Prague is a European super destination. It’s a city with equal amounts of history, beautiful buildings and fun times to be had all rolled into one. Attractions abound in the UNESCO-recognised Czech capital, including its Old Town square and Prague Castle to name but two.
It’s not just old, however. There are a ton of museums, a vibrant nightlife, and a modern transportation system to get you easily and quickly around all the best bits. Though popular, much loved and a cultural capital, there are pitfalls that come with a visit to Prague.
It is a very touristed destination, and with tourists comes petty crime. Things like pickpocketing and taxi scams are not unheard of here, whilst some dangers come from other travellers who have had one too many to drink, making the city notorious for drunken behaviour.
All that said, we still think a trip to Prague would not be a bad idea – there’s definitely a reason this place is so popular. We have created this huge guide to staying safe in Prague so that your visit to this cool, cultural city goes as smoothly and successfully as can be.
Unlock Our GREATEST Travel Secrets!
Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox.
How Safe is Prague? (Our take)
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Visiting Prague is very popular. It has been on the tourist radar since the early 1990s with the fall of the Iron Curtain.
We can see why: The city is awash with beautiful architecture, as it was much less damaged during World War II than other European capital cities. Expect to see everything from Baroque to Art Nouveau architecture making Prague look very pretty.
We would say that Prague is safe to visit.
That doesn’t mean, however, that the city is an open-air museum that is a safe haven for you and your travels.
As the throngs of tourists descend on the city, so do pickpockets, opportunist thieves, unscrupulous taxi drivers and con artists. They tend to hone in on Prague itinerary hotspots like the Old Town square, Charles Bridge and around Prague Castle to try their luck at extracting money from unsuspecting tourists.
This also happens on busy, crowded trams, on metro carriages and on escalators.
Aside from all of this, there is not much to worry about – none of the above makes it any less safe than any other European capital.
To really grips with how safe Prague is, however, let’s take a look at the statistics.
There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. The question of “Is Prague Safe?” will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. But this article is written for savvy travellers from the perspective of savvy travellers.
The information present in this safety guide was accurate at the time of writing, however, the world is a changeable place, now more than ever. Between the pandemic, ever-worsening cultural division, and a click-hungry media, it can be hard to maintain what is truth and what is sensationalism.
Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Prague. It won’t be down to the wire cutting edge info on the most current events, but it is layered in the expertise of veteran travellers. If you use our guide, do your own research, and practise common sense, you will have a safe trip to Prague.
If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). Otherwise, thanks for your ear and stay safe!
It’s a wild world out there. But it’s pretty damn special too. 🙂
Is Prague Safe to Visit Right Now?
This city has been consistently ranked highly in polls related to best destinations and liveable cities.
That does not necessarily mean that everything in Prague runs smoothly, however.
When it comes to crime, Czech Republic, on the whole, has issues to do with political corruption, with bribery coming up high. Theft is also an issue across the country – not least in Prague.
Crime rates in Prague reflect what is going on around the country; they have recently been dropping, according to Czech police.
The decrease was particularly seen in property and violent crime, with Prague itself seeing the biggest dip in the country (6.2%).
There is nothing happening in Prague, right now, that should put you off your trip.
However, petty theft is a problem and has seen a rise in the past couple of years. With that in mind, visitors to the city should not underestimate this issue. Many pickpockets work as skilled professionals in their trade.
The busiest carriages on trams and the metro should be avoided; you also may want to limit your time, or if not, be highly alert of your surroundings, in busy touristed areas.
If you are not used to trams, then you will need to pay careful attention to this mode of transport; every year, many people are injured through accidents involving trams (especially after a few drinks). Unlike cars, trams cannot stop quickly and one stumble into the street could easily turn a trip to Prague into an unforgettable trip for the wrong reasons.
In fact, many problems and issues that can arise in Prague seem to increase after the consumption of alcohol – but more on this later… Overall, we can definitely say that Prague is safe right now.
Want to save money on accommodation?
We got you. For reals.
