Is United Arab Emirates Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

United Arab Emirates is generally safe for solo female travelers. The country has strict laws ensuring overall safety and security. There is respect for rules and regulations, and serious crimes are rare. However, the cultural norms and rules can be strict, particularly regarding dress code and behavior. It's advisable to familiarize yourself with these rules and respect them. Solo women travelers should take precautions just as they would traveling in any major city worldwide.

Safety rating

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How safe is United Arab Emirates?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Safe

United Arab Emirates, particularly in its main cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is quite safe for women during the night. Both cities uphold consistent law enforcement, CCTV surveillance, and well-lit public areas to ensure safety. However, it's important to always take usual safety measures into consideration. Stick to populated and well-traaveled areas, be cautious when using taxis and avoid dark and secluded places.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Very safe

Public transportation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is known for its high standard of safety and security. The country offers a wide range of reliable and efficient public transport options such as buses, taxis, and the Dubai metro, which all operate under strict rules and regulations to ensure passenger protection. Female travelers can feel especially secure as buses and the Dubai metro provide designated compartments for women and children only. These services also employ regular inspections and surveillance systems for continuous monitoring, aiding in maintaining a secure environment.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

The United Arab Emirates, particularly cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, are generally safe with low instances of street harassment. It is renowned for its respect towards women and stringent laws in favor of women’s safety. However, just like anywhere else in the world, it is advised to be cautious and avoid isolated areas, especially during the night time. Their culture highly values modesty, therefore, appropriate dressing in public areas is recommended.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

The United Arab Emirates, in general, prides itself on being a relatively secure destination for tourists. Petty crimes like theft or pickpocketing are significantly lower compared to other major cities of the world. However, vigilance is necessary as the risk is not entirely absent. Beware of your belongings and surroundings in large crowds and touristic spots.

Is United Arab Emirates worth visiting?

Overall rating

4 /5

based on 37 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.2/5

Safety

4.4/5

Food

4.2/5

Budget-friendly

3.2/5
Mariana

Mariana

Romania

United Arab Emirates, Solo travel

I felt extremely safe, even when I was wearing a more modern dress. Out of respect for the culture, I did try to dress more conservatively but did not encounter any weird looks, cat calling or open flirting from locals. I would recommend in Dubai to stay in Downtown as you can easily reach all the touristic attractions. Marina is also very nice, you are close to the Palm. Use the subway, the traffic is insane and can add up in terms of costs.

Posted: October 27, 2024
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Dubai, Solo travel

It wasn't good for me; it was too hot and not safe. But the food was good. The hotel was scary, and I couldn't go out because of the hot weather. I went to the cinema and watched "The Dancing River." I did a lot of shopping. I went there with my friend.

Posted: August 8, 2024Experienced: July, 2019
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REGINA

REGINA

Taiwan

Dubai, Solo travel

In 2023 was my first solo trip to Dubai, I didn’t really fully enjoy. I figured it’s probably because I didn’t make friends. I felt so lonely. So I thought I should give it a try again this year. And I’m hoping to make friends

Posted: July 21, 2024
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Nsam

Nsam

Cameroon

Dubai, Solo travel

Dubai is an awesome place for any kind of vacation. And I enjoyed my stay there. It was amazing and the people I met were very friendly. I felt very safe throughout my entire stay I used the train and thier Uber for transportation The food wasn’t any much different as I stuck to KFC mostly

Posted: July 6, 2024
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Dubai, Solo travel

Dubai is an amazing place to visit if you have money to splurge. Best time to visit This place is September to February. This city is all about creativity uniqueness and aesthetics. Your gallery can be full with pictures of these monuments and Backdrops.

Posted: June 8, 2024
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Nilab

Nilab

Netherlands

Dubai, Solo travel

It was very safe, not very cultural. Good for a city trip and for going out. If you like to do cultural things I would not spend a lot days here. It’s good for like a long weekend trip. For a woman on your own a bit boring maybe:

Posted: June 6, 2024
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Dubai, Group travel

It was such an awesome stay. I made so many friends from different Nationalities. Had a chance to visit Buj Khalifa , the tallest building. Was introduced to Property Management. And this is my future goal.

