Are you wondering: is London safe? You’re in the right place!
Whether you’re embarking on an international adventure or just taking a weekend trip, you might be wondering if London’s a safe place to visit as a woman.
London is one of the world’s safest cities, with overall crime rates lower than most large metropolitan areas. As a London ex-pat and frequent solo female traveller who’s lived in London for over 5 years, I feel more nervous visiting my hometown of Los Angeles than being out and about on a Friday night out in Soho in London.
Ready to learn more? Let’s dive in!
Is London Safe?
Is London safe for travel? Yes, you can rest assured knowing that London is a safe city to visit. In fact, most of the police in London don’t even carry guns!
When it comes to violent crime, London is very low on the ranking of world cities – meaning that there is very little risk of becoming a target as long as you use common sense in areas where tourists are present.
With that being said, it is still advisable to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings when exploring the city. Let me share with you some common scams to look out for and 10 safety tips when visiting London.
10 Safety Tips When Travelling to London
1. Look Both Ways When Crossing the Road
The streets of London can be a bustling and chaotic place, especially during peak hours with the busy traffic and pedestrians all competing for space. The roads in London can be quite a daunting task for foreign visitors, as everyone is driving on the left side of the road.
Unfortunately, this causes many traffic accidents each year as it’s confusing for people from around the world. I habitually look both ways twice because it’s still confusing to me many years after living here.
2. Blend In and Don’t Look Like a Clueless Tourist
It’s totally ok actually to be a clueless tourist, but try not to appear as one.
Don’t stand in the middle of a huge crowd with your map out, clearly not paying attention to any of the stuff that’s going on around you.
I’m personally someone who tries to research local styles and fashion when visiting places 1) out of curiosity and 2) to find ways I can adapt my own wardrobe so I don’t completely stand out as a tourist.
You can also consider dressing the part of a Londoner to help you blend in just a bit. For example, Londoners tend to dress up more than Americans in a more “put-together casual” kind of way.
Think mixing dressy with basics, for example, white trainers with jeans, a cosy sweater (or jumper as the Brits call it) and a chic coat to layer if it gets colder. And always have an umbrella handy, I rarely see people using ponchos, and usually, if I do, it’s tourists.
3. Plan Your Travel Route Before Leaving your Accommodation
Planning your travel route before leaving your accommodation will not only help you get to your destination efficiently, but it can also help make you feel safer when navigating around London.
I highly suggest downloading Citymapper, which suggests the best routes to take (and the estimated cost) and provides the most accurate real-time updates on transit.
As a rule of thumb, I would stick to taking the Tube or walking during the day, and if it’s late in the evening, I take an Uber or Bolt. Never accept rides from bicycle pedicabs and only use Ubers/Bolts or Black Cabs if you need to as these are your priciest option.
Keep in mind that only black cabs are allowed to pick you up on the street, and you should never get into an unregistered or unmarked vehicle.
4. Keep an Eye Out for Your Belongings, Especially Your Phone and Wallet
Keeping in mind some of the most common scams I mentioned above, keep things like money, wallet, phones, etc. out of sight and close to your body when possible.
Do not just tuck your phone into your back pocket or any pocket that’s easy to get to. Many people (tourists and locals) have gotten their phones stolen out of their coats or back pockets when trains and tubes are busy during rush hour.
You’ll also see a lot of people in London using their contactless debit/credit cards to pay for the Tube, but this is also an easy place for people to lose their cards when putting them back into their pockets.
When going on the tube or any public transport these days, I actually ‘tap in’ using my Apple Watch that’s connected to my apple pay as my contactless card and keep my phone and wallet in my purse.
5. Don’t Stand on the Edge of the Road and Use your Phone
One of the most common petty crimes in London these days is thieves on bikes or scooters who will drive by and steal your phone out of your hand. Don’t stand on the edge of the sidewalk (or pavement in Brit terms) and use your phone.
Usually, I’ll try and move closer to a building and turn away from the street if I need to check for directions.
Also, if I’m waiting for an Uber or Bolt to take me anywhere, I’ll wait inside instead of waiting on the street, memorise the car make and first 3 letters/symbols on the licence plate and then head out when it says they are about 2 minutes away.
6. Be Mindful When Walking Around at Night and Wearing Headphones
As general common sense advice, you should strive to always be aware of your surrounding at all times to keep safe.
