Is Cologne Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Cologne is generally a safe city for solo female travelers. There is a low crime rate and the residents are friendly and open-minded. Public transportation is safe and efficient, even during evenings. There are also plenty of open areas and popular sites to visit where there are always other people around. However, like any big city, there might be pickpocketing and it is advised to stay alert especially in crowded places and during famous events like the Carnaval. Always keep an eye on your belongings.

Safety rating

4.4 /5

Based on 21 experiences from female travelers

4.5 /5

Based on our research and crime data

4 /5

Based on 68 experiences from local women

Cologne is currently ranked #15 safest place in Germany for solo female travellers, with an overall safety rating of 4.4 out of 5. . Check the full ranking.

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How safe is Cologne?

Safety at night:Safe

Cologne is generally a safe city, even at night. As with any urban areas, it is advised to stay in well-lit and populated areas. There may be some areas where extra caution should be exercised, but crime rate is relatively low. Public transportation is reliable and secure too. Being mindful of your surroundings and personal belongings would further ensure your safety.

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Cologne, is generally reliable and safe. The city has an efficient network of trams, buses and trains operated by KVB (Kölner Verkehrsbetriebe) that run regularly, even during the night. Security personnel are often visible and emergency protocols are robust. However, like anywhere, you should remain vigilant, especially late in the evening. Avoid empty compartments and always keep your belongings close.

Street harassment:Low

Cologne is generally considered a safe city for solo female travelers. Street harassment is not a widespread issue and instances of this are relatively low. It is heavily populated with a diverse mix of people, including many international students and tourists. Furthermore, most of the locals maintain a respectful demeanor. However, like everywhere, it's always advised to stay cautious and aware of your surroundings, especially during the night and in less crowded areas.

Petty crimes:Low

Cologne has an overall low risk for petty crimes such as pickpocketing and purse snatching. Main hotspots are the more touristy areas and public transportation where crimes of opportunity have a slightly higher chance of occurring. However, by remaining vigilant and keeping personal belongings secure, you can significantly reduce your risk.

Is Cologne worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 21 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.1/5

Safety

4.4/5

Food

3.7/5

Budget-friendly

3.1/5

Group travel

Cologne is a wonderful city with a lot to explore especially the cathedral. It is also quite interesting during carnival season. It feels relatively safe although you should avoid places like chorweiler.

Posted: August 18, 2025

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Berire

Turkey

Family travel

Cologne Cathedral was the best part of city. Entrance was free but outside view is better than inside. Also Hohenzollern Love Bridge was look colorful. The Bridge was walkable to opposite side. I loved Cologne as I love Germany.

Posted: August 9, 2025

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Carla

Germany

Solo travel

I felt safe in cologne. It was a nice experience and I visit a lot of bars. I met a lot of new people. And I had a great time there. There were a lot of good vegan restaurants. Most of the time I felt very safe

Posted: July 19, 2025

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Group travel

Cologne is a very touristy city. Consider your travel date if you want to avoid the crowds. During my short one-day trip, I visited the Lindt Chocolate Museum, the Cologne Cathedral, which you can't miss, and the shopping streets. I recommend heading away from the city center if you want to feel more immersed in the city.

Posted: May 30, 2025Experienced: April, 2025

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Solo travel

For me it was a little difficult, sometimes I felt alone and had no one to go out with, there aren't that many things to do and they don't have festivals or as much street music as I expected there would be, the people are friendly but they don't make much of an effort to include you, unfortunately the first day I arrived I had a very persistent experience in terms of xenophobia but nothing went wrong.

Posted: April 14, 2025Experienced: March, 2025

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Is Cologne safe for women?

Safety index

4 /5

Based on 68 local experiences

Crime index

2 /5

Based on 68 local experiences

Anna

I feel Cologne is a rather safe place, especially considering its big city with a lot of tourists and many public events throughout the year. There are obviously places that you want to avoid, especially at night, however, all in all, I usually feel safe even when stay late and coming back home by myself. Public transportation stations in the city Centre could use some more security personnel though. And maybe avoid Neumarkt in the middle of the night 🙂

Posted: October 3, 2025

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