Safest Places in Prague
When choosing where you’ll be staying in Prague, a bit of research and caution is essential. You don’t want to end up in a sketchy area and ruin your trip. To help you out, we’ve listed the safest areas to visit in Prague below.
Vinohrady
What used to be a big vineyard in the 14th century has now become Prague’s coolest neighbourhood. It is well located a few tram stops away from the New Town and Old Town, and staying in Vinohrady will allow you to have a bit more peace and quiet.
Vinohrady is home to Havlickovy Sady, Prague’s second largest park. Walk around to look at the beautiful Italian Renaissance-inspired villa and the vineyard reminding visitors of Vinohrady’s past. During the Nazi occupation, the park was used as a training centre for the Hitler Youths.
The Peace Square is also a must-see place in Prague. It is quite small and home to a cute little market during the time around Christmas and Easter. While you are there, take a look at the Cathedral of St Ludmila, built in Gothic style during the 19th century.
Old Town
Old Town is the most centrally located neighbourhood in Prague and the best place to stay if you’re planning your first trip there. This is where most tourists stay for their first time in Prague, as the area concentrates many historical sights and restaurants.
One of the highlights and most famous landmarks in Prague, the astronomical clock dominates the Old Town Square. This medieval clock is located on the Town Hall Tower. Make sure to be there when the clock strikes the hour, as the Apostles come out in a procession and offer a little show.
The Square itself is a lovely place to sit for a drink, a snack or a warming hot chocolate during the winter. The Old Town Hall building can also be visited, and the top of the tower offers a unique bird’s eye view over the city.
Mala Strana
Mala Strana, or Lesser Town, is located on the other side of the river from the Old Town. It provides a quieter environment than Old Town while remaining in the heart of Prague and close to all the main sights of the city. It’s the perfect neighbourhood for spending a short weekend trip in Prague.
From Old Town, you will access Mala Strana by crossing the Charles Bridge, which was built in the 14th century. Two iconic towers are located at each end of the bridge. From the bridge, you can enjoy beautiful views over the Vlatva River while surrounded by street musicians and performers.
In Mala Strana, visitors have access to the Prague Castle, which is actually the largest coherent castle complex in the world. The castle was founded in 880 and remains the most important monument in the Czech Republic. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Places to avoid in Prague
Unfortunately, not all places in Prague are safe. You need to be careful and aware of your surroundings pretty much anywhere you go in the world, and the same goes for visiting Prague.
At night time certain areas of Prague – such as the main train station – become seedier. Fellow tourists also begin to misbehave, as night falls and the drinks stack up, taking advantage of Prague’s admittedly great nightlife scene. This might be especially intimidating for solo female travellers but can also be avoided completely by staying inside after dark or going out with a group.
Then there’s the pickpocketing issue. Wenceslas Square, for example, is often very busy and crowded, making it a hotspot for pickpockets. As night falls, this place can also see more direct risk with the potential threat of robbery. Be particularly alert in areas such as Prague Castle (particularly at the changing of the guard), watching the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town square and around the entrance of the Old Jewish Cemetery.
The main train station and park is currently a meeting place for Prague’s many homeless people who live in the city, as well as drug users; at night, travelling through this area, it is best to completely avoid it at night.
It’s important to know that Prague is a pretty safe place, but a bit of caution and research before you start your travels will go a long way. If you want to increase your safety during your stay, read on for our insider travel tips. Stick to those and you won’t have a single issue in Prague.
Prague Travel Insurance
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
19 Top Safety Tips for Traveling to Prague
For most people, visiting the capital of the Czech Republic is completely trouble-free. You shouldn’t run into any difficulties and will mostly just have a great time.
However, it is still important to be aware of the street crime and petty theft that takes place here, so here are our top tips for travelling to Prague to keep in mind if you are planning a vacation to this storied city.
- Don’t change money in the street. Only use official currency exchanges, otherwise, you could get swindled quite easily.
- Be aware of your surroundings when taking money out of ATMs. Only use them in places that feel secure and avoid doing so at night.
