Is Lyon Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Lyon, as one of France's largest cities, is generally considered safe for solo female travelers. Stricter safety measures are in place and the city is well-policed. There are some areas you should avoid late at night, but the majority of the city, particularly the tourist areas, are safe and welcoming. Local people are friendly and willing to help if needed. Hospitals and police are responsive and trustworthy.

Safety rating

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How safe is Lyon?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Moderate

Overall, Lyon is reasonably safe during the night. Like any other city, Lyon has areas that are very safe and others that are less so. It's always important to stay in well-lit areas and avoid deserted streets. Of course, it pays to keep a vigilant eye on your surroundings and maintain typical urban precautions. Public transportation runs late into the night and it's always a good idea to use it when possible, especially on weeknights when the streets aren't as populated.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Very safe

Public transportation in Lyon comprises of Metro, Tramways, Buses and Bikes which are all well-maintained, timely, and efficient, hence making it an extremely safe city for solo female travelers to navigate. The city has extensive and convenient public transport networks that offer a sense of security and confidence to commuters. Also, Lyon's transportation system is well monitored and citizens are generally respectful and law-abiding. However, like any city, it's always important to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

In general, Lyon is a city that is friendly towards solo female travelers. Instances of street harassment are relatively low compared to other major cities, with the majority of locals being respectful and courteous. That said, like in any city worldwide, there may be isolated incidents, mostly in less crowded or poorly lit areas; hence necessary precautions are advised. As always, avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and stay vigilant of your surroundings.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

While Lyon is generally considered a safe city to travel solo, it's not entirely free from petty crime. Visitors may occasionally encounter theft, especially in crowded tourist areas, and pickpocketing on public transportation. Always keep an eye on your belongings and be cautious in crowded and tourist-heavy areas.

Is Lyon worth visiting?

Overall rating

3.7 /5

based on 10 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

3.6/5

Safety

3.5/5

Food

4/5

Budget-friendly

3/5

Solo travel

I felt safe. Lyon is one of our favourite places it is so peaceful and the food was delicious we found a street vendor and lots of bakeries it was stunning. We went to the cinema and lots of cathedrals.

Posted: February 11, 2025Experienced: December, 2024
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Solo travel

My stay in Lyon was sadly very disappointing. I arrived at Lyon Part Dieu train station and within an hour of arrival my iPhone got stolen. Obviously this caused a lot of stress, Station staff was not very helpful and there was no police station nearby not that they could help either. My hostel was in the Guilloutiere area and it did not feel very safe at night. The few sights I managed to see were alright and prices weren’t expensive either. Be extremely careful of pickpockets in France, I learned that the hard way. Until now I did not get my phone back.

Posted: February 5, 2025
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Danielle

Danielle

Canada

Solo travel

Felt really safe, especially in vieux lyon and along the river. I felt safe walking around alone, even with headphones in. However, be aware of pickpockets on the subway. The food was amazing, fresh food everywhere and inexpensive. Le musée des confluences is an absolute must! The river rhône is beautiful. Vieux Lyon and the roman ruins are fascinating

Posted: July 10, 2024Experienced: February, 2023
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Solo travel

It is overall a nice city, I was living there for a year. But it is very unsafe, specially the area of the Guilliotiere. I would highly recommend that you go with someone else in the city and not alone as a girl. We had a lot of cases of sexual assaults and harassment.

Posted: June 30, 2024
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Group travel

Lyon feels safe and warm , it‘s one of the most beautiful places i have ever visited . There are plenty of good restaurants , so it‘s a good destination for a culinary excursion . Public transport is not expensive and there are a lot of museums that you can visit

Posted: June 9, 2024
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Renata

Renata

Brazil

Couple travel

We went to France in 2010, in Lyon. We had a Very good experiente there. While my husband worked as an invited university teacher, I was walking around the city. Lion is a very interesting city, with so many good atractions as you had a good time to explore It... I loved to visit the greco romano places Just like the museun , the coliseu and the ancient theatre ... It's amazing. I walked around 7 floors and neither realized It! Very close there IS the famous ancient Iglise de Fourviere.. The city has the famous "trabuilles" just like a Net between the medium age constructions... I visited too the museum of Gobellain, a tapestry museum, the puppet museum and the house of Lumiere brothers... Even the charmosos Bouchons, little restaurantes, with very generous portions of food, in a Very acessible prices, are precious!... Walk by the rivers is a very nice experience with many frenchs caffes... I loved this experiencie ...Lyon is a wonderful city... I Will put pictures, as soon as I can...

