Capital city in Gauteng, South Africa
Is Pretoria safe?
Eastern suburbs and Hatfield are manageable with normal care and Ubers.
Is Pretoria safe?
Eastern suburbs and Hatfield are manageable with normal care and Ubers. The CBD and western townships have high crime; do not walk after dark or around central stations.
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 Pretoria at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Armed robbery, carjacking, house break-ins and phone snatching; smash-and-grab at intersections and around Church Square after hours. |
| At night | Don't walk at night; use Uber or Bolt to the door. Hatfield and Brooklyn are busy till late, but streets between are empty. |
| Solo women | Solo women travel here, but sexual violence is high nationally. Use app rides at night, stay in Brooklyn or Hatfield and watch drinks. |
| Other risks | Afternoon thunderstorms and lightning, Nov–Mar; Road crashes and speeding minibus taxis; High UV at 1,350 m altitude |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- ATM 'helpers' who watch your PIN
- Fake police or roadblocks
- Fake car guards demanding payment
- Dating-app meetups used to set up robberies
Take care
- Pretoria CBD and Marabastad after dark
- Arcadia and Sunnyside streets at night
- Pretoria Zoo and Church Square after office hours
- Empty parking lots and ATMs at night
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 Pretoria 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 Pretoria safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women travel here, but sexual violence is high nationally. Use app rides at night, stay in Brooklyn or Hatfield and watch drinks.
Is Pretoria safe at night?
Don't walk at night; use Uber or Bolt to the door. Hatfield and Brooklyn are busy till late, but streets between are empty.
What is the crime rate in Pretoria?
Armed robbery, carjacking, house break-ins and phone snatching; smash-and-grab at intersections and around Church Square after hours. Nationally, South Africa records 43.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Pretoria?
Police 10111 · Ambulance 10177 · All emergencies 112.
More about Pretoria
Going to Pretoria solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Pretoria 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
- Gautrain
- City of Tshwane
- Airports Company South Africa
- 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.