Is Vancouver Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Vancouver is generally a safe city for solo female travelers. It's a city with a low crime rate and locals are friendly and helpful. Nonetheless, like traveling anywhere, it's important to maintain awareness of your surroundings, especially when out late at night or in less crowded places. Streets are well-lit and public transportation, including trains, buses, and taxis, is widely available and reliable. As always, employing basic safety precautions such as not displaying expensive belongings, being aware of personal possessions, and keeping to populated areas in the evenings is recommended. The city is well-policed and emergencies are responded to swiftly. Don't hesitate to ask locals for help, they are typically more than willing to assist or provide directions.

Safety rating

4 /5

Based on 12 experiences from female travelers

4.5 /5

Based on our research and crime data

3.9 /5

Based on 35 experiences from local women

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How safe is Vancouver?

Safety at night:Safe

Vancouver is generally a safe city, even at night. There's adequate lighting and police presence, especially in tourist-centric areas. However, like any city, it's important to be aware of your surroundings, avoid less populated areas or outside the central district during late hours. Night public transportation is also reliable and considered safe, but taxis and rideshares are always an option for extra safety.

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Vancouver is generally quite safe. The TransLink system which includes buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus, is well-maintained and frequently monitored. Staff members and security are typically available, especially during peak hours. Like any big city, it is always important to stay aware of your surroundings, especially if traveling late at night. However, in general, instances of crime or harassment are relatively low, and many locals and tourists alike use the system daily without issue.

Street harassment:Low

Vancouver is generally regarded as a safe city, especially for solo female travelers. Street harassment isn't a primary concern as the city and its people are known for being respectful and friendly; however, just like any major city, it isn't entirely exempted. It's recommended, as always, to practice standard precautionary measures just to ensure safety at all times.

Petty crimes:Low

Vancouver is generally safe with a low occurrence of petty crimes like pick-pocketing and bag snatching. However, always be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded tourist spots and public transport. It's always worth taking standard precautions to protect your belongings and personal safety.

Is Vancouver worth visiting?

Overall rating

3.9 /5

based on 12 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

3.7/5

Safety

4/5

Food

3.5/5

Budget-friendly

3.4/5

Couple travel

The city is very comfortable to hangout around, the night life is pretty busy but we stayed in an Airbnb away form downtown. The food is delicious and the locals seemed pretty nice. A very nice place to do so many activities. Some of the clubs are weird and uncomfortable but still an overall enjoyable experience.

Posted: May 1, 2025Experienced: February, 2025

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Solo travel

I have been in Vancouver for 3 months now and feel very safe here. Still, I would avoid East Hastings Street and majority of Gastown as a Solo female at night. Even though I luckily haven’t been harassed there, there are a lot of homeless and drug addicts around that area and I did not feel comfortable

Posted: December 27, 2024

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Solo travel

I had a great time in Vancouver. Scenic view, great food scenary and culture richness. I felt safe using public transportation and mostly all the time, just need to avoid some areas in downtown. I’m looming forward to showing it around.

Posted: November 9, 2024

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Aiman

Canada

Solo travel

Vancouver has a very safe feel, a great transportation system with skytrains and buses throughout most of the Metro Vancouver area. There are many cheap attractions like the countless beaches the city has including Wreck Beach, Jericho Beach, English Bay, Ambleside etc. There are countless trails, areas for camping close by like Whistler and Squamish, a lot of natural beauty.

Posted: July 18, 2024Experienced: June, 2023

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Karen

Mexico

Solo travel

Vancouver is a very beautiful city. I would recommend you to go to Stanley park and rent a bike, make sure you do it early because they close at 5pm approximately. Go and get some souvenirs but they’re a bit expensive. Try to use Sky train, there are different stations, you can always check on Google Maps to help you. Just set your destination, also with tell you to take the bus that is really useful. You can pay with your credit or debit card. People the is very helpful when your lost so don’t hesitate when asking for help. If you need some clothing, depends the season, go to any Thrift store, you’ll love them, if you want to save money.

Posted: July 6, 2024

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Is Vancouver safe for women?

Safety index

3.9 /5

Based on 35 local experiences

Crime index

2.2 /5

Based on 35 local experiences

alexandra

Overall, Vancouver's is a beautiful and great city, but it has a big problem with people that are unhoused and reliant on illicit substances so there is a lot of areas that I do not recommend walking alone. In addition, there have been a lot of violence against women and missing and murdered women in recent years. I recommend having friends in town and doing a lot of research before you arrive. Make sure to take precautions when traveling solo here.

Posted: June 2, 2025

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Meet locals in Vancouver

Jaida

About Me

I love to travel and stay active, often playing baseball, volleyball, or outdoor activities like hiking, walking, swimming and golfing. I’m an early riser and like to get the most out of each day travelling, doing things like hiking, finding cute cafes/restaurants, and exploring. I also enjoy going out partying and finding social events.

Speaking

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alexandra

About Me

Hi, I'm Alex. I love to travel. I love my dog. And one day I'd like to travel with my dog and see more of the world together. Currently living in Vancouver but might be moving to Europe by the end of the year.

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Vancouver

Riley

Vancouver

Can host for:

7 days

About me

Hi I’m Riley! I really want to travel all of Canada and the rest of the world making friends along the way! I’m starting with BC if you want to go on a lil trip please message me! I am clean, kind, great listener and full of stories:)

Speaking

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shyane

Vancouver

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I love travelling and meeting people from different cultures.

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Vancouver

Neeveerdeen

About Me

I'm disabled with social phobias so I don't get out of the home much, except for long trips on my own when my finances allow. I've been a vegetarian for years, and yeah, I'm very militant (2LGBTQ+, BLM, pro choice, etc.).

Speaking

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Kerstin

About Me

I currently still live in Nuremberg. I'm preparing for my work and travel time. this begins on July 2nd, 2025 and starts in Iceland. I'm really looking forward to it and hope for some inspiration. I am interested in local people when I travel.