Posted: April 30, 2024
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Solo travel

Beautiful city!! I met people at my hostel (Le Flaneur) and was able to adventure through the city with them. Spent a lot of time on my feet, but every road had something beautiful to see. Would not recommend Walking alone at night - encountered several aggressive drunk people.

Posted: June 9, 2023Experienced: May, 2023
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Solo travel

A very interesting city, especially if you are interested in food. I encountered some of the most diverse menus there. I liked the pubs and sightseeing walks.

Posted: March 6, 2023
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Is Lyon safe for women?

Safety index

3.5 /5

Based on 39 local experiences

Crime index

2.2 /5

Based on 39 local experiences

Overall is ok, however some men do look scary, there's quite some poverty and men who take drugs are right in the open, even more at the train station, where every TER smells like cocaine. 😔 But I've been living here for 3 yrs and nothing happened to me. Is fairly safe. Don't wander during nighttime tho, some creepy men do approach. If you do, go in large groups, more than 2.

Posted: March 1, 2025
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Lyon is globally safe during the day. But night life is different, be careful and always stay in a group by 2-3 minimum. If you have a boy in the group, even better. Avoid La guillotière as much as possible, a lot of drug and bad people are there, it's probably the most dangerous place in Lyon. Day or night, just don't go there. You can enjoy kind place like Bellecour, Part-Dieu or Vieux Lyon :)

Posted: February 18, 2025
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Meet locals in Lyon

Chloé

Chloé

About Me

Hello ! My name is Chloé, I'm a 28 year old french-Perivian who loves traveling!🌍🌎🌏 I' ve started traveling alone a few years ago, but i love meeting people wherever i go ! I have hosted myself but haven't had the chance to be a guest yet ! I'm more of a city girl but while i travel i love going to smaller places as well :) I'm a bit of hobby collectioner, I love reading, sewing, embroidery, crochet and basically all things craft !

Speaking

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Jeanne

Jeanne

About Me

Hi everyone, I’m Jeanne ! I love experiencing new things, either in other cities or in Lyon (one-day-trips in nearby cities, trying out new restaurants/places/ activities) and I also appreciate meeting international people and hearing about their story ! I will gladly host you & show you around Lyon ! PS : I’m an introvert and prefer one-on-one conversations but once I’m comfortable, I can be pretty bubbly. If you know about MBTI, I’m an INFJ-T!

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Lyon

Jeanne

Jeanne

Lyon

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi everyone, I’m Jeanne ! I love experiencing new things, either in other cities or in Lyon (one-day-trips in nearby cities, trying out new restaurants/places/ activities) and I also appreciate meeting international people and hearing about their story ! I will gladly host you & show you around Lyon ! PS : I’m an introvert and prefer one-on-one conversations but once I’m comfortable, I can be pretty bubbly. If you know about MBTI, I’m an INFJ-T!

Speaking

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Chloé

Chloé

Lyon

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hello ! My name is Chloé, I'm a 28 year old french-Perivian who loves traveling!🌍🌎🌏 I' ve started traveling alone a few years ago, but i love meeting people wherever i go ! I have hosted myself but haven't had the chance to be a guest yet ! I'm more of a city girl but while i travel i love going to smaller places as well :) I'm a bit of hobby collectioner, I love reading, sewing, embroidery, crochet and basically all things craft !

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Lyon

Lucia

Lucia

About Me

Hi I’m Lucia, I am 18 years old and I love to travel and bake. I’ve got a lot animals at my house.

Speaking

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Safety in France