City in Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Is Yogyakarta safe?
Safe and relaxed with normal care.
Is Yogyakarta safe?
Safe and relaxed with normal care. Petty theft, touts and scooter crashes are the main problems; volcano activity is monitored.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-07-06.
- Homicide rate in Indonesia: 0.3 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Indonesia: 11.3 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 113 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Yogyakarta at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing in Malioboro and Beringharjo market, bag snatching from motorbikes, and tout harassment. |
| At night | Malioboro and student areas stay lively late; the rest quiets early. Use Gojek or Grab rather than walking dark alleys. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women, with modest dress expected. Catcalls are mild; Gojek and Grab are fine at night. |
| Other risks | Merapi eruptions and ash; Earthquakes (the city was hit in 2006); Scooter crashes and heat |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Becak drivers or touts claiming a market or shop is closed
- Batik gallery 'student' guides steering to commission shops
- Drivers quoting inflated fares for Borobudur and Prambanan day trips
Take care
- Malioboro crowds: pickpockets and bag snatchers
- Mount Merapi trekking: follow official activity alerts
- Unlit alleys at night: stray dogs and potholes
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- From 2026, sex outside marriage and unmarried cohabitation are crimes, prosecuted only on a spouse's, parent's or child's complaint
- Drug trafficking can bring the death penalty; even small amounts mean prison
- Disrespecting temples or sacred sites in Bali can lead to deportation
How Yogyakarta compares in Indonesia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Nusa Dua | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Bali | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ubud | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Canggu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Seminyak | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Uluwatu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Yogyakarta | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gili Islands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nusa Penida | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lombok | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Labuan Bajo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sanur | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Raja Ampat | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mount Bromo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bandung | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nusa Lembongan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lake Toba | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kuta Lombok | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Amed | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Batam | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bintan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Malang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bukit Lawang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Surabaya | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manado | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tana Toraja | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jimbaran | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jakarta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Kuta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Medan | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Yogyakarta safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women, with modest dress expected. Catcalls are mild; Gojek and Grab are fine at night.
Is Yogyakarta safe at night?
Malioboro and student areas stay lively late; the rest quiets early. Use Gojek or Grab rather than walking dark alleys.
What is the crime rate in Yogyakarta?
Pickpocketing in Malioboro and Beringharjo market, bag snatching from motorbikes, and tout harassment. Nationally, Indonesia records 0.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Yogyakarta?
Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 113 · All emergencies 112.
More about Yogyakarta
Going to Yogyakarta solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- KAI Indonesian Railways
- RS Bethesda
- Wonderful Indonesia
- 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.