- Keep any valuables out of reach of pickpockets. A money belt, for example, would be a very sensible idea (we have a recommendation for you in our next section).
- Be alert and aware of your surroundings on crowded public transport; especially on trams 9 and 22. Consider carrying your backpack on your front.
- Be aware of rip-off taxis quoting inflated prices. These can be a problem, especially around tourist areas. (Check the taxis section later on for a more in-depth look at this).
- Carry copies of your passport and other documents. Don’t carry the real thing around with you – leave them in a secure place at your accommodation.
- Be aware of fake plain-clothes police. These may ask to see your foreign currency and passport. If you are suspicious, offer to go the police station with them.
- If you are a victim of theft, report the crime to Czech police within 24 hours. The Prague police station is open 24 hours and has English translators; there’s also a main one at the airport.
- If you need to contact the police, note that every lamp post in the city has a 6-digit number pasted on it at eye-level, which will enable the police to know exactly where you are without you telling them.
- Beware of trams. Take care when crossing the street and make sure to look both ways. This may sound simple, but there are many incidents per year involving trams; they can’t, and don’t, stop quickly.
- Note that you may be fined if you don’t cross the road at the right spot, or if you cross at a pedestrian crossing when the light isn’t green.
- Make sure you have a ticket before you travel on public transport, and validate it before you board. If you don’t, and you’re caught, you will be fined on the spot.
- Stay away from drugs. It is illegal and drugs are often dangerous counterfeits anyway.
- Be aware of the heavy drinking that happens in the city. It’s known as a party destination, and many stag and hen groups, as well as lads holidays and tour groups, make full use of the facilities.
- Drunken and offensive behaviour may result in imprisonment and/or fines according to Czech law.
- Try to blend in with how you’re dressed. Looking like a tourist will easily make you more of a target for opportunist thieves.
- Get yourself a sim card. If your phone doesn’t work in the Czech Republic, then getting a sim at the airport will help you get around and keep in touch with people.
- Learn some basic Czech. English is widely spoken, but it is often helpful – or just considerate – to at least know the basics, starting with “dekuju” (thank you).
Prague is a safe city and it is safe to visit. However, as we keep saying, those pesky pickpockets are a bit of an issue, so being aware of your surroundings at all times and making sure to keep your valuables and belongings close to you and out of reach at all times is a good idea.
Visiting Prague as a solo traveller can be an amazing experience. Of course, solo travel can be daunting – especially in a new city that you don’t know – but travelling here solo is safe. It just takes a bit of know-how, which we are about to run you through…
- Book yourself into a sociable hostel. There are a whole selection of top hostels in Prague that give you a whole range of hostel experiences. Make sure you read reviews and choose the place that is going to suit you and your travel style.
- Get to grips with what the city has to offer. There are lots of things to do here as a solo traveller, so don’t hide yourself away and be scared – get out there and enjoy it. Immerse yourself in something new and reap the rewards.
- Make sure that you research the area in which you want to stay. Somewhere slightly out of the centre may be good, but make sure that the neighbourhood in question does not get cut off at night time with fewer transport links, or becomes seedy or seems unsafe after dark.
- Get involved with the city’s events. Prague always has something going on; in the summer, for example, the Naplavka is a hotspot for food festivals, attracting groups of friends.
- Start your trip off by taking a free walking tour. This is a great way to get to grips with the city’s cobblestone streets, and means that you get to see some of the best sights safely. Often hostels will organise these, so you may want to factor in things like this with your choice of hostel.
- Equally, you could also join in a bar crawl, if you want to go and enjoy the nightlife but don’t feel like you’re up to it as a solo traveller. You’ll get to meet people and get a taste for the nightlife safely in a group.
- Don’t walk around by yourself late at night in shady areas. This is not a good idea, especially if you have had a few drinks.
- It is probably not a good idea to drink to excess if you are going out partying. Getting overly drunk can lead to bad decisions, not being able to find your way home, or put you at risk of robbery or other crimes.
