Want to go to Prague

Lorrs33

I would love to go to Prague, maybe because it's the only place in Europe that none of my family have been to, but people keep telling me it's dangerous. Has anyone been there who could tell me what it's like?

undo

If you wander into the depths of Tallaght or the Liberties at night, Dublin can be dangerous. Prague is the same. If you really, really want trouble, I am sure you can find a dodgy suburb and get mugged. But if you stick to the beautiful Old Town and surrounds, Prague is no more dangerous than any other city.

It is full of tourists and so the main dangers are the usual ones - pickpockets and tourist traps such as dishonest strip clubs, overpriced restaurants when you could pay 1/4 the price right around the corner. With a bit of common sense, there is absolutely nothing to fear. And Prague is really beautiful, full of great food and drink... definitely do go, it is worth a trip any time!

Zebra3

^^^Spot on.

Stay out of strip joints.

Check prices before you order.

Don't get completely pissed.

Use common sense.



Enjoy.

M5

Had no problems in Prague, quite an easy city for tourists. Beautiful too!

Dibble

I was in Prague recently, and myself and the missus loved it. As stated already, watch out for pick pockets. Also, be careful if wearing a backpack as they are easy to rob; they can be cut at the bottom with a blade and the contents removed. I personally never felt threatened, and it really is a beautiful city.

For a traditional pub, you've got to go to 'U zlateho tygra'.

another native

Wenceslas Square can sometimes be a bit intimidating at night.

Stinicker

I have been to Prague twice before, I think Dublin at night time is much more dangerous. Things to look out for in Prague is just simple tourist ripoffs, strip clubs (which are actually brothels) off Wenceslas Square are a rip-off and best avoided, if you are into that there is better value else where in the city

Some of the Taxis there can be real cowboys and maybe try agree the fare before setting off etc. Prague is a really beautiful city and is best seen in the summer, as going there in winter it can be rather depressing unless it has a covering of snow! You'll love their beers!

undo

another native wrote: »

Wenceslas Square can sometimes be a bit intimidating at night.

Now that you mention it, I remember this episode. We were walking down Wencelas Square one night with some friends. A group of girls was walking in the opposite direction and just as they passed us, one asked, in passing, "blowjob?". Not exactly intimidating but not exactly something you expect to hear either. No such thing ever happened to us anywhere other than Wencelas Square though.

Stinicker wrote: »

Some of the Taxis there can be real cowboys

This used to be a big Prague annoyance. Some drivers had their meters wired up to have a "turbo" - some combination of pedals held down or buttons pressed on the dash would make the meter run faster. I have not heard anyone complain in years though - so I would think this has been sorted by the local police.

Also, remember that over in Europe, public transport is excellent. There are buses and trams running 24/7. Unless your hotel is somewhere really far out in the sticks, you might as well just hop on public transport.

munchkin_utd

pickpocketing in prague is a known problem, but NOT personal violence or mugging/ violent robbery

I was there about 8 times and never had much of a problem.
Well, had a lad try to flmmox me once on a side street as his mate waited near by ( a trick of pickpockets, distract you, come close and then swipe your wallet/ bag/ camera) but literally fücked them out of it and the pair decided that I wasnt going to be an easy target and bugered off to rob someone else.

With a bit of cop on you'll be grand.

Split your cash about your person just in case anyone does nab your wallet. Try and not be too flash.
And, if on public transport, be aware that pickpockets target busy trams and underground trains (just like in Paris, city of romance and all that!!) so keep a hand on your bag/ wallet ESPECIALLY when people are crushing by you.
Also, just when the doors are closing, they like to nab your bag and hop off, leaving you trapped on the train/ tram zooming to the next spot.

To summarise, Prague has a middling problem with robbery, but they have no interest in hurting you, so if you make it hard for pickpockets you'll not get robbed.

Dublin or Cork or pretty much any Irish town at night are much worse for random violence.

Lorrs33

undo wrote: »

If you wander into the depths of Tallaght or the Liberties at night, Dublin can be dangerous. Prague is the same. If you really, really want trouble, I am sure you can find a dodgy suburb and get mugged. But if you stick to the beautiful Old Town and surrounds, Prague is no more dangerous than any other city.

It is full of tourists and so the main dangers are the usual ones - pickpockets and tourist traps such as dishonest strip clubs, overpriced restaurants when you could pay 1/4 the price right around the corner. With a bit of common sense, there is absolutely nothing to fear. And Prague is really beautiful, full of great food and drink... definitely do go, it is worth a trip any time!

I resent that :mad:

But thanks for the tips!

undo

Lorrs33 wrote: »

I resent that :mad:

Looking at your location now, I can understand why .

