’s most common crimes. We are sad every time we hear stories about someone getting their money, documents, camera or cell phone stolen.
First of all, we have two rather contradictory pieces of advice for you:
1) Don’t underestimate Prague pickpockets. Many of them are very skilled.
2) Don’t be paranoid. Make sure you are enjoying yourself on your trip. Although pickpocketing has been a problem in Prague, just like it is a problem in many tourist destinations around the world, thieves are not waiting for you at every corner. We have been robbed in other European cities, but never in Prague – knock on wood.
Czech police probably won’t be able to do much to help you if you’re robbed, so prevention is your best protection. Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming the victim of a pickpocket:
• Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you. Carry a credit card and take money out of an ATM as you go. ATMs are plentiful in Prague and their screens come with an English language version.
• Leave important documents at your hotel. You should carry your passport with you, but leave a copy of it at your hotel in case the original gets lost. Making copies of your important documents is always a good idea when traveling.
• Be careful on crowded trams (especially tram 22) and subways, mainly in the historical center of Prague. Know what’s happening around you and try not to find yourself squeezed in a crowd of other passengers with your wallet or phone accessible.
• Keep money and your passport in a money belt instead of a handbag or backpack. Although it can be a bit of a nuisance, we have found it to be a very secure place to keep our valuables when traveling.
• Always be aware of your handbag or backpack. Keep it closed up and pay attention to it in busy areas and on escalators.
• Don’t take out your wallet or money in busy places.
• NEVER change money on the street and ALWAYS know the exchange rate you should get if you decide to use one of the many small money changing offices that are scattered throughout the city. Some of them advertise a 0 % commission but will rip you off on using a terrible exchange rate. If you notice you have been ripped off at an exchange office, the exchange office is obligated by Czech law to give you all your money back if you request it within the next three hours. Nevertheless, there are plenty of banks to choose from and ATM machines to get Czech crowns out of, so why take the chance?
• Be especially careful in very touristy areas: on Karlova and Melantrichova Streets, on the Charles Bridge, on Old Town Square, on tram 22, and in busy stores.
Car Break-Ins and Car Theft
Car break-ins are another common type of property crime in Prague. The advice here is simple: never leave valuables in your car. Car theft has also been a problem in the Czech Republic although the situation has gotten better in recent years. To prevent your car from being stolen or broken into, park in a parking garage instead of leaving your car on the street.
Unsafe Areas
Aside from property crime, Prague is a relatively safe city. The rate of violent crime is low and most areas of Prague are safe to walk around even after dark.
Be careful on Wenceslas Square. It is usually packed with tourists and the crowds make things easy for pickpockets. There have also been cases of trusting “love-seekers” being robbed of all their money at night.
The park around the main train station, referred to by the locals as “Sherwood”, is not a place to be at night. It is a popular hangout of the homeless and drug addicts who beg for money and can be pushy about it. If you need to get to or from the train station at night, take the metro (the station is inside the building) rather than the tram where you have to walk through the park to get to/from the tram stop.