Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with updates to entry/exit requirements. Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism.”
Updated Mon, 16 Jun 2025
Full advisory →India · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Dehradun scores 75/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Dehradun is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though monsoon-related landslides and occasional crime require vigilance. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
India · Assessed 25 September 2026
75
/ 100
Safer than ~80% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with updates to entry/exit requirements. Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism.”
Updated Mon, 16 Jun 2025
Full advisory →Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel India-Pakistan border area FCDO advises against all travel within 10km of the India-Pakistan border.”
Updated 2026-07-09T13:54:18Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for India: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:34.2574299-04:00
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
LowRisk of mugging or armed robbery is low for visitors; incidents are rare and typically not targeted at tourists.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded markets and transport hubs, particularly Paltan Bazaar and near the railway station.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
82/100
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors generally feel safe in Dehradun, citing helpful locals and pleasant weather, though some note concerns about dust, occasional aggression, and road safety during monsoon.
Yes — Dehradun is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though monsoon-related landslides and occasional crime require vigilance.
Dehradun has a moderate composite safety score (66/100) with low homicide and terrorism risk, but visitors should be alert to petty crime, scams, and seasonal hazards like landslides during monsoon season. Recent reports indicate isolated violent incidents and communal tensions, though these are not typical for tourists. Overall, day-to-day safety for travelers is favorable with standard precautions.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Dehradun presents a generally safe environment for travelers who take standard precautions, supported by a moderate composite safety index of 66/100 and low levels of homicide and terrorism. The city benefits from strong healthcare access and environmental safety, though governance indicators show room for improvement in rule of law and corruption control. While violent crime exists in the broader context, it is not typically directed at foreigners, and most visitors report feeling safe during the day. However, the monsoon season introduces significant environmental risks, particularly landslides that can disrupt travel to nearby hill destinations like Mussoorie and the Char Dham pilgrimage route.
Recent incidents from mid-2026 highlight isolated but serious events, including a sexual assault, a fatal water dispute, and a politically motivated killing — all of which reflect local tensions rather than threats to tourists. These events, while concerning, are not indicative of widespread violence targeting visitors. More relevant to travelers are the ongoing landslide risks, with fresh slides reported as recently as September 6, 2026, blocking key roads and prompting travel advisories. The Delhi-Dehradun expressway has improved access, but mountain roads remain vulnerable during heavy rain, requiring travelers to check conditions before embarking on hill trips.
Petty crime and scams are the most common safety concerns for visitors. Pickpocketing is reported in crowded areas such as Paltan Bazaar and near the railway station, especially during peak hours or festivals. Travelers should also be wary of unsolicited offers of food or drink — a known tactic in some parts of India to incapacitate victims — and avoid unlicensed guides or ticket sellers at tourist sites. Using app-based or pre-paid taxis, securing valuables, and avoiding isolated areas after dark are effective preventive measures. Overall, with awareness of seasonal hazards and standard urban precautions, Dehradun remains a welcoming and reasonably safe destination for tourists.
Was this Dehradun, India report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Dehradun districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Dehradun safety map.
RaipuravoidReports