I actually talked to a Czech friend of mine yesterday. He said that back in Communist times, the government did a great job of driving every last scumbag out of Prague. So not only is the city center safe - it seems like there are actually no unsafe neighborhoods at all. Any kind of dodgy folks seem to have been kicked out into other Czech towns.

adamski8

went there twice and second time just got non stop hassled by prostitutes and drug dealers, aint so nice at night at all. its gotten pretty expensive too.

AFC_1903

Well, although violent crime is not the most common it does happen. I was robbed at knifepoint on a sunny Monday lunchtime between the Castle and the Metronome in March 2009.

I was a poor looking backpacker with only a small casual backpack, so I didn't really stand out as a suitable target (the DSLR dangling idiots I saw minutes later would have been far more profitable!). He must have been following me, as I hadn't used the (kinda broken) camera for a few minutes when he accosted me and demanded it (as well as money, phone, passport etc).

Anyway, usually the worries are pickpockets (as you cross the bridges you're even aware of being checked out by them) and the occasional scam on the metro tickets as well as stripclub ripoffs.

The ticket scam and other bits of safety advice are on this page (the rest of which will be of use too) - http://wikitravel.org/en/Prague#Stay_safe

Anyway the Police there have a special station in the centre for foreigners and were shocked that this had happened and said it's usually pickpockets they have to deal with.

Azureus

This is one of the cities that I felt most comfortable walking alone in at night when I was backpacking. Not something Id make a habit of or reccomend as such, but faniced a bit of space so went on a wander around old town and the touristy district. Was really nice and I felt safe (while being vigilant obviously)

There are the dodge areas but same as any city, I certainly wouldnt lump it into a particularly dangerous place category.

Its a beautiful city, go and enjoy.

sligo camper

I was there many years ago, how long i cant remember(1995/6 but they were just building the McDonalds off the square. We stayed in the Moran Hotel (at the time we arrived around 8 there was noone on the streets and i mean no one) Got a shock the next morning when we came across a Tesco that had just open also. Lovely city, be careful with your money and if using the tube, make sure that you hold onto your ticket for inspection at any time . We were warned about a tourist scam with fake travel police. Got stopped, asked for tickets, brushed him off and he produced ID chained to his belt for identification. just as well i had my ticket then eh?

oh ya it was most unusual to hear an irish accent shouting into a phone when we got back to the airport,,,:pac:

HerrScheisse

I found that Prague becomes different once darkness falls. During daylight throngs of tourists mass around the main sights and architecture but once it gets dark some parts of the city change character with garish neon lights and guys on the streets pushing cards into your hand for the nearest strip joint. Groups of police on foot patrol and general rowdiness and drunkeness.

I liked it during the day and felt completely safe then, it is equally beautiful at night but you just have to be more vigilant.

munchkin_utd

funny though, and same applies for budapest.

If you are there as a couple, the seedy aspect at night stays in the background. The promoters hopping out of alleyways to give you a card for a strip club just doesnt happen.

On your own as a bloke, or in group of fellas, indeed you cant walk 10 mtrs but being encouraged to visit a place with scantily clad ladies.
If scantily clad ladies themselves arent on the prowl!!
(on my first visit to prague I found it a great ego boost that all these savage pretty ladies took an interest in me. I soon copped on that they werent looking for a pint and a chat!!)

Stinicker

munchkin_utd wrote: »

funny though, and same applies for budapest.

If you are there as a couple, the seedy aspect at night stays in the background. The promoters hopping out of alleyways to give you a card for a strip club just doesnt happen.

On your own as a bloke, or in group of fellas, indeed you cant walk 10 mtrs but being encouraged to visit a place with scantily clad ladies.
If scantily clad ladies themselves arent on the prowl!!
(on my first visit to prague I found it a great ego boost that all these savage pretty ladies took an interest in me. I soon copped on that they werent looking for a pint and a chat!!)

I have been to both cities and I would say Prague probably has a bigger sex for sale scene however in Budapest it is really pushed in your face as a single male traveller and a street there called Vaci Utca is full of hawkers (and hookers) trying to lure single guys into ripoff joints where one beer could cost €200 and you would have to pay to avoid getting seriously beat up!

I think Prague at night is safer despite the streetwalkers, I had to really get cross to the hawkers trying to lure me into clubs in Budapest to get them to bugger off, and they then starting cussing me out! Budapest and Hungary in General is much poorer than the Czechs (who are hardly rich to begin with) and the IMF has really screwed them over just like ourselves. It is a beautiful city in Budapest but they are so depressed, smashing women in summer time though

Prague is better than Budapest as it is more compact and has more trams making it slightly easier to get around, they are both worth seeing, however both are utterly depressing in Spring and Autumn and you need to either go there in the warm summer or during the snowy winter to appreciate them both!