Is Johannesburg Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Couple travel

Johannesburg is beautiful and quite safe if you choose the right areas to stay and hang around. A lot of travellers are afraid of traveling to South Africa because of the high crime rate in the city but from my experience it all depends on the areas. I would highly recommend staying Sandton or areas close for safety and general aesthetic. Sandton is relatively more expensive than other areas but it's worth it!

Solo travel

I advise against travelling to Johannesburg alone - it's best to get around the city with locals. Ubers are safe, but avoid walking around the city alone.

Solo travel

I stayed at a hostel where local staff clearly explained where it is safe, where you can go shopping, and where you absolutely should not go. From my own experience, I can recommend the Apartheid Museum and Soweto. In Soweto, there is the Mandela Museum and the street where he lived. Overall, I had a good time, but it's best when there is someone onsite who can tell you what is safe and what is not.

Solo travel

I was in Johannesburg as a lone traveler for 3 days. I joined two tours with AirBnB Experience (Maboneng and Soweto) and I really enjoyed both of them. I recommend taking an Uber directly from the hotel and not bringing any valuables with you. I stayed in Rosebank and felt safe.

Solo travel

I traveled alone in Johannesburg, but I stayed in hostels behind gates and hired a local guide to see the city center, and then I took part in a bike tour in Soweto, where the driver picked me up from the hostel and also took me to the Apartheid Museum. I highly recommend a visit to the Kruger Park. I quite liked Johannesburg, but I was very cautious and chose a hostel with a bar and cafe, so I did not have to go out in the evening.

Solo travel

I spent 6 weeks in South Africa traveling solo and it was fantastic. Lots of history and great neighborhoods to discover. Also, the craft markets are great. I recommend using the Hop On and Off bus to get oriented. In some areas it's better to walk, and in others I used Uber or Gautrain. Transportation is easy and most places are accessible on foot. As for safety, ask locals for advice on where it's safe to walk alone (sometimes only during the day).

Group travel

I was there in May. I stayed very close to O. R. Tambo International Airport and it was safe. However, we did very few trips outside of Johannesburg, even the locals told us that it is not very safe there. We went to Durban for one day by taxi.

I feel safe in Johannesburg, the people I met where very friendly and nothing bad happend so far… but I’m a little paranoid because of the high crime rate. I like the huge weather changes during the day. I LOVE the music! The social division makes me sad, I definitely have to inform myself about the history and present in this country! I like to explore but also do nothing sometimes <3

Unfortunately the crime in South Africa is incredibly high but that being said most places that you go have implemented enough safety protocols to keep women safe I think living in South Africa you get to know where it’s safe and where it isn’t and you get to know what you can do and what you can’t and it’s quite easy to stay safe and stay alive as long as you stay in the safe areas and you are cautious so guess the crime is incredibly behind South Africa but I think it’s definitely possible to stay safe if you know what to do