City in Eastern Cape, South Africa
Is Port Elizabeth safe?
Summerstrand and the beachfront are fine by day with normal care.
Is Port Elizabeth safe?
Summerstrand and the beachfront are fine by day with normal care. The CBD, northern areas and townships have high crime; avoid walking at night and use Uber.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-26.
- Homicide rate in South Africa: 43.7 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in South Africa: 22.2 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 10111 · Ambulance 10177 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Port Elizabeth at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Phone and bag snatching, car break-ins, muggings in empty areas and armed robbery in some suburbs; gang violence in some northern townships. |
| At night | Use Uber or Bolt for any evening trip, even short ones. Richmond Hill and the beachfront restaurants are busy, but walking between areas is not advised. |
| Solo women | Solo women can travel here with care; avoid empty beaches and streets at night, use app rides and meet dates in public. |
| Other risks | Strong rip currents; swim at lifeguarded beaches; Water shortages and discolored supply in some suburbs; Very windy days |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Car guards asking for money before you park
- ATM 'helpers' who watch your PIN
- Fake police or roadblock stops
Take care
- The CBD, Central and North End after dark
- Northern areas and townships such as Motherwell
- Isolated beaches and dunes, even by day
- Leaving items visible in parked cars
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking alcohol in public places, including most beaches, is illegal and fined.
- Cannabis is legal only for private use at home; buying, selling and public use are not.
- Drink-driving limit is 0.05%; roadblocks are frequent, especially on weekends and holidays.
How Port Elizabeth compares in South Africa
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Kruger National Park | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Stellenbosch | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hermanus | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Knysna | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Plettenberg Bay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Franschhoek | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Umhlanga | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jeffreys Bay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cape Town | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Durban | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Pretoria | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Port Elizabeth | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Johannesburg | 2/5 · High risk |
Quick answers
Is Port Elizabeth safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women can travel here with care; avoid empty beaches and streets at night, use app rides and meet dates in public.
Is Port Elizabeth safe at night?
Use Uber or Bolt for any evening trip, even short ones. Richmond Hill and the beachfront restaurants are busy, but walking between areas is not advised.
What is the crime rate in Port Elizabeth?
Phone and bag snatching, car break-ins, muggings in empty areas and armed robbery in some suburbs; gang violence in some northern townships. Nationally, South Africa records 43.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Port Elizabeth?
Police 10111 · Ambulance 10177 · All emergencies 112.
More about Port Elizabeth
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Going to Port Elizabeth solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Airports Company South Africa
- Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism
- South African National Parks
- 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.