- Ask your accommodation for their local recommendations – the areas that they think are best avoided, their tips for places that are safe to explore by yourself, that sort of thing.
- Don’t walk around with your head in your smartphone, guidebook, or glued to a map. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times, especially if you are by yourself.
- Keep in touch with people back home. You may be travelling solo, but that doesn’t mean having to go off-grid, so give your family and friends a call, make a WhatsApp group, let them know you’re all good and keep people in the loop.
Prague may not jump out as a solo travel destination, but with all its walking tours, live concerts in the summer, and plenty of other travellers to meet in its wide selection of hostels, it can actually be a very fun place as a solo traveller.
Is Prague safe for solo female travellers?
Prague is a safe place to travel to as a solo female. With all those groups of tourists that enjoy the Czech capital, you can easily blend in with the crowds and not have to worry about being there alone.
You shouldn’t expect too much trouble during your time there, but street smarts are definitely still in order. To help you figure it all out, we’ve curated some Prague-specific tips for solo travel travellers…
- Walk around confidently. Don’t walk around looking like you are lost or uncertain. Just make it seem like you know where you are going and you will be less likely targeted by opportunist petty criminals.
- Dress to blend in (not like in the picture above). As a female by yourself, of course you can wear what you want, but to lower the chance of getting hassle from men, take cues from local ladies and how they are dressed.
- Be aware of the big party groups that drunkenly stumble around the city. These can seem a bit daunting to a solo female traveller and can make the city’s party scene seem off-limits.
- Do not leave your drink unattended – ever. Keep it in your hand, or don’t take your eyes off it if it’s on a table. If a stranger offers to buy you a drink, it is better to politely decline than risk your safety.
- Be careful of drinking too much. Alcohol is cheap in Prague and definitely flows freely. Know your limits and know when to call it a night.
- Don’t walk around by yourself at night time. Take a taxi or Uber – just make sure it is official (more on that later). Alternatively, see who else from your hostel feels like leaving the party and get home together, as a group, safely.
- Meet up with other local ladies, and/or get advice from other female travellers who have been to Prague before. Hit up Facebook group Girls Love Travel and ask the community of travel-loving women for their insider tips.
- Let people know what you are doing. Whether that’s via a phone call with a trusted relative or best friend back home, or just texting a WhatsApp group, it’s better for your safety to keep people in the loop with your travels.
- On the other hand, don’t tell strangers details about yourself they don’t need to know – your phone number, where you’re staying, your room number, where you’re from, what you’re doing tomorrow, your marital status. No stranger needs to know all this. Tell white lies if you don’t feel comfortable.
- Similarly, just remove yourself from any situation in which you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. If it’s getting weird, leave.
- Be careful of your handbag, or purse, or any strappy bag, when worn on one shoulder; try to wear it cross-body and keep it zipped at all times so it can’t be easily accessed by thieves.
Prague could easily be a good choice for a first time female solo travel trip. All it would take is a bit of planning, a bit of confidence and some solo traveller know-how.
More on Safety in Prague
We’ve covered the main safety concerns already, but there are a few more things to know. Read on for more detailed information on how to have a safe trip to Prague.
Is Prague safe to travel for families?
With all those visitors and such a reputation as a popular tourist destination, Prague is – of course – safe for families.
Czech society is family-oriented and that means that Prague has plentiful activities for children young and old to be found around town.
There are tailored children’s activities throughout the city, the Art Gallery for Children and Lego Museum being two of the biggest.
In winter, families can enjoy a spot of ice skating at an outdoor ice rink; in summer, it’s time to row-boats and pedalos around Slav Island.
The city has its fair share of child-friendly restaurants, too, with many establishments offering children’s menus.
Getting around Prague with kids in tow is fairly straightforward but can be challenging at times, as it gets very busy and not all of the metro stations are accessible with a pushchair. Metro stations with lifts can be noted as they have wheelchair icons on maps.
It may be a better option, especially at busier times, to use a carrier.
At the same time, there are often spaces at the back of the tram cars reserved for strollers. Also, look out for a black button by the door, which you can press to alert the driver that you need more time to unload you are your family.
