travel safe cities

10 Safest Cities in the U.S.

There are approximately 334,233,854 people living in the United States .

Living in a town that is considered “safe” is a priority for many families.

Property crimes in the United States are 1,933 offenses per 100,000.

Violent crimes in the United States are 379.4 per 100,000 people.  

Besides the 50 states that make up the U.S., there are also several territories that make up the country including the Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico , Guam, and American Samoa .

Additionally, the world’s largest economy is located in the United States.

This guide will inform you about the top 10 safest cities in the United States.

So, whether you’re considering moving here from another country or relocating within, you will find everything you need to know right here.

1. Carmel, Indiana

2. frisco, texas, 3. pearland, texas, 4. sugar land, texas, 5. cary, north carolina, 6. virginia beach, virginia, 7. mckinney, texas, 8. sandy springs, georgia, 9. meridian, idaho, 10. sterling heights, michigan, 1. keep personal belongings close, 2. be selective when using atms, 3. watch surroundings, 4. consider installing esim on phone, 5. leave valuables behind, united states safety overview, what city has the highest crime rate in the u.s., what towns are the least safe to visit in america, what are the largest safest cities in america, 10 safest cities in the united states.

Here are the top 10 safest cities in America based on violent crime and property crime rates.  

Carmel, Indiana ranks number one for the safest city in America.

The population here is 100,777.

Residents here have easy access to plenty of coffee shops, restaurants, and parks.

Overall, Carmel, IN provides residents with a suburban feel, and many here are actual homeowners.

The average cost of living in Carmel, IN is $1,936.

Carmel’s crime rate is 45.68 per 100,000 residents.

This number is 88.45% less than the national average crime rate in the U.S.

This makes Carmel an entirely safe city to live in.

Additionally, Carmel sees a low number of property crimes compared to the national average.

Frisco, TX has a population of 210,719.

The average cost of living here is $1,945.

Texas, overall, has plenty of safe cities to live in.

There are approximately four on this list, with Frisco making the number two spot.

The crime rate in Frisco, TX is 86.75 per 100,000 residents.

This is nearly two times safer compared to the average in the U.S. 

In Frisco, the crime rate is 78% lower than the average in the United States.

There are approximately 80 parks in Frisco spread across 1,300 acres of land.

They are also big on fitness and sports.

Pearland, TX has a population of 125,990.

The average cost of living in Pearland is $1,950.

This is the second city in Texas to make the list.

The crime rate in Pearland is 90 per 100,000 residents.

Overall, it is 77% safer than the national average in the United States.

Pearland is not too far from the capital of Texas which is Houston .

It’s about a 23-minute drive.

Because of this, many people prefer to reside in Pearland and drive to Houston when they are looking for local attractions.

Another Texas city to make the list of the top 10 safest cities in America is Sugar Land.

The population here is 109,373.

The average cost of living is $1,853.

Sugar Land is considered an urban city, conveniently located in Fort Bend County, TX.

Compared to other urban areas both statewide and in the country, the crime rates in Sugar Land are extremely low.

The crime rate here is 91 per 100,000 residents.

Compared to the rest of the country, Sugar Land is 77% safer.

The cost of living here is relatively low.

There are also plenty of recreational activities for residents to take advantage of here.

Cary, North Carolina has a population of 176,987.

The average cost of living is $1,989.

It’s a suburban town located in Wake County, NC.

It is also one of the best places in the entire state to live in due to its low crime rate.

The crime rate in Cary is 91.61 per 100,000 residents.

When compared to the national average, it is much lower.

Additionally, Cary ranks number one for the best place for employment in the country.

The biggest industries for employment in Cary are healthcare, technology, and education.

Various companies such as Apple and Google are located in Cary.

Virginia Beach, VA has a population of 457,672 with an average cost of living of $2,047.

It is number six on the list of the safest cities in the United States.

Not only is the city of Virginia Beach safe, it provides an excellent quality of life to those who reside there.

Additionally, Virginia Beach ranked number three for both quality of life and low cost by Wallethub.

If you are someone who enjoys being by the water, whether just relaxing on the beach or swimming, you’ll enjoy Virginia Beach.

Furthermore, Virginia Beach’s crime rate is 117.07 per 100,000 residents.

Number seven on the list of the top ten safest cities in America is McKinney, TX.

McKinney has a population of 202,690 and an average cost of living of $1,893.

This town has a solid suburban feel and a thriving economy.

The city of McKinney has an abundant history of manufacturing and technology.

There are plenty of job openings in finance, insurance, and healthcare.

The crime rate in McKinney is 66% less than the average in the U.S.

Additionally, the property crime rate in McKinney is 58% less than the country’s average.

Sandy Springs, GA also made the list of the top ten safest cities in America.

The population in Sandy Springs stands at 107,180 with an average cost of living of $1,945.

Sandy Springs is located in Fulton County, GA.

The crime rate here is 63% lower than the average in the United States.

Additionally, they see 397.50 crimes per 100,000 residents.

Sandy Springs is one of the best towns to raise a family in.

They have a lot to offer its residents such as parks, coffee shops, and restaurants.

They also recently renovated downtown Sandy Springs, currently known as City Springs.

With a population of 125,963, Meridian, Idaho is one of the safest towns in the entire country.

They have an average cost of living of $1,951. The crime rate here is 159 per 100,000 residents.

Not only is Meridian entirely safe for all who live here, but they also have a thriving job market.

Many people have begun relocating to Meridian due to this very reason.

Meridian is the third-largest town in Idaho.

It is also a short driving distance to Boise , which is the state capital.

Finally, Sterling Heights, Michigan is the last on the list of the top 10 safest cities in America.

The population in Sterling Heights is 133,269.

The average cost of living is $1,827.

The crime rate in Sterling Heights is 43% less than the national average.

Furthermore, residents living here experience fewer property crimes compared to the national average.

Sterling Heights, MI is also charming,

The cost of living is substantially lower in comparison to the national average.

And everything else including utilities, groceries, transportation, and several others is cheaper compared to other cities.

5 Safety Tips for Traveling to the United States

Here are five safety tips to keep in mind when traveling to the U.S.

When traveling to the U.S. be sure that you keep your personal items close to you at all times

This is especially true when traveling on public transportation and while sightseeing.

Petty crime is common in the U.S.

However, it’s even more common in places where tourists are likely to travel.

When traveling to America, another travel safety tip to keep in mind is to only use ATMs in safe locations.

For example, only use ATMs that are located within banks and during the day.

Avoid using ATMs at night and in gas stations, as these are known to steal your information.

No matter where you are, always pay attention to your surroundings.

This is especially true in larger cities.

Installing an eSim on your phone can be quite useful as you may be unable to use your phone with your regular sim in the U.S.

There are eSims that offer unlimited data, which is highly recommended.

Having an eSim ensures that your phone has working service as soon as you get off the airplane.

Another important safety tip to keep in mind when traveling to the U.S. is to avoid walking around with a lot of valuables.

Leave them behind, so you don’t risk having your items stolen.

READ THE FULL REPORT: United States Safety Review

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis has the highest crime rate in the U.S.

On average, St. Louis sees 87.8 homicides per 100,000 people each year.

Several factors contribute to the crime rate including racial tensions, poverty, and lack of jobs.

Towns that are the least safe to visit in America, in no particular order, are:

• Alexandria, Louisiana
• Flint, Michigan
• Youngstown, Ohio
• Wilmington, Delaware
• Houma, Louisiana

In no particular order, some of the largest and safest cities in the U.S. are:

• Mesa, Arizona
• Tampa, Florida
• Austin, Texas
• El Paso, Texas
• San Diego, California

Additional Resources

1 Comment on 10 Safest Cities in the U.S.

I am from McKinney Texas and I understand why it made the list, I never feel unsafe here, people are more friendly here than everywhere else I have been, and I am glad I moved here.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Popular destinations.

Safety Index

Recent reviews & comments.

• Anonnn on Portugal
• John Watson on Texas
• Jenny Houston on Texas
• Dirk Michaels on Texas
• Kimberly Flores on Texas

Popular US States

• Pennsylvania

Situation in Haiti April 5, 2024

U.s. citizens in haiti, update january 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Learn about your destination

Take 90 seconds for safer travel.

Travel Advisory Levels

Enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

These Are the Safest Countries and Cities in the World for Travelers

Destinations throughout europe dominate the rankings. but the world’s no. 1 safest country is not across the pond..

• Copy Link copied

If you want peace of mind during your travels, head north.

Photo by Aditya Chinchure/Unsplash

With the start of a new year comes a fresh list of places to add to the travel wish list. Narrowing the options down, however, can be a bit challenging. Safety is often one of the top qualifications for desirable travel destinations, especially for solo travelers—which are gaining in numbers. According to a travel survey released by Booking.com , 59 percent of travelers would like to take a solo trip in 2024.

For those plotting their 2024 getaways, whether you plan to go alone or with a group, travel insurance provider Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection this week released its ninth annual “ State of Travel Insurance Safest Destination” report , revealing the world’s safest countries and cities. These super-safe destinations may lend you some confidence and inspire a decision on where to go in 2024.

To determine the rankings, Berkshire Hathaway analyzed the responses of 1,702 travelers who were polled between August 24 and September 13, 2023, along with third-party data sources to evaluate concerns such as terrorism, weather emergencies, health measures, and the safety of underrepresented groups. The Berkshire Hathaway rankings also take into account data and information sourced from the U.S. State Department, The Economist , and Global Finance magazine, among other sources.

What is the No. 1 country for safety?

In 2024, Canada , our neighbor to the north, is the No. 1 country for safety. Ranked as the 11th most peaceful country in the world by the 2023 Global Peace Index , Canada has a reputation for its diversity, inclusivity, and low crime rate. This only enhances its legendary travel offerings, from fabulous multicultural cities like Toronto , Montreal , and Vancouver to remarkable natural beauty in national parks like Jasper , Banff , and Prince Edward Island .

What is the No. 1 city in the world for safety?

Hawai’i’s beachfront capital city, Honolulu , secured the No. 1 spot for safest cities in the world. Surrounded by mountains and hiking trails and bordered by some of the best beaches on the planet, Honolulu doesn’t exactly need a boost when it comes to tourism, but having the highest safety rating certainly doesn’t hurt. The city attributes its safety to low crime and a high quality of life.

The 15 safest countries in the world in 2024

With a low crime rate, Switzerland takes the No. 2 spot for world’s safest countries.

Photo by Tron Le/Unsplash

• Switzerland
• Netherlands
• United Kingdom
• New Zealand

Switzerland comes in second place for the safest countries in the world. In the 2023 Global Peace Index, it is the 10th most peaceful country in the world. With a low crime rate, dynamic cities, sparkling lakes, and spectacular mountain scenery, Switzerland has so much to offer travelers in terms of activities and peace of mind.

The third safest country in the world is Norway . Low incidents of crime, low income inequality, and a well-developed social system contribute to a high quality of life in Norway. The Scandinavian country is known for its stunning scenery, clean air, and its friendly, nature-filled capital city, Oslo .

The 15 safest cities in the world in 2024

Twist our arm already—as if we needed more reasons to head to Honolulu.

Photo by Angela Bailey/Unsplash

• Venice, Italy

It makes sense that the world’s safest country would also have one of the safest cities in the world. Canada’s Montreal came in as the second safest city in the world. Family-friendly, and with a low crime rate, Montreal provides travelers peace of mind, in addition to rich culture, gastronomy, and architectural beauty.

Rounding out the top three is Reykjavik , Iceland’s capital city. Iceland , too, is one of the safest countries to visit, ranking as the ninth safest in the world. Crime rates there are extremely low. The country doesn’t even have an army, and its police force doesn’t carry guns. What you will find in Reykjavik is a lively cultural scene and extreme natural beauty in every direction.

The 20 safest cities in the US, ranked

• WalletHub released a 2023 report listing the safest cities in the US.
• Cities were ranked based on 41 indicators of safety, including rates of crime and natural disasters.
• Nashua, New Hampshire, scored the highest, followed by Columbia, Maryland.

You might be shocked to learn that, out of 163 countries, the US was ranked the 131st safest country in the world in 2023 by the Global Peace Index . 

So where is the safest place to live in the US?

The personal-finance website WalletHub released a 2023 report listing the safest cities in the US. The study looked at 182 cities across the US — the 150 most populated and at least two of the most populated cities in each state — and ranked them based on 41 factors across three key areas: home and community safety, natural-disaster risk, and financial safety.

Among the factors considered were the number of mass shootings, murders and assaults per capita, hate crimes per capita, earthquake risk, unemployment rate, and fraud complaints per capita.

Ultimately, danger is unavoidable, but some cities are safer than others for its residents.

These cities are the safest in the US, according to WalletHub.

20. Boise, Idaho

Boise, Idaho , had an estimated population of 236,634 people in July 2022, according to the US Census Bureau. According to US News & World Report, its violent and property crime rates were lower than the national average rate in 2020.

19. Chesapeake, Virginia

Chesapeake, Virginia, has an estimated population of over 252,000 people, according to the US Census Bureau. NeighborhoodScout reported that your chances of becoming the victim of a violent crime were one in 216.

18. Raleigh, North Carolina

Insider reported that some found the cost of living and lack of diversity too difficult to stay in North Carolina. However, Raleigh ranks in the top 10 of the 25 most neighborly cities in the US, according to Neighbor.com . It is also the 18th-safest city in the US by WalletHub's rankings.

17. Brownsville, Texas

Brownsville, Texas , has the second-lowest natural-disaster risk level in WalletHub's study. That said, it also has the highest percentage of uninsured people. In fact, the top five cities with the highest percentage of uninsured people are all in Texas.

16. Cape Coral, Florida

Cape Coral, Florida, is known for its 400 miles of canals, according to the City of Cape Coral website . It is the 16th-safest city in the US, according to WalletHub.

15. Bismarck, North Dakota

Bismarck, North Dakota , ties for the lowest unemployment rate with Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Manchester, New Hampshire; Rapid City, South Dakota; South Burlington, Vermont; and Nashua, New Hampshire.

14. Chandler, Arizona

Chandler, Arizona, has more than 280,000 residents, according to the US Census Bureau. CrimeGrade.org gave the city an A- grade, meaning the crime rate is significantly lower than the average US city. The average grade for a US city is a C.

13. Lewiston, Maine

Lewiston, Maine, is the 13th-safest city in the US, by WalletHub's rankings. According to The Council for Community and Economic Research, the cost of living in Lewiston, Maine, is 3% lower than the national average.

12. Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia , has the fifth-lowest assaults per capita after Glendale, California; Warwick, Rhode Island; Nashua, New Hampshire; and Irvine, California. It is also ranked the 12th-safest city in the US by WalletHub.

11. Laredo, Texas

Laredo, Texas, has the second-highest percentage of uninsured people. Despite scoring lower in the "financial safety" section of WalletHub's study, the ranking for "home and community safety" and "natural-disaster risk" set Laredo apart as a safer city than most.

10. Scottsdale, Arizona

The 10th-safest city in the US is Scottsdale, Arizona, according to the WalletHub report. With a population of more than 240,000 people, it is one of two Arizona cities to make the top 10.

9. Burlington, Vermont

According to the US Census Bureau, the city of Burlington is made up of just over 44,000 residents. It has the fifth-lowest percentage of uninsured people. Like Arizona, Vermont also had two cities in the top 10 safest cities.

8. Yonkers, New York

Located on the Hudson River in Westchester County, New York , the city of Yonkers has a crime rate that falls well below the New York state average, as reported by The Yonkers Ledger . 

It's worth noting that Yonkers scored low in financial safety but ranked the fourth-safest city in the "home and community" ranking.

7. Casper, Wyoming

Casper, Wyoming, is safer than most cities, with CrimeGrade.org giving the city a B-, meaning the crime rate is slightly lower than the average US city.

6. Portland, Maine

As Maine's largest metro area, Portland is considered the seventh-best place to live in the US out of the 150 most populous metro areas analyzed by US News & World Report .

It is also the sixth-safest city in the US by WalletHub's rankings. It has the second-highest percentage of households with emergency savings, which contributes to it being named the No. 1 city in terms of financial safety.

5. Warwick, Rhode Island

Warwick is the third-largest city in Rhode Island, with a population of more than 83,000. It is the fifth-safest city and has the third-fewest assaults per capita, WalletHub found.

4. Gilbert, Arizona

Located southeast of Phoenix, Arizona , Gilbert has a population of more than 275,000, according to the US Census Bureau. Despite a high financial-safety ranking, the city's ​​cost of living is 19% higher than the national average, according to PayScale .

3. South Burlington, Vermont

South Burlington, Vermont, ties with Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Manchester, New Hampshire; Bismarck, North Dakota; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Nashua, New Hampshire, for the lowest unemployment rate in the US. It also has the third-lowest percentage of uninsured people, thus ranking the city high in financial safety.

However, South Burlington, Vermont, also ties with Cincinnati, Ohio; Salem, Oregon; Washington, DC; Seattle, and Cleveland for the most hate crimes per capita, according to WalletHub.

2. Columbia, Maryland

Columbia, Maryland, is a planned community with a population of over 104,000 recorded at the 2020 census. After Baltimore, it has the second-highest population in Maryland and is the second-safest city in the US.

1. Nashua, New Hampshire

New Hampshire ranks as the second-safest state in the US, behind only Maine, according to US News & World Report . Its city of Nashua tops WalletHub's list as the safest city in the US. 

Nashua has the second-fewest assaults per capita and ties for the lowest unemployment rate alongside Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Manchester, New Hampshire; Bismarck, North Dakota; Rapid City, South Dakota, and South Burlington, Vermont.

• Main content

This North American country tops the list of the safest countries for travelers

A new year means new destinations.

When looking at where to go, travelers will consider the usual factors such as weather, cost and available activities. This year, safety is also top of mind as more people want to go off the beaten path and take solo trips.

To help, travel insurance provider Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection just released its ninth annual State of Travel Insurance report, which includes the safest countries in the world for travelers.

"The definition of safe destination has evolved,” Carol Mueller, vice president at Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, told USA TODAY in an email. "In our most recent survey, travelers lean in on countries they believe as safe destinations they can move about freely without discrimination or harassment."

To determine the list, the travel insurance provider surveyed 1,702 people on their own travel experiences in different countries and also pulled data from third-party resources that evaluate safety concerns such as terrorism, weather emergencies, health measures and the safety of underrepresented groups. This included the  Global Peace Index  and the State Department’s own  travel safety ratings .

Learn more: Best travel insurance

While these countries are considered to be overall safe for people to visit, the company noted the report doesn't mean every part of the country is safe nor account for the possibility of natural disasters. And as always, don't let your guard down when it comes to petty theft against tourists.

'It's like your local bestie': This startup helps make solo travel as a woman feel safer

Read below to see the 15 countries determined to be the safest for all travelers.

The Great White North tops this year's list of safest countries in the world for travelers, thanks to its low violent crime and strict gun laws. Last year, the country, known for its high standard of living and political stability, made sixth on the list.

2. Switzerland

Known for its security and low crime rates, Switzerland made second place for the safest nations to visit. The country is known for its high quality of living and beautiful nature, such as Lake Geneva and Lake Zurich.

Besides having some of the best views of the dancing northern lights , Norway is also one of the safest places when it comes to crime rates, terrorist activity and violent demonstrations. According to the report, Oslo, the capital of Norway, was the country's safest area.

Those wanting to see Ireland's Cliffs of Moher or sip on some Guinness can rest assured in going through with those travel plans. The country had fewer homicides in 2022 than 16 U.S. cities, according to the report.

5. Netherlands

Last year, the Netherlands took the top spot for safest destinations to visit, and this year, it made fifth. Survey respondents repeatedly said they felt safe in the country and its capital Amsterdam. Just beware of the tourist tax increase as the city continues to crack down on reckless partiers.

6. United Kingdom

With a beautiful countryside and cities with low murder and theft rates, the United Kingdom is a safe bet for travelers. Unfortunately, the country is soon going to implement a fee to enter its borders .

7. Portugal

There's a reason digital nomads flock to this sunny coastal country, and it's not just the delicious seafood and wine. Portugal's cities are secure and orderly, and the rural areas are peaceful. In 2022, the country was determined to be one of the best places for solo female travelers too.

Last year, Denmark was the second safest country in the world for travelers, and its low crime rates continue to help it be a safe choice for travelers. The northern European country typically steals the spotlight for its happy residents and its politics.

Like its Nordic neighbor Denmark, Iceland is often regarded as the world's most gender-equal country and the safest country in the world when it comes to crime. To entice travelers even more, the country is home to otherworldly landscapes featuring glaciers, geysers, hot springs, waterfalls and volcanic terrain.

10. Australia

Rugged wilderness and cosmopolitan cities make Australia a desirable country for travelers, especially female solo travelers since the Land Down Under also has low homicide rates. In 2022, there were 377 recorded homicides, about half of what Chicago experienced, according to the report.

11. New Zealand

Although expensive, New Zealand is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore its coastlines, mountains, fjords and more, or for those who are big "Lord of the Rings" fans. With low crime rates, the country is also considered to be quite peaceful and great for female solo travelers.

Along with low crime rates, Japan offers travelers a blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modernity. Think robot servers in restaurants amongst ancient shrines. In Japanese culture, politeness and orderliness are also highly valued, making it a safe place for travelers, solo or not. However, the report doesn't consider natural disasters, such as the earthquakes that recently shook the western part of the island nation.

Home to the City of Light, France has stood the test of time as one of the world's most popular destinations. Thankfully, for travelers, the country has relatively safe transportation (well, minus petty theft, which is common on the metro) and safety from disease epidemics, according to the report. However, violent demonstrations mean travelers should be cautious and check local media for updates.

Another popular European destination, Spain is known for petty theft like pickpocketing. Overall, the Mediterranean country has a low crime rating for how heavily touristed it is, the report said. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection recommends people especially watch out for passport thefts, so as always, travel cautiously.

This year, Brazil made the list of safe countries to visit. The survey respondents who identified as women, people of color and LGBTQ+ especially felt safe in the South American country, known for its beautiful beaches. However, Brazil's borders are notably dangerous for crime activity.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .

• Side Hustles
• Power Players
• Young Success
• Save and Invest
• Become Debt-Free
• Land the Job
• Closing the Gap
• Science of Success
• Pop Culture and Media
• Psychology and Relationships
• Health and Wellness
• Real Estate
• Most Popular

Related Stories

• Life The 10 happiest countries in the world for   2024—the U.S. didn't make the list
• Life These are the 10 happiest cities in   America—none of them are in Florida
• Life 7 places to retire abroad and live   comfortably on as little as $1,000/month
• Food, Travel and Tech These are the 10 most welcoming cities   for 2024—only 1 is in the U.S.
• Life Top 10 U.S. cities with the best quality of   life—none of them are in Florida

This North American country is the safest for travelers in 2024—and it's not the U.S.

The post-pandemic era set off the rise of "travel experiences" with more and more people wanting unique adventures and to explore places off the beaten path .

Travel insurance provider Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection recently released its ninth-annual State of Travel Insurance report which ranks the safest countries in the world for travelers.

BHTP surveyed 1,702 people and used data from the Global Peace Index and the State Department's travel safety ratings to evaluate safety concerns like health measures, terrorism, weather emergencies and the safety of underrepresented groups.

It's important to note the report states that despite the ranking, it doesn't mean every part of the country is safe, nor does it account for potential natural disasters.

No. 1 safest country for travelers in 2024: Canada

After ranking sixth last year, Canada climbed to the No. 1 spot on the list of safest countries for travelers in 2024.

Canada ranked highly because its cold weather and low population density make for safe travel.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection also stated that in Canada, it's important to watch out for wildfires and the reduced air quality in most major Canadian cities because of them.

According to Britannica, Canada is the world's second-largest country by total area and has the longest coastline.

According to The Better Life Index , Canada outperforms the average countries in income, education, jobs, health, environmental quality, life satisfaction and social connections.

Canadians rated their general satisfaction with life in the country a 7 out of 10, above the OECD average of 6.7.

Top 10 safest countries for travelers in 2024

• Switzerland
• Netherlands
• United Kingdom

Switzerland climbed the ranks from No. 9 last year to No. 2 on the list for 2024.

Switzerland ranked so highly because the country "has been synonymous with security forever – or at least, for as long as there's been a Switzerland," the report states.

Switzerland scored high marks for the stability of its politics and economy, according to U.S. News and World Report . The country is home to giant companies like Nestle, Hoffman-LaRoche, and Novartis.

Switzerland has also been ranked as the best country in the world six times and placed No. 4 in a recent quality of life sub ranking .

Want to land your dream job in 2024?  Take CNBC's new online course How to Ace Your Job Interview to learn what hiring managers are really looking for, body language techniques, what to say and not to say, and the best way to talk about pay. Get started today and save 50% with discount code EARLYBIRD.

• Communities
• Individuals
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

Travel Safety in 2022: The Safest Places to Go (And Beyond)

Jul 29, 2022

The last two-plus years have brought a lot of changes to travel, and that’s an understatement. Basically anything anyone ever knew or assumed about travel has been turned on its head by a pandemic and subsequent global upheaval.

Travel safety has arguably been battered the most by this tidal wave of upheaval. What people considered to be a safe trip just three years ago is nothing like what they consider to be a safe trip today.

No one knows this better than the travel insurance provider Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection . For the last five years BHTP has conducted research into travelers’ attitudes toward travel insurance, travel safety, and what really makes a destination safe.

Here are some of the things BHTP has found about travel safety, and how people’s concepts of travel safety have changed – not only over the years, but from traveler group to traveler group.

Finding #1: People feel safer than ever when they travel

Despite everything from terrorism to pandemics, more than two-thirds of travelers say they feel safe when they travel. The question has been asked every year for the last four years, and the percentage of travelers who say they feel safe just keeps increasing:

This is especially remarkable when you realize that the number of travelers who say they feel safe when they travel increased from half to almost two-thirds in the middle of a pandemic.

What’s driving this feeling of safety and security among travelers, even in the face of some real dire stuff?

In a word: Millennials.

Millennial travelers are much more likely to say they feel safe when they travel, with around three-quarters of them saying they feel safe:

Of course, if Millennial travelers are more likely to say they feel safe when they travel, that means some group is feeling less safe, and that group would be older travelers.

Millennial travelers and older travelers reacted to the pandemic in vastly different ways. Older travelers told BHTP they largely stopped traveling overseas and restricted their travels to road trips and family vacations.

Millennials, on the other hand, said that they continued to travel internationally, or planned to continue to travel internationally, taking different types of transportation and visiting different destinations as opposed to not traveling altogether.

Finding #2: Money talks

The pandemic really exacerbated a shift in the profile of the average traveler and a split in attitudes toward travel among older and younger travelers.

Many of the Baby Boomers who drove travel over the last several decades are cutting back on travel, and younger, more adventurous travelers are taking up the slack.

You can see this by looking at the data on travel spending over the last several years. Younger travelers are saying they’re spending more on travel, and older travelers aren’t:

Over the long term, this is actually a good sign. It shows that a new generation is showing its love for travel in the most tangible way possible – by spending money on travel.

The BHTP data shows this not only in terms of actual spending but potential spending. According to its research, if you gave an older person an extra $5,000, they’d be more likely to save it. Younger people would be much more likely to spend it on travel.

Finding #3: The decline of terrorism … sort of

Terrorism might not be on people’s radar to the same extent that it was several years ago, and that’s led to some mixed feelings about its impact on travel safety.

When BHTP first started conducting travel research in 2017, here were the biggest threats to travel, in order of importance, with the percentage of people who see it as a threat in parentheses:

Problems with airlines/flights (26.11%)

International terrorism (25.74%)

Restrictions on loyalty programs (13.7%)

Disease outbreaks (12.04%)

Natural disasters (11.66%)

Computer outages/hacks (11.3%)

My economic situation (10.56%)

The 2016 elections (10.56%)

The worldwide refugee crisis (10.37%)

The international economy (6.11%)

Here are the biggest threats to travel in 2022:

Disease outbreaks (55.80%)

International terrorism (50.74%)

Travel suppliers going out of business (33.29%)

Climate change / environmental impacts of travel (34.70%)

My personal health (34.20%)

My economic situation (33.92%)

Vanishing destinations (39.27%)

Natural disasters (42.22%)

Safety concerns at my destination (43.70%)

Increased cost of travel (40.95%)

Problems with airlines / flights (38.84%)

While terrorists incidents affecting travelers have largely ceased to be a problem, people still seem to see terrorism as twice the travel threat it was five years ago. Why?

One of the interesting byproducts of the pandemic is that it caused huge jumps in the number of people willing to consider anything to be a threat to travel, regardless of whether it had anything to do with the pandemic.

That’s one side of the picture. Here’s the other side.

When travelers were asked in the latest survey to list the factors that make a destination safe, freedom from terrorist attacks only came in middle of the pack, far behind being able to move about freely and safely.

