City in Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia
Is Yekaterinburg safe?
The US State Department advises against all travel to Russia.
Is Yekaterinburg safe?
The US State Department advises against all travel to Russia. Calm and low-crime for Russia. Foreigners face detention and speech-law risks; drone attacks have hit the region, and 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 Yekaterinburg at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 2/5 · High risk |
| Crime | Low street crime; pickpocketing at stations and the market. Drone attacks have occurred in the Urals. |
| At night | The center stays lit and lively; outer districts are quiet. Use Yandex Go after midnight. |
| Solo women | Comfortable in the center; use app taxis at night. |
| Other risks | Icy pavements in winter; Drone alerts |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Unlicensed taxis at the airport and station overcharge
- Fake police ID checks demanding cash
- Street currency exchangers with poor rates
Take care
- Airport can close during drone alerts
- Industrial areas are strike targets
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 Yekaterinburg 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 Yekaterinburg safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable in the center; use app taxis at night.
Is Yekaterinburg safe at night?
The center stays lit and lively; outer districts are quiet. Use Yandex Go after midnight.
What is the crime rate in Yekaterinburg?
Low street crime; pickpocketing at stations and the market. Drone attacks have occurred in the Urals. Nationally, Russia records 6.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2021).
What number do I call in an emergency in Yekaterinburg?
Police 102 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 101 · All emergencies 112.
More about Yekaterinburg
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Koltsovo Airport
- 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.