# Is the Czech Republic safe to visit? > Is the Czech Republic safe? Yes: US Level 1. Prague pickpocket hotspots, taxi and exchange scams, fake police, ticket fines, drugs law and emergency numbers. - Source: https://clevertourists.com/resources/is-czech-republic-safe-to-visit - Authors: Evan & Clara, Clever Tourists (first-hand, from years of travel across 20 countries) - Published: 2026-09-15 **Yes, the Czech Republic is safe for tourists: the US State Department rates it Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions, the UK Foreign Office does not advise against travel anywhere in the country, and the real risks are Prague pickpockets, taxi and currency-exchange overcharging, and ticket fines on public transport.** Violent crime against visitors is uncommon. We spent September and October 2022 in the Czech Republic: 5 days in Prague, 3 in Hřensko for the Bohemian Switzerland gorges, 2 in Karlovy Vary, 1 in Mariánské Lázně, 2 in Pilsen, about 2 in Kutná Hora and nearly 2 in Brno. Below is what the advisories say (checked October 2026) and the specific traps in Prague. ## Czech Republic travel advisory levels, October 2026 **US State Department:** Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions, with a date issued of 8 January 2026 on the official Czechia page according to search results; the page itself blocked our automated fetch, so confirm it live. The advisory summary recommends travel insurance and warns that ATMs can charge high fees. **UK Foreign Office:** the Czech Republic page was last updated on 11 August 2026 (latest change: European Entry-Exit System information) and carries no warning against travel. It notes that terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out, and that public protests may happen at short notice but have been peaceful so far; avoid crowded areas if one forms. Our [things to know before visiting the Czech Republic](https://clevertourists.com/resources/things-to-know-before-visiting-the-czech-republic) covers the koruna, EES and shop closures. ## Pickpockets in Prague: where they work The FCDO says petty theft is a problem, especially in major tourist areas in Prague. Named hotspots: the metro and bus routes from the airport to the centre, trams to Prague Castle, and busy tourist districts. Expect the Old Town Square, Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square to be crowded and a good place for thieves. Keep your bag zipped and in front, phone in an inside pocket and passport in a hotel safe, but carry some ID. If something is stolen, report it in person at a police station within 24 hours to get a crime number for insurance. Prague's central police station on Jungmannovo náměstí 9 (near Můstek metro) is open 24 hours and offers English-speaking interpreters. The lampposts in Prague carry six-digit codes that help police locate you if you call. ## Scams: fake police, taxis, exchange offices **Fake plainclothes police:** the FCDO warns that fake officers may ask to see your cash and passport. Real police cannot do this. Offer to go to a police station, or call 112 to verify them. **Drink spiking:** reported in bars and clubs; do not accept drinks from strangers or leave yours unattended. The FCDO also says to check nightclub charges and consumption-card terms, and to avoid sex workers. **Taxis:** the FCDO says to use major taxi companies, check the posted rates before getting in and avoid unmarked cars. Secondary sources describe unlicensed drivers near the airport and tourist squares charging many times the normal fare, and a case reported by Expats.cz in which a foreign tourist was charged over 200,000 koruna for a short ride. Use a ride-hailing app or the official [airport trolleybus 59 and Airport Express](https://clevertourists.com/resources/prague-airport-to-city-center-trolleybus-59-airport-express-guide). **Currency exchange:** the FCDO advice is to exchange money only at banks or exchange offices and be careful at cash machines. Offices advertising "0% commission" near Wenceslas Square are commonly reported to apply poor rates; ATMs that offer to convert the withdrawal into your home currency should be declined, always choose koruna. Never exchange on the street. See [Prague scams](https://clevertourists.com/resources/tourist-scams-in-prague) for more. ## Transport fines and local laws Paper public-transport tickets must be validated before travel; on-the-spot fines are 1,000 koruna, rising to 1,500 if unpaid, per the FCDO. The Petřín Hill funicular needs a specific 60-koruna ticket or a 24-hour pass; the standard 30- and 90-minute tickets are not valid. Trams have right of way at zebra crossings and cannot stop quickly. It is a legal requirement to carry ID; a scan of your passport is usually accepted if you have committed no crime. Stag groups are barred from some city-centre venues, and drunken or offensive behaviour can lead to arrest, a fine or a paid stay in a sobering-up facility. Drugs, including cannabis, are illegal; the FCDO says convictions can bring up to 18 years, and airport scanning covers transit passengers. Some shops sell cannabis products with trace THC, which are legal under Czech law. ## Beyond Prague: Bohemia, spa towns and driving Outside Prague the risk drops further. The spa towns we visited, Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně, and Pilsen, Kutná Hora and Brno are low-crime. Hřensko, the gateway to the Bohemian Switzerland gorges, is mostly about hiking: stay on marked trails, mind slippery sandstone and check river and boat times. See our [Karlovy Vary day trip](https://clevertourists.com/resources/karlovy-vary-from-prague-day-trip-guide) and [Kutná Hora day trip](https://clevertourists.com/resources/kutna-hora-day-trip-from-prague-train-bone-church-guide). Driving: drink-drive penalties include fines up to 50,000 koruna, licence confiscation and possible imprisonment, and police can breathalyse any driver on the spot. Motorways need an e-vignette; see our [Czech e-vignette guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/czech-e-vignette-rental-car-guide). ## Solo travelers, LGBT+ and emergency numbers Prague is a common solo-travel base; the main nighttime cautions are drink spiking and unlicensed taxis. Same-sex relationships and civil partnerships are legal, but same-sex marriage is not recognised, and public affection may draw attention. Dial **112** for police, ambulance and fire; **155** is the ambulance and **158** the police, per our things-to-know page. English is widely spoken in Prague. For plans, see the [Prague and Bohemia guide](https://clevertourists.com/guides/prague-and-bohemia) and [where to stay in Prague](https://clevertourists.com/resources/where-to-stay-in-prague). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is the Czech Republic safe for tourists? Yes. The US rates it Level 1 and the UK Foreign Office does not advise against travel. Petty theft in Prague is the main problem. ### Is Prague safe at night? Generally yes. Watch for drink spiking in bars, unlicensed taxis and fake plainclothes police who ask to see your cash and passport. ### What are the biggest scams in Prague? Fake police, overcharging taxis, poor-rate exchange offices and dynamic currency conversion at ATMs. Use banks, ride apps and always choose koruna. ### Do I need to carry my passport in the Czech Republic? Carrying ID is a legal requirement. A scan of your passport is usually accepted if you have committed no crime. ### What is the emergency number in the Czech Republic? Dial 112 for ambulance, fire and police. Prague's central police station on Jungmannovo náměstí 9 is open 24 hours.