Is Canada Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Canada generally has a high level of safety for solo female travelers. Its towns and cities are generally secure, and residents are often friendly and helpful. The crime rate is relatively low compared to other countries. Do note that, like anywhere, it's important to stay vigilant, avoid secluded places at night, and keep a close watch on your belongings.

Safety rating

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How safe is Canada?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Safe

Canada is generally known as a safe destination for travelers and that includes at night. However, like any other country, the security depends on the area. Some cities or regions can have less safe areas especially after dark. Always use common sense like avoiding deserted roads or parks, and be aware of your surroundings. Public transportation is typically safe, and taking a taxi is also usually a safe method of transportation. Stay in populated areas or streets with good lighting at night.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Very safe

Public transportation in Canada is generally safe and reliable, even for solo female travelers. There's strict regulation, regular service and you can use various modes like buses, trains, and subways depending on the city. The stations are well-lit and security is generally high, particularly in major cities. However, as anywhere, always stay aware of your surroundings, especially during late hours.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

Canada in general is a safe and respectful country with comparatively low occurrences of street harassment. Although instances of unwelcome remarks or behavior can transpire sporadically in some areas, they are not widespread occurrences. It's typically an exception than a norm. The authorities take such incidents seriously and the public too is encouraged to report any instances of harassment. It's always advisable, as anywhere in the world, to maintain standard precautions such as avoiding desolate places at night, and always staying aware of your surroundings.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

While Canada has a generally safe environment, it's not entirely free from petty crimes like pickpocketing and purse snatching, particularly in tourist areas and crowded public transport. However, these instances aren't a frequent occurrence and most visitors experience a crime-free stay. Just like anywhere, it's advised to always be aware of your surroundings and take basic safety precautions to minimize the risk.

Is Canada worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 87 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

4.7/5

Food

4.3/5

Budget-friendly

3.7/5

Ottawa, Solo travel

I feel safe here Fun to visit the parliament and all the museums Public transportation takes you everywhere and is reliable Food is good and service is excellent The tap water is really good no aftertaste

Posted: January 1, 2025Experienced: January, 2025
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Valeria

Valeria

Puerto Rico

Montreal, Group travel

I absolutely loved my trip to Montreal. I felt very safe and appreciated how organized and walkable the city was. The bike lanes were fantastic, making it easy to explore sustainably. Montreal’s diverse attractions, beautiful architecture, and environmentally conscious vibe really resonated with me. Plus, the variety of restaurants offered such a rich cultural experience. It’s truly a stunning and inspiring city. Total cost is approximately $1,000.

Posted: December 31, 2024
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Vancouver, Solo travel

I have been in Vancouver for 3 months now and feel very safe here. Still, I would avoid East Hastings Street and majority of Gastown as a Solo female at night. Even though I luckily haven’t been harassed there, there are a lot of homeless and drug addicts around that area and I did not feel comfortable

Posted: December 27, 2024
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Vancouver, Solo travel

I had a great time in Vancouver. Scenic view, great food scenary and culture richness. I felt safe using public transportation and mostly all the time, just need to avoid some areas in downtown. I’m looming forward to showing it around.

Posted: November 9, 2024
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Sandra

Sandra

Canada

Halifax, Solo travel

Halifax feels overall very safe, very nice people. But if you don’t have a car, you can see everything in a weekend. It’s a small city. Best if you can go travel around Nova Scotia. Also best to come here during summer.

Posted: October 6, 2024
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Wolfville, Solo travel

Everyone is absolutely so welcoming and kind. I feel safe constantly, even at night. Kings does very good food and the local farmers market is so cute and has lots of beautiful jewellery and yummy food!

Posted: October 1, 2024
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Canada, Family travel

i was there for a month, partially with family, partially with friends, and partially solo. i went to Banff with my family, hangout in Toronto with friends, and solo travelled in Montreal/Quebec. it was a great balance of nature and city fun

Posted: September 16, 2024
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Banff National Park, Solo travel

I had a great time at Banff. I booked two seperate day tours online to pick me up in Calgary and take me on a tour of Banff. This allowed me to save money on accommodation closer to the park and get to see Lake Moraine. Moraine lake can only be seen if you are part of a tour group from what we were told. I had a great time and got to see a lot of the park through the two separate tours.

