Is Columbus Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Columbus, is considered relatively safe for solo female travelers. However, caution should always be exercised, particularly during the night or in less populated areas. The city has standard safety measures in place and incidents are usually concentrated in certain areas. As usual, common sense should prevail - avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, secure your belongings, and stay alert of your surroundings. Public transportation is deemed safe but have room for improvements.

Safety rating

3.8 /5

Based on our research and crime data

3.5 /5

Based on 8 experiences from local women

Make friends while traveling solo

Get the Travel Ladies app to meet other women, find travel buddies and stay with locals for free through hospitality exchange.

How safe is Columbus?

Safety at night:Moderate

Columbus, like many large cities, has areas that are generally safe and others that may be risky especially at night. The downtown districts like Short North and German Village are usually bustling with people and have well-lit streets, making them relatively safe. However, walking alone at night in less populated or dimly lit areas should be done with caution. Always be mindful of your surround, keep a low profile, and stay in busy, well-trainated areas when possible. Public transportation service is usually good and widely available. As with any city, using common sense and staying alert to your surroundings is important for personal safety.

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Columbus is relatively secure. The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) provides the primary service of bus routes, which are generally safe during the day and there are normally transit employees and other commuters around, providing an extra sense of security. Nighttime travel may cause a bit more concern due to less traffic. However, it is still recommended to stay alert about your surroundings and avoid deserted bus stops during odd hours. The buses are well-maintained and drivers adhere to safety rules.

Street harassment:Low

Columbus generally has a relatively low level of street harassment. Most areas of the city are safe and well-policed with an active nightlife and plenty of community activities. It's always advisable to be aware of your surroundings and stay in well-lit, populated areas, especially at night. However, incidents of unsolicited comments or advances are comparatively less common here.

Petty crimes:Moderate

Columbus sees a mixed bag when it comes to petty crimes. Pickpocketing, bag-snatching or car break-ins do occur, particularly in more crowded downtown areas or larger parking lots. However, many neighborhoods and areas are quite safe. Overall, caution and vigilance, particularly in crowded areas, should keep you safe.

Is Columbus worth visiting?

No travel experience found

Be the first to share your experience.

Is Columbus safe for women?

Safety index

3.5 /5

Based on 8 local experiences

Crime index

2 /5

Based on 8 local experiences

I feel mostly safe, I don’t have a lot of anxiety over being around potentially unsafe people. However there’s definitely unsafe people in certain areas that I’m aware of. I would recommend the buddy system!

Posted: February 19, 2025

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

JOJO

While I can’t speak to the overall crime rate in Columbus as a whole, I can confidently say that the area where I live is very safe. It's a peaceful and quiet neighborhood, and I feel secure here. The community is friendly, and I’ve never had any concerns about safety. Of course, every city has its ups and downs, but my experience in this particular area has been nothing but positive. It’s a place where I feel at ease, and I enjoy the environment I’m in.

Posted: February 16, 2025

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Check all reviews

Meet locals in Columbus

JOJO

About Me

Hi, I'm Jojo! I currently live in Columbus, Ohio, and I love traveling. I’ve done solo trips in the past and absolutely love the freedom of exploring new places on my own. I’m so excited to have found this app, as it’s a great way to connect with locals who can show me around and make my travels even more special. I’m always up for new experiences and can’t wait to meet fellow travelers and friendly locals. Looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me!

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Bree

About Me

Hello! I’m Bree! I’m a software engineer from Columbus, Ohio, USA. I love traveling and meeting new people from all over the world. I have experience teaching the English language both in the USA and abroad. I’m also an aspiring polyglot! Outside of travel I love concerts, karaoke, and world history! 日本語はOK.

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Stay with locals in Columbus

Bree

Columbus

Can host for:

7 days

About me

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Tuğba

Columbus

Can host for:

1 day

About me

Hai! I’m Tugba. I’ve been living in Columbus for about 6 months and still haven’t even hanging out with someone since we (my husband and I) don’t know anyone. So, I’ll be more than happy if I can find someone or a friend group to hang out. In order to both forming new bonds and developing my language skills. I have a YouTube channel called YouTuğba and i film vlogs. I’m currently create contents in Turkish but my goal is to produce content in English by breaking the language barrier. Additionally I’m preparing for TOEFL.