Is York safe?
Very safe for visitors. Drunken disorder on weekend nights and bike or phone theft are the only real concerns.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-07.
- Homicide rate in United Kingdom: 1.1 per 100,000 people (2021, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United Kingdom: 3.2 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · All emergencies 999.
Safety in York at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Petty theft from bars and bikes, occasional weekend drunkenness near Micklegate and Coney Street; violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | The center is compact, lit and busy on weekends. Pubs close earlier than in big cities; taxis queue at the station and Rougier Street. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women, including walking back from pubs. Watch drinks on busy weekend nights and avoid unlit riverside paths late. |
| Other risks | River Ouse flooding in wet winters; Low doorways and uneven medieval cobbles |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake or resold tickets for events and ghost walks bought from street sellers
- Unlicensed minicabs touting outside clubs; use a marked taxi or app
Take care
- Micklegate and the station area late on Friday and Saturday nights
- Riverside paths after heavy rain: flooding and slippery banks
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Riding a private e-scooter on public roads or pavements is illegal; only official rental schemes are allowed.
- Carrying a knife in public without good reason is illegal, including locking or long folding blades.
- Cannabis is illegal, and drinking alcohol is banned on London public transport.
How York compares in United Kingdom
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Edinburgh | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Oxford | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Bath | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cambridge | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Scottish Highlands | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Isle of Skye | 5/5 · Very safe |
| York | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lake District | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cornwall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cotswolds | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Snowdonia | 5/5 · Very safe |
| London | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manchester | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Liverpool | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Glasgow | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Brighton | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bristol | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Belfast | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cardiff | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Newcastle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Leeds | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Birmingham | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is York safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women, including walking back from pubs. Watch drinks on busy weekend nights and avoid unlit riverside paths late.
Is York safe at night?
The center is compact, lit and busy on weekends. Pubs close earlier than in big cities; taxis queue at the station and Rougier Street.
What is the crime rate in York?
Petty theft from bars and bikes, occasional weekend drunkenness near Micklegate and Coney Street; violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, United Kingdom records 1.1 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2021).
What number do I call in an emergency in York?
Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · All emergencies 999.
More about York
Going to York solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Visit York
- First York buses
- National Rail Enquiries
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS
- 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.