Prague Old Town Hall & City Center Safety Guide

Prague uses two different police forces. You should know the difference. The State Police (Policie České republiky) handle the big stuff like crime and immigration. They wear white shirts and dark grey trousers. They carry guns. Then there's the Municipal Police (Městská policie). They wear light-grey uniforms and handle traffic or public order. This force started in 1992 after the Velvet Revolution. Staying longer than a standard tourist trip? You'll need the Foreign Police (Cizinecká policie). They deal with registrations and visa extensions. Their main office is at Olšanská 2 in Prague 3. Don't show up on Tuesday or Friday. They're closed. Go Monday or Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, or Thursday until 3:00 PM. And don't mix them up with OAMP. That's for residency permits. It's a different office for long-term permits. You'll save yourself a lot of time by checking the address twice.

Prague's transit is efficient and safe. You can jump on a metro or tram and expect it to be on time. Violent crime is rare here. But crowds attract thieves. Pickpockets love Tram 22 and the busy stops around the Old Town Hall or Wenceslas Square. Keep your bag zipped. Wear it on your front in the metro. It's a simple fix. Don't mess with the tickets. Inspectors are relentless. A 30-minute ride costs 39 CZK. Longer 90-minute trips are 50 CZK. You can also get a day pass for 150 CZK. Buy your ticket, then punch it immediately. Look for the yellow machines on trams or at metro entrances. If you don't validate, your ticket is garbage. Plainclothes inspectors will catch you and fine you 1200 CZK on the spot. They don't care if you're a tourist. Pay the fine and move on.

Street-hailed taxis used to be a disaster for tourists. Now, it's better. Metered cabs have a price ceiling of 36 CZK per kilometer. You'll also pay a 60 CZK starting fee and 7 CZK per minute of waiting. Stick with AAA Taxi or City Taxi. They're reliable. Order through an app to get the best rate. It's safer and cheaper. Things changed in early 2025. The government dropped price caps for Uber and Bolt. Now, you agree to the price in the app before you even get in. It's transparent. Uber is the official partner at Václav Havel Airport now. Use their kiosks or the app. If you do take a traditional cab, get a printed receipt. Make sure it comes from the meter. If they won't give you one, don't pay. It's your right to see the fare.

You'll use the Czech Koruna (CZK) here. Exchange shops can be predatory. But the law is on your side now. Since 2019, you can cancel any exchange under 1,000 EUR within three hours. Just bring your receipt back to the office. Check the timestamp. If they ripped you off, demand your money back. Don't let them tell you no. Never trade cash with people on the street. It's a scam. They'll give you old Belarusian Rubles or fake notes. Watch out for people pretending to be deaf or mute with petitions. They just want your cash. And check your dinner bill. Some spots add extra charges for bread you didn't ask for. A 10 percent tip is plenty. Don't let staff bully you into paying more. Good service is worth it, but forced tips are a scam.