If you’re wondering whether Prague is safe, the short answer is yes. It’s one of the European capitals with the least violent crime, well below the average for similar-sized cities in Western Europe. The real risk for tourists isn’t violence but pickpockets and a few scams aimed at visitors, and both are easy to avoid if you stay alert.
Pickpockets: the most common risk
As in any very touristy city, pickpockets work where the crowds are. Be especially careful:
- On Charles Bridge and Old Town Square at peak times
- On crowded public transportation, especially tram 22 (very popular with tourists) and the metro
- In busy nightlife areas
- In tourist areas in general
The usual rules apply: valuables in your front pockets or a zipped fanny pack, and your backpack in front of you on crowded transportation. It’s not a problem unique to Prague, but it’s particularly common on tram 22, to the point that local police have put up warning signs at several stops.
Common scams in Prague
- Street money changers: never change money with someone who approaches you on the street offering an “amazing” rate. It’s a classic scam involving fake bills, bills no longer in circulation or even banknotes from other countries. Always use established exchange offices; our guide to currency exchange in Prague explains how.
- Restaurants without clear prices: some very touristy places take advantage when the menu doesn’t show prices clearly. Always check your bill, and be wary of menus without prices or waiters pushing “specials” that aren’t on the menu. Also, if you’re offered a shot after your meal, expect to pay for it: it’s not on the house.
- Taxis without a meter: insist that the driver turns it on, or just use Uber or Bolt, which set the price upfront. Taxis waiting right outside tourist attractions are usually the ones that overcharge the most.
- Fake guides or street ticket sellers: always buy from official sources or well-known platforms, never from middlemen who approach you offering “the best skip-the-line ticket.”
- Charity petition scam: in some tourist areas, organized groups ask you to sign fake petitions while an accomplice uses the distraction to steal. If someone keeps pushing you to sign something on the street, just keep walking.
Is Prague safe at night?
Walking at night in the historic center, Vinohrady or Malá Strana is relaxed, even for solo travelers. As in any city, take a bit more care in poorly lit outlying areas and at the main train station late at night, where there are more homeless people and the occasional petty theft.
Emergencies
The general emergency number is 112, valid across the EU and available in several languages, including English. For anything that isn’t urgent, any hotel or your free tour guide can point you to the nearest pharmacy or clinic. If you need consular help, most countries have an embassy in Prague, many of them in Malá Strana, Bubeneč or the center.
Our advice
With common sense and the normal precautions you’d take in any tourist city, Prague is a safe destination. Get to know it with a local guide on one of our free walking tours; guides can also give you up-to-date advice on areas and times depending on what’s happening in the city that week.
