2 UAE cities ranked world’s safest for solo travellers

Abu Dhabi and Dubai have been named the world’s safest cities for solo travellers in a new global study by UK-based travel agency Travelbag, taking first and second place among 36 destinations assessed worldwide. The findings further cement the UAE’s reputation for safety, underpinned by advanced infrastructure, robust policing and traveller-focused urban planning.​

 

Neighbouring Muscat in Oman claims fourth place, reinforcing the GCC’s status as one of the safest regions globally, while Chiang Mai in Thailand and Queenstown in New Zealand round out the top five.​

 

The results come as safety climbs to the top of travellers’ agendas, with Travelbag research showing that 76% of solo travellers rank safety as their top consideration when choosing where to go on holiday. 

Abu Dhabi’s leading position builds on its strong track record in the Numbeo Safety Index, where it has been ranked the world’s safest city for all travellers for nine consecutive years, supported by advanced policing strategies, cutting-edge technology and community-focused safety initiatives.

 

Travelbag praised the UAE capital’s “calm, orderly environment where travellers can explore confidently”, from walking along the Corniche at sunset to visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or kayaking through Mangrove National Park.

 

RELATED:

Abu Dhabi crowned world’s safest city for 9th consecutive year

Dubai named world’s safest destination for a cruise stopover

UAE is world’s safest country to explore after dark

 

Dubai was highlighted for its world-class infrastructure, extensive public transport network and visible security presence, helping visitors feel secure whether dining late in Downtown, watching the Dubai Fountain show beneath Burj Khalifa or heading out on a desert safari under the stars. 

 

Earlier this year, Dubai was also named the safest cruise ship stopover among 52 global destinations by travel insurance firm InsureMyTrip, thanks to its low crime rates, strong medical facilities and few safety incidents, while also offering visitors the highest number of activities with more than 3,000.

 

Looking ahead to 2026, solo travel is expected to remain one of the fastest-growing segments of outbound tourism, driven by younger, experience-led travellers and more flexible working patterns.

 

In the GCC, solo trips are becoming increasingly mainstream, with Hilton’s 2026 Travel Trends insights indicating rising demand for self-discovery journeys from the Gulf countries, with with 26% of UAE and KSA travellers planning solo trips and nearly half (48%) adding solo days to family holidays.

 

Travelbag’s Top 10 Safest Cities in 2025 and their scores:

 

Rank.	City	Day score	Night score
1	Abu Dhabi, UAE	92	87
2	Dubai, UAE	91	83
3	Chiang Mai, Thailand	93	81
4	Muscat, Oman	89	76
5	Queenstown, NZ	86	74
6	Seoul, South Korea	83	74
7	Siem Reap, Cambodia	85	69
8	Montreal, Canada	86	66
9	Tokyo, Japan	78	72
10	Phuket, Thailand	83	64

 

For more information, visit travelbag.co.uk/solo-travellers-2025