No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-10-07T11:01:35Z
Full advisory →Personalize report nowTailor this report to you.Next: age, gender, group size preference…Next: the latest news and insightsNext: one click, 5 seconds, no costStart now8 districts
Is St. John's safe? 🇨🇦
Canada · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, St. John's scores 91/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. St. John's is one of Canada's safest cities for visitors, with very low violent crime and strong public safety infrastructure. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
St. John's 🇨🇦
Canada · Assessed 13 October 2026
91
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime86/100GoodHomicide 2.0 / 100k
Sentiment88/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories100Good
Stability84Good
Health87Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
88 / 100 (Mostly positive)
88
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
111k residents
86
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
2.0 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Canada2World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
86
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are uncommon; isolated incidents occur mainly in poorly lit areas late at night.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching happen occasionally in downtown crowds and during festivals, especially on George Street.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
88/100
Reported feel88Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent visitor reports indicate high comfort walking alone during day and evening, with many noting friendly locals and visible police presence in central areas.
Yes. St. John's is one of Canada's safest cities for visitors, with very low violent crime and strong public safety infrastructure.
St. John's benefits from low homicide rates, strong governance indicators, and high resident feelings of safety after dark. While petty theft occurs in tourist areas, serious crime against visitors is rare. The city maintains excellent healthcare access and environmental safety.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Teenagers stole a car from a senior in a St. John's parking lot— CBC
- Aug 2026Police reported dealing with assaults, robbery, and impaired driving incidents on a busy Monday— PNI Atlantic News
- Jun 2026Vehicle attacks and armed robbery were reported hitting Canadian retailers, including in Newfoundland— Jewellery Business
Common scams
- Overcharging by unlicensed taxi operators
- Fake charity solicitations near tourist sites
Full briefing
St. John's remains a low-risk destination for travelers, supported by strong institutional safety scores and minimal active threats. The city's homicide rate of 2.0 per 100k is well below national and global averages, and residents report feeling safe walking alone after dark at a rate of 87.6%. Healthcare access is excellent, with ten hospitals within 15 km and the nearest just 1.2 km away. Air quality is good, and no natural disaster alerts are active. While the UK FCDO maintains a Level 1 advisory with standard precautions, it confirms no travel restrictions.
Recent local reports highlight isolated property crimes. In June 2026, CBC reported teenagers stealing a car from a senior in a parking lot, and PNI Atlantic News noted police responding to assaults, robbery, and impaired driving calls on a busy August Monday. Jewellery Business also warned of vehicle attacks and armed robbery affecting retailers across Newfoundland that summer. These incidents suggest opportunistic crime rather than targeted threats to visitors. Pickpocketing risk is moderate in crowded zones like George Street, particularly during evening hours or events, though violent encounters remain uncommon.
To stay safe, travelers should use licensed taxis or official ride-share services, avoid leaving valuables visible in vehicles, and keep bags secure in pedestrian-heavy areas. Locking car doors and parking in well-lit, monitored lots reduces theft risk. While no scams are widespread, vigilance against overcharging by unlicensed operators and unsolicited charity requests near attractions is advised. Overall, St. John's offers a secure environment where standard urban precautions suffice for a worry-free visit.
Was this St. John's, Canada report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 St. John's districts for visitors: 4 safer, 4 needing caution. See them plotted on the St. John's safety map.
Downtown St. John'scautionGenerally safe by day; pickpocketing and theft risk moderate, especially around Water Street and George Street after dark.
SouthsidecautionMixed-use area; some reports of vehicle theft and opportunistic crime; avoid leaving valuables in cars.
HarboursidecautionTourist-heavy zone; pickpocketing reported near docks and cruise terminals; stay alert with belongings.
Freshwater Road corridorcautionBusy urban stretch; occasional reports of impaired driving and robberies; exercise caution at night, especially near bars.
East EndsaferResidential area with low crime; feels safe walking alone after dark; near hospitals and amenities.
West EndsaferQuiet neighbourhood with strong community feel; low incidence of theft or assault; good for families.
NorthwestsaferSuburban area with minimal crime reports; well-lit streets; popular with students and long-term residents.
GeorgestownsaferHistoric residential area; peaceful streets; low incidence of violent or property crime; well-regarded for safety.
07 · After Dark
Is St. John's safe at night?
88% of people in Canada say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon; isolated incidents occur mainly in poorly lit areas late at night.
After dark, be most careful around Downtown St. John's, Southside, Harbourside, Freshwater Road corridor. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
St. John's safety FAQ (2026)
Is St. John's safe right now (2026)?
Yes. St. John's is one of Canada's safest cities for visitors, with very low violent crime and strong public safety infrastructure. St. John's benefits from low homicide rates, strong governance indicators, and high resident feelings of safety after dark. While petty theft occurs in tourist areas, serious crime against visitors is rare. The city maintains excellent healthcare access and environmental safety. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is St. John's safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this St. John's report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of St. John's should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in St. John's (2026)?
- Overcharging by unlicensed taxi operators
- Fake charity solicitations near tourist sites
How does St. John's compare with other places in Canada (2026)?
St. John's ranks #4 of 9 Canada destinations we've assessed, scoring 91/100. See the Canada safety overview for the full list.
How is this st-john-s safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
More Canada reports
6 reports
Nearby destinations
4 reports
Similar safety profile
4 reports
Keep exploring
Raw data: st-john-s.json (CC BY 4.0).