Is Switzerland Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Switzerland is known for its high levels of safety and low crime rate. Local authorities are very helpful and it's easy to navigate the public transportation system, even at night. Like anywhere, you should always be aware of your surroundings, avoid poorly-lit or deserted areas late at night and keep an eye on your belongings. But overall, as a solo female traveler, you can feel very secure traveling in Switzerland.

Safety rating

4.8 /5

Based on 88 experiences from female travelers

4.8 /5

Based on our research and crime data

4.6 /5

Based on 401 experiences from local women

Switzerland is currently ranked #5 safest country for solo female travelers, with an overall safety rating of 4.8 out of 5. Check the full ranking.

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How safe is Switzerland?

Safety at night:Very safe

Switzerland as a whole has a high level of safety, even during night time. Well-lit streets, reliable public transportation, and a generally low crime rate make it safe to walk alone at night. However, it's always advisable to remain aware of your surroundings and take precautions like avoiding isolated areas and carrying a phone with a local SIM for emergency contact.

Public transportation:Very safe

Public transportation in Switzerland is one of the safest in the world. Trains and buses are reliable, punctual, and always in pristine condition due to frequent maintenance. The localities are respectful and generally maintain good conduct. For solo female travelers, there is a low risk involved when traveling even at late night as the systems are well-lit, highly monitored, and assistance is readily available. Regardless, it's always best to stay vigilant and be aware of your surroundings.

Street harassment:Very low

Switzerland is quite a safe country when it comes to street harassment. Incidences are relatively low, with most locals respectful and polite. Women can usually move around without facing any unwelcomed encounters. However, as in any country, caution should be exercised, particularly during the night or in less crowded areas.

Petty crimes:Low

Switzerland is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Petty crimes such as pickpocketing or bag snatching can occur, predominantly in touristic and crowded places, but they are relatively rare. To reduce the risk, you should remain aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables secure and out of sight. Regular precautions like not leaving your belongings unattended will suffice in most cases. Overall, the risk of encountering petty crimes in Switzerland is low.

Is Switzerland worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 88 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.3/5

Safety

4.8/5

Food

3.9/5

Budget-friendly

3.3/5

Monisha

Germany

Switzerland, Couple travel

I tried to upload images but the app is taking forever to uplaod 20 images. I visited the Jungfrau region in in end mar - early april for 4 days. I took the jungfrau pass and tried to do as many included mountains as possible. And to say its breathtaking doesn't do justice. We stayed at gsteigwiller village at a bnb which was super cute. There is bus available every 30 mins from gsteigwiller to wilderswill or interlaken west/zentrale. The village is very scenic with beautiful mountain backdrop and very beautiful but there are no restaurants or grocery stores there. So a little bit of planning around food is necessary. Männlichen and Grindelwald First and lake Brienz were our favourite experiences. Weather was luckily fabulous and we also saw cherry blossoms

Posted: June 4, 2025Experienced: February, 2025

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Rümeysa

Italy

Zurich, Group travel

I took a day trip to Zurich from Milan. I think one or two days is totally enough for Zurich. People were really kind and there is no chance that feeling of any danger. It is so expensive city ( even we did not stayed at there) to compare other european cities. I liked the vibes of beer saloons, you can eat and drink your beers.

Posted: May 28, 2025

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Berta

Germany

Bern, Solo travel

This was my first solo trip! It was amazing, I stayed at a place that I found through the app Trusted Housesitters, so I was taking care of a cat while I was there which made my experience 1000 times better. Bern was much more exciting than I expected, it has beautiful mountains around it, very interesting shops and historical places and nice people :) it also snowed while I was there so that was great

Posted: May 28, 2025

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Lugano, Group travel

I spent four weeks in Lugano while working in a nearby little town and absolutely loved the atmosphere. Lugano feels safe, especially when in a group. I wouldn’t recommend walking alone late at night near the bar or pier areas, but overall, the city has a relaxed, welcoming vibe. One of the highlights was renting boats with friends—we had four in total and even swam in the lake. While there isn't a ton of formal sightseeing, just walking around the city is enjoyable. It's definitely a place to soak up the scenery and vibes. Food is on the expensive side, but there are a few great spots for more budget-friendly eats. Rice Go is a solid takeout option with good portions (don’t forget to ask for cutlery!), and -9 serves excellent ice cream. Argentino’s was also a favorite for pizza. We stayed in Collina d’Oro and took the bus into Lugano—it was easy to navigate, and walking around the lake area was simple and scenic. On average, I spent around 50 CHF per day just on food. Overall, Lugano is a great destination for a relaxed, scenic getaway—especially in the summer. Perfect for groups, with just enough adventure and a stunning lakeside setting.

Posted: May 27, 2025

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Monthey, Solo travel

I was going to visit a friend in the city. Monthey is a small town in Switzerland, right next to Lausanne. I didn't do a lot of things in the town itself but the town is really beautiful, inside the mountains and people are really nice with tourist from what I could see. Don't hesitate to go in the cities around, there is a lot of things to visit but the car is a must have when you go there.

Posted: May 26, 2025Experienced: March, 2025

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Hafiyyan

Germany

Interlaken, Group travel

New year in Switzerland. I and two of my friends joined an open trip to Switzerland and it was such a winter wonderland! Everywhere you see is white and people were walking around with their ski gears. Although not as clear as in the summertime, the Aare river was also pretty and becoming a contrast with the surrounding area. We went to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald which are breathtaking in its own way. For the food, it is costly so I recommend a supermarket visit like Coop. They have delicious line of ready-made like chicken (!!), salad etc.

Posted: May 14, 2025

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Is Switzerland safe for women?

Safety index

4.6 /5

Based on 401 local experiences

Crime index

1.7 /5

Based on 401 local experiences

Ephelide

Sion

Absolutely safe, people won't talk to you spontaneously on the streets except to help you or to ask you directions. You can dress as you want, you will only get a few stares but nothing more. I really like my country and its safety, especially in smaller town and villages.

Posted: June 5, 2025

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Winterthur

It's one of the bigger cities in Switzerland. Nevertheless it feels like a small village compared to international cities. There is enough police in the public transports and during the night I feel very safe as a young woman. The criminal rate is very low (overall in Switzerland).

Posted: June 4, 2025

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