Whether you’re in London or any other major city it’s important to be street-wise and avoid dark alleys or not well-lit areas. Do not wear your headphones at full volume when walking alone at night; it’s already hard to see in the dark and in those situations, it’s even more important to listen out for your surrounding.
If you wear your headphones, keep one earbud in only and put the volume at low so you can still hear what’s happening around you. Alternatively, you can call a friend or loved one if you have to walk somewhere a bit dark and sketchy as a safety precaution.
7. Sit Downstairs If You’re Travelling Alone on a Bus at Night
Sometimes you miss the last tube or train; it happens to the best of us.
The night buses around London are generally quite safe, but I would suggest sitting downstairs as the upstairs area can get a little rowdy at times after a late night out. It’s preferable to take the night buses before bars, and clubs close (about 2 am) before all of the really drunk folks hop on.
8. Keep an Eye Out on your Drinks and Who You Accept Them From
Speaking of nights out in London, don’t leave your drink unattended; keep it in the right in front of you and preferably in hand since it’s too easy for someone to spike it even if you’re a step away.
Never accept drinks from a stranger you have not witnessed being made/poured. You can still be friendly and have a good time, stay alert and aware to changes in mood and atmosphere.
9. Don’t Leave Your Bags Unattended
Leaving your bag or luggage unattended in London can lead to a security alert. Due to terrorism attacks in London and other major cities, there’s a massive campaign to report any unattended items. You’ll even hear the tube operators remind commuters and visitors to “see it, say it, sort it”.
London police are also on the lookout for unattended baggage, particularly at major stations so don’t be the person who leaves your suitcase somewhere and walks away, causing an incident.
10. Leave Your Passport in a Safe Place, and Don’t Carry A Lot of Cash
This also goes without saying, but when you’re travelling, your passport is something you don’t want to risk losing so leave it in your hotel safe.
Also, the UK is in the top 15 cashless countries in the world, with most places taking credit and debit card payments from the tube to most major restaurants. So no need to take out a lot of cash when visiting London except for some markets and smaller businesses if you’re buying something small.
Common Scams to Look Out For
Like any top tourist destination or big city, London has its fair share of scammers who see it as a prime opportunity to target visitors or even locals. Here are the most common ones I’ve seen or heard about while living in London:
Pickpockets
Pickpockets target unsuspecting tourists as they are always the easiest targets. Some of the biggest pickpocket hotspots in London are Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Oxford Circus, Krings Criss Station, Victoria Station and on the Tube!
Once while walking through Leicester Square with a friend, my friend was trying to reach for something inside her purse and felt another hand. Luckily her phone was in her front pocket, but it was a bit unnerving.
It was a good reminder that even for local expats we should always keep an eye out for our belongings.
Fake Charity Collectors
Don’t let yourself get caught in a guilt trip scam during your travels! Sometimes on the tube or even when walking around London, you might encounter fake charities masquerading as real charities and asking for donations.
Before giving your money, ask for their permit, and registration number as real charities in the UK are required to carry both of these for any fundraising activity. Looking out for these details is an easy way of knowing that your donation is going towards a real cause and not into someone’s pocketbook.
Fake Tickets
Visitors exploring London commonly encounter vendors selling fake tickets to West End shows, music venues, sporting events or popular attractions.
I always recommend purchasing tickets in advance from online platforms or directly from the box office if you’re trying to buy in person. Although there are some occasions where the sellers outside of the venues are real, there have been a lot of fake tickets sold this way.
Newspaper Distraction
You might be sitting outside in a central London cafe or restaurant with your phone or wallet on the table, and someone comes over and places their newspaper on top of it while striking up a conversation with you.
Then when they leave, they pick up their newspaper along with their valuables and walk away.
This one has been coming up more on my social media lately as something to look out for, and it’s important to be aware of any kind of distraction scam techniques no matter what city you’re in.
People Trying to Enter Your Building
With the rise of Airbnb and how expensive London hotels can be in high season, many travellers will opt to stay in a flat (the British term for an apartment) to save some cash.
Often flats are located inside buildings shared with other residents, and it’s easy for thieves to target tourists who are unfamiliar with the building.
Thieves will try and follow you in or pretend to be a resident and ask you to “buzz” them in over the intercom. Make sure you’re aware of your surrounding and don’t fall for this!
