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 index

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How safe is Seattle?

Safety at night:

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:

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:

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:

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 7 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

3.7/5

Safety

3.9/5

Food

3/5

Budget-friendly

2.6/5
Susanna

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

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

3.2 /5

Based on 13 local experiences

Crime index

2.2 /5

Based on 13 local experiences

It varies by neighborhoods. I would say in the suburbs you should be good, just after dark be more careful. I live in University District, where the University of Washington is at, it’s mostly students or families so I feel safe here. I feel safe going to the train (link trail) in the evening or in the early mornings. In Seattle there is a lot of homeless, but they mostly stay in specific areas. They tend to stay within their groups but some might try talking to you, just ignore***!! them. As in University District, there is a bit of a buzz of people at night sometimes, but for a non local you’ll probably be downtown. People say Capitol Hill is a bad area, but it’s just like every other place in Seattle. Lots of bars and cute cafes there. There’s not a pickpocketing problem here. I would say 90% of the safetyness here is from the root of the homeless. Be safe!

Posted: October 4, 2024
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vi

vi

If you know what neighborhoods to avoid during late hours. Such as down town you should be fine. Some neghbor hoods are more safe especially if you get off of Aurora. The bus along that is not great, especially at night.

Posted: September 5, 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: October 7, 2024
🇦🇺

Australia's Travel AdvisoryTake normal security precautions

The Australian government advises exercising normal safety precautions in the United States of America. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: September 12, 2024

Meet locals in Seattle

Evelyn

Evelyn

About Me

🇲🇽🇱🇧 Student in Seattle but I love traveling, roadtrips, all about what to see in this world ✨ Love learning new cultures and languages, conversations Currently planning international trip/s. Open to language exchange or travel buddy’s/guides in destination cities! Next stop/planning: 🇫🇷🇪🇸 2025: 🇹🇷🇯🇵🇲🇦🇵🇹

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Seattle

Rebecca

Rebecca

Seattle

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi! I’ve got wanderlust like many of you and have used Couchsurfing extensively in the past with some strange experiences with men hoping for more than a guest, so I figured I would see what else is out there to make some more genuine and safe connections as I travel. I have been to 18 countries, finding joy in simply wandering and taking photos of nature, the the crowds and street art… and feeling like a local — I don’t spend much time in bars, clubs or sitting on beaches, but I do hit many of the tourist spots. I consider myself open and willing to meet new people for all the stories and knowledge we can share! In the US, I am an avid hiker and reader and leader of potlucks and excursions for fun and work in public health for money — although I just applied for a psychology program because people intrigue me! I’m happy to chat or meet or stay at your place or you at mine.

Speaking

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vi

vi

Seattle

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi I’m Vi. I’m a non-binary fun human who loves to cook from scratch with local ingredients. I’m into authentic movement and embodied play, be it an outdoor adventure or ecstatic dance! I enjoy exploring local parks and chilling at the beach.

Speaking

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Safety in United States