Is Seattle Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Seattle is generally safe for solo female travelers. The city has a welcoming and friendly vibe. Most tourist areas are well lit and heavily populated, so you're unlikely to feel alone or at risk. Public transportation and ride-share apps are readily available, reliable, and safe to use. However, like any city, Seattle has areas that could be potentially unsafe, especially late at night. Street smarts and basic precautions like avoiding less populated and poorly lit areas at night or not flashing valuable items can significantly enhance your safety.

Safety rating

3.9 /5

Based on 9 experiences from female travelers

4 /5

Based on our research and crime data

3.5 /5

Based on 27 experiences from local women

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How safe is Seattle?

Safety at night:Moderate

Seattle, like any major city, has areas that are safer than others at night. Generally, the central areas such as Downtown, Belltown, and the University District are relatively safe due to constant patrol and high foot traffic. However, it is recommended to stay aware of your surroundings and avoid deserted areas or places with less foot traffic late at night. Utilize public transportation or a reliable ride service especially after dark. As always, trust your instincts and if a situation or location makes you uncomfortable, leave.

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Seattle, such as buses, trams, the Link Light Rail, and ferries, is generally safe and reliable. Most locals use it for their daily commute so you'll rarely find yourself alone. There is also an active police presence and security cameras to ensure passenger safety. However, it's always advisable to stay alert, especially during odd hours and avoid empty carriages or buses.

Street harassment:Moderate

Seattle is quite progressive, though like any large urban city it is not completely immune from instances of street harassment. Instances can occur particularly in densely populated or nightlife-rich regions, but they are not a widespread or daily concern. There is a heightened respect for personal space and individual rights, and increased awareness campaigns have helped in curbing these concerns. It's advisable for solo female travelers to remain aware of their surroundings and take basic safety precautions, particularly at night and in less crowd-dense spots.

Petty crimes:Moderate

Seattle, as any large city, does have a certain level of petty crime, such as pickpocketing or car break-ins, particularly in popular tourist areas and heavily crowded locations. However, the risk level isn't exceedingly high. Being vigilant, aware of your surroundings, and taking standard precautions such as not leaving valuables in plain sight should reduce your risk.

Is Seattle worth visiting?

Overall rating

3.9 /5

based on 9 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

3.8/5

Safety

3.9/5

Food

3.2/5

Budget-friendly

2.9/5

Solo travel

I absolutely love Seattle and visit often. If you're in the area do not feel like you need to only visit Seattle. Tacoma is a great place to see as well. They have Ruston and Owens beach, both places are amazing.

Posted: December 19, 2024Experienced: December, 2024

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Susanna

Canada

Solo travel

Quiet place mostly reserved polite people. Very safe - food for nature hikes out of town. City is pretty basic American city - watch out for rainy season which is winter I believe. Lake Washington is nice, fish market is cool spot to see and get some local food or art.

Posted: September 27, 2024

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Solo travel

I went to Seattle from the Tacoma city. It was my first trip to this city. The trip took about 3.5 hours and public transportation cost $7.25 there and back ($3.25, why not $6.25? Because I put $4 in and the bus cash register didn't give me change, they usually don't give it back) and home by Uber cost $45. I walked around the center, didn't go into a restaurant but ate at the Korean cuisine store "Mart", I really liked the food, lots of choice, and there are hot dishes. I bought some here for $18-19, couldn't finish it all and took some home. The weather was incomprehensible, first cold, and after 20 minutes hot. I suggest taking outerwear if you are going here!

Posted: August 23, 2024

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Solo travel

Seattle was such a beautiful place to visit. The market they had was great, there were so many friendly people. There is quite a bit to do but it does get quite expensive. They have gorgeous mountains as well.

Posted: August 6, 2024

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Monica

United States

Solo travel

I’m from SoCal and have lived or been in run down cities (San bernadino county an downtown LA) so the homeless problem didn’t bother me as much. I did have a friend up there that I met up with during the evenings but the craziest thing I saw was someone tryin to break into cars😅 I never felt scared for my life but definitely be aware of that. I walked almost every where and their transit system is superior than in SoCal. I checked out the space needle and one of the parks not too far and it was amazing. I do want to visit Washington again solely for the trails and hikes! Overall a solid 4/5 stars for me

Posted: July 4, 2024

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Is Seattle safe for women?

Safety index

3.5 /5

Based on 27 local experiences

Crime index

2.4 /5

Based on 27 local experiences

Allison

Honestly, the whole country is a mess right now. Seattle is a sanctuary city, but like any large city there is crime and a homeless population. What I’ve learned - you can’t live in fear. Of course, be aware of your surroundings, but don’t let it stop you from visiting this beautiful part of the country. Summers are incredible and the rain really isn’t bad. If walking around downtown at night, I recommend having someone with you (or at least walking around populated places)

Posted: October 4, 2025

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