Posted: September 11, 2024
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Wetaskiwin, Couple travel

We stayed at a cute cabin on a farm and it was so relaxing and the exact chill weekend we needed out of the city. Very queer friendly area as well, I find these little towns they don’t ask lots of questions you can just exist!

Posted: September 2, 2024
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Lilly

Lilly

Algeria

Canada, Family travel

Been to Canada this summer with my daughter It was her first time in North America, we liked everything there!!! The parks were amazing, the flowers all over the place The stores wrer wow too I liked the old cities too and the falls of course!

Posted: August 24, 2024Experienced: June, 2024
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Is Canada safe for women?

Safety index

4.3 /5

Based on 312 local experiences

Crime index

2 /5

Based on 312 local experiences

Juliette

Juliette

Montreal

It’s quite safe, honestly! There aren’t a lot of crimes where I live since it’s not directly in Montreal city, I live in a banlieue, where everything is more calm. Public transports really are different all around montreal, but where I live, it’s very safe, there aren’t that many choices though! Montreal is overall quite safe and welcoming, but it’s not perfect, so pay attention to your surroundings!

Posted: January 15, 2025
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Juliette

Juliette

Pierrefonds-Roxboro

It’s quite safe, honestly! There aren’t a lot of crimes and since it’s not directly in Montreal city, it’s a banlieue, everything is more calm. Public transports really are different all around montreal, but where I live, it’s very safe, there aren’t that many choices though!

Posted: January 15, 2025
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Meet locals in Canada

Chelsea

Chelsea

About Me

I am Chelsea, a mainly Anglophone living on the water in rural Quebec with my partner, near Ottawa, Ontario. I love spending time outdoors, especially on our river in the warm months swimming, paddle boarding and fishing and surrounding area foraging, hiking and geocaching. I'm a fantasy nerd and love DIY and learning the craft.

Speaking

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Kathryn

Kathryn

About Me

Hello! Greetings! I'm Kathryn! I just finished my degree in history and creative writing and am currently planning a long-winded trip (or pilgrimage, of sorts) across Europe with a goal see that even in our anxious world, there are still pockets of beauty everywhere. In the meantime, I live in a suburb just outside of Vancouver, BC. I once met up at a local coffee shop with a sister from the Host a Sister Facebook group, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it! I really like getting to hear about another person's culture as I am super curious about what it's like to live in other parts of the world. Unfortunately, I don't really think I can host you as I am living with my parents at the moment because of this crazy Vancouver housing crisis, but one day I think hosting sisters would be really fun! In the mean time, I would love to meet up with you! If you're visiting Vancouver and the greater Vancouver area, I would be happy to meet up with you or take you for coffee somewhere. I can give you all kinds of information, like what it's like living in "The Loneliest City in the World," or give advice on places to eat, or day trips to take from Vancouver without a car (as I have experience exploring BC car free as I don't drive) or maybe we could go hiking together?

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Canada

Chelsea

Chelsea

Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I am Chelsea, a mainly Anglophone living on the water in rural Quebec with my partner, near Ottawa, Ontario. I love spending time outdoors, especially on our river in the warm months swimming, paddle boarding and fishing and surrounding area foraging, hiking and geocaching. I'm a fantasy nerd and love DIY and learning the craft.

Speaking

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Kate

Kate

Vancouver

Can host for:

2 days

About me

Hi! My name’s Kate and I’m a young working professional living in Vancouver with my boyfriend and cat. I love travelling, hiking, reading, exploring, arts and culture, and eating good food. I’ve done couch surfing and home exchanges in the past. I’ve also lived abroad for a few years during my studies and while I was au pairing. If you’re travelling through Vancouver and need a place to stay, our couch is open for 1-2 nights. We also have a cat and are open to people coming to cat sit while we’re away. We live in the trendy Commercial Drive neighborhood of Vancouver, close to cafes, restaurants, and public transit. Also open to meeting up with locals and travellers :) I love meeting new people! A little more about me: On a typical day I like biking around, laying outside in the sun, hanging my friends, going out to eat/drink, relaxing with a good book or binge watching some reality tv.

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Canada

Hanna

Hanna

About Me

Heyy :) I just graduated high school last summer and now I’m spending a year travelling around Canada.

Speaking

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Eve

Eve

About Me

Hi! im Eve, I live in South Dakota, US! Id love to go on an adventure with you!

Speaking

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Safety in Canada