Posted: May 10, 2024
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Tabitha

Tabitha

Kenya

Dubai, Solo travel

Dubai is a very beautiful place, 100% safe you can walk on the streets even at 2am. The food is so so good, with a-lot of cuisine choose from;I was actually spoilt for choice. Being a cosmopolitan city, you can enjoy a diverse range of cultures, languages, and food. The beaches are clean and very safe, with a good breeze and nice waves. The public transport is great, the bus and metro very functional and operate until midnight. Taxis are also available, but if you would like to save a few coins, hop onto the metro! For ladies, there is free alcohol for ladies on ladies nights..just check up the clubs offering free drinks for ladies! I had a blast with lots of free wine! However, during the winter months, November, December, January and February, it can get cold, especially at night.

Posted: April 23, 2024
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Mia

Mia

Germany

Dubai, Solo travel

For the most part, I felt safe.... There are many activities, depends on budget and personal preference. However in hot summer-months might be somewhat limited, because it gets hot for outdoor activities... Restaurants are mostly clean, the prices are ok to expensive...you can find restaurants, snack bars and fast food chains everywhere..... You can get rid of the budget quickly.... I stayed in Hostel... I used mostly Metro, sometimes Taxi, i walked also a lot...i used Google Maps to find spots

Posted: April 7, 2024Experienced: January, 2024
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Dubai, Solo travel

I felt safe in Dubai, I could walk at 2am and still feel safe. I stayed there for 2 months apt is expensive if I want a good location. Food is good but I liked the food in sharjah better as it was more authentic. I did a few activities through viator and facebook. So met some cool people.

Posted: March 20, 2024
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Is United Arab Emirates safe for women?

Safety index

4.7 /5

Based on 30 local experiences

Crime index

1 /5

Based on 30 local experiences

Mikela

Mikela

Abu Dhabi

Abu dhabi has been on the list of safest places for women time and time again. I do a lot of moving around in taxis and I always feel safe. The only time I don't feel safe is if ons of the taxi drivers want to marry me.

Posted: October 16, 2024
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Dubai

Dubai is a heaven for safety. You will never walk down a street in any part of the world with the kind of confidence you'd have here. Law enforcement authorities are very strict here. Most city areas and shops, restaurants are open till 3 am. In the tourist hotspots and hotel areas they're even open 24/7. However, avoid bachelor (read single men immigrant) areas like karama, satwa, international city if you mind cat calling for 'revealing' clothes because hookers are popular in those areas. You're still safe and one confident look would shut them up. Apart from that, nothing else to worry about. The city goes out of its way to accomodate for safety by having women taxis, dedicated police and sometimes even special privileges like less waiting time in lines for women. Hope you have a good time here!

Posted: October 9, 2024
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Meet locals in United Arab Emirates

Marhaba

Marhaba

About Me

Hey! My name is Marhaba, I am an educator and a mum to two lovely cats.

Speaking

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Nawar

Nawar

About Me

Salam! I have been to amazing places in this world, met wonderful people, and made international friends, so I'm always looking for the next amazing thing. I'm based in Dubai, let's chat if you're visiting :)

Speaking

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Stay with locals in United Arab Emirates

Nawar

Nawar

Dubai

Can host for:

5 days

About me

Salam! I have been to amazing places in this world, met wonderful people, and made international friends, so I'm always looking for the next amazing thing. I'm based in Dubai, let's chat if you're visiting :)

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to United Arab Emirates

Sofia

Sofia

About Me

I'm 28 years old, and I'm going through a period of finding myself and what I like and want in life. So I decided to take a break and go travel the world to meet new places and people.

Speaking

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Safety in United Arab Emirates