Even without public transport, Prague is easy to get around. It has a relatively compact city centre, and you will be able to walk quite easily to various attractions on foot.
Overall, Prague is an amazing destination for you and your family. If you are thinking of going, we say go – and enjoy!
Is it safe to drive in Prague?
If you want to drive around Prague, you should think twice. Driving in the city can be pretty complicated and, overall, not really worth the hassle.
There is a whole convoluted network of one-way streets to navigate, hazards like trams and pedestrians to get to grips with, parking regulations (which can be a headache), and very bad traffic jams.
Being such a compact capital, the best option is to use public transport.
However, having your own car could be a good option for those who want to get out on some day trips from Prague or explore further afield. If you’re on a road trip around Europe, and this city is a destination for you, then driving in Prague is unavoidable.
To drive in Prague, or in the Czech Republic in general, there is car hire available, many with English speaking staff. Smaller local companies often offer cheaper rates, but less likely to have English speaking staff.
When you head out of Prague and get on the road to drive on motorways (specifically), your car needs a special sticker. You can get these from places such as a bureau de changes, a petrol station or a post office; if you don’t display them, you can be fined. Hire cars should include this sticker in the rental cost.
Winter tyres are also necessary between November and March.
Another law is that you must have your headlights on, and dipped (at least), at all times if you are driving, no matter where you are in the country – whether it’s the day, or night.
The Czech driving style can seem aggressive, with speedy drivers being the norm and overtaking on blind corners occurring often. It’s important to drive defensively and be on the alert at all times.
When driving in the city itself, know that trams always have the right of way when turning across your path. You are the one that has to stop your car, as the trams are not in a position to stop for you.
Drinking and driving is, of course, not legal at all. In fact, the legal blood alcohol level is zero. Know that if you get pulled over by the police, they are required to test with a breathalyser; be careful of driving the morning after a night of drinking as you may still have alcohol in your system.
Seatbelts – in the front and back – are also compulsory.
As far as driving in Prague goes, we say it’s not worth it. If you’re on a road trip, then of course, driving is unavoidable. However, to explore further afield and get a taste for the surrounding area of the Czech Republic then driving can be a great option.
Is Uber safe in Prague?
Uber in Prague is operational and makes for a very easy way to travel around the city.
The ride-hailing service means that you can safely know how much the fare will be (without being ripped off), track your journey, see reviews for the driver, and not have to worry about booking a cab without any Czech language.
Are taxis safe in Prague?
Taxis in Prague can be a good way to get around the city. They’re convenient, they’re plentiful and they are relatively cheap.
Unfortunately, however, Prague’s taxis do not have the best reputation. Often there are stories surrounding them to do with overcharging, dishonesty and just general scams.
There are many reputable taxi firms that you can use in Prague. You just need to know which ones and how much you should be paying for your trips, so you do not get overcharged.
When taking a taxi in Prague, it is much safer to use a major taxi company. The best way to not get scammed is to call ahead and book a taxi; the radio taxi companies are much better regulated than the cabs that you hail on the street.
It is a good idea to ask at your accommodation for reputable taxi company numbers or any cab services they recommend.
Some taxis you can call by phone and book in advance include City Taxi, AAA and Tick Tack, to name a few. These three have 24 hour services and English speaking staff, both of which will be very helpful when you are in Prague.
The taxis to flag in Prague have a lamp on the roof, which will be lit when it’s available. Yellow taxis, on both sides of the cab, have the word “TAXI” emblazoned in black letters; they will also have the driver’s name, license number and rates printed on both of the front doors.
Before you get into the taxi, you should state your destination, and around how much it may cost to get there, before you get in and the meter is switched on.
Always make sure the meter is switched on. Once you’re in the taxi, make sure the taxi’s meter corresponds to the price list that is posted in the car.
One of the main things to note about the safety of taxis in Prague is to steer clear of any taxis that are parked around the main train station or near to a popular tourist site, like the Old Town square; this is where you will find the guys who will be charging crazy rates – much more than you would be paying normally.