Even though travelers seem to be a little more jumpy than in the past, for many of them, practical concerns trump terrorism when it comes to judging a destination as safe.

The bottom line: the world’s safest places

For the last four years, BHTP has asked travelers to rate countries on safety, and has used that data as the cornerstone of an overall safety index that also includes data from:

GeoSure Global , whose GeoSafe ratings evaluate a destination almost on a block-by-block basis on measures ranging from safety for LGBTQ+ travelers to safety at night;

The Global Peace Index , which measures how militarized a country and its citizens are, and how tolerant it is of internal dissent;

The U.S. State Department’s numerical safety rankings ; and

Ratings on pandemic penetration and handling from global public-health sites.

Even a scale that uses multiple data points is imperfect; for instance, in 2021 China plummeted in BHTP’s rankings because American travelers blamed the country for starting and spreading the COVID pandemic.

Pandemic aside, China didn’t become significantly less safe in any tangible way from 2020 to 2021; American travelers just thought of it as less safe.

The results

While travel might have been in upheaval over the last couple of years, American  travelers have not wavered much in their assessment of the world’s safest countries.

Iceland has been a top-10 finisher for as long as BHTP has done its index, and it once more took home the top spot in 2022.

Iceland’s win continues a four-year streak in which the country deemed safest is  English-speaking and/or part of Europe. These countries also dominate the top 10.

It makes sense. If you think back to what travelers said makes a destination safe – being able to move about freely and safely – these are countries where it’s possible for American travelers to just that.

As for the world’s safest city, a plot twist: It’s a predominantly French-speaking city in a predominantly English-speaking country.

Montreal , which made the list for the first time this year, took home the title of the World’s Safest City, narrowly nudging out Amsterdam for the honor.

Repeat top-10 finishers included London, Tokyo, and Berlin.

Be sure to check out the blog posts for the full top-10 lists of the world’s safest countries and the world’s safest cities.

General observations on safe destinations

Especially these days, travel safety is in the eyes of the traveler. For instance, Africa was one of the safest places to travel during the pandemic in terms of COVID infection rates, but did African travel spike? It barely budged.

Similarly, London experienced some crippling COVID spikes, but it still remained safe in the eyes of American travelers, who also were willing to turn a blind eye toward issues with destinations like Singapore and Dubai.

Also, what you might consider to be a safe destination might seem unsafe to others, whether because of their gender, their ethnicity, or their tolerance for cultural differences.

However, if you’re a typical American traveler, especially a younger traveler, you’re likely unbothered by anything.

In your case, fire up the motors. It’s time to fly.

Guest Blog Post by  Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

10 Safest Places To Travel To In 2024

Planning for a vacation? Check the safest places to travel to in 2024 for a carefree and enjoyable trip!

• Luxembourg: With minimal security threats and low crime rates, Luxembourg offers a safe and secure environment for travelers to explore its charming streets and landscapes.
• Greenland: Despite its remote location, Greenland maintains a stable political environment and low crime rates, providing visitors with a unique and safe adventure in its vast wilderness.
• Japan: Renowned for its rich cultural heritage and low crime rate, Japan stands out as one of the safest countries for travelers to explore its bustling cities, serene countryside, and historic landmarks.

The safest countries to travel to in 2024 have been identified in a report by International SOS , a renowned medical and travel security risk services company. Their annual Risk Map 2024 delineates the safest and riskiest destinations , highlighting major issues travelers may encounter. Amid global uncertainties, understanding secure travel locations is paramount. The Risk Map assesses security, medical, mental health, and climate-related risks, categorizing countries into five risk levels.

Factors considered for security ratings include political violence, social unrest, crime rates, transportation infrastructure, emergency services effectiveness, and susceptibility to natural disasters. This comprehensive analysis aids travelers in making informed decisions, considering various aspects crucial for safe and enjoyable travel experiences. Here are the 10 safest places to travel to in 2024.

The security index, released by Travel Safe Abroad , highlights the most dangerous and safest countries. The index evaluates risks based on incidents such as mugging, drugs, violent crimes, bribery, property crimes, religion, and racial tolerance.

10 Safest Cities To Travel To In 2024, According To Insurance Experts

10 luxembourg, safety index: 74.

Luxembourg stands out as a haven for travelers with its minimal security threats. The nation's stability, reflected in its strong political background and low crime rates, ensures a safe environment for exploration. Its compact size fosters a sense of security, allowing visitors to navigate its charming streets and attractive landscapes with ease. The efficiency of law enforcement further enhances overall safety, promising a tranquil and worry-free travel experience. Luxembourg's allure lies not only in its cultural richness but also in its unwavering commitment to providing a secure haven for those seeking respite and adventure.

• Medical risk: Low
• Security risk: Insignificant
• Climate change risk: Very low
• Mental health risk: 12.5% to 15%

9 Greenland

Safety index: 80.

Greenland, the world's largest island, offers travelers a unique and safe adventure in its vast and pristine wilderness. Despite its remote location, Greenland maintains a stable political environment and low crime rates, providing visitors with a secure and welcoming atmosphere. Travelers can marvel at breathtaking glaciers, towering icebergs, and diverse wildlife while enjoying the peace of mind that comes with Greenland's strong sense of community and respect for nature. Whether dog sledding across the Arctic tundra, hiking along rugged coastlines, or immersing yourself in Inuit culture, travelers can go on an unforgettable journey knowing they are in a safe and awe-inspiring destination.

• Medical risk: Medium
• Climate change risk: No value
• Mental health risk: 17.5% to 20%

Safety index: 83

Japan, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and cutting-edge modernity, stands out as one of the safest countries for travelers. With an exceptionally low crime rate, efficient law enforcement, and a strong emphasis on societal harmony, visitors can explore Japan's bustling cities, serene countryside, and historic landmarks with confidence. The country's advanced transportation infrastructure ensures smooth and secure travel throughout its diverse regions, from the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the tranquil temples of Kyoto . Whether marveling at cherry blossoms in spring or savoring world-class cuisine year-round, Japan promises a safe, enriching, and unforgettable journey for travelers from around the globe.

• Security risk: Low
• Climate change risk: Low
• Mental health risk: 10% to 12.5%

13 Safest Countries For Solo Female Travel

Safety index: 85.

Norway, known for its breathtaking natural beauty and strong social infrastructure, offers travelers a safe and welcoming environment. With low crime rates and efficient emergency services, visitors can explore its fjords, mountains, and vibrant cities with peace of mind. The country's progressive policies prioritize safety and well-being, contributing to its reputation as one of the safest destinations for travelers from around the world. Whether hiking through its pristine wilderness or immersing oneself in its rich cultural heritage, Norway ensures a memorable and worry-free experience for all tourists.

• Mental health risk: 15% to 17.5%

Safety index: 86

Finland, renowned for its natural beauty and high standard of living, is also recognized for its safety and security. With a stable political climate, efficient law enforcement, and remarkably low crime rates, Finland offers travelers a tranquil and secure environment to explore its stunning landscapes and vibrant cities. Travelers can experience the magical Northern Lights and adventure through its vast forests or immerse themselves in Finnish culture and sauna traditions. Finland's emphasis on social welfare and equality further enhances its reputation as a safe and welcoming destination for travelers from around the world.

Safety index: 87

Slovenia, nestled in the heart of Europe, is renowned for being one of the safest places to travel to in 2024. With a stable political environment, efficient law enforcement, and notably low crime rates, Slovenia offers travelers a secure haven to explore its magical landscapes and cultural treasures. From the majestic Julian Alps to the idyllic shores of the Adriatic Sea, visitors can journey through Slovenia's picturesque countryside and historic towns safely. The country's commitment to sustainability and community well-being further enhances its appeal as a safe and welcoming destination. Slovenia also offers opportunities to hike in its pristine national parks or savor local cuisine in charming villages.

4 Switzerland

Safety index: 89.

Switzerland's reputation as a safe travel destination is bolstered by its stable political climate, robust law enforcement, and low rates of crime and violence. With a longstanding tradition of neutrality and a well-functioning legal system, Switzerland offers visitors a secure environment to explore its stunning landscapes, vibrant cities , and rich cultural heritage. Whether wandering through picturesque alpine villages or enjoying outdoor activities in its pristine natural surroundings, travelers can do so with confidence, knowing they are in a country renowned for its safety and security.

3 New Zealand

Safety index: 90.

New Zealand offers a safe and delightful travel experience due to its stable political environment, low crime rates, and welcoming locals. The country's breathtaking natural beauty, from majestic mountains to pristine beaches, provides endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. With well-developed infrastructure and efficient emergency services, travelers can navigate the diverse landscapes with ease and peace of mind. Moreover, New Zealand's strong sense of community and cultural diversity fosters a warm and inclusive atmosphere for visitors. Whether indulging in outdoor activities, immersing yourself in Māori culture, or simply enjoying the tranquil surroundings, New Zealand provides a safe place to travel to in 2024.

Safety index: 94

Denmark, known for its progressive society and high quality of life, also stands out as a remarkably safe place for travelers. With a stable political environment, effective law enforcement, and low rates of crime and violence, Denmark offers visitors a secure environment to explore its beautiful cities, scenic countryside, and historic landmarks. The country's strong social infrastructure and emphasis on community well-being contribute to its reputation as a welcoming and safe destination for tourists from around the globe. Whether enjoying iconic Copenhagen or relaxing along its pristine coastline, travelers can safely immerse themselves in Denmark's beauty.

Safety index: 95

Iceland ranks as the world's safest travel destination due to its exceptionally low rates of violent crime, absence of political violence, and minimal violence targeting foreigners. These factors contribute to its status as the top choice for travelers seeking safety and security.

Iceland's safety extends beyond crime statistics. Its small population fosters a tight-knit community and a welcoming atmosphere for visitors. The country's stunning natural landscapes, including glaciers, volcanoes, and hot springs, offer unique experiences. Additionally, Iceland's well-developed infrastructure and efficient emergency services ensure travelers' comfort and security throughout their stay.

Places the U.S. Government Warns Not to Travel Right Now

You may want to reconsider traveling to these countries right now.

Do Not Travel to These Countries

Getty Images

Crime, civil unrest and terrorism are common risk factors for countries that end up on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory list.

In 2024, tourism across the globe is “well on track” to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to projections by UN Tourism.

Global conflicts and natural disasters , ranging from a series of coups across Africa to catastrophic earthquakes in the Middle East affected international travel patterns throughout 2023. Still, international tourist arrivals reached 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to estimates by UN Tourism .

In January 2024 alone, about 4.6 million U.S. citizens left the country for international destinations, 17% higher than the same month in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration . But some destinations warrant more caution than others.

On Oct. 19, 2023, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Prior to this update, the most recent worldwide caution advisory was issued in 2022 after a U.S. strike killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing “a higher potential for anti-American violence.” The worldwide caution advisory remains in effect.

The U.S. State Department also issues individual travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest. Travel advisory levels range from Level 1, which means exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which means do not travel there.

About 10% of countries – 19 total – have a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory as of Mar. 4. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have “very limited ability” to step in should travelers’ safety or security be at risk, according to the State Department. Crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism are common risk factors associated with Level 4 countries.

So far in 2024, the State Department made changes to the existing Level 4 advisories for Myanmar, Iran and Gaza, and moved Niger and Lebanon off of the Level 4 list.

Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory

These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order:

Jump to Place: Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Central African Republic Myanmar (formerly Burma) Gaza Haiti Iran Iraq Libya Mali Mexico North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Ukraine Venezuela Yemen

Afghanistan: The Central Asian country is wrestling with “terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime,” according to the State Department. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for wrongful detention and kidnapping. In 2022, the government reinstituted public floggings and executions, and women’s rights are disappearing under Taliban control. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul halted operations in August 2021. Since the Taliban took control , many forms of international aid have been halted . Meanwhile, in 2023, some of the year’s deadliest earthquakes killed more than 2,400 in Afghanistan while the country continues to face a years-long extreme drought.

Belarus: Belarus, which shares a western border with Russia and a southern border with Ukraine, has been flagged for “Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.” The U.S. Embassy in Minsk halted operations in February 2022.

Burkina Faso: Terrorism, crime and kidnapping are plaguing this West African nation. Terrorist attacks may target hotels, restaurants and schools with little to no warning, and the East and Sahel regions of the country are under a state of emergency. In late November 2023, hundreds died in clashes between state security forces and rebels near the country’s border with Mali. In June, more than 2 million people in Burkina Faso were displaced due to “violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.”

Central African Republic: While there have not been specific incidents of U.S. citizens targeted with violence or crime, violent crime and sudden closure of roads and borders is common. The advisory states that “Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping” is a factor in its assessment. Recent data from UNICEF suggests the country has the worst drinking water accessibility of all countries in 2022.

Myanmar (Formerly Burma): Armed conflict and civil unrest are the primary reasons to not travel to this Southeast Asian country, which experienced a military coup in early 2021. Limited health care resources, wrongful detentions and “areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance” are also listed as risk factors. After Ukraine and Israel, Myanmar had the highest conflict-related death toll in 2023.

Gaza : Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the State Department, controls much of the Gaza Strip, which shares borders with both Israel and Egypt. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas fighters broke across the border into Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers in a brazen attack that stunned Israelis. On Oct. 10, Israel hit the Gaza Strip with “the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflict” according to Reuters . The conflict has since escalated into war between Israel and Hamas, with regular Israeli airstrikes leading to extensive civilian casualties in Gaza. As of mid-December, nearly 85% of Gaza’s population were displaced from their homes, according to UN estimates . The region continues to face shortages of food , water, electricity and medical supplies , with conditions deemed “far beyond a humanitarian crisis.” The State Department warns of terrorism and armed conflict within Gaza’s borders.

Haiti: In July 2023, the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince in response to the increased risk of kidnapping and violent crime in the country , as well as armed conflict between gangs and police. The travel advisory states that cases of kidnapping “often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.” The travel advisory also states that “U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible” given “the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.” A series of gang attacks in late September 2023 caused thousands to flee their homes, and many aid groups have been forced to cut or suspend operations amid escalating violence in recent months.

Iran: Terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest are risk factors for all travelers to Iran, while U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for “arbitrary arrest.” U.S.-Iranian nationals such as students, journalists and business travelers have been arrested on charges of espionage and threatening national security. Executions in Iran rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, bringing the country’s total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a report by Amnesty International released in May 2023.

