Is London Safe for Solo Female Travellers? 10 Safety Tips

I often get asked “is London safe to visit” and “how can I be safe in London”. If you’re worried about London safety, look not further!

I first traveled to London many years ago and if I’m being honest, it’s become one of my favorite destinations.

You may be wondering how you can safely travel in London as a solo female traveler. I’ll give you a list of tried and true suggestions. These London safety tips will ensure you have a safe and fun adventure.

Read on to find out more!

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Quick Facts about London for Travellers

Before we get into the list, I’ll share some facts you might be interested to know.

The number of people living in London has grown substantially even surpassing New York City with a whopping population of nearly 9.5 million! (New York City is home to nearly 8.5 million inhabitants).

If, like me, you’re coming from New York City, you’ll need to survive a long-haul flight that is over 7 hours.

London is a very popular destination and often sees around 30 million visitors annually. While it’s no surprise to me, the country that visits London the most is…you guessed is, the United States!

London is actually the capital of England and they utilize the pound as their form of currency. If you’re from the U.S. like myself, the exchange rate is currently (as of October 2021) one pound to one dollar and thirty seven cents (£1 to $1.37 USD). 

In regards to the best time to travel, typically most people recommend the spring months of March to May. However I traveled in the summer and winter months, and had a lovely time during both seasons.

Popular tourist attractions that you would love when visiting London include Big Ben, Camden Market, Trafalgar Square, and the London Eye to name a few. You should include these things to do in London on your trip.

Famous dishes that London is known for are fish and chips (chips are actually french fries in England), English breakfast (which includes eggs, beans, tomatoes, toast, and sausage), and of course afternoon tea. 

Out of the attractions mentioned above, some of my favorites included eating fish & chips at Poppies, sampling a typical British breakfast at Regency Cafe, having afternoon tea at the Wallace Collection Restaurant, and checking out the art, graffiti, and nightlife scene at Camden Market.

Now that you know a little more about London, let’s get started with how you can maintain your safety when you visit!

London Safe Areas for Visitors

London has many safe areas you can visit once you arrive.

The list of areas that are safe include: Bromley, Richmond upon Thames, Havering, Notting Hill, and Bexley although there are plenty more not included in this list. 

I want to take this time to quickly discuss two of the areas mentioned above: Notting Hill and Richmond upon Thames. You may have heard of Notting Hill previously and if you haven’t, no worries. Notting Hill is known for its beautiful colored homes, markets, theater, and restaurants. It’s also home to a widely celebrated Caribbean festival. 

Richmond upon Thames is unique in that it’s London’s only borough on both sides of the River Thames. It’s been voted as one of London’s happiest places to live. I can understand why it’s been given this title, since Richmond offers lush greenery and breathtaking views.

Although the aforementioned areas are considered safe, it’s important to remember that “safe” is relative. It goes without saying to always keep your wits about you wherever you are, especially in a big city like London.

Areas to Avoid in London

It’s no surprise that a big city will more than likely have areas you want to avoid finding yourself in.

A few areas that you may not want to visit include: Camden (not to be confused with Camden Market that I mentioned earlier), Enfield, Ealing, Kensington, Chelsea, Hackney, and Croydon to name a few. 

According to statistics, Croydon by far is the most dangerous borough in London with the highest reported crime being violence, followed by theft and vehicle offenses. 

Although the other areas mentioned are dangerous for reasons such as theft, violence, and sexual assault; it’s important to note that London is still relatively safe to travel in and considered one of the safest cities in Europe.

How to Seek Help in London 

Now that you know areas you should avoid in London, let’s discuss what you should do in the event you need help.

The name of the police force in London is the The Met Police and they are available 24/7 throughout the year. If you need emergency services while in London dial 112 or 999. 

I would also suggest ensuring you have purchased travel insurance prior to traveling in case of an emergency. Although U.K. residents can access free healthcare through National Health Services (NHS), overseas travelers aren’t so lucky and have to pay.

Travel Tips While Exploring Tourist Attractions

A big part of my visit to London included visiting the tourist attractions.

This brings me to my first tip: While you may be excited to visit these attractions, please watch out for possible pickpockets and hold on tight to your belongings.

The last thing you want is for your items to be stolen on vacation. You can always utilize a fanny pack or scarf with hidden pockets to store your items.

Before sightseeing you may be wondering where to stay safely in London.

When looking for a safe location, I recommend a hotel located close to Oxford and the West End. It’s central and close to the bus if you’re commuting like a local. This is a great safety tip so you are somewhere safe, especially when returning to your accommodation at night.

How to Travel Safely While Commuting in London

One thing I love about visiting London is how easy it is to commute. If you decide to use public transportation, I’d suggest purchasing an Oyster card which is similar to a Metrocard in New York City or a Presto Card in Toronto. 

An Oyster card can be utilized on both the bus and tube (train), and it’s economically cheaper than buying single ticket or Day Travelcards.

A feature that I love about the Oyster card is that daily capping is offered which means you can travel as much as you need to, and the cost will be capped for the day.

You can also use your Oyster card for entertainment purposes as well.

If you’re going to commute in London whether in the day or at night, make sure you’re aware of your surroundings.

If you’re using headphones it is best to keep your music volume low, though I would suggest taking them off completely especially if you’re alone.

If you plan on driving, keep in mind that in London you will be driving on the left side of the road. If you’re an American like me, this is a big change.

My fourth safety tip is to make sure you download a travel app such as Google maps to help you safely navigate whichever travel method you decide to use.

In addition to the travel methods I mentioned earlier, if you plan on taking a cab make sure the cab is registered and not unmarked. In London, black cabs are typically used. You should always ask for pricing upfront and google the typical cost between destinations. This is a safety tip many pros forget!

If you’re going to use Uber, make sure you check the license plate and ask the driver’s name prior to departure.

When traveling alone, it’s important that someone you can trust is aware of where you are at all times. This is my sixth tip: when traveling solo, make sure that someone back home has a copy of your itinerary. This will ensure that you can be traced back

wherever you go.

Make Copies of Important Documents While Traveling

Speaking of copies, my seventh tip is to make sure you make copies of important documents such as your passport and ID. If you lose or have these items stolen, a copy will come in handy for the U.S. Embassy or the embassy for your respective country of origin.

This is a must-know tip to travel safely, even if you aren’t going solo.

Tips on How to Travel Safely in London at Night

London has a phenomenal night life worth exploring and it would be a shame to miss out.

If you decide to venture out alone you should keep these tips in mind:

• If you’re going to have a drink make sure you watch it at ALL times, and limit your alcohol intake. Never leave your drink unattended or drink to the point where you’re incoherent.

• If you plan on being out in the evening, my best advice is to exercise caution and stay in areas that are active with plenty of people. Avoid walking in secluded areas alone.

My last safety tip for London is to make sure you are confident and utilize your intuition.

Traveling alone is a very brave thing to do and we can often feel when something is wrong.

Pay close attention to this feeling and do NOT ignore it. Your intuition may be the very thing that saves your life.

Travel Insurance

No one wants things to go wrong on their trip, but sometimes accidents happen – as you can tell from these scary vacation stories.

When things don’t go to plan, have Safety Wing on your side. You don’t need the added stress of dealing with medical bills, lost luggage, or delayed flights when things are going awry. You need a travel insurance provider you can trust to get you through the stress and be accessible 24/7.

Whether you need short-term, long-term or budget-friendly coverage, Safety Wing has your back.

I’ve always been able to rely on them when I’m sick abroad, have had flight cancellations, or had something lost/stolen (these things do happen!). They’ve made me feel so much safer as a woman travelling alone.

👉 Find out how much it costs to protect your trip today with Safety Wing travel insurance.

Final Thoughts on Traveling Safely Solo in London

While it’s normal to have fear or hesitation, it’s important to note that there is crime everywhere and as long as you take the necessary precautions, that shouldn’t deter you from exploring and seeing the world. London especially is an incredible city to visit. You’ll really miss out if you let fear control you.

Never limit yourself, and don’t be afraid to embark on your journey alone. You will not only feel accomplished but invigorated.

I hope you feel empowered to take the leap into travel with my london safety tips.

So what are you waiting for? Book your trip to London!

👉 Find out how much it costs to protect your trip today with Safety Wing travel insurance.

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