Is public transportation in Prague safe?
Prague has plentiful, well connected public transport on offer. Many people seem to think it has one of the best public transportation systems in the whole of Europe.
Made up of an interlinking system of trams, metro and buses, it is used daily by approximately two thirds of Prague’s population – and for good reason. It spreads across most of the city and out to the suburbs, covering long distances and connecting most vital areas.
That doesn’t mean that it is always smooth running. Prague’s transport network, however good, is also prone to rerouting and cancellations due to maintenance and construction.
Tickets purchased anywhere for any public transport are valid on any of the tram, metro or bus routes; you can, for example, combine a metro ticket with rides on buses and trams.
However, one thing you do have to make sure you do is validate your ticket. Your ticket isn’t automatically validated once you buy it; you have to validate it, on a ticket machine, as you enter any of the city’s public transport.
The trams in Prague are safe and easy to use, but note: you need to look after your belongings and valuables during especially busy times, and specifically on tram lines 9 and 22, which are more frequented by tourists and – by extension – pickpockets.
Trams run from 5 a.m. till 12:30 a.m., but there is also a limited night tram service on some routes, so you can still get around after you’ve left the bars.
Then there is the metro. It is very straightforward and connects seamlessly with routes offered by buses and trams. Run by the Prague Public Transport Authority, when you arrive at the airport you can ask at the information desks provided on how to get to your accommodation from there via the metro.
Running from 5 a.m. to midnight, the metro has three major lines: A (Green), B (Yellow) and C (Red), with a planned D (Blue) slated for opening in the future.
Trains are frequent and peak times (every two minutes or so), while off-peak trains arrive around every 6 minutes. Trains can be very crowded around rush hours – we’d recommend avoiding these busiest times if you’re a tourist.
Lastly, there are buses. Buses (autobusy) are not the best way to get around Prague city centre as they are beholden to the city’s bad traffic. However, they do work well in the outskirts of Prague, in areas where the trams and metro do not reach.
Running from 4:30 a.m. until midnight, buses are frequent at peak time (6-8 minutes) while off-peak and at Prague weekends, buses arrive every 15-30 minutes.
There is a night bus service on some routes, which runs from midnight to 4:30 a.m. Just watch out for rowdy, drunken behaviour on night buses.
Overall, the public transport in Prague is safe. Crowds sometimes mean pickpockets, but being alert and keeping your bag close to you should be enough to avoid being a victim of crime.
Is the food in Prague safe?
There is a heap of delicious food that awaits you in Prague; not only is it safe to eat at many if not most establishments in the city, it can also be quite a tasty experience, too.
Obložené chlebícky (open sandwiches) should definitely be tried – so should schnitzel, and sweet buchty (filled buns), among a host of other delights. To help you figure it all out, here are our top foodie tips for Prague.
- Go where the locals go. Nobody quite knows their own cuisine like the people who live there, so if in doubt when you’re exploring the city, go where it looks to be busy with local people.
- To find somewhere like this, you may want to ask the staff at your hostel or hotel; most likely they will have more than a few favourite places in Prague to eat in the city, and will be happy to recommend a few of them to you.
- When it comes to street-side vendors and food stalls, you should head to places that look as though they have some sort of hygiene standards going on.
- Avoid eating anywhere along Carlova Street. This is squarely for tourists, and as such is saturated with souvenir shops and restaurants serving overpriced “authentic” food. With no worries about repeat business from locals, they are more about profit than they are about quality or hygiene.
- Tourist restaurants overcharge. They’re not just along Carlova Street, so be vigilant with where you choose; often these places will inflate the bill, so make sure to question it if you feel like you are being cheated.
- One way to avoid a bad experience, especially when you are already out and away from your accommodation, is to check Google Maps for reviews.
- If you’ve been out drinking, be careful what – and where – you are eating afterwards. Your judgment may be impaired! On a similar note, but nothing to do with drinking, ensure your food is cooked through and hot (if it’s supposed to be).