Iraq: The State Department cites “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrest” as cause for the country’s Level 4 distinction. Iraq’s northern borders, and its border with Syria, are especially dangerous. Since the escalation of conflict in neighboring Israel in October, there has been an increase in attacks against Iraqi military bases, which host U.S. troops and other international forces. In October 2023, non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Libya: Following the end of its dictatorship over a decade ago, Libya has been wrought with internal conflict between armed groups in the East and West. Armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are all risk factors. U.S. citizens have been targets of kidnapping for ransom, with terrorists targeting hotels and airports frequented by Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in 2014. In mid-September 2023, floods, which some say were intensified by climate change , killed thousands in eastern Libya. Clashes between armed factions escalated across the country in the latter half of 2023, including in the capital city of Tripoli and in Benghazi.

Mali: After experiencing military coups in 2020 and 2021, crime, terrorism and kidnapping are all prevalent threats in this West African landlocked nation. In July 2022, non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country due to higher risk of terrorist activity. A U.N. report in August 2023 said that military groups in the country, including both Mali security forces and possibly Russian Wagner mercenaries, were spreading terror through the use of violence against women and human rights abuses. Democratic elections were supposed to occur in February 2024, but Mali’s military junta postponed the plans indefinitely. In December, the U.N. officially ended a decade-long peacekeeping presence in the country, which had been among the agency’s deadliest missions, with hundreds of the mission personnel killed since 2013.

Mexico: Each state in Mexico is assessed separately for travel advisory levels. Six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated as Level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Crime and kidnapping are listed as the primary risk factors throughout the country. Nearly 112,000 people were missing across the country as of October, a number the U.N. has called “alarming.”

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel “to, in, or through” this country, home to one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. The travel advisory states that the Level 4 distinction is due to “the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” In July 2023, a U.S. soldier fled across the border into North Korea, where he is believed to be in North Korean custody, the first American detained in the North in nearly five years. He was returned to U.S. custody in September 2023.

Russia: The travel advisory for Russia cites its invasion of Ukraine , harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian government officials and arbitrary law enforcement as a few of the reasons for the Level 4 designation. Chechnya and Mount Elbrus are specifically listed as Level 4 regions. Terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all noted as risks.

Russia Invades Ukraine: A Timeline

Somalia: A severe drought resulting from five failed rainy seasons in a row killed 43,000 people in 2022, and caused a famine amid conflict with Islamist insurgents . Violent crime is common throughout Somalia , pirates frequent its coast off the Horn of Africa, and medical facilities, where they exist, have limited capacity. Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health and kidnapping are all risk factors. In January 2024, some passengers aboard a U.N.-contracted helicopter were taken hostage by al-Shabaab militants after the vehicle crashed in central Somalia.

South Sudan: Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict are the primary risk factors for South Sudan, which separated from Sudan in 2011, making it the world’s newest country . Weapons are readily available, and travelers have been victims of sexual assault and armed robbery.

Sudan: The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Khartoum in April 2023, and the country closed its airspace due to the ongoing conflict in the country, only permitting humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. Fighting has escalated in the region between two warring generals seeking to gain control after a military coup in 2021 ousted the country’s prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africa’s third largest country by area. Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict are also noted. The International Criminal Court began investigating alleged war crimes and violence against African ethnic groups in the country in 2023. Millions have fled their homes due to conflict, and the U.N. has said its efforts to provide aid have been hindered by a lack of support, safety and resources. As recently as December 2023, the United Nations warned of catastrophic famine , with millions of children at-risk for malnutrition .

Syria: The advisory states that “No part of Syria is safe from violence,” with terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict and risk of unjust detention all potential risk factors. U.S. citizens are often a target for kidnappings and detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus halted operations in 2012. Fighting in neighboring Israel has escalated since October, and the conflict has spilled over into Syria, where the U.S. has carried out air strikes following drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Syria and Iraq, triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.

Ukraine: Russian setbacks in their invasion of Ukraine buoyed hopes in Ukraine in 2023. However, Ukraine is a Level 4 country due to Russia’s invasion, with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The country’s forces shot down two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve 2023, in a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”

Venezuela: Human rights abuses and lack of health care plague this South American nation, which has been in a political crisis since 2014. In 2019, diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Threats in the country include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, wrongful detention and poor health infrastructure.

Yemen: Six of the nine risk factors defined by the State Department – terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines – are all present in Yemen. Despite private companies offering tourist visits to the Yemeni island of Socotra, the U.S. government argues those arranging such visits “are putting tourists in danger.” Civil war and cholera are also both present throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa halted operations in 2015. The country has experienced a relative lull in the civil war fighting, but as peace negotiations have gotten traction, flare ups in the fighting have jeopardized progress. Most recently, the U.S. and U.K. have carried out a series of airstrikes in the country, targeting Iran-backed Houthi sites.

Other Countries to Watch

Since Jan. 1, the State Department has updated travel advisories for 17 different countries as well as for the West Bank and Gaza, adding information about specific regions or risk factors, or simply renewing an existing advisory. Travel advisory levels can change based on several factors in a nation, such as increased civil unrest, policies that affect human rights or higher risks of unlawful detention.

The State Department has given about 25 countries an assessment of Level 3, meaning it recommends people “reconsider travel” to those destinations.

On Oct. 14, one week after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Israel and the West Bank were both moved from Level 2 to Level 3, while Gaza remains at Level 4. The region’s travel advisory was updated in November to reflect travel restrictions for certain government employees who have not already left the area, and it was updated again on Jan. 3.

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in early October, the U.S. State Department raised Lebanon ’s travel advisory level from a Level 3 to a Level 4 level due to “the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges” between Israel and Hezbollah or other militant groups. In December, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut returned to normal staffing and presence, and on Jan. 29, the country was moved back to Level 3. Crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping and unexploded landmines are listed as the country’s primary risk factors. However, the country’s borders with Syria and with Israel, as well as refugee settlements within Lebanon, are specifically noted as Level 4 regions.

China became a Level 3 country in late 2020, with an update in December 2022 citing “the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions” as the reason for the advisory. In June 2023, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was moved from the Level 3 to the Level 2 list, but travelers are still advised to be cautious in the area due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” Meanwhile, Macau remains at Level 3.

Following an attempted coup in August 2023, Niger was elevated to Level 4 in August and the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. In early January 2024, the overall risk level for the country was lowered back to Level 3. Despite the new classification, the State Department still asks non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members to depart the country.

In mid-December 2023 there was an explosion at Guinea’s main fuel depot which has since affected access to health care and basic goods and services. The country was subsequently designated a Level 3 nation after having previously been Level 2. Concerns about civil unrest, health, crime and fuel shortages impacting local infrastructure were listed as the primary risk factors contributing to the change.

Several Level 3 countries are among the worst countries for human trafficking, as designated by the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report . Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.

Over 70 countries are currently at Level 2, meaning the State Department recommends travelers “exercise increased caution” when traveling to those destinations.

Botswana became the newest Level 2 country on Feb. 26 after having previously been Level 1, with crime noted as the primary risk factor.

France, which saw nationwide protests throughout 2023, has civil unrest and terrorism noted as risk factors for its Level 2 status, and Sweden’s Level 2 status is associated with risks of terrorism.

The Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas was updated in January to reflect water safety concerns. The advisory warns that “activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated” and notes that government personnel are “not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.” It also warns visitors to be mindful of sharks, weather and water conditions. The advisory also says that crime is a primary risk factor with gang-on-gang violence contributing to high homicide rates in some areas. Visitors are asked to “be vigilant” and to not physically resist robbery attempts.

Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October 2023 to add a note about the country’s general election , which took place Jan. 7, 2024. The advisory states “demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” The U.S. has since claimed the country’s election was not free nor fair.

In November 2023, several Level 2 travel advisories were updated with new cautionary information. The advisory for Ghana was updated to reflect threats against LGBTQI+ travelers specifically, noting “anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years.” Meanwhile, the advisory for South Africa was updated in February to note that routes recommended by GPS may be unsafe with higher risk for crime.

Turkmenistan was moved off of the Level 2 list to become the newest addition to the Level 1 list on Jan. 22, meaning normal precautions are recommended but there are no risk factors causing travelers to practice increased caution.

The State Department asks travelers to pay attention to travel advisory levels and alerts , review country information pages for their destinations and read related country security reports before going abroad.

Join the Conversation

Tags: Russia , Ukraine , Travel , Coronavirus , Travel Tips , Israel , Gaza , violence , Civil War , crime , kidnapping

Recent Articles

Best countries.

Best Countries Rankings

• # 1 Switzerland
• # 5 Australia
• # 5 United States

Health News Bulletin

Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on health and COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report.

You May Also Like

Switzerland is world's best country.

Julia Haines Sept. 6, 2023

Photos: Best Countries Around the World

Sept. 6, 2023

The 25 Best Countries in the World

Elliott Davis Jr. Sept. 6, 2023

10 Years After Chibok, Nigerian Families Cope With the Trauma of More School Kidnappings

Associated Press April 11, 2024

Taiwan, China Can Resolve Differences, Ex-President Says After Meeting Xi

Reuters April 11, 2024

Urban Abroad

Urban Planning and Travel Blog

Safest cities in Europe

Travel Blog Last Updated · Jan 10th, 2024 [post_author_posts_link] · [post_comments before=""] -->

Where are the safest cities in Europe?

When it’s time to choose a destination for your next vacation, you won’t be surprised to know that you’re not the only one looking at how safe a city is.

Being able to travel with confidence knowing that the place where you’ll be visiting and spending some well-deserved time off is safe is paramount.

But which are the safest cities in Europe in 2023? Keep reading this post to learn about the cities climbing the ranks of safest places to travel in Europe.

Table of Contents

In this guide, we are going to take a look at some of the safest cities in Europe that you can travel to as well as what to expect when visiting.

First, we would like to look at some of the reasons why you may choose to visit Europe over one of the other 6 continents on earth.

Why visit Europe?

The European continent counts on a rich historical heritage full of beautiful landscapes and its treasure trove of millenary cultures , traditions and customs.

However, these are literally just a few reasons why Europe is the most visited continent in the world and why it continues to attract visitors every single year.

Read 4 reasons why we believe Europe is worth visiting:

• Europe is the best continent to visit castles, fortresses and defensive bastions since every country has many of them, each with its own history and legends. Visiting these landmarks can really make you travel back in time . From the United Kingdom to Italy and Germany, the ancient castles are well-preserved almost everywhere and visiting them is one of the reasons why travelers love Europe.
• Museums such as the Tate Modern, the Louvre, the Uffizi Gallery, the Rijksmuseum and the Prado are some of the most famous museums and art galleries in Europe , but certainly not the only ones that constantly attract thousands of visitors. At these museums, you can admire work from brilliant artists such as Michelangelo, Van Gogh, Picasso and more.
• Cities like Paris, Rome, Venice and London have always been on the list of tourists from all over the planet. These are places worth visiting at least once in your life, considering that these cities are some of the oldest cities in the world . Read more about safety in London (which is not on our list.)
• From the Alps, and the Norwegian fjords to the Mediterranean coastline, there are different incredible landscapes and climates in Europe.

With that comes the opportunity to experience many outdoor activities , from hiking, water sports to skiing, you’ll absolutely be spoilt by choice!

On top of the reasons listed above, Europe is considered the safest continent in the world and the additional pros of counting on a high-standard of living, low crime rates and freedom of movement within the European Union.

Safest Europe country to visit?

The safest country in Europe to visit is Iceland . According to the Global Peace Index , Iceland is the safest country not only in Europe but in the whole world.

Iceland is a small country yes, but it is famous for having the most friendly and welcoming people and the lowest crime rates in Europe.

Getting robbed, episodes of vandalism or even murder are almost non-existent crimes in Iceland. On top of this, the air quality in Iceland is one of the world’s highest and road safety is taken very seriously.

Safest Cities in Europe

Without further ado, let’s now see which are the safest cities in Europe and why they are considered as safe over other cities on the continent.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Scotland’s capital city attracts many students from all over the world every year since it’s one of the most important university cities in the country and beyond. At the same time it’s also a very sought-after cultural and historical tourist destination and a great place that expats end up calling home.

But the question is: is Edinburgh safe to visit? According to Numbeo.com the crime levels are some of the lowest in Europe . As proof of that, you’ll sooner rather than later notice just a few policemen around its historical city center .

Scotland is one of the safest countries to travel in Europe and a peaceful country: crime rates are relatively low and only in the city center there’s a remote risk of being subject to petty crime (thefts, pickpocketing, robberies), most likely to happen in the outskirts, hardly frequented by tourists.

Lisbon, Portugal

The Portuguese capital city is one of the safest cities in Europe and there are only a few neighborhoods to avoid which are far from the most touristic places.

It’s highly unlikely that you’ll be around these ‘bad areas’ when visiting the city. According to Eupedia.com which collects data from different reliable sources, the crime levels in Portugal are quite low . The only crime type to register an higher rate is robbery .

In general, in Portugal, it has been recorded that locals and tourists feel safe walking around during the day and night. Solo female travelers can safely walk around the streets of Lisbon without worry about assault or getting robbed.

Places to be aware of with a higher risk of robbery are the metro with direction Belem and the secondary streets of Intendente, Mouraria, Cova da Moura and Bairro Alto neighborhoods. So avoid booking accomodation in those areas.

If you’ll be traveling to Portugal in the near future and want to know which places are worth visiting during a trip to Lisbon, we recommend you check out our 3 days in Lisbon itinerary which covers a host of activities designed to keep you busy.

Berlin, Germany

In Berlin, the level of security is one of the highest you can find among European capitals. Germany’s capital city is one of the most liveable and peaceful cities of the continent , obviously without forgetting to use your common sense and exercising prudence.

We advise you to not get distracted and to keep an eye on your wallet and your personal belongings when moving around the city, especially in the most crowded areas of the city, avoid parks and isolated areas . Be aware of possible pickpockets and petty thieves which are normally positioned in the busiest touristic areas and on public transport .

According to Numbeo.com, in Berlin, there’s a low risk of getting robbed, assaulted and being subject to a physical attack because of skin color, religion or language.

Safety is a top priority in Berlin which can be considered one of the safest places to travel in Europe. Learn how to stay safe in Berlin by reading our safety guide.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik is Iceland’s capital city and it’s not only the safest city in Europe but in the world! The level of crime is basically equal to zero and your only concern should be to keep your belongings safe at all times (just as a precaution).

Locals are considered the most welcoming and friendly people in Europe. In Reykjavik, you are constantly reassured that the risk of getting robbed or having to deal with petty thieves is almost non-existent .

Even violent assault-related crime rates are at their minimum . Read more about safety in Reykjavik on our dedicated page. Iceland is also called the land of ice and fire because here weather conditions and nature are so unpredictable.

