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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

4 /5

Based on our research and crime data

3 /5

Based on 8 local experiences

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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.

Tap water:Very safe

Tap water in Seattle, is considered to be among the cleanest in the country. It surpasses the water quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), making it safe for consumption without any treatment. The water comes from protected watersheds in the mountains and is thoroughly tested and treated for impurities. You can freely drink the tap water while traveling through Seattle.

Is Seattle safe to travel?

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Is Seattle safe for women?

Safety rating

3 /5

Based on 8 experiences

Crime rates rating

1.6 /5

Based on 8 experiences

Decently safe city. Lots of homeless people, but they aren’t usually dangerous or violent people. Depending on the neighborhood, people feel safe leaving their front doors unlocked - other places you have to worry about car break-ins. It just depends.

Posted: July 5, 2024

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Elisabetta

Safety in Seattle varies from neighborhood to neighborhood. Downtown is less safe than other areas. Residential areas are relatively safe for kids as well. Cars are sometimes broken in too so I would not leave anything valuable inside a car.

Posted: July 2, 2024

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Is Seattle safe right now?

Before your visit to Seattle, it's essential to check travel advisories for United States, including your home country's official travel advisory. These advisories can provide up-to-date information on safety, health, and any specific considerations for travelers.

🇨🇦

Canada's Travel AdvisoryTake normal security precautions

The Canadian government advises taking normal security precautions in the United States. Check the full travel advisory.

Last updated: July 25, 2024

🇦🇺

Australia's Travel AdvisoryTake normal security precautions

The Australian Government advises to exercise normal safety precautions in the United States of America. Check the full travel advisory.

Last updated: April 2, 2024

Is Seattle worth visiting?

Monica

United States

Solo travel experience

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

Things to do: 4/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 4/5

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Meet locals in Seattle

Meet local women in Seattle who are open to meet up for a coffee or a drink, show you around, give local advice or practice a language with.

cristina

About Me

Hi there, I’m Cristina, Italian born and raised. I currently live in the States now. I love travelling and finding out about new cultures and getting to know people. I’m friendly and clean, very responsible.

Speaking

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Angela

About Me

I smile and/or laugh about 97% of the time | Crossfitter & Aerial Yoga-er | Certified Therapy Dog Team @projectcanine | Steak fiend with a foodie spreadsheet

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Stay with locals in Seattle

Stay with local women in Seattle who offer free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. Couch surfing is a great way to meet new people, learn more about new cultures and experience destinations like a local.

Angela

Seattle

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I smile and/or laugh about 97% of the time | Crossfitter & Aerial Yoga-er | Certified Therapy Dog Team @projectcanine | Steak fiend with a foodie spreadsheet

Speaking

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cristina

Seattle

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Seattle

Connect with upcoming visitors to Seattle who are looking for travel buddies or meet ups.

Linda

About Me

Hi there! I'm Linda from the Netherlands and I'm travelling around the world. My hobbies are dancing (kizomba and Brazilian zouk), yoga, reading and walking in the nature. I'm interested in getting to know other people by meeting up and/or getting hosted. I'm looking forward to get in contact 😊

Speaking

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Shelly

About Me

My name is Shelly and I'm from Melbourne, Australia. Travel to the United States for the first time. Looking into stopping at a few states. I enjoy walking around and exploring. Love keeping active and trying new food. Would love to do a few hikes.