Is London Safe For Tourists? Your Questions Answered (2024)
Is London safe for tourists to travel to in 2024?
London is one of the world’s most popular capital cities to visit, but stats show that in recent years crime is on the rise in certain London neighborhoods.
To get all the info about how safe it is to visit London, I asked fellow travel blogger Mark of Solo Travel Man, a UK native, to give his honest assessment of whether or not London is a safe city, along with providing his expert advice on staying safe in London.
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Is London a Dangerous City?
As a British guy living in central England, over the past 20 years, I have visited London more times than I can remember. I can completely understand tourists’ reservations about London being too dangerous to visit.
In my honest opinion, London is as safe as any other major city in the world.
I personally have never seen or been the victim of crime in London. But that doesn’t mean that London is a safe haven, far from it.
In 2023, around 900,000 crimes were reported in London, an increase from the previous year. But overall, London does have a moderate crime rate compared to other big cities across the world and is ranked as the 8th safest city worldwide (ahead of New York).
So I honestly wouldn’t rank London as being a dangerous city. It’s true that it’s one of the most dangerous places in the whole of the UK, but I wouldn’t let this deter you from visiting one of the greatest cities in the world.
Most Dangerous Areas In London
Before visiting London, you need to know what areas are safe to visit and what areas you should avoid.
If you look at the map below, you’ll see that London is divided into multiple zones, with zone 1 in the center and consecutive zones radiating outwards like a bullseye.
As a general rule, my advice would be to stay within zones 1-2 (which are central London and the most touristic parts of the city) and avoid zones 3-5.
However, there are certain areas in zones 1-2 that have a poor reputation for crime. Camden food market draws in a lot of tourists, but the Camden Town area is known to have high crime rates and drug usage.
I like to visit Camden Market whenever I’m in London and once again, I’ve never seen any crime there, so don’t let this deter you from visiting.
The borough of Westminster is a tourist hotspot with the likes of Buckingham Palace, Soho, and the West End featured in this Borough. However, it has become the most dangerous area in London in recent years, with an increase in theft and violent crimes being committed.
When it comes to areas to avoid in zones 3-5, it’s very unlikely you’ll visit these zones; these surrounding neighborhood districts and boroughs of the city don’t have much to offer in terms of sightseeing attractions.
Some of the most dangerous areas and neighborhoods in London include Tower Hamlets, which is the poorest Borough in the capital, as well as Hackney and Canning Town. These areas aren’t very popular with tourists and I would highly recommend avoiding them.
Safest Areas In London
The good news is that there are plenty of very safe areas and neighborhoods in London that are renowned for having low crime rates.
These include:
Richmond-upon-Thames, which is considered London’s safest Borough and is a lovely area to visit.
Kensington & Chelsea in west London is also considered safe, as is Ealing (a delightful place!) and Notting Hill, which is hugely popular with tourists thanks to the movie with the same name.
Greenwich, Shoreditch, and Canary Wharf, all located in East London, are great places to visit as well as being some of the safest areas in London.
Knife Crime in London
There’s no denying the biggest issue when it comes to safety in London, and that is knife crime. Over recent years there has been an increase in knife crimes in the city (and the rest of the UK) and this has been well documented in the British media.
The statistics don’t paint a pretty picture, unfortunately, even more so when you consider that the majority of knife crimes are being committed by youths. One positive to remember is that there have been improved security efforts made throughout London.
The police, government, and charities are all working hard to educate youngsters to change their perceptions about knife crime and provide preventative measures to stop knife crime from happening.
London Safety Tips
If you’re still concerned about how safe London is for tourists, then there are some general tips and advice that are worth remembering for your trip to the UK capital:
Common Scams In London
To be honest, I’ve never come across scams in London, and I personally think it’s a lot less likely that you’ll be scammed here compared to other big cities in Europe or elsewhere.
But, there are people in the capital who are out to potentially scam unsuspecting tourists.
The most common being people offering to take your photo outside a famous London landmark and then running off with your phone the second you hand it over to them.
Another scam that’s well known is for people to sell fake theater tickets to one of the capital’s many famous West End shows.
If you’re approached by someone in the street with tickets that are too cheap to be true, then that’s because they probably are (be aware of this, especially in the Leicester Square area).
Contactless card machines are another scamming technique, where someone brushes up against you with a contactless card machine hidden in order to obtain money. Make sure to keep your phone in an inside pocket and contactless credit cards in a wallet or purse.
A lot of these scams are very much hearsay and how often they actually happen is up for debate, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
One of the most common crimes in London in recent years is thieves riding motorbikes and stealing people’s phones or possessions as they ride past. They’ve become so bold, they even do this in broad daylight!