For this reason, your main concerns are natural disasters when driving in the countryside. If you want to hire a car , it’s always highly recommended to get a good car insurance cover .

Venice, Italy

The famous city on the water, Venice, is one of the safest cities in Europe you could ever visit. Located in north-east Italy, Venice is known for gondolas , Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal (to name a few) and it’s on the bucket list of many.

Most travelers rightly ask themselves is Venice a safe place to spend my holidays? According to Numbeo.com, Venice is a lot safer than other important European destinations such as Paris, Barcelona and London.

Whether you’re traveling solo or a female traveler, you can walk around Venice’s streets and piazzas during the night without feeling in danger . We normally suggest avoiding the bus and train station areas (located in the Santa Croce district) during the evening time.

Venice is extremely touristic and like any other touristic city in the world, it’s always better to keep an eye on your valuables when moving around and be aware of possible scammers too.

Copenhagen, Denmark

According to the Safe Cities Index in 2021, Copenhagen is the safest city in Europe and in the world with a score of 82,4 out of 100.

The crime rate has been among the lowest in a decade thanks to the preventive intervention and the strong local collaboration of schools, social services and police.

Equally important, is the great social cohesion that characterizes Danish citizens. This means that Copenhagen is safe both during the day and at night and makes the perfect destination to visit as a solo traveler too.

The number of harassment and violence cases are quite low, but like any city in the world it is preferable to avoid some neighborhoods or, at least, if you want to visit them, be on your guard against the usual petty thieves and pickpockets . The areas we advise avoiding if you’re concerned about safety are Vesterbro, Norrebro and Istedgade.

Florence, Italy

Florence is one of the safest places to travel in Europe and one of the major Italian cities with the lowest crime rates . Florence is far less dangerous than Naples , Palermo and Rome, even if unfortunately it has one of the highest rate in Italy for violence against women and for theft .

Even though there’s no risk of violence, solo female travelers are recommended to stick to tourist areas at night, whereas during the day, there’s only a limited risk of catcalling on the streets in and around the city center.

Just like most other cities in Europe, be aware of petty criminals targetting foreigners for crimes such as pickpocketing, muggings, vehicle break-ins, and scams.

There are no dangerous neighborhoods in Florence, so you can travel with confidence knowing that wherever you go, you’ll be safe. Check out this 2 days in Florence travel guide to learn how to spend a couple of days in this beautiful Italian city.

Budapest, Hungray

Are you asking yourself whether Budapest is safe or not? Good news! Budapest is one of the safest cities in Europe, especially for tourists. According to Numbeo.com, there’s a low risk of getting robbed, attacked, or assaulted .

Again, like most capital cities, Budapest is no stranger to minor criminal acts, but follow a few standard precautions and your stay should be absolutely safe.

Travelers just need to avoid walking alone at nighttime in risky areas such as Nyugati, Jaszai Mari Square and Blaha Lujza Square.

Petty thieves normally can be found around the most crowded areas , for example around Castle, St. Stephen’s church, Heroes’ Square, the Citadella and on public transport.

Apart from the usual precautions you’d take, there’s no other reason why you should be concerned about safety when walking around Budapest and exploring its attractions.

Transport in Europe

In Europe, there’s freedom of movement , and public transport connects the majority of its countries.

In fact, the Schengen area allows you to avoid border controls meaning you can travel between 25 European countries and safely get from one country to the other.

Let’s see how easy it’s to travel by bus, train and drive in Europe in this next section.

Traveling by bus in Europe

Traveling by bus in Europe is an affordable and an eco-friendly choice . Using the bus or coaches to cover long-distance travel, can have much less impact on the environment than traveling by car, plane or train.

On top of that, if you’re traveling on a budget , it will allow you to save a good amount of money and reach most places in the continent.

Of course, distances by coach are quite long and you’ll be spending many hours getting from one place to the other, but if time is not an issue, then traveling by bus in Europe is a good option to take into account.

Some of the coach companies you can refer to when planning intra countries trips are: Flixbus and BlaBlaBus . If traveling inside one country, always check which bus companies serve your destinations.

Trains in Europe

Traveling by train in Europe is another great option you have if you want to explore all the best of this continent. It’s not as cheap as traveling by bus , but it’s much more comfortable and you’ll save plenty of time.

It can also be more affordable and eco-friendly option than hiring a car and driving for thousands of kilometers around Europe.

If you like the idea of exploring the safest cities in Europe by train and visiting some of the aforementioned cities, then getting an Interrail Pass is a great solution!

With one pass you can potentially cover 33 European countries and travel around them all by train. You only need to think about which places you prefer visiting and create your own personal itinerary .

Follow our 2 weeks in Italy itinerary if Italy is on your radar. Then get a pass to cover some the most important cities such as: Venice, Florence, and Rome.

Driving in Europe

Road trips are part of the North American tradition, but over the years have become more and more popular all over the world. In Europe there are amazing road trips to do . Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends or family, the options are endless.

From east to west or from north to south, Europe has some truly incredible possibilities for those looking for an adventurous road trip.

Roads and motorways connect all countries in Europe and there’s no need to stop at customs. Get in your car or hiring one is the only thing you need to think about.

Try to plan where you’d like to go and study your itinerary ahead of time . If you’re looking for some ‘road trip’ inspiration, check out this Calabria itinerary , 4 days in the Amalfi Coast and 7 days in Andalusia road trip for some help from us.

Now you should have a much better idea of the best and safest cities in Europe worth visiting.

You can now be reassured that these places belong to some of the most stable countries in the Old Continent and if planning to go there, there’s no reason to be concerned about safety .

Remember to revisit this travel guide before and during your trips to Europe and use our travel resources to find your feet around this incredible part of the world!

Don’t hesitate to start planning your trip today and give our sustainable travel tips a read to ensure your trip has a positive environmental impact.

Dear responsible traveler : This post may contain affiliate links, which means, if you click through and make a purchase, book a tour or a hotel, we may earn a small commission. This is at no additional cost to you . Your support means a lot and helps us to maintain the quality of this site.

Sharing is caring!

Recent Posts

• How to get from Treviso Airport to Venice
• How to get from Verona to Lake Garda
• Marco Polo Airport to Venice
• Is Guadalajara safe?
• Living Abroad
• Sustainability
• Travel Blog

Privacy Overview

• Boating Holidays
• Asia & Pacific
• Australia & New Zealand
• Central America
• Indonesia & Indian Ocean
• Middle East
• Scandinavia
• South America
• Business Travel
• Culinary Travel
• Wellness Travel
• Golf Travel
• Travel Style
• Travel Gear
• Travel Fashion
• Real Estate
• Destination Weddings
• Fishing Holidays
• Tricks & Hacks
• Travel News
• #WHERETONEXT
• Read the All Issues
• Working with DRIFT Travel
• Submit Your Photos to DRIFT Travel
• DRIFT Travel Magazine Media Kit

The Safest Cities to Travel in the US: Your Guide to a Secure Adventure

When planning a trip, safety is often a top priority for travelers. Fortunately, the United States boasts a variety of cities that not only offer incredible experiences but also provide a safe and secure environment for tourists. From bustling metropolises to charming small towns, here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the safest cities to travel to in the US.

Honolulu, Hawaii

The capital of Hawaii, Honolulu is not only a tropical paradise but also one of the safest cities in the US. The crime rate here is remarkably low, making it an ideal destination for solo travelers, families, and couples alike. Visitors can enjoy the stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and rich Hawaiian culture without worrying about their safety.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a charming coastal city known for its picturesque scenery and friendly atmosphere. Crime rates here are impressively low, and the city’s walkability and vibrant arts scene make it a perfect destination for those seeking a peaceful yet culturally rich travel experience.

Plano, Texas

Plano is a prime example of the safety and tranquility often found in smaller American cities. With a low crime rate and a family-friendly environment, Plano is an excellent choice for those traveling with children. The city’s parks, shopping districts, and cultural events cater to a wide range of interests.

Madison, Wisconsin

Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in the United States. This vibrant college town offers visitors a mix of outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and a thriving food scene. Whether you’re exploring the beautiful lakes or strolling through the historic downtown area, you’ll feel safe and welcome in Madison.

Irvine, California

Located in sunny Southern California, Irvine is a master-planned city known for its safety and quality of life. With its well-maintained parks, excellent schools, and diverse dining options, it’s a fantastic choice for families and travelers looking for a peaceful urban escape.

Boise, Idaho

Boise, Idaho, is a hidden gem among American cities. Nestled in the heart of the Treasure Valley, Boise offers a mix of outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and a strong sense of community. Crime rates are impressively low here, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a blend of urban amenities and natural beauty.

Boulder, Colorado

Located in Colorado, Boulder is known for its healthy lifestyle and outdoor recreational opportunities and is also one of the safest cities in the US. Surrounded by the stunning Rocky Mountains, this city encourages exploration and adventure while ensuring the safety of its residents and visitors. From hiking to dining, you can enjoy everything Boulder has to offer with peace of mind.

Cary, North Carolina

Cary North Carolina is a family-friendly destination known for its safety and excellent quality of life. The city’s parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities cater to all ages, making it a top choice for travelers looking for a relaxed and secure vacation.

Stamford, Connecticut

Found in the southwestern part of Connecticut, Stamford combines a cosmopolitan vibe with a strong commitment to safety. This city offers a range of cultural attractions, dining options, and shopping opportunities, all within a secure and welcoming environment.

Naperville, Illinois

On the outside of Chicago, Naperville is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the US. Its picturesque riverwalk, diverse dining scene, and family-oriented events make it an excellent destination for travelers seeking a peaceful retreat near a major metropolitan area.

Safety When Traveling

In addition to these ten cities, it’s important to note that safety can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood within any city. When planning your trip, it’s a good idea to research specific areas and take common-sense precautions no matter where you go. Here are some general safety tips for travelers:

Stay Informed: Keep an eye on local news and safety updates during your trip.

Secure Your Belongings: Use hotel safes and be mindful of your belongings in public places.

Be Street Smart : Familiarize yourself with the local transportation system and the layout of the city.

Stay Connected: Have a charged phone with emergency contacts saved, and consider using a GPS tracking app.

Trust Your Instincts: If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Trust your gut and take precautions.

Have A Plan: The injury lawyers in Grand Rapids at Buchanan Firm recommend being prepared for any instance while traveling. Whether that’s purchasing travel insurance, seeking legal advice, or having a backup plan, you can never be too prepared when traveling.

The United States offers a wide range of safe and welcoming cities for travelers to explore. Whether you’re interested in beach destinations, outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or family-friendly environments, you can find a secure and enjoyable travel experience in these cities. Remember to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure a safe and memorable trip.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Sunshine State Stakes: Navigating the Florida Sports Betting Scene

Hidden Gems of California: Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations You Need to Explore

Brand NEW resort to unveil in the Florida Keys this fall

Privacy overview.

Design Your Dream Journey with the Four Seasons Private Jet

FinanceBuzz

15 Safe and Affordable European Cities That Retirees Love

Posted: September 6, 2023 | Last updated: September 6, 2023

With retirement comes nearly endless potential for your next phase of life. You now have the financial freedom and unlimited spare time to do everything you’ve always wanted.

Visiting Europe is high on many people’s bucket lists and perhaps a high priority as you retire, but it can be costly and potentially dangerous. 

That doesn’t mean you should scratch it from your itinerary, though. Instead, look into visiting the following 15 safe and affordable European cities.

Compare the best travel credit cards for nearly free travel

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Your bank account won’t get homesick traveling to Ljubljana, Slovenia, one of the safest and most affordable European destinations. Aside from being rich in history and culture, the city also prides itself on being green.

The only major safety concern comes from pickpockets, though this can be expected at any tourist destination. The average daily cost to visit, including accommodations and food, ranges from $45 to $54.

Get expert advice on making more money - sent straight to your inbox.

Lisbon, Portugal

Another great budget European destination is Lisbon, Portugal. The average daily cost is around $143, including transportation, food, and accommodations.

As for safety, it’s hard to beat the city’s ranking. Again, pickpockets and scams are the most significant risks at play, so just be alert and aware of your surroundings.

Zagreb, Croatia

Head to Zagreb, Croatia, if you love unique sightseeing opportunities, including historical cemeteries, vibrant arts and culinary scenes, museums, and more.

Zagreb is a very safe city if you take precautions against the local pickpockets. The average cost per day is just $86 a person.

6 ways to build a life where you can travel any time you want

Tallinn, Estonia

If you want to spend your retirement enriching yourself in medieval history, look no further than Tallinn, Estonia. The city is steeped in history, from cathedrals to castles and more.

Including accommodations and food, you can expect to spend around $44 to $56 per day in the city. While the city is safe, you will need to remain vigilant against pickpockets and scams, especially transportation scams.

Istanbul, Turkey

Another breathtakingly gorgeous and historical city is Istanbul, Turkey. The average cost per day is low at just $47, and many free attractions and sightseeing opportunities exist.

Being a large, popular city, Istanbul can be less safe than other quieter destinations. Petty theft is the biggest risk, so as long as you’re aware of your surroundings, you should be fine. 

However, be aware of the city’s political climate before booking your flight, as this could pose a safety risk for travelers.

Porto, Portugal

Another Portuguese city perfect for retirees is Porto — average daily costs range from $43 to $58. You can visit 12th-century churches, gorgeous riverfronts, cafes, shops, and more.

Scams and pickpockets are cause for concern, but being aware and on guard can help prevent these petty crimes.

13 legit ways to make extra cash

Bavaria, Germany

Bavaria is not only one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Germany but also one of the safest. In fact, it has the lowest crime rate in the whole country. It’s also in Germany’s countryside, making it a lovely, lowkey spot for retirees.

It costs around $166 per day for food, transportation, and accommodation, but this is a reasonable number compared to other European destinations.

Andalusia, Spain

Spain is a gorgeous and relaxed country perfect for retirees, but many destinations are simply too expensive. Andalusia, and specifically the city of Málaga, is safe and affordable.

Aside from petty theft like pickpocketing, it’s incredibly safe for visiting retirees. As for the cost, expect an average of $138 per day.

Kotor, Montenegro

Another beautiful, affordable, and safe destination for retirees is yet again in the Balkans — this time in Kotor, Montenegro.

Montenegro is generally very safe, sans the occasional scam or pickpocket. Budget around $108 per day for transportation, food, and a place to stay, plus a little extra for shopping or sightseeing.

9 nearly secret things to do if you fly Southwest

Palermo, Sicily

Italy is another highly coveted destination for retirees, but many cities are unattainably expensive and can be dangerous in dense tourist destinations.

