Is Canberra Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Canberra, as Australia's capital city, boasts relatively low crime rates compared to other major cities worldwide. You should mostly experience a peaceful and welcoming environment here. The city's public transportation system is reliable and very straightforward to navigate, and the streets and parks are well-lit and routinely patrolled, contributing to a strong sense of security. However, it is still advised to use common safety precautions as with any city, such as not walking alone late at night in less populated or unfamiliar areas.

Safety rating

4.5 /5

Based on our research and crime data

4.3 /5

Based on 6 experiences from local women

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How safe is Canberra?

Safety at night:Safe

Canberra, as Australia's capital, is relatively safe even at night. The city is well lit, and the public spaces are constantly being monitored. Streets can get quiet but there is still a reasonable amount of people around, especially in more central areas. For the majority of the time, you should feel quite safe walking alone at night. However, as with any city, certain areas can be less safe than others and it's always recommended to stay vigilant and take standard precautions such as avoiding isolated areas and always letting someone know your whereabouts.

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Canberra tends to be safe overall, including buses, taxis, and ride-sharing services. There's a well-established network featuring regular services to most parts of the city and surrounding regions. However, it's always important to be aware of your surroundings especially when traveling at night. Use trusted transportation applications and try to ride in the front car of trains where the driver is closer.

Street harassment:Low

Canberra is generally a safe city with a low level of street harassment. As it is the capital of Australia, the city takes public safety seriously and law enforcement is efficient and reliable. However, like any city, it's not completely free from occasional hassle or issues. It's essential to remain alert, especially during night hours or when walking alone, but overall you should feel relatively secure here.

Petty crimes:Low

Despite Canberra being the capital city of Australia, the risk of petty crimes like pickpocketing and bag snatching is relatively low. It's a safe and welcoming city with efficient security measures. However, it's always essential to take common precautions to protect your belongings and ensure your personal safety.

Is Canberra worth visiting?

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Is Canberra safe for women?

Safety index

4.3 /5

Based on 6 local experiences

Crime index

2 /5

Based on 6 local experiences

Canberra is a very safe city, but it is also very boring. The sketchiest thing here is the young eshays and few junkies at the bus interchanges. The city at night is pretty empty so it can be a bit eerie but I’ve never had a scary encounter there.

Posted: March 26, 2025

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Rebecca

Canberra is the capital of Australia, though it’s much smaller than Sydney and Melbourne, so has more of a smaller city feel. While it’s very convenient and safe, I still don’t feel comfortable walking alone at night outside of the immediate city area or high traffic areas. This is probably due to the average street lighting, so don’t feel as safe when it’s not as well lit, compared to feeling safer in more well lit and bigger cities.

Posted: November 26, 2024

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Brittany

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Just a girl who already failed her 30 countries before 30 plan (thanks, covid) and is desperate to not fail 40 countries before 40. All my friends are either broke or not interested and I can only handle so many days of travelling alone.