- Check out Prague’s easygoing beer gardens for somewhere you can enjoy traditional cuisine in a laid back setting, all washed down with a tasty Czech beer.
- Last, but not least, please wash your hands! We all know (nowadays more than ever!) that washing your hands is very important to keep yourself healthy.
One final thing we’d recommend is taking a Prague food tour. Czech cuisine isn’t well known, so discovering it on a tour with a knowledgeable local, will really help open up the city’s food scene for you.
Can you drink the water in Prague?
You can drink the water in Prague – the tap water is safe to drink.
However, many people in the city choose to drink bottled water; it may be a taste thing, we aren’t sure.
Do your part to reduce plastic waste and don’t do that – instead, take with you your own refillable water bottle.
Is Prague safe to live?
Prague is a very popular tourist destination, as we’ve established already, but more and more people are choosing to base themselves long term in the Czech capital.
That’s right: Prague is a safe place to live.
Not only is it a beautiful looking city, with its architecture dripping in history – with a charm that many places lack – it is also a fairly affordable city to live in.
The public transport, for example, is not only excellent, but relatively cheap. It is made even cheaper by the virtue that you don’t actually need to own (and pay for) a car to live in Prague.
A spacious, two-bedroom apartment in the centre of Prague, close to public transport, can be had for as little as 700 Euros.
With this history and affordability also comes a whole range of entertainment. From cafes and bars, to live music, ongoing yearly events and nightlife to get involved with, there’s always something going on in the Czech capital.
However, there are some downsides to living in Prague.
It is a popular tourist destination, which means there is a significant amount of visitors to the city during high season. These crowds attract crime, but not only that – drunken, raucous behaviour is an issue in Prague, and it can be extremely noisy at night with big groups of foreign tourists making fools of themselves.
Living in a tourist destination can take its toll, and this is something you should really consider when weighing up the pros and cons of living in Prague.
If you are going to live there long term, you should also probably learn some Czech. Though many people speak English, if you want to make some local friends then speaking at least a little Czech is a good idea.
When it comes to moving somewhere new, it helps to know which neighbourhoods to live in, what transport lines are best, and what sort of area you should not be near; with this in mind, get in touch with expat groups, make connections in the city, and from there start planning your move – starting, of course, with a trip to the city!
A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!
Jetpac eSIMs work just like an app: you download it, pick your plan, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.
Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and ditch the plastic.
Grab an eSIM!Is it safe to rent an Airbnb in Prague?
Renting an Airbnb in Prague is a great idea. And it’s perfectly safe, as long as you read the reviews. Staying at an Airbnb during your trip will also open up new possibilities and options to experience the country. The local hosts are known to take great care of their guests and give the absolute best recommendations of what to do and what to see. Local knowledge always goes a long way, so be sure to reach out to your hosts if you’re unsure about how to fill up your Prague itinerary!
On top of that, you’ll stay safe with the reliable Airbnb booking system. Both hosts and guests can rate each other which creates a very respectful and trustworthy interaction.
Is Prague LGBTQ+ friendly?
The Czech Republic is one of the most progressive Eastern European countries when it comes to human rights and equality between genders. LGBTQ+ travellers are widely accepted and usually welcomed with open arms, especially in Prague.
There are plenty of nightlife venues targeted towards gay travellers, as well as gay-friendly accommodations.
Same-sex partnerships are legal in the Czech Republic. There’s a massive pride parade being held every year in August. If you can, time your visit so that you can join other travellers and plenty of friendly locals.
FAQ about Staying Safe in Prague
Here are some quick answers to common questions about safety in Prague.
So, is Prague Safe?
Prague is a beautiful city and pretty safe as well.
There are stunning buildings everywhere, a long history to learn about and a more modern history of art and creativity that make it a fun place to explore.
While there may be issues with pickpocketing, and drunken behaviour, using your common sense and avoiding the most touristed areas should put you in a better position to have an amazing time with no trouble to worry about.
Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. Do your own research. Enjoy your travels!
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