This may sound unlikely, but it’s been occurring more and more often. The best advice I can give is to always stay aware of your surroundings.
Transportation Safety Tips
Using public transportation in London can be a daunting and nerve-wracking experience, especially the first time you do it.
London Underground
I’ve never seen any crimes take place while riding public transit in London, but that’s not to say they don’t happen.
My advice for you would be to avoid near-empty carriages on the tube (which is unlikely anyway as the London Underground is always busy!), avoid eye contact with any unsavory-looking characters and keep your possessions out of sight.
I would also try to avoid using the tube late at night. Although crime on the London Underground is considered low, nighttime is when you are most vulnerable.
Petty theft, like pickpocketing, is the most common crime that happens on the subway. To avoid this, keep an eye on your belongings and don’t leave bags unattended.
Crime on the London Underground has been increasing over the past ten years.
Despite this, it is still a safe option for tourists looking to navigate London like a local.
City Buses
While it’s true that the tube is London’s quickest and easiest mode of public transport, London buses are actually considered safer.
The only problem with using London buses is the traffic, so expect to take longer to reach your destination if you do use a bus instead of the tube.
If you’re still nervous about riding public transit, consider taking a hop-on hop-off bus tour of London. This is a fun way to see the city and learn some history along the way.
Taxis and Rideshare
Taxis are everywhere in London and are a safe way to get around the city. Unfortunately, this is also the most expensive travel option.
If you don’t mind the expense, then by all means take taxis around London. It’s certainly nice to get door-to-door service, especially on rainy days or during cold winters in London.
Petty Theft
Petty theft is just as common in London as in any other city, so apply the same logic and common sense here as you would anywhere else.
Keep your possessions close to your body at all times and don’t carry lots of cash. If you are carrying cash, keep it safely tucked away in a money belt.
It’s also a good idea to keep your passport and visa documents somewhere safe in your hotel room rather than carrying them with you while exploring the city.
FAQ: Is London Safe?
Still unsure if London is safe enough for you to visit? Then let’s answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this topic:
Considering the size and population of London, no, London isn’t especially dangerous at night. However, this varies by area within the city. More touristy areas are considered very safe at night, whereas you should avoid neighborhoods outside of the center during the night.
London neighborhoods to avoid at night include Brixton in South London, Camden Town, and Tower Hamlet.
All in all, it’s really not a great idea to walk around London at night on your own. This is not to deter solo travellers wanting to visit the city, but if you’re with friends or family you will naturally feel safer.
If you do find yourself walking alone at night, my tips for staying safe are to keep to well-lit areas, don’t take shortcuts through unknown areas, and remain vigilant.
Yes, London is a safe place for Americans to visit. In fact, London is a safe travel destination for people of all nationalities. London is one of the most diverse cities in the world, home to people from across the globe. Visitors from around the world are always welcome to explore the many great things London has to offer.
Yes, London parks are safe for tourists to visit. One of the great things about London is that it is a very green city with many large parks. These parks are very popular with tourists and locals alike and are safe to explore.
Yes, London is safe to travel to! Don’t be put off by reports of high crime rates or possible terror alerts. London is a large city, and with big populations come greater crime rates. Despite this, I honestly believe it’s one of the safest capital cities in the world.
The safest parts of London for tourists are the central parts of the city where all the main tourist attractions are concentrated. Other safe London neighborhoods include Richmond-upon-Thames, Kensington and Chelsea, and Notting Hill.
Some of the safest places to stay in London are Marylebone, South Kensington, and Clerkenwell. These are all nice neighborhoods for tourists to book their accommodations and base themselves on their trip to London.
Final Thoughts: Is London Safe For Tourists?
So, is London safe for tourists or not? The answer is a resounding yes for me!
The UK capital is one of the most popular visited cities in the world with so many places to see and things to do whether you’re traveling to London with children, friends, or solo.
Although crime is an ongoing issue in such a big city, you shouldn’t spend your trip worrying about it, or worse, let it put you off from visiting. Use common sense as you would in any other large city and I can promise you you’ll have an unforgettable time!
Author Bio:
Mark is from Wolverhampton in England and started travel blogging back in August 2022 after deciding to combine his love of writing and travelling. In 2013 he quit his day job and travelled the world solo for nine months. Ever since then he has continued his travels whenever possible and has visited over 40 countries, mostly as a solo traveller. His aim with his travel blog is to give expert, up-to-date and in-depth advice on the places he has visited and build connections with fellow travellers out there.