Taxi Scam
This one came particularly targets travellers and tourists walking towards Paddington station to head to Heathrow airport. A taxi driver might approach you and tell you that the Heathrow Express service has been suspended, but this is just a trick to make you take a very expensive taxi ride to the airport.
Make sure you’re checking online for travel updates or with the right authorities before making any changes to your original transport plans.
People Asking to Borrow Your Phone
Scammers like to prey on people’s generosity and might ask you to borrow your phone because you’ve lost their child, their bag has been stolen, or some other scenario that’s hard to refuse.
While some cases of this may be genuine, be cautious when handing your phone to someone and make sure they are always in sight when using it.
Someone Offering to Take Your Picture
If you’re travelling solo and want someone to get the perfect shot of you, be mindful of who you ask so you don’t get your phone stolen and be wary of a random person who offers.
As you pose for your photos, the thief might quickly run away with your camera or phone. Your best bets are families or other individuals who look or dress like tourists.
Cameras on ATM Machines
When using an ATM, make sure you’re checking the machine before you enter your debit card.
There have been reports of suspicious-looking ATMs with cameras attached that are meant to record your credit card and PINs allowing people to steal directly from your bank account.
It’s always best to go inside a bank or secure building when taking cash out from an ATM machine.
Fake Luxury Goods
You’ll see lots of luxury goods when walking around London but if you’re in the markets beware. A lot of London markets will try and pass off fakes as real designer items.
It’s always recommended to buy from stores directly or a luxury second-hand store for vintage designer goods to ensure you get the real deal.
London Safety FAQs:
Is Tap Water Safe To Drink In London?
Is London safe for travel? Yes, you can rest assured knowing that London is a safe city to visit. In fact, most of the police in London don’t even carry guns!
When it comes to violent crime, London is very low on the ranking of world cities – meaning that there is very little risk of becoming a target as long as you use common sense in areas where tourists are present.
Is London Safe at Night?
Most areas across central London are well-lit in the evening, and I certainly consider it safe to walk around, especially when compared to certain cities in the US.
That said, if you plan out being out and about at night it’s always good to take precautions, especially if you’re a woman.
Stick to well-lit streets even if Google Maps or City Mapper tried to take you down shortcuts and travel with someone else or make sure your phone is on you in an emergency.
Is London Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
If you’re a solo female traveler in London, you’ll be happy to know that it’s generally a safe place. But for some extra peace of mind, it’s a good idea to plan your routes and avoid walking alone at night whenever possible.
If you’re ever in trouble, there’s a free personal safety app you can download in London called Hollie Guard which allows you to notify your emergency contacts.
Is London Safe for LGBTQ+ Travelers?
London has one of the largest LGBTQ+ communities in the world and is a friendly destination for queer folks.
You’ll find many queer-friendly bars and events within the city – particularly in the Soho area, which boasts a great selection of gay bars and clubs.
Among the largest annual LGBTQ+ celebrations are London Pride and Brighton Pride, both welcoming queers from all over.
Is London Safe for BIPOC Travelers?
London has a multicultural population, with over a third of its residents born outside the UK, making it a welcoming destination for BIPOC travelers.
While it’s true that the city has come a long way, there is still work to do to combat racism and hate crime.
As a traveler, it’s still important to stay informed of local and global news and remain aware of your surroundings.
Should I Pack Pepper Spray When Visiting London?
Absolutely not, pepper spray is considered a non-leather self-defence weapon which is considered as illegal in the whole of the UK for civilians.
While it can be used by law enforcement for crowd and riot control, having pepper spray on your person as a visitor or local in London can subject you to the same legal punishments as carrying a gun.
How can I contact emergency services in London?
In case of an emergency dial 999. To report a non-urgent crime, you can contact a local police station or dial 101.
Final Thoughts: Is London Safe?
Overall, is London safe? Yes!
With a few precautions and common-sense safety measures in place, you can enjoy your visit to the capital city without worry. Despite some of its negative press coverage, London is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe, with plenty to see and do.
So go forth and explore all that this amazing city has to offer – just be sure to keep an eye out for pickpockets or any suspicious activity. Have fun!
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Thank you for reading my London safety guide. I hope my tips help you stay safe during your trip to London. Up next, check out my local’s advice for tipping in London!
Safe travels!