Palermo, Sicily, though, is a wonderful middle ground between the two. While scammers, pickpockets, and other petty criminals abound like any other travel site, it’s largely safe as long as you’re vigilant. 

As for cost, it’s roughly $101 per day for accommodation, food, and transportation.

The Peloponnese, Greece

Another Mediterranean destination retirees love is Greece. However, scammers run rampant in popular tourist sites, which are generally very pricey.

The Peloponnese, though, is both safe and affordable. Any city in the region is a great idea. The cost per day in Nafplio is around $122, for example. 

While some political unease exists in Athens and other Grecian destinations, the Peloponnese is a laid-back, rural site safe for visitors.

Klagenfurt, Austria

Another gorgeous medieval European city is Klagenfurt, Austria, which is both safe and affordable for retirees.

Klagenfurt is a safe city, but be aware that it’s close to the local airport, so petty theft may be more significant than other destinations. As for cost, a two-week trip for two is around $4,000, which comes out to around $143 per day per person.

5 signs you're doing better financially than the average American

Riga, Latvia

Riga, Latvia, is a culture-rich European destination with lots of free or cheap things to enjoy as a retiree, including live music, local restaurants, museums and historical sites, and paddleboard tours.

The most significant risk in Riga is petty theft, like pickpocketing and scams. Scams usually involve being convinced to visit certain bars and then being grossly overcharged, so keep your wits about you.

Brasov, Romania

If you’re a fan of literature or history, visit Brasov, Romania — the home of Bran Castle, where Count Dracula's legend gained footing.

Not only is the city itself affordable to visit, but there are tons of free and inexpensive sightseeing options, like walking tours or cable cars that take you into the mountains. 

Again, pickpockets and scams are common but the only major source of crime, so be aware and alert.

Tbilisi, Georgia

Grab one of the best travel credit cards and head to the city of Tbilisi in Georgia. This is a wonderfully affordable travel option for retirees, with accommodations as low as $25 per night.

Tbilisi is also the largest city in, as well as the capital of, Georgia, making it a wonderfully busy place to sightsee. 

Even though it’s a popular tourist spot, it’s one of the safest cities not just in the country but on the continent. Common issues like pickpockets and scams are reported in very low numbers.

8 ways seniors are throwing away money

Bottom line

There’s no better time to travel Europe than during retirement. With essentially unlimited free time, you can enjoy your destination at a slow pace tailored to your wants and needs.

You can also avoid wasting money on pricier destinations without compromising your safety. There are plenty of destinations that fit a reasonable or even tight budget and are safe and welcoming to all visitors.

More from FinanceBuzz:

• 6 genius hacks Costco shoppers should know
• 9 things you must do before the next recession.
• Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out.
• 9 simple ways to make up to an extra $200/day

More for You

New guidelines uphold lifelong competency of surgeons

Choosing Types of Patio Doors: the Pros and Cons of These Popular Doors

2024 Emmy Predictions: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Best bookshelves for storing your favourite reads

Masters 2024: The one change that Augusta National will never make

How to age-proof your eyes and preserve your vision

House of Representatives holds off on Ukraine aid package − here’s why the US has a lot at stake in supporting Ukraine

DIY A Stunning Butler Pantry For Extra Kitchen Storage

Sepsis signature shifts speed of diagnosis

$1.46 million? $3 million? Financial experts say there’s no such thing as a single ‘magic’ retirement number

21 Projects That Will Actually Hurt Your Home’s Resale Value

Teen Psychosis Risk May Be Linked to Computer and Video Game Use

Robert Pattinson Confronts Robert Pattinson as Bong Joon Ho Debuts Wacky, Bold ‘Mickey 17' Trailer at CinemaCon

First-Quarter "Safe-Harbor" Quarterly IRS Estimated Tax Payments: Why and How to Make Them

18 Pet Products with Nearly Perfect Reviews on Amazon

Woman with rare syndrome left allergic to ‘everything’ except just four foods

Estimate The Cost Of Your Kitchen Countertops With These Simple Tips

Litman: Jack Smith's latest push to get Donald Trump's Jan. 6 trial moving before the election

What’s driving the youth mental health crisis? We asked 1,400 clinicians.

Researchers identify neurons responsible for key activity transition in brain development

Asia Chevron

Taiwan Chevron

Taiwan Earthquake: What to Know About Travel and How to Help

By Rachel Chang

The strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in almost 25 years shook the island of nearly 24 million people at 7:58 a.m. local time on Wednesday, causing buildings to crash, landmarks to crumble, and landslides to topple roadways and train tracks. As of press time, there are 10 reported deaths, as well as 1,099 people injured, 705 trapped, and 11 missing, according to an update from Taiwan’s Fire Agency posted Thursday morning.

While the US Geological Survey measured the quake at 7.4 on the Richter scale , Taiwan’s own monitoring agency clocked it at 7.2. The earthquake’s epicenter was about 11 miles southwest of Hualien City, the gateway to the popular Taroko National Park , which sees over 2 million visitors a year. With a population of about 101,000, the coastal city is around 100 miles southeast of the capital, Taipei.

The initial quake was followed by a series of aftershocks —some as strong as 6.4 and 5.7 —that have continued to rock the Hualien County region, which regularly experiences earthquakes. The area sits along seismic fault lines within the Ring of Fire, where most of the planet’s quakes occur. In 2018, a 2018 6.4-magnitude quake in the area killed 17 people, while a larger 7.7-magnitude quake killed 2,400 and injured about 1,000 in 1999.

While there had initially been a tsunami warning on Wednesday reaching as far as Japan and the Philippines, that alert has since been canceled. In many parts of the island, especially in and around the capital, schools, work, and businesses returned to normal quickly—including the high-speed rail and metro systems by the afternoon—much of it being credited to the island’s resilient infrastructure .

In fact, a US State Department spokesperson tells Condé Nast Traveler that there are no changes or updates to the current travel advisory for Taiwan, which remains as a Level 1 “Exercise Normal Precautions.”

“The current tourism environment and facilities in Taiwan remain safe and intact,” Yung-hui Chou, director-general of Taiwan Tourism Administration , said in a statement shared with Traveler. “International tourists are warmly welcomed to visit Taiwan without any concerns.”

However, in the eastern region, closer to the epicenter, rescue operations are still underway, as many people were reported trapped in the region’s tunnels and quarries, unable to get out because of blocked roadways. Among those were about 50 employees of Silks Place Taroko, a popular hotel located near Taroko National Park, who had been traveling in four buses, CNN reported .

Minimal disruptions for travelers

Despite the magnitude and devastation the earthquakes caused, travel in and out of Taiwan has remained rather status quo. A United Airlines spokesperson says there was “thankfully no impact” to its operations and that “all our people are safe."

Taiwanese carrier EVA Air also says the natural disaster hasn’t affected its current or future operations, and that all of its flights at Taoyuan International Airport remain on schedule. EVA Air’s domestic subsidiary UNI Air added extra flights to and from Hualien for residents and families, as well as for rescue workers and emergency supplies to be transported back and forth.

Taiwan's major airports, ports, and railways are all operating normally in major cities, according to the Taiwan Tourism Administration, which noted transit capabilities may vary by region, especially in the eastern mountainous area.

The railway in Hualien suffered “sustained significant damage,” says Ivy Yang, a Taipei-based travel consultant for My Taiwan Tour . Yang suggests travelers steer away from Hualien at this time due to dangerous road conditions and the numerous landslides on the coastline and in Taroko Gorge. Most hotels in Hualien will allow fee-free cancellations in light of the events, she says, with Silk Place Taroko being closed for several days. Otherwise, travel on Taiwan’s west coast remains safe, according to Yang, but those looking to travel around the island might have trouble between Hualien and Yilan.

A spokesperson for the tourism bureau’s New York office says the Taiwanese government is “actively arranging alternative options of transportation” in affected areas, reminding travelers “to stay informed about conditions in their specific destinations and adjust their plans accordingly.”

What to do if you have a future trip planned

For those with upcoming trips, the Taiwan Tourism Administration suggests keeping travel plans flexible while monitoring the situation and following the relevant advisories from authorities. “We believe most travel plans are expected to proceed smoothly,” the spokesperson for the administration says. “Travelers with plans to visit the eastern region of Taiwan are advised to remain vigilant and stay informed about the latest developments.”

Tour operator Intrepid Travel has canceled two upcoming Taiwan departures that were scheduled to start both this week and next week “to allow time for further safety assessments and to avoid the immediate risk of aftershocks,” the company’s president of the Americas Matt Berna tells Traveler. “Damage looks extensive in Hualien, but we are currently unaware of the full extent.” The company is working on rerouting its itinerary around Hualien for upcoming tours.

One of the biggest concerns is the potential of future aftershocks—some of which could be bigger than the original earthquake, according to Josh Dozor, a former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official and the current general manager of Medical and Security Assistance at the global risk mitigation company International SOS .

“If you do not need to travel, it is best to stay put,” Dozor says, advising those with travel plans to Hualien County to postpone their trip until at least April 5.

“It’s important to note that Taiwan is an island that experiences earthquakes on a relatively frequent basis,” he says. “The locals are typically equipped with the knowledge and experience of handling earthquakes, which may be why it seems people are continuing life as usual. However, for travelers who are inexperienced in these types of natural disasters, it’s important to remain vigilant and be prepared.”

How to help Taiwan's earthquake victims

When it comes to supporting Earthquake victims, Taiwan “kindly request[s] friends from around the globe to stay updated with the latest developments and keep us in your thoughts and prayers,” the tourism association spokesperson says.

However, those who would like to offer monetary support to Taiwan’s earthquake victims can consider donating to the following organizations.

Taiwan Foundation for Disaster Relief Per a Facebook post from Taiwan’s National Fire Agency Thursday morning, a disaster relief foundation that accepts public donations has been set up through the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Donations can be transferred using the bank details here or via this site and will be accepted for one month through May 3.

Taiwan’s Red Cross Society Just hours after the earthquake struck, the local Red Cross posted on X that their Hualien relief team and military units are “rapidly mobilizing to minimize the impact and provide assistance to those affected.” Donations can be made to the organization here .

Peace Winds America’s Taiwan Disaster Preparedness Initiative The Washington, DC based NGO Peace Winds America currently has a Taiwan Disaster Preparedness Initiative to “strengthen Taiwan’s domestic disaster preparedness, response, and ‘whole of society’ coordination,” among other goals. Learn more about the program and how to donate here .

Recommended

Mandarin Oriental, Taipei

Asia Travel Guide

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Watch CBS News

What time the 2024 solar eclipse started, reached peak totality and ended

By Sarah Maddox

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:04 AM EDT / CBS News

The 2024 solar eclipse will be visible across North America today. As the moon's position between the Earth and sun casts a shadow on North America, that shadow, or umbra, will travel along the surface from west to east at more than 1,500 miles per hour along the path of totality . 

That means the eclipse will start, peak and end at different times — as will the moments of total darkness along the path of totality — and the best time to view the eclipse depends on where you are located. Some places along the path will have more totality time than others.

In Texas, the south-central region had clouds in the forecast , but it was better to the northeast, according to the National Weather Service. The best eclipse viewing weather was expected in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, as well as in Canada's New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

What time does the 2024 total solar eclipse start?

The total solar eclipse will emerge over the South Pacific Ocean before the shadow falls across North America, beginning in parts of Mexico. The path of totality , where onlookers can witness the moon fully blocking the sun (through eclipse viewing glasses for safety ), is expected to first make landfall near the city of Mazatlán around 9:51 a.m. MT. 

The total solar eclipse will cross over the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas, where it will emerge over Eagle Pass at 12:10 p.m. CT and then peak at about 1:27 p.m. CT.

In Dallas, NASA data shows the partial eclipse will first become visible at 12:23 p.m. CT and peak at 1:40 p.m. CT. The next states in the path of totality are Oklahoma and Arkansas, where the eclipse begins in Little Rock at 12:33 p.m. CT. 

Cleveland will see the beginning of the eclipse at 1:59 p.m. ET. Darkness will start spreading over the sky in Buffalo, New York, at 2:04 p.m. ET. Then, the eclipse will reach northwestern Vermont, including Burlington, at 2:14 p.m. ET. Parts of New Hampshire and Maine will also follow in the path of totality before the eclipse first reaches the Canadian mainland  at 3:13 p.m. ET.

Although the experience won't be exactly the same, viewers in all the contiguous U.S. states outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial eclipse. Some places will see most of the sun blocked by the moon, including Washington, D.C., where the partial eclipse will start at 2:04 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:20 p.m. ET.

In Chicago, viewers can start viewing the partial eclipse at 12:51 p.m. CT, with the peak arriving at 2:07 p.m. CT.  In Detroit, viewers will be able to enjoy a near-total eclipse beginning at 1:58 p.m. ET and peaking at 3:14 p.m. ET.

New York City will also see a substantial partial eclipse, beginning at 2:10 p.m. ET and peaking around 3:25 p.m. ET.

In Boston it will begin at 2:16 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:29 p.m. ET.

The below table by NASA shows when the eclipse will start, peak and end in 13 cities along the eclipse's path.

What time will the solar eclipse reach peak totality?

Millions more people will have the chance to witness the total solar eclipse this year than during the last total solar eclipse , which was visible from the U.S. in 2017. 

The eclipse's peak will mean something different for cities within the path of totality and for those outside. Within the path of totality, darkness will fall for a few minutes. The longest will last more than 4 minutes, but most places will see between 3.5 and 4 minutes of totality. In cities experiencing a partial eclipse, a percentage of the sun will be obscured for more than two hours.

Mazatlán is set to experience totality at 11:07 am PT. Dallas will be able to see the moon fully cover the sun at 1:40 p.m. CT. Little Rock will start to see the full eclipse at 1:51 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 3:13 p.m. ET and Buffalo at 3:18 p.m. ET. Totality will reach Burlington at 3:26 p.m. ET before moving into the remaining states and reaching Canada around 4:25 p.m.

Outside the path of totality, 87.4% of the sun will be eclipsed in Washington, D.C. at 3:20 p.m. ET, and Chicago will have maximum coverage of 93.9% at 2:07 p.m. CT. New York City is much closer to the path of totality this year than it was in 2017; it will see 89.6% coverage at 3:25 p.m. EDT. 

Detroit is another city that will encounter a near-total eclipse, with 99.2% maximum coverage at 3:14 p.m. ET. Boston will see 92.4% coverage at 3:29 p.m. ET.

What time will the solar eclipse end?

The eclipse will leave continental North America from Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NT, according to NASA.

