Capital city in Ontario, Canada
Is Ottawa safe?
Very safe for a capital; violent crime against visitors is rare.
Is Ottawa safe?
Very safe for a capital; violent crime against visitors is rare. Petty theft and some downtown disorder near Rideau and ByWard Market late at night.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-06-10.
- Homicide rate in Canada: 2.0 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Canada: 5.3 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Ottawa at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Bike and car break-ins, phone theft in crowds and bars, and occasional fights around ByWard Market at closing. |
| At night | Bars close at 2 am; the O-Train stops about midnight. Use Uber or a taxi late. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women. Normal city precautions; use rideshare late and watch drinks in bars. |
| Other risks | Ice on sidewalks in winter; Extreme cold below -25°C; Summer thunderstorms and heat waves |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake charity collectors asking for card details
- Rental listings asking for deposits before viewing
Take care
- ByWard Market after 2 am: fights, intoxication
- Some Vanier and Lowertown side streets at night
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Cannabis is legal domestically, but carrying it across the international border is a serious crime.
- Drinking age is 18 or 19 depending on province; open alcohol in public is mostly illegal.
- Holding a phone while driving brings heavy fines in every province.
How Ottawa compares in Canada
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Banff | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Quebec City | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Whistler | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Ottawa | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Victoria | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Jasper | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Tofino | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Mont-Tremblant | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Prince Edward Island | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Toronto | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Vancouver | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Montreal | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Niagara Falls | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Calgary | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Halifax | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Edmonton | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kelowna | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Yellowknife | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
Quick answers
Is Ottawa safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Normal city precautions; use rideshare late and watch drinks in bars.
Is Ottawa safe at night?
Bars close at 2 am; the O-Train stops about midnight. Use Uber or a taxi late.
What is the crime rate in Ottawa?
Bike and car break-ins, phone theft in crowds and bars, and occasional fights around ByWard Market at closing. Nationally, Canada records 2.0 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Ottawa?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Ottawa
Going to Ottawa solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Ottawa 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
- OC Transpo
- Ottawa Airport
- NCC
- The Ottawa Hospital
- 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.