City in Murmansk Oblast, Russia
Is Murmansk safe?
The US State Department advises against all travel to Russia.
Is Murmansk safe?
The US State Department advises against all travel to Russia. Calm for Russia, but the region hosts military sites and has faced drone threats. Foreigners face detention, and cold and aurora trips need preparation. Consular help is limited.
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 Murmansk at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 2/5 · High risk |
| Crime | Low street crime; some drunkenness and petty theft at night. Winter driving and blizzards cause more problems than crime. |
| At night | The center is quiet at night; winter dark means few people are out. Use Yandex Go. |
| Solo women | Comfortable in the center; use app taxis at night and dress for the cold. |
| Other risks | Frostbite below -20°C; Blizzards cutting road access; Drone alerts |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Aurora tour sellers quoting inflated prices or fake locations
- Unlicensed taxis overcharge near the station
- Fake police ID checks demanding cash
Take care
- Military areas and ports: photography is restricted
- Blizzards on the Teriberka road
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 Murmansk 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 Murmansk safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable in the center; use app taxis at night and dress for the cold.
Is Murmansk safe at night?
The center is quiet at night; winter dark means few people are out. Use Yandex Go.
What is the crime rate in Murmansk?
Low street crime; some drunkenness and petty theft at night. Winter driving and blizzards cause more problems than crime. Nationally, Russia records 6.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2021).
What number do I call in an emergency in Murmansk?
Police 102 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 101 · All emergencies 112.
More about Murmansk
Going to Murmansk solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- 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.