At the beginning of the path of totality in Mazatlán, the eclipse will be over by 12:32 p.m. PT, and it will leave Dallas at 3:02 p.m. CT. The eclipse will end in Little Rock at 3:11 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 4:29 p.m. CDT and Buffalo at 4:32 p.m. ET. Burlington won't be far behind, with the eclipse concluding at 4:37 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, the viewing will end in Chicago at 3:21 p.m. CT, Washington, D.C. at 4:32 p.m. ET, and New York City at 4:36 p.m. ET. 

In Detroit, the partial eclipse will disappear at 4:27 p.m. ET, and in Boston, it will be over at 4:39 p.m. ET.

How long will the eclipse last in total?

The total solar eclipse will begin in Mexico at 11:07 a.m. PT and leave continental North America at 5:16 p.m. NT. From the time the partial eclipse first appears on Earth to its final glimpses before disappearing thousands of miles away, the celestial show will dazzle viewers for about 5 hours, according to timeanddate.com . 

The length of the total solar eclipse at points along the path depends on the viewing location. The longest will be 4 minutes and 28 seconds, northwest of Torreón, Mexico. Near the center of the path, totality takes place for the longest periods of time, according to NASA.

Spectators will observe totality for much longer today than during the 2017 eclipse , when the longest stretch of totality was 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

The moon's shadow seen on Earth today, called the umbra, travels at more than 1,500 miles per hour, according to NASA. It would move even more quickly if the Earth rotated in the opposite direction.

What is the longest a solar eclipse has ever lasted?

The longest known totality was 7 minutes and 28 seconds in 743 B.C. However, NASA says this record will be broken in 2186 with a 7 minute, 29 second total solar eclipse. The next total solar eclipse visible from parts of the U.S. won't happen until Aug. 23, 2044.

Sarah Maddox has been with CBS News since 2019. She works as an associate producer for CBS News Live.

More from CBS News

Bill Nye shares tips for eclipse: "Be in the moment"

Inflation's rising again. Here are 3 smart accounts to open now.

EPA issues first-ever regulations for "forever chemicals" in drinking water

What if mortgage rates don't fall? 3 things buyers can do this spring

25 Questions (and Answers!) About the Great North American Eclipse

The McDonald Observatory’s guide to one of nature’s most beautiful and astounding events: What you might see, how to view it safely, how astronomers will study it, how animals might react, and some of the mythology and superstitions about the Sun’s great disappearing act.

1. What’s happening?

The Moon will cross directly between Earth and the Sun, temporarily blocking the Sun from view along a narrow path across Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Viewers across the rest of the United States will see a partial eclipse, with the Moon covering only part of the Sun’s disk.

2. When will it happen?

The eclipse takes place on April 8. It will get underway at 10:42 a.m. CDT, when the Moon’s shadow first touches Earth’s surface, creating a partial eclipse. The Big Show—totality—begins at about 11:39 a.m., over the south-central Pacific Ocean. The shadow will first touch North America an hour and a half later, on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Moving at more than 1,600 miles (2,575 km) per hour, the path of totality will enter the United States at Eagle Pass, Texas, at 1:27 p.m. CDT. The lunar shadow will exit the United States and enter the Canadian province of New Brunswick near Houlton, Maine, at 2:35 p.m. (3:35 p.m. EDT).

3. How long will totality last?

The exact timing depends on your location. The maximum length is 4 minutes, 27 seconds near Torreon, Mexico. In the United States, several towns in southwestern Texas will see 4 minutes, 24 seconds of totality. The closer a location is to the centerline of the path of totality, the longer the eclipse will last.

4. What will it look like?

Eclipse veterans say there’s nothing quite like a total solar eclipse. In the last moments before the Sun disappears behind the Moon, bits of sunlight filter through the lunar mountains and canyons, forming bright points of light known as Baily’s beads. The last of the beads provides a brief blaze known as a diamond ring effect. When it fades away, the sky turns dark and the corona comes into view— million-degree plasma expelled from the Sun’s surface. It forms silvery filaments that radiate away from the Sun. Solar prominences, which are fountains of gas from the surface, form smaller, redder streamers on the rim of the Sun’s disk.

5. What safety precautions do I need to take?

It’s perfectly safe to look at the total phase of the eclipse with your eyes alone. In fact, experts say it’s the best way to enjoy the spectacle. The corona, which surrounds the intervening Moon with silvery tendrils of light, is only about as bright as a full Moon.

During the partial phases of the eclipse, however, including the final moments before and first moments after totality, your eyes need protection from the Sun’s blinding light. Even a 99-percent-eclipsed Sun is thousands of times brighter than a full Moon, so even a tiny sliver of direct sunlight can be dangerous!

To stay safe, use commercially available eclipse viewers, which can look like eyeglasses or can be embedded in a flat sheet that you hold in front of your face. Make sure your viewer meets the proper safety standards, and inspect it before you use it to make sure there are no scratches to let in unfiltered sunlight.

You also can view the eclipse through a piece of welder’s glass (No. 14 or darker), or stand under a leafy tree and look at the ground; the gaps between leaves act as lenses, projecting a view of the eclipse on the ground. With an especially leafy tree you can see hundreds of images of the eclipse at once. (You can also use a colander or similar piece of gear to create the same effect.)

One final mode of eclipse watching is with a pinhole camera. You can make one by poking a small hole in an index card, file folder, or piece of stiff cardboard. Let the Sun shine through the hole onto the ground or a piece of paper, but don’t look at the Sun through the hole! The hole projects an image of the eclipsed Sun, allowing you to follow the entire sequence, from the moment of first contact through the Moon’s disappearance hours later.

6. Where can I see the eclipse?

In the United States, the path of totality will extend from Eagle Pass, Texas, to Houlton, Maine. It will cross 15 states: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Tennessee, and Michigan (although it barely nicks the last two).

In Texas, the eclipse will darken the sky over Austin, Waco, and Dallas—the most populous city in the path, where totality (the period when the Sun is totally eclipsed) will last 3 minutes, 51 seconds.

Other large cities along the path include Little Rock; Indianapolis; Dayton, Toledo, and Cleveland, Ohio; Erie, Pennsylvania; Buffalo and Rochester, New York; and Burlington, Vermont.

Outside the path of totality, American skywatchers will see a partial eclipse, in which the Sun covers only part of the Sun’s disk. The sky will grow dusky and the air will get cooler, but the partially eclipsed Sun is still too bright to look at without proper eye protection. The closer to the path of totality, the greater the extent of the eclipse. From Memphis and Nashville, for example, the Moon will cover more than 95 percent of the Sun’s disk. From Denver and Phoenix, it’s about 65 percent. And for the unlucky skywatchers in Seattle, far to the northwest of the eclipse centerline, it’s a meager 20 percent.

The total eclipse path also crosses Mexico, from the Pacific coast, at Mazatlán, to the Texas border. It also crosses a small portion of Canada, barely including Hamilton, Ontario. Eclipse Details for Locations Around the United States • aa.usno.navy.mil/data/Eclipse2024 • eclipse.aas.org • GreatAmericanEclipse.com

7. What causes solar eclipses?

These awe-inspiring spectacles are the result of a pleasant celestial coincidence: The Sun and Moon appear almost exactly the same size in Earth’s sky. The Sun is actually about 400 times wider than the Moon but it’s also about 400 times farther, so when the new Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun—an alignment known as syzygy—it can cover the Sun’s disk, blocking it from view.

8. Why don’t we see an eclipse at every new Moon?

The Moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted a bit with respect to the Sun’s path across the sky, known as the ecliptic. Because of that angle, the Moon passes north or south of the Sun most months, so there’s no eclipse. When the geometry is just right, however, the Moon casts its shadow on Earth’s surface, creating a solar eclipse. Not all eclipses are total. The Moon’s distance from Earth varies a bit, as does Earth’s distance from the Sun. If the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun when the Moon is at its farthest, we see an annular eclipse, in which a ring of sunlight encircles the Moon. Regardless of the distance, if the SunMoon-Earth alignment is off by a small amount, the Moon can cover only a portion of the Sun’s disk, creating a partial eclipse.

9. How often do solar eclipses happen?

Earth sees as least two solar eclipses per year, and, rarely, as many as five. Only three eclipses per two years are total. In addition, total eclipses are visible only along narrow paths. According to Belgian astronomer Jean Meuss, who specializes in calculating such things, any given place on Earth will see a total solar eclipse, on average, once every 375 years. That number is averaged over many centuries, so the exact gap varies. It might be centuries between succeeding eclipses, or it might be only a few years. A small region of Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky, close to the southeast of St. Louis, for example, saw the total eclipse of 2017 and will experience this year’s eclipse as well. Overall, though, you don’t want to wait for a total eclipse to come to you. If you have a chance to travel to an eclipse path, take it!

10. What is the limit for the length of totality?

Astronomers have calculated the length of totality for eclipses thousands of years into the future. Their calculations show that the greatest extent of totality will come during the eclipse of July 16, 2186, at 7 minutes, 29 seconds, in the Atlantic Ocean, near the coast of South America. The eclipse will occur when the Moon is near its closest point to Earth, so it appears largest in the sky, and Earth is near its farthest point from the Sun, so the Sun appears smaller than average. That eclipse, by the way, belongs to the same Saros cycle as this year’s.

11. When will the next total eclipse be seen from the United States?

The next total eclipse visible from anywhere in the United States will take place on March 30, 2033, across Alaska. On August 22, 2044, a total eclipse will be visible across parts of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The next eclipse to cross the entire country will take place on August 12, 2045, streaking from northern California to southern Florida. Here are the other total solar eclipses visible from the contiguous U.S. this century:

March 30, 2052 Florida, Georgia, tip of South Carolina May 11, 2078 From Louisiana to North Carolina May 1, 2079 From Philadelphia up the Atlantic coast to Maine September 14, 2099 From North Dakota to the Virginia-North Carolina border

12. What is the origin of the word ‘eclipse?’

The word first appeared in English writings in the late 13th century. It traces its roots, however, to the Greek words “ecleipsis” or “ekleipein.” According to various sources, the meaning was “to leave out, fail to appear,” “a failing, forsaking,” or “abandon, cease, die.”

13. Do solar eclipses follow any kind of pattern?

The Moon goes through several cycles. The best known is its 29.5-day cycle of phases, from new through full and back again. Other cycles include its distance from Earth (which varies by about 30,000 miles (50,000 km) over 27.5 days) and its relationship to the Sun’s path across the sky, known as the ecliptic (27.2 days), among others. These three cycles overlap every 6,585.3 days, which is 18 years, 11 days, and 8 hours.

This cycle of cycles is known as a Saros (a word created by Babylonians). The circumstances for each succeeding eclipse in a Saros are similar—the Moon is about the same distance from Earth, for example, and they occur at the same time of year. Each eclipse occurs one-third of the way around Earth from the previous one, however; the next eclipse in this Saros, for example, will be visible from parts of the Pacific Ocean.

Each Saros begins with a partial eclipse. A portion of the Moon just nips the northern edge of the Sun, for example, blocking only a fraction of the Sun’s light. With each succeeding eclipse in the cycle, the Moon covers a larger fraction of the solar disk, eventually creating dozens of total eclipses. The Moon then slides out of alignment again, this time in the opposite direction, creating more partial eclipses. The series ends with a grazing partial eclipse on the opposite hemisphere (the southern tip, for example).

Several Saros cycles churn along simultaneously (40 are active now), so Earth doesn’t have to wait 18 years between eclipses. They can occur at intervals of one, five, six, or seven months.

The April 8 eclipse is the 30th of Saros 139, a series of 71 events that began with a partial eclipse, in the far north, and will end with another partial eclipse, this time in the far southern hemisphere. The next eclipse in this Saros, also total, will take place on April 20, 2042.

First eclipse May 17, 1501

First total eclipse December 21, 1843

Final total eclipse March 26, 2601

Longest total eclipse July 16, 2186,  7 minutes, 29 seconds

Final partial eclipse July 3, 2763

All eclipses 71 (43 total, 16 partial, 12 hybrid)

Source: NASA Catalog of Solar Eclipses: eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEsaros/SEsaros139.html

14. What about eclipse seasons?

Eclipses occur in “seasons,” with two or three eclipses (lunar and solar) in a period of about five weeks. Individual eclipses are separated by two weeks: a lunar eclipse at full Moon, a solar eclipse at new Moon (the sequence can occur in either order). If the first eclipse in a season occurs during the first few days of the window, then the season will have three eclipses. When one eclipse in the season is poor, the other usually is much better.

That’s certainly the case with the season that includes the April 8 eclipse. It begins with a penumbral lunar eclipse on the night of March 24, in which the Moon will pass through Earth’s outer shadow. The eclipse will cover the Americas, although the shadow is so faint that most skywatchers won’t notice it.

This article was previously published in the March/April 2024 issue of StarDate  magazine, a publication of The University of Texas at Austin’s McDonald Observatory. Catch StarDate’s daily radio program on more than 300 stations nationwide or subscribe online at  stardate.org .

15. How can astronomers forecast eclipses so accurately?

They’ve been recording eclipses and the motions of the Moon for millennia. And over the past half century they’ve been bouncing laser beams off of special reflectors carried to the Moon by Apollo astronauts and Soviet rovers. Those observations reveal the Moon’s position to within a fraction of an inch. Using a combination of the Earth-Moon distance, the Moon’s precise shape, Earth’s rotation and its distance from the Sun, and other factors, astronomers can predict the timing of an eclipse to within a fraction of a second many centuries into the future.

Edmond Halley made the first confirmed solar eclipse prediction, using the laws of gravity devised only a few decades earlier by Isaac Newton. Halley forecast that an eclipse would cross England on May 3, 1715. He missed the timing by just four minutes and the path by 20 miles, so the eclipse is known as Halley’s Eclipse.

16. What are the types of solar eclipses?

Total : the Moon completely covers the Sun.

Annular : the Moon is too far away to completely cover the Sun, leaving a bright ring of sunlight around it.

Partial : the Moon covers only part of the Sun’s disk.

Hybrid : an eclipse that is annular at its beginning and end, but total at its peak.

17. What are Baily’s beads?

During the minute or two before or after totality, bits of the Sun shine through canyons and other features on the limb of the Moon, producing “beads” of sunlight. They were first recorded and explained by Edmond Halley, in 1715. During a presentation to the Royal Academy of Sciences more than a century later, however, astronomer Frances Baily first described them as “a string of beads,” so they’ve been known as Baily’s beads ever since. Please note that Baily’s beads are too bright to look at without eye protection!

18. Will Earth always see total solar eclipses?

No, it will not. The Moon is moving away from Earth at about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) per year. Based on that rate of recession, in about 600 million years the Moon would have moved so far from Earth that it would no longer appear large enough to cover the Sun. The speed at which the Moon separates from Earth changes over the eons, however, so scientists aren’t sure just when Earth will see its final total solar eclipse.

19. How will the eclipse affect solar power?

If your solar-powered house is in or near the path of totality, the lights truly will go out, as they do at night. For large power grids, the eclipse will temporarily reduce the total amount of electricity contributed by solar generation. During the October 14, 2023, annular eclipse, available solar power plummeted in California and Texas. At the same time, demand increased as individual Sun-powered homes and other buildings began drawing electricity from the power grid. Both networks were able to compensate with stations powered by natural gas and other sources.

The power drop during this year’s eclipse could be more dramatic because there will be less sunlight at the peak of the eclipse.

20. What are some of the myths and superstitions associated with solar eclipses?

Most ancient cultures created stories to explain the Sun’s mysterious and terrifying disappearances.

In China and elsewhere, it was thought the Sun was being devoured by a dragon. Other cultures blamed a hungry frog (Vietnam), a giant wolf loosed by the god Loki (Scandinavia), or the severed head of a monster (India). Still others saw an eclipse as a quarrel (or a reunion) between Sun and Moon. Some peoples shot flaming arrows into the sky to scare away the monster or to rekindle the solar fire. One especially intriguing story, from Transylvania, said that an eclipse occurred when the Sun covered her face in disgust at bad human behavior.

Eclipses have been seen as omens of evil deeds to come. In August 1133, King Henry I left England for Normandy one day before a lengthy solar eclipse, bringing prophesies of doom. The country later was plunged into civil war, and Henry died before he could return home, strengthening the impression that solar eclipses were bad mojo.

Ancient superstitions claimed that eclipses could cause plague and other maladies. Modern superstitions say that food prepared during an eclipse is poison and that an eclipse will damage the babies of pregnant women who look at it. None of that is true, of course. There’s nothing at all to fear from this beautiful natural event.

21. How do animals react to solar eclipses?

Scientists haven’t studied the topic very thoroughly, but they do have some general conclusions. Many daytime animals start their evening rituals, while many nighttime animals wake up when the eclipse is over, perhaps cursing their alarm clocks for letting them sleep so late!

During the 2017 total eclipse, scientists observed 17 species at Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina. About three-quarters of the species showed some response as the sky darkened. Some animals acted nervous, while others simply headed for bed. A species of gibbon had the most unusual reaction, moving excitedly and chattering in ways the zookeepers hadn’t seen before.

Other studies have reported that bats and owls sometimes come out during totality, hippos move toward their nighttime feeding grounds, and spiders tear down their webs, only to rebuild them when the Sun returns. Bees have been seen to return to their hives during totality and not budge until the next day, crickets begin their evening chorus, and, unfortunately, mosquitoes emerge, ready to dine on unsuspecting eclipse watchers.

A NASA project, Eclipse Soundscapes, is using volunteers around the country to learn more about how animals react to the changes. The project collected audio recordings and observations by participants during the annular eclipse last year, and will repeat the observations this year. Volunteers can sign up at eclipsesoundscapes.org

22. How will scientists study this year’s eclipse?

Astronomers don’t pay quite as much professional attention to solar eclipses as they did in decades and centuries past. However, they still schedule special observations to add to their knowledge of the Sun and especially the inner edge of the corona.

Sun-watching satellites create artificial eclipses by placing a small disk across the face of the Sun, blocking the Sun’s disk and revealing the corona, solar prominences, and big explosions of charged particles known as coronal mass ejections.

Because of the way light travels around the edges of an eclipsing disk, however, it’s difficult to observe the region just above the Sun’s visible surface, which is where much of the action takes place. The corona is heated to millions of degrees there, and the constant flow of particles known as the solar wind is accelerated to a million miles per hour or faster, so solar astronomers really want to see that region in detail. The eclipsing Moon doesn’t create the same effects around the limb of the Sun, so a solar eclipse still provides the best way to look close to the Sun’s surface.

For this year’s eclipse, some scientists will repeat a series of experiments they conducted in 2017 using a pair of highaltitude WB-57 aircraft to “tag team” through the lunar shadow, providing several extra minutes of observations.

Other scientists will use the eclipse to study Earth’s ionosphere, an electrically charged layer of the atmosphere that “bends” radio waves, allowing them to travel thousands of miles around the planet. Sunlight rips apart atoms and molecules during the day, intensifying the charge. At night, the atoms and molecules recombine, reducing the charge.

Physicists want to understand how the ionosphere reacts to the temporary loss of sunlight during an eclipse. They will do so with the help of thousands of volunteer ham radio operators, who will exchange messages with others around the planet. During last October’s annular eclipse, when the Moon covered most but not all of the Sun, the experiment showed a large and immediate change in the ionosphere as the sunlight dimmed.

NASA also will launch three small “sounding” rockets, which loft instruments into space for a few minutes, to probe the ionosphere shortly before, during, and shortly after the eclipse.

Another project will use radar to study changes in the interactions between the solar wind and Earth’s atmosphere, while yet another will use a radio telescope to map sunspots and surrounding regions as the Moon passes across them.

One project will piece together images of the eclipse snapped through more than 40 identical telescopes spaced along the path of totality to create a one-hour movie of the eclipse. The telescopes will be equipped with instruments that see the three-dimensional structure of the corona, allowing solar scientists to plot how the corona changes.

23. What have astronomers learned from eclipses?

Solar eclipses have been powerful tools for studying the Sun, the layout of the solar system, and the physics of the universe.

Until the Space Age, astronomers could see the Sun’s corona only during eclipses, so they traveled around the world to catch these brief glimpses of it.

Eclipses also offered a chance to refine the scale of the solar system. Watching an eclipse from different spots on Earth and comparing the angles of the Moon and Sun helped reveal the relative sizes and distances of both bodies, which were important steps in understanding their true distances.

During an eclipse in 1868, two astronomers discovered a new element in the corona. It was named helium, after Helios, a Greek name for the Sun. The element wasn’t discovered on Earth until a quarter of a century later.

An eclipse in 1919 helped confirm General Relativity, which was Albert Einstein’s theory of gravity. The theory predicted that the gravity of a massive body should deflect the path of light rays flying near its surface. During the eclipse, astronomers found that the positions of background stars that appeared near the Sun were shifted by a tiny amount, which was in perfect agreement with Einstein’s equations.

Today, astronomers are using records of eclipses dating back thousands of years to measure changes in Earth’s rotation rate and the distance to the Moon.

24. How did astronomers study eclipses in the past?

With great effort! From the time they could accurately predict when and where solar eclipses would be visible, they organized expeditions that took them to every continent except Antarctica, on trips that lasted months and that sometimes were spoiled by clouds or problems both technical and human.

During the American Revolution, for example, a group of Harvard scientists led by Samuel Williams received safe passage from the British army to view an eclipse from Penobscot Bay, Maine, on October 21, 1780. Williams slightly miscalculated the eclipse path, though, so the group missed totality by a few miles. (The expedition did make some useful observations, however.)

In 1860, an expedition headed by Simon Newcomb, one of America’s top astronomers, journeyed up the Saskatchewan River, hundreds of miles from the nearest city, braving rapids, mosquitoes, and bad weather. After five grueling weeks, they had to stop short of their planned viewing site, although at a location still inside the eclipse path. Clouds covered the Sun until almost the end of totality, however, so the expedition came up empty.

King Mongkut of Siam invited a French expedition and hundreds of other dignitaries to view an eclipse from present-day Thailand in 1868. He built an observatory and a large compound to house his guests at a site Mongkut himself had selected as the best viewing spot. The eclipse came off perfectly, but many visitors contracted malaria. So did Mongkut, who died a few weeks later.

An expedition in 1914, to Russia, was plagued by both clouds and the start of World War I. The team abandoned its instruments at a Russian observatory and escaped through Scandinavia.

The eclipse of July 29, 1878, offered fewer impediments. In fact, it was a scientific and social extravaganza. The eclipse path stretched from Montana Territory to Texas. Teams of astronomers from the United States and Europe spread out along the path. Thomas Edison stationed his group in Wyoming, where he used a tasimeter, a device of his own creation, to try to measure the temperature of the corona. Samuel Pierpoint Langley, a future secretary of the Smithsonian, was atop Pikes Peak in Colorado. Maria Mitchell, perhaps America’s leading female scientist, decamped to Denver. And Asaph Hall, who had discovered the moons of Mars just the year before, journeyed to the flatlands of eastern Colorado.

Thousands of average Americans joined the festivities, paying outrageous prices for some of the best viewing spots. Some things, it seems, never change.

25. What about lunar eclipses?

While solar eclipses happen during new Moon, lunar eclipses occur when the Moon is full, so it aligns opposite the Sun in our sky. The Moon passes through Earth’s shadow. In a total eclipse, the entire lunar disk turns orange or red. In a partial eclipse, Earth’s inner shadow covers only a portion of the Moon. And during a penumbral eclipse, the Moon passes through the outer portion of Earth’s shadow, darkening the Moon so little that most people don’t even notice it.

Lunar eclipses happen as often as solar eclipses—at least twice per year. This is a poor year for lunar eclipses, however. There is a penumbral eclipse on the night of March 24, with the Moon slipping through Earth’s faint outer shadow, and a partial eclipse on the night of September 17, in which the Moon barely dips into the darker inner shadow. Both eclipses will be visible from most of the United States.

Explore Latest Articles

Apr 10, 2024

Clint Dawson and Stephen Vladeck Honored With President’s Research Impact Award

Apr 09, 2024

UT’s Excellence and Impact On Display in Latest Graduate School Rankings

Apr 05, 2024

A UTotal Solar Eclipse

Solar eclipse 2024: Photos from the path of totality and elsewhere in the U.S.

Images show the Great American Eclipse, seen by tens of millions of people in parts of Mexico, 15 U.S. states and eastern Canada for the first time since 2017.

Millions gathered across North America on Monday to bask in the glory of the Great American Eclipse — the moment when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. 

The path of totality measures more than 100 miles wide and will first be visible on Mexico’s Pacific coast before moving northeast through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and upward toward New York, New Hampshire and Maine, then on to Canada.

Total solar eclipse 2024 highlights: Live coverage, videos and more

During the cosmic spectacle, the moon’s movements will temporarily block the sun’s light, creating minutes of darkness, and will make the sun's outer atmosphere, or the corona, visible as a glowing halo.

Here are moments of the celestial activities across the country:

Breaking News Reporter

Elise Wrabetz is a Senior Photo Editor for NBC News digital

Chelsea Stahl is the art director for NBC News Digital

More From Forbes

15 affordable places to travel in 2024, ranked in a new report.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Want to take an affordable vacation in 2024? You’ve come to the right place. Although travel costs are on the rise this year ( up 3.1% ), it’s still possible to save money in 2024—if you know where to go.

A new travel report from the U.K.’s Post Office —a British-based mail and financial services company — has just unveiled some of the most budget-friendly destinations for 2024. And although the annual report is aimed at U.K. travelers, it’s a helpful list for Americans, too.

By analyzing currency strengths, local prices and essential tourist expenses in 40 popular vacation destinations around the globe, the Holiday Money Report 2024 highlights some of the cheapest places to travel. The report ranks the destinations based on a barometer that takes the local price of eight tourist essentials into consideration—including coffee, beer, cola, wine, water, sunscreen, insect repellent and a three-course meal. And while the report doesn’t include factors like hotels and airfare, it helps give a good sense of where your dollars will stretch the furthest.

This is the 18th year that the Post Office has done this report. And the good news: Prices have fallen since last year in 25 spots on the list. (A note that the original report included prices in pounds sterling, which have been converted into dollars here, using the exchange rate on the date of publication of 1.26.)

An aerial view of Hoi An, Vietnam, the most affordable destination to travel in 2024, according to a ... [+] new report.

Leading the list as the cheapest place to travel right now is Hoi An, Vietnam. According to the Post Office report, a total estimated cost of just $64.51 a day for the travel essentials makes this charming gem the ultimate bang-for-your-buck destination that won’t break the bank. Located on the central coast of Vietnam, Hoi An entices visitors with its UNESCO -recognized Ancient Town, a picturesque spot where lantern-lit streets lead to quaint shops and street food stalls. It is also convenient to stunning white-sand beaches—some of the most beautiful in Asia .

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024.

Following closely behind in the second spot is Cape Town, South Africa, where an outlay of $68.48 a day for the essentials promises an unforgettable experience against the backdrop of Table Mountain and pristine coastlines. Here, you can dive into the vibrant culture and indulge in world-class dining (a three-course meal for two people averages less than $44.140) without denting your travel fund.

The coastline of Mombasa, Kenya, with a pair of camels on Diani Beach.

Mombasa, Kenya takes the third spot on the list. This beachfront destination on the east coast of Africa beckons with its white-sand shores, vibrant markets and rich Swahili heritage, offering an immersive experience for travelers seeking both relaxation and cultural exploration.

In a surprising twist, Tokyo, Japan—a bustling metropolis where tradition meets modernity—secures the fourth spot on the list. According to the Post Office, just $74.43 a day is needed for essential tourist purchases. Helping drive this ranking was the cost of a glass of wine (an average of only $4.56) and a bottle of water (averaging 77¢).

The cliffs of the Algarve overlooking the Atlantic Ocean above the Benagil cave in Lagoa, Portug.a

Rounding out the top five is the Algarve in Portugal, which combines culture, history and natural beauty at a fraction of the cost compared to previous years. With its sun-drenched beaches, charming villages and delectable seafood, the Algarve offers an idyllic escape for travelers seeking an affordable yet enriching getaway.

Here are top 15 best-value spots from the 2024 report. You can also download the full Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer for more locations and more details.

Overlooking a pristine beach in Hoi An, Vietnam.

• Hoi An, Vietnam - $64.51
• Cape Town, South Africa - $68.48
• Mombasa, Kenya - $69.96
• Tokyo, Japan - $74.43
• Algarve, Portugal - $75.33
• Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt - $77.36
• Sunny Beach, Bulgaria - $79.73
• Kuta, Bali, Indonesia - $79.79
• Marmaris, Turkey - $83.27
• Paphos, Cyprus - $92.49
• Penang, Malaysia - $93.98
• Phuket, Thailand - $97.97
• Delhi, India - $98.05
• Costa del Sol, Spain - $102.67
• Montego Bay, Jamaica - $109.76

MORE FROM FORBES

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions