Is Moscow safe?
The US State Department advises against all travel to Russia. Street crime is moderate and central areas are policed heavily. The real risks for foreigners are detention, drone attacks, terrorism and harsh speech laws, with little consular help.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 2/5, high risk.
- US travel advisory: Level 4: Do not travel, updated 2025-12-28.
- Homicide rate in Russia: 6.8 per 100,000 people (2021, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Russia: 12.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 102 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 101 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Moscow at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 2/5 · High risk |
| Crime | Pickpocketing in the metro and tourist areas, fake police document checks and overcharging by unlicensed taxis. |
| At night | Central metro stations and streets stay busy and well lit until the metro closes around 1 am. Use Yandex Go after that. |
| Solo women | Fine in daylight; harassment is moderate. Avoid drinking with strangers and use app taxis at night. |
| Other risks | Airport closures from drone attacks; Icy pavements Dec–Mar; Reckless drivers at crossings |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake plain-clothes police demanding to see your wallet; insist on ID at a station
- Unlicensed airport taxis charging several times the app price
- Dating-app dates ending in bars with huge bills
Take care
- Drone alerts: Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo often close for hours
- Large crowds and transit hubs: terrorism warnings apply
- Political topics: sharing opinions about the war is prosecuted
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Criticising the army or sharing 'fake' war news, including social posts, can mean up to 15 years.
- Rainbow flags and LGBT symbols are treated as 'extremist' symbols.
- Carry your original passport, migration card and registration; copies aren't accepted.
How Moscow compares in Russia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Moscow | 2/5 · High risk |
| Saint Petersburg | 2/5 · High risk |
| Kazan | 2/5 · High risk |
| Sochi | 2/5 · High risk |
| Kaliningrad | 2/5 · High risk |
| Irkutsk | 2/5 · High risk |
| Yekaterinburg | 2/5 · High risk |
| Vladivostok | 2/5 · High risk |
| Murmansk | 2/5 · High risk |
| Novosibirsk | 2/5 · High risk |
| Nizhny Novgorod | 2/5 · High risk |
| Olkhon Island | 2/5 · High risk |
| Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky | 2/5 · High risk |
Quick answers
Is Moscow safe for solo female travelers?
Fine in daylight; harassment is moderate. Avoid drinking with strangers and use app taxis at night.
Is Moscow safe at night?
Central metro stations and streets stay busy and well lit until the metro closes around 1 am. Use Yandex Go after that.
What is the crime rate in Moscow?
Pickpocketing in the metro and tourist areas, fake police document checks and overcharging by unlicensed taxis. Nationally, Russia records 6.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2021).
What number do I call in an emergency in Moscow?
Police 102 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 101 · All emergencies 112.
More about Moscow
Going to Moscow solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Moscow meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Moscow Metro
- Sheremetyevo Airport
- Domodedovo Airport
- Aeroexpress
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.