Is Virginia Beach Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Virginia Beach is generally safe for solo female travelers. It's known for its friendly residents and relaxed atmosphere. Violent crimes are quite low compared to other U.S cities. As with any place, it's advised to remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings, especially at night and in less crowded areas. Overall, it can be considered a good destination for a solo female traveler.

Safety rating

4.2 /5

Based on our research and crime data

2.7 /5

Based on 4 experiences from local women

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How safe is Virginia Beach?

Safety at night:Moderate

Virginia Beach is a popular tourist destination known for its well-lit areas and active nightlife. However, safety can vary from place to place. Like any city, certain areas can be less safe than others especially at night. It's recommended to stay in areas populated with restaurants, cafes and other tourists. Always stay alert to your surroundings and exhibit caution while walking alone at night. Make sure to use mainstream transportation and avoid unpopulated areas. It's always best to research areas to avoid based on recent data before your trip.

Public transportation:Safe

Virginia Beach is generally known for its safe and adequate public transportation system. The city is covered by the Hampton Roads Transit which includes bus routes and the Tide light rail. The drivers are professional and the vehicles are well-maintained. Though sometimes delays might occur, there are no significant safety concerns. Night time services are limited so planning your travel ahead is necessary, especially if you're traveling late. Always remain conscious of your surroundings.

Street harassment:Low

Virginia Beach is generally a safe and friendly city where incidents of street harassment are infrequent. Its family-friendly environment and high police visibility provide an extra layer of safety and security. However, like any other city, it's always important for travelers to stay vigilant, especially when touring around at night or in less crowded areas.

Petty crimes:Low

Virginia Beach, in general, is known for having a fairly lower petty crime rate compared to other U.S. cities. Safety is a key priority here, and many areas are well-patrolled. However, like any tourist area, there can be occasional incidents of theft, especially around the beach and boardwalk areas where tourists are prominent. Therefore, while the overall risk is fairly low, travelers should always be vigilant about their belongings and surroundings.

Is Virginia Beach worth visiting?

Aino

Finland

Solo travel

I took a solo trip to Virginia Beach in the fall of 2024. I study theology, and nature is important to me, so I visited places related to these interests: various churches, cemeteries, and natural sites. I visited the Virginia Beach Aquarium and went on a dolphin-watching kayak tour organized by Chesapeake Outdoors. It was great! The shoreline of Virginia Beach is breathtakingly beautiful— as long as you keep your eyes on the ocean and pretend not to see the row of hotels behind your back. I rented a car and found it essential, as the distances were surprisingly long. Finding gluten-free food in restaurants was unexpectedly difficult, but grocery stores had a wide selection. I'm glad I had a microwaveowen in my room. The weather was warm and humid and the people were friendly and helpful, and I felt safe even when exploring alone.

Posted: February 28, 2025Experienced: July, 2024

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Family travel

I stayed at The Holiday Inn on 26th and Atlantic. The room was nice, and the cable tv offered many options for in-room entertainment. It is an oceanfront hotel, which provides spectacular balcony views of the ocean. Breakfast was provided every morning, at no additional cost. It's a pretty impressive breakfast, too. If you're 420 friendly, there are legal dispensaries on the strip, also.

Posted: March 16, 2024Experienced: July, 2023

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Is Virginia Beach safe for women?

Safety index

2.7 /5

Based on 4 local experiences

Crime index

2.1 /5

Based on 4 local experiences

Virginia Beach is a pretty safe place overall. Crime has gone down in recent years, especially violent crime, and most areas feel comfortable to walk around, even at night. Like any city, just stay aware of your surroundings.

Posted: May 10, 2025

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Never have I ever felt unsafe in Virginia Beach or nearby areas. I have been out exploring late at night and never ran into issues on both tourist season and the off season. Overall I feel the locals are kind and helpful

Posted: February 9, 2025

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