No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-07-23T16:13:01Z
Full advisory →Canada · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Kingston scores 91/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Kingston, Canada is a very safe city for travelers. The main risks for visitors are tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Canada · Assessed 29 July 2026
91
/ 100
Safer than ~97% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-07-23T16:13:01Z
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
LowWorry about mugging or robbery is reported as low by residents, with violent crime seen as a moderate local problem.
Pickpocketing
LowPickpocketing and bag-snatching are not highlighted as significant issues for visitors in Kingston.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Generally positive
87/100
Most residents feel safe walking alone in daylight, though a notable portion express less confidence walking alone at night. Concerns about property crime and drug activity are present but do not appear to significantly deter visitors.
Yes — Kingston, Canada is a very safe city for travelers.
Kingston boasts a high composite safety index, with low rates of violent crime and terrorism. While general crime and drug activity are perceived as moderate local problems by some residents, official advisories are minimal, and visitors generally feel safe, especially during daylight hours.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Kingston, Canada, is a very safe destination for travelers. The city benefits from strong governance indicators, low homicide and terrorism rates, and minimal official travel advisories, all contributing to a high overall safety score. While some residents perceive property crime and drug activity as moderate local issues, these concerns do not appear to significantly impact the visitor experience.
On the ground, Kingston offers a generally positive environment for tourists. The majority of residents report feeling safe walking alone during daylight hours. While a smaller percentage express less confidence walking alone at night, this is a common sentiment in many urban areas and does not indicate widespread danger for visitors. Robbery and mugging are considered low risks, and pickpocketing is not a prominent concern.
Recent reports from the dossier indicate some localized incidents, such as a physical protest at City Hall in February 2026 and ongoing concerns about property crime in specific areas following a fire. However, these events are not indicative of a broader safety crisis for travelers. Kingston Police have also highlighted efforts to reduce crime and improve clearance rates, suggesting a proactive approach to public safety.
To ensure a safe visit, travelers are advised to exercise standard precautions, particularly when exploring at night or in less populated areas. Be aware of your surroundings and keep personal belongings secure. While no specific scams are frequently reported targeting tourists in Kingston, it's always wise to be cautious of common travel-related deceptions. Travelers should also refer to CDC advisories for general health recommendations applicable to travel in Canada.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 5 Kingston districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Kingston safety map.
Kingston WestcautionSome reports of property crime and drug-related issues, be aware of surroundings.
East KingstoncautionMixed residential and commercial area; general awareness advised, especially after dark.
Downtown KingstonsaferGenerally safe with good visitor sentiment and low crime rates.
WaterfrontsaferPopular tourist area, well-patrolled and safe for daytime and evening strolls.
Queen's University DistrictsaferLively student area, generally safe, but exercise caution around late-night establishments.
07 · After Dark
88% of people in Canada say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Worry about mugging or robbery is reported as low by residents, with violent crime seen as a moderate local problem.
After dark, be most careful around Kingston West, East Kingston. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Kingston's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
09 · Questions
Yes — Kingston, Canada is a very safe city for travelers. Kingston boasts a high composite safety index, with low rates of violent crime and terrorism. While general crime and drug activity are perceived as moderate local problems by some residents, official advisories are minimal, and visitors generally feel safe, especially during daylight hours. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
Kingston ranks #4 of 9 Canada destinations we've assessed, scoring 91/100. See the Canada safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Browse the Canada safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: kingston.json (CC BY 4.0).