Is London Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

London is generally safe for solo female travelers. It is a busy city with a high level of security measures in place. The public transportation is reliable with CCTV on buses and trains, and metro stations are usually populated even late at night. However, as is the case in any major city, pickpocketing and other small crimes can occur, particularly in tourist-heavy areas. It is recommended to remain vigilant, especially at night, and avoid isolated areas.

Safety rating

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How safe is London?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Safe

London is generally a safe city. It's equipped with plenty of CCTV cameras and well-lit areas, with generally calm residential areas and popular tourist locations. Nonetheless, like any big city, it has less safe areas too. Walk with confidence, avoid poorly-lit areas, and it is best to use reliable public transport or reputable taxi services at night. Always stay vigilant and trust your instincts.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in London is generally safe though it can be crowded at times. The buses, trains, and tube networks are well-maintained, with CCTV surveillance and regular patrolling officers. There are well-lit platforms and there's plenty of signage. Always have your belongings where you can see them to avoid pickpocketing and try to avoid traveling alone late at night.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

London is generally safe and respectful towards solo female travelers. Like any major city, occasional cases of street harassment can occur but they are not the norm. It is still advised to take necessary precautions, especially when traveling at night or in less crowded areas. Overall, the atmosphere is predominantly welcoming, making the city a good destination for solo female travelers.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Moderate

In London, tourists could occasionally encounter petty crimes such as pickpocketing, especially in crowded tourist spots and public transport. Always maintain awareness of your surroundings and secure your belongings. However, the city is generally secure with an active police presence.

Is London worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 89 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.7/5

Safety

4.4/5

Food

4.1/5

Budget-friendly

2.9/5
Monika

Monika

Czech Republic

Group travel

We took a 3-day trip with my friend. We stayed in the house on 3rd picture, it's named Iolanthe B&B with great host Rosie. We explored mostly the center of the city, near Tower and Buckingham Palace, but ventured out to Hampstead and Greenwich. We mainly used buses as a cheaper option for transport and we could see some part of the city from them. As for food, definitely try some od the famous markets like Seven dials Market in Soho or Borough Market near London brigde. If you want detailed itinerary of our trip, feel free to reach out 😊

Posted: January 4, 2025Experienced: August, 2023
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Family travel

The city felt really safe around the center (exept for the pickpockets), but the suburbs where more creepy and dirty. The city is really expensive, and a lot of things I'd have liked to visit where like 25£/per person. But the British Museum is free! For transport, having an Oyster card was nice, but contacless credit card is find also. The bus is less expensive than the subway, but still pretty expensive (≈ 7£/day/person)

Posted: December 31, 2024Experienced: November, 2024
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Group travel

I love the city especially during Christmas time. Decorations are amazing as well as the atmosphere. Everyone is very nice and helpful. I really enjoyed my weekend in the UK. My favourite place to be in.

Posted: December 31, 2024
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Gabrielle

Gabrielle

France

Solo travel

I went to London for 4 days (Nov 1-4 2024). It was my first solo trip and it was amazing! I stayed 3 nights at the Walrus Bar and Hostel. I highly recommend this hostel as it is just 10 minutes from Big Ben, has a bus stop just in front to go to Piccadilly Circus, Chinatown, soho… and the tube close by. The hostel was only 30€ per night for a room of 6 beds for girls only, breakfast included. The staff was very welcoming and you can drop off your luggage so it’s very convenient. Everything was very easy to get to, you can pay with contactless card everywhere so no need to get an oyster card if you are only staying a few days. I recommend taking the bus if you can as it lets you sight see as you’re traveling. I felt very safe in London, even at night and alone! All in all it was an amazing experience as a first solo trip for me. London is fairly expensive, especially for food, but you can find hostels to make your stay cheaper and meet other travelers. I recommend visiting the center with Soho, Chinatown and Piccadilly Circus in the evening, it is very lively and there is usually street performances, singers… there are so many things to do. I also recommend going to see a musical, a play or an opera if you like this sort of thing. I went to see the Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theater, needless to say it was amazing. Also for the British Museum, entrance is free but you should book the day before as the queue can be very long if you do not have a ticket. St Jane’s park is very nice and you can see the changing of the guard but you will have to be very early and wait for a looooong time if you want a good spot, otherwise just visit the park and see the palace from afar, you won’t miss much.

Posted: December 24, 2024
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Solo travel

London is heaven for history/culture lovers! I did guided walks, museum trips, theatre visits and so much more. There is always something to do and there is always a new friend to make. I’m going back for my birthday this year and I couldn’t be happier :)

Posted: December 9, 2024
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Jessica

Jessica

United States

Solo travel

I felt very safe in London. The "Jack the Ripper" tour of his haunts and the short histories behind his victims was fascinating. The tour guide was over the top in acting through the stories which I ate up. The park I sun bathed in during the day was warm and I even saw a cosplayer enjoying their walk through the park and be asked for pictures. I was thrilled to tell them how much i loved their vibe and I even got a hug! Looking forward to my next trip through London.

Posted: November 20, 2024
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Solo travel

I really enjoyed my time in London, particularly my stay in Stoke Newington and London Fields. London Fields is a lively place with lots of bars, restaurants, pubs and the park itself is a great place to hang out on the weekend. Broadway Market on the weekend is full of activity and delicious market stalls. Jolene in Newington Green is my favourite cafe/restaurant - get there early to nab a sandwich before they sell out! The Tate and Barbican Centre are well worth the trip. And a walk along regents canal at sunset is beautiful. I feel safe in these areas but best to keep alert and aware e.g. I don’t wear my headphones if I’m waking at night. I usually get an Uber home if I’m alone and travelling far at night. The bus system is reliable and feels safe.

Posted: October 30, 2024Experienced: October, 2024
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Family travel

London is a fantastic city. I stayed in a residential area so I felt very safe with my kids. There is loads of things to do. It's an expensive city, but worth every penny. The food isn't great, IMHO, but you can find good deals at the market especially.

Posted: September 19, 2024Experienced: August, 2023
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Carme

Carme

Spain

Solo travel

Overall I had a really good trip, specially important being one of my first solo trips. I stayed on an Airbnb that was exclusively for solo travelling women that made me feel really comfortable and secure, the neighbourhood (Southfields) was great as well. I found London to be an amazing city in terms of safetyness, it of course has some dangers being a big city as all of them but compared to Rome for example (where I lived for a year), London felt super safe, I received no cat calling and wasn’t afraid to walk around alone. Price-wisely it can be expensive, especially the food out, so I would recommend booking a place where you are able to cook so you can save some money. In contrast museums were totally free and I found a lot of activities to do that weren’t expensive. Aside from this some shopping was included on my trip that did up my budget a bit ;). Overall I feel like you can accommodate the trip to your budget. Public transportation was nice, allowed me to get everywhere comfortably, specially the tube which was fast and counts with a ton of stations. You can pay simply with your credit card which is nice as well. Some of the stuff I loved were the vintage and second hand shops, the markets and restaurants from other cultures. But overall my favourite thing was the lively vibe of the city, at least during summer, and the kindness of the people I encountered <3.

Posted: September 6, 2024
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Cara

Cara

United Kingdom

Solo travel

London is a beautiful place and if you're new to the city, than its even more exciting and fascinating. It's a great experience for tourists and a must see if you ever visit the UK. I'd recommend jumping on the Uber boat (which serves all different stops along the River Thames) and gives you the opportunity to cruise through London.. Mark my word, it is nore beautiful at night when everything is lit up!

Posted: September 5, 2024
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Is London safe for women?

Safety index

3.6 /5

Based on 127 local experiences

Crime index

2.7 /5

Based on 127 local experiences

Some areas are worse than others, but in my experience there is more people with mental health problems in the streets which gives a lot more of anxiety to interact with strangers. In night clubs or things like that is kinda the same as any other nightclub you get harassed easily

Posted: January 15, 2025
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Where I live is on the main road, very busy… nothing here is more than a 40 minute walk, the train station is a 4 minute walk, the hospital is a 40 minute walk, the fire station is a 15 minute walk, police station is a 30/40 minute walk and they all use my road to travel so it can be noisy hearing the sirens all day and night but you do get use to it very quickly… also all supermarkets, shops, shopping malls are 5-30 minute walks… the only thing that scares me is walking alone at night which I haven’t done in months but it’s not so crazy… only thing to really worry about is people taking your phone so please only take your phone out when you really need it and hold on tight.

Posted: January 12, 2025
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Meet locals in London

Savannah

Savannah

About Me

Hello! My name is Savannah Rose, I’m a 19 year old law student in London, England (although originally from Toronto, Canada) and I love love love to travel! I want to see the whole world, I’m super into history, nature, hiking, learning about different cultures, listening to different kinds of music and I really enjoy reading. As a law student I’m sure you can assume I really enjoy debating, politics and philosophy as well.

Speaking

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María

María

About Me

I'm a Spanish woman working for a human rights charity in London. I have lived in this city half my life and love showing it to people. I have a part time business doing animal care and also practice massage therapy. I love nature, food, dancing and the arts. I'm sober and LGBTQI+ friendly

Speaking

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Stay with locals in London

Savannah

Savannah

London

Can host for:

7 days

About me

Hello! My name is Savannah Rose, I’m a 19 year old law student in London, England (although originally from Toronto, Canada) and I love love love to travel! I want to see the whole world, I’m super into history, nature, hiking, learning about different cultures, listening to different kinds of music and I really enjoy reading. As a law student I’m sure you can assume I really enjoy debating, politics and philosophy as well.

Speaking

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María

María

London

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I'm a Spanish woman working for a human rights charity in London. I have lived in this city half my life and love showing it to people. I have a part time business doing animal care and also practice massage therapy. I love nature, food, dancing and the arts. I'm sober and LGBTQI+ friendly

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to London

Juliana

Juliana

About Me

Hello! 🌼 My name is Juliana, and I’m from Slovakia 🇸🇰. I’m 19 years old and currently studying in high school. Like many in this community, I love traveling, discovering new places, and getting to know people, their cultures, customs, and ways of life. The privilege of traveling is something not everyone has, and I will forever be grateful to be one of the lucky ones who get to experience it. Every time I see a new corner of our Earth, I feel so gifted. My mind can't comprehend how so many beautiful places can coexist at the same time (and I’ve only seen a small glimpse of them so far.) I love encountering new cultures that challenge me to question and reconsider my existing values. It’s fascinating how I sometimes view things in black and white, only to learn that there are countless perspectives which have colours I never even imagined. At the same time, I value peace and personal growth. I strive to be intentional and mindful in my actions and relationships, though it’s still a work in progress. When something or someone doesn’t serve me well, I’m not afraid to let go. Practices like meditation, yoga, and connecting with nature help me stay sane and grounded . Also the sea and mountains heal me too :) Even though I’m a quiet and introverted soul, I truly enjoy meeting new people and learning their stories. Deep, meaningful conversations with interesting people bring me the most joy. 🌼

Speaking

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金宇涵

金宇涵

About Me

ENFP

Speaking

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Safety in United Kingdom