Is United Arab Emirates Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

United Arab Emirates is generally safe for solo female travelers. The country has strict laws ensuring overall safety and security. There is respect for rules and regulations, and serious crimes are rare. However, the cultural norms and rules can be strict, particularly regarding dress code and behavior. It's advisable to familiarize yourself with these rules and respect them. Solo women travelers should take precautions just as they would traveling in any major city worldwide.

Safety rating

Travel and Meet new People

Get the Travel Ladies app to meet new people, find travel buddies and stay with local women for free through hospitality exchange.
Download from App StoreDownload from Google Play
Get the Travel Ladies App

How safe is United Arab Emirates?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Safe

United Arab Emirates, particularly in its main cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is quite safe for women during the night. Both cities uphold consistent law enforcement, CCTV surveillance, and well-lit public areas to ensure safety. However, it's important to always take usual safety measures into consideration. Stick to populated and well-traaveled areas, be cautious when using taxis and avoid dark and secluded places.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Very safe

Public transportation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is known for its high standard of safety and security. The country offers a wide range of reliable and efficient public transport options such as buses, taxis, and the Dubai metro, which all operate under strict rules and regulations to ensure passenger protection. Female travelers can feel especially secure as buses and the Dubai metro provide designated compartments for women and children only. These services also employ regular inspections and surveillance systems for continuous monitoring, aiding in maintaining a secure environment.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

The United Arab Emirates, particularly cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, are generally safe with low instances of street harassment. It is renowned for its respect towards women and stringent laws in favor of women’s safety. However, just like anywhere else in the world, it is advised to be cautious and avoid isolated areas, especially during the night time. Their culture highly values modesty, therefore, appropriate dressing in public areas is recommended.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

The United Arab Emirates, in general, prides itself on being a relatively secure destination for tourists. Petty crimes like theft or pickpocketing are significantly lower compared to other major cities of the world. However, vigilance is necessary as the risk is not entirely absent. Beware of your belongings and surroundings in large crowds and touristic spots.

Is United Arab Emirates worth visiting?

Overall rating

4 /5

based on 37 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.2/5

Safety

4.4/5

Food

4.2/5

Budget-friendly

3.2/5
Mariana

Mariana

Romania

United Arab Emirates, Solo travel

I felt extremely safe, even when I was wearing a more modern dress. Out of respect for the culture, I did try to dress more conservatively but did not encounter any weird looks, cat calling or open flirting from locals. I would recommend in Dubai to stay in Downtown as you can easily reach all the touristic attractions. Marina is also very nice, you are close to the Palm. Use the subway, the traffic is insane and can add up in terms of costs.

Posted: October 27, 2024
favorite_border 3
mode_comment 0

Dubai, Solo travel

It wasn't good for me; it was too hot and not safe. But the food was good. The hotel was scary, and I couldn't go out because of the hot weather. I went to the cinema and watched "The Dancing River." I did a lot of shopping. I went there with my friend.

Posted: August 8, 2024Experienced: July, 2019
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0
REGINA

REGINA

Taiwan

Dubai, Solo travel

In 2023 was my first solo trip to Dubai, I didn’t really fully enjoy. I figured it’s probably because I didn’t make friends. I felt so lonely. So I thought I should give it a try again this year. And I’m hoping to make friends

Posted: July 21, 2024
favorite_border 2
mode_comment 0
Nsam

Nsam

Cameroon

Dubai, Solo travel

Dubai is an awesome place for any kind of vacation. And I enjoyed my stay there. It was amazing and the people I met were very friendly. I felt very safe throughout my entire stay I used the train and thier Uber for transportation The food wasn’t any much different as I stuck to KFC mostly

Posted: July 6, 2024
favorite_border 1
mode_comment 0

Dubai, Solo travel

Dubai is an amazing place to visit if you have money to splurge. Best time to visit This place is September to February. This city is all about creativity uniqueness and aesthetics. Your gallery can be full with pictures of these monuments and Backdrops.

Posted: June 8, 2024
favorite_border 1
mode_comment 0
Nilab

Nilab

Netherlands

Dubai, Solo travel

It was very safe, not very cultural. Good for a city trip and for going out. If you like to do cultural things I would not spend a lot days here. It’s good for like a long weekend trip. For a woman on your own a bit boring maybe:

Posted: June 6, 2024
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Dubai, Group travel

It was such an awesome stay. I made so many friends from different Nationalities. Had a chance to visit Buj Khalifa , the tallest building. Was introduced to Property Management. And this is my future goal.

Posted: May 10, 2024
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0
Tabitha

Tabitha

Kenya

Dubai, Solo travel

Dubai is a very beautiful place, 100% safe you can walk on the streets even at 2am. The food is so so good, with a-lot of cuisine choose from;I was actually spoilt for choice. Being a cosmopolitan city, you can enjoy a diverse range of cultures, languages, and food. The beaches are clean and very safe, with a good breeze and nice waves. The public transport is great, the bus and metro very functional and operate until midnight. Taxis are also available, but if you would like to save a few coins, hop onto the metro! For ladies, there is free alcohol for ladies on ladies nights..just check up the clubs offering free drinks for ladies! I had a blast with lots of free wine! However, during the winter months, November, December, January and February, it can get cold, especially at night.

Posted: April 23, 2024
favorite_border 2
mode_comment 0
Mia

Mia

Germany

Dubai, Solo travel

For the most part, I felt safe.... There are many activities, depends on budget and personal preference. However in hot summer-months might be somewhat limited, because it gets hot for outdoor activities... Restaurants are mostly clean, the prices are ok to expensive...you can find restaurants, snack bars and fast food chains everywhere..... You can get rid of the budget quickly.... I stayed in Hostel... I used mostly Metro, sometimes Taxi, i walked also a lot...i used Google Maps to find spots

Posted: April 7, 2024Experienced: January, 2024
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Dubai, Solo travel

I felt safe in Dubai, I could walk at 2am and still feel safe. I stayed there for 2 months apt is expensive if I want a good location. Food is good but I liked the food in sharjah better as it was more authentic. I did a few activities through viator and facebook. So met some cool people.

Posted: March 20, 2024
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Is United Arab Emirates safe for women?

Safety index

4.8 /5

Based on 38 local experiences

Crime index

1 /5

Based on 38 local experiences

Philippines

I would say it’s safe, especially if you go around with someone who knows the area. There are also specific transportation vehicles, i’ve been commuting my whole school life so I can say that is also pretty good. The people are especially nice, hospitable and friendly.

Posted: January 4, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Dubai

Dubai is very safe, and walking around at 3 am poses no problem even if you’re alone. In certain areas you can even leave your valuable belongings unattended and you’d come back to find them untouched. There are specific areas (industrial areas generally) that can make you feel a bit comfortable walking around them at night, mainly due to the sheer number of men walking around, but none would actually dare to cross your path, it’s just the general discomfort we normally experience around a large number of men in one place. I’d say Dubai and UAE in general is by far the safest place I’ve been to.

Posted: December 30, 2024
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Meet locals in United Arab Emirates

Nawar

Nawar

About Me

Salam! I have been to amazing places in this world, met wonderful people, and made international friends, so I'm always looking for the next amazing thing. I'm based in Dubai, let's chat if you're visiting :)

Speaking

mode_comment 3
Marhaba

Marhaba

About Me

Hey! My name is Marhaba, I am an educator and a mum to two lovely cats.

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Stay with locals in United Arab Emirates

Nawar

Nawar

Dubai

Can host for:

5 days

About me

Salam! I have been to amazing places in this world, met wonderful people, and made international friends, so I'm always looking for the next amazing thing. I'm based in Dubai, let's chat if you're visiting :)

Speaking

mode_comment 3
Kumbi

Kumbi

Dubai

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hey everyone!! My traveling story started early in life, thanks to my dad’s job we were always on the move and traveling around. I didn’t know it and the time but this sparked something in me and since then I’ve always felt restless staying in one place for too long when there is so much of the world to see! So straight after Uni, I moved to Zanzibar and stayed there for 2 years, then after moved to Dubai where I’ve been for a year and a half now. Any opportunity that allows me to travel, I’m going to take it, but I always used to rely on people and got let down so many times before. I recently gathered the courage to take the globe on my own, hoping this app helps me.

Speaking

mode_comment 1

Upcoming visitors to United Arab Emirates

Alisa

Alisa

About Me

I love traveling

Speaking

mode_comment 0
Maja

Maja

About Me

Hi! I'm Maja, and I live in Croatia 🇭🇷. I love traveling and meeting new people, discovering new cultures, and trying different food. I've been to 30 countries around the world and hope to visit many more. I would love to show you around Zagreb and host you if possible.  I am in the fifth year of college for early and preschool education. 👩🏻‍🏫 Looking forward to meeting you! 😊

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Safety in United Arab Emirates