brachal
Refrigerated User
I'm going to Prague in a couple of weeks, and I'm very excited to be getting out of New Orleans for a while. I wanted to ask the Prague residents on the forum about the pickpocket situation there. Most of what I've read preparing for the trip makes it seem like the city is overrun with pickpockets -- is it really that bad? Would I be asking for trouble wandering around with my Bessa taking tourist photos? Thanks.
S
Skinny McGee
Guest
From what folks have told me it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe ..
peter_n
Veteran
As a non-resident but a person who visited there about three years ago I would say that you've been mis-informed. There are pickpockets in every big city, including New Orleans 
, so you need to take the usual sensible precautions. But you could go to many other European capitals and suffer many more problems with thieving than you'd experience in Prague. Enjoy your visit, it is one of the most beautiful cities I have visited.
, so you need to take the usual sensible precautions. But you could go to many other European capitals and suffer many more problems with thieving than you'd experience in Prague. Enjoy your visit, it is one of the most beautiful cities I have visited.
brachal
Refrigerated User
peter_n said:As a non-resident but a person who visited there about three years ago I would say that you've been mis-informed. There are pickpockets in every big city, including New Orleans
Peter,
Thanks for the reply. Here in New Orleans, we can only dream of the day when pickpockets are a bigger problem than murderers, so I did feel a little silly worrying about them.
darkkavenger
Massimiliano Mortillaro
I'm resident in Prague, working for the french embassy, so I can give a few hints.
Keep your passport and travel documents in your hotel secure lockout (coffre-fort, in french). Be sure to keep your important belongings (money, credit cards) in an inner pocket of your vest/avoid keeping things in your external pockets and in jeans pockets. Pickpockets are generally dark-skinned and shifty looking. Most of them are found on tram line N°22 which goes up to the castle. If you want to visit the castle, go by foot, do'nt take the tram. I take the tram 22 often and never had a single problem. Places to avoid include the train stations in Prague (Hlavni Nadrazi, Masarykovo Nadrazi). IMPORTANT RULE : !!!NEVER!!! pick up a taxi who is stopped. Call one who's driving on the street (yellow lit = free) or call one through AAA Taxi (phone number : 14014)
Be aware that sometimes pickpockets operate in couple and that one might be distracting you (asking questions, asking for their way) while the other one will be doing your pockets as you try to help. Some others in public transportation will sometimes fake a dispute to divert attention, while a third one will be checking for people's pockets. It's very rare, though. In the center of the town, near Staromestké Namesti (old square) you might find women asking you if you want to have sex, and if you look young enough some shiftly looking dudes might propose you marijuana or other kind of crap like this. Just walk your way and ignore them.
The metro is very clean and problems are pretty rare. Also it's rare to see people fighting on the street, the czech people are generally very quiet, though a bit inexpressive/cold according to my own opinion after living for nearly 5 years in the country.
Honestly, thieving here is marginal, though everyday people get fooled, and not only tourists. It's just a matter of common sense while on the street.
Other advices : restaurants located in the immediate vicinity of touristic places ARE real thieves and will charge you insane amounts of money for mediocre quality food. Don't be afraid to walk a couple streets nearby to find a nice restaurant. Regarding tips, generally it's 10% of the bill price, if they were nice.
Weather got quite cold here since the beginning of the week. Now it really feels like autumn.
Regarding shooting, you won't ever get any problems. People are used to a massive flow of tourists, and i've been shooting even out of the touristic areas with discrete and unobtrusive cameras such as a Pentacon Six fitted with the tiny Carl Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f/2.8, and with all sorts of cameras in any situations. Never had a single problem. Same in Paris. Just enjoy your holidays and drop me a pm if you want to meet for a beer
Cheers,
Max
Keep your passport and travel documents in your hotel secure lockout (coffre-fort, in french). Be sure to keep your important belongings (money, credit cards) in an inner pocket of your vest/avoid keeping things in your external pockets and in jeans pockets. Pickpockets are generally dark-skinned and shifty looking. Most of them are found on tram line N°22 which goes up to the castle. If you want to visit the castle, go by foot, do'nt take the tram. I take the tram 22 often and never had a single problem. Places to avoid include the train stations in Prague (Hlavni Nadrazi, Masarykovo Nadrazi). IMPORTANT RULE : !!!NEVER!!! pick up a taxi who is stopped. Call one who's driving on the street (yellow lit = free) or call one through AAA Taxi (phone number : 14014)
Be aware that sometimes pickpockets operate in couple and that one might be distracting you (asking questions, asking for their way) while the other one will be doing your pockets as you try to help. Some others in public transportation will sometimes fake a dispute to divert attention, while a third one will be checking for people's pockets. It's very rare, though. In the center of the town, near Staromestké Namesti (old square) you might find women asking you if you want to have sex, and if you look young enough some shiftly looking dudes might propose you marijuana or other kind of crap like this. Just walk your way and ignore them.
The metro is very clean and problems are pretty rare. Also it's rare to see people fighting on the street, the czech people are generally very quiet, though a bit inexpressive/cold according to my own opinion after living for nearly 5 years in the country.
Honestly, thieving here is marginal, though everyday people get fooled, and not only tourists. It's just a matter of common sense while on the street.
Other advices : restaurants located in the immediate vicinity of touristic places ARE real thieves and will charge you insane amounts of money for mediocre quality food. Don't be afraid to walk a couple streets nearby to find a nice restaurant. Regarding tips, generally it's 10% of the bill price, if they were nice.
Weather got quite cold here since the beginning of the week. Now it really feels like autumn.
Regarding shooting, you won't ever get any problems. People are used to a massive flow of tourists, and i've been shooting even out of the touristic areas with discrete and unobtrusive cameras such as a Pentacon Six fitted with the tiny Carl Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f/2.8, and with all sorts of cameras in any situations. Never had a single problem. Same in Paris. Just enjoy your holidays and drop me a pm if you want to meet for a beer
Cheers,
Max
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AusDLK
Famous Photographer
I have spent the past two Julys in Prague with a camera over my shoulder all day long with no problems whatsoever. However, you do need to exercise reasonable caution just as you would in any other large city. I know of or have seen some crime -- a friend was accosted on a tram (he resisted and the assailants fled), a backback was stolen in a restaurant, a very experienced Czech tour guide had his wallet lifted from his backpack (he realized what happened, threatened to call the cops, and his wallet suddenly "was found" on the sidewalk).
The thieves are generally non-violent and statistically you are very, very safe in Prague.
Just don't be stupid with your possessions and you'll be fine.
The thieves are generally non-violent and statistically you are very, very safe in Prague.
Just don't be stupid with your possessions and you'll be fine.
dberger
Established
brachal said:
I visited Prague about a year and a half ago. With my daugher (and wife, when she was not working), I walked around a lot (!), rode the subway, and rode the tram; we had no problems and did not see any. Just take the same precautions you would take in any big city.
I had an M3 and a small handful of lenses with me at all times. It is a great city for picture taking -- lots of people, medieval buildings, historic sites, and the most pleasant panhandlers I've ever encountered. Tip of the day: wear comfortable shoes. You will likely do much walking on cobble stone, brick, tile, or some other non-smooth pavement -- very tough on the feet (see pics for examples, and sorry for the poor scans).
Cheers,
David
Attachments
brachal
Refrigerated User
Thanks to all for the responses; I'm sure I'll have a great time, and I'll try to shoot something worth posting.
brachal
Refrigerated User
Thanks once again to all who responded to this thread. I had a great trip and shot a lot. Prague is a wonderful city, and I can't wait to go back! I've loaded 4 images to my gallery.