Is Washington Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Solo travel

DC was amazing! Lots to see and do. Feels v safe especially in tourists area,lots of cops around as it is the capital. Food was a bit pricey but u just need to find the right restaurant. Georgetown is my fav part with lots of pretty houses and lovely shops

Group travel

Things went quite well. It was a Pokemon tournament, Worlds 2019, so it was a safe neighborhood. There was a nice hotel around the corner, cheap and simple bus transit to the post office and bus station. Starbucks by the convention center! When split with a group of 5, the hotel was super affordable. I think i spent 3-500 on the trip!

Solo travel

I ran the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in April! The experience was amazing I used public transportation, from Dulles airport to the Metro into the city. Food was amazing!

DC is highly neighborhood-dependent when it comes to safety. Heavily trafficked areas and the metro are generally quite safe, but it’s still a major metropolitan area and you do have to be aware of your surroundings. SW of the Capitol (any street name ending in SW) generally has the highest crime, but I don’t generally find myself in that area to begin with as most popular restaurants and activities are in NW or NE. Theft is probably the primary issue. Carjackings have been on the rise, as has crime by minors, but I don’t know anyone who has personally experienced this. Do not leave anything visible remaining in a car, as it will be targeted for a break in. Avoid wearing name-brand bags or coats such as Canada Goose, as those have also been targeted for thefts and muggings. There are very few tourist scams, however. That being said, I live in NW just a few stops from downtown, and it feels very safe—I regularly take the metro and walk home alone at night (including after 11pm on Fri/Sat) and haven’t had any major issues besides occasional cat calling/honking in over 4 years. There are frequently other people out and about at night. Do be extremely aware of your surroundings if there are only a few people around you, if you encounter a group of teenagers, or someone having a mental health crisis. Don’t hesitate to switch cars on the metro if you feel unsafe. You can also discreetly text metro police at 696-873 if you encounter an issue. Definitely avoid parks or the National Mall after dark. Happy to provide a breakdown per neighborhood if you have any questions!

Although crime rates are supposedly down, the city is not safe after dark! There are frequent muggings and robberies. The metro can feel unsafe during off-peak hours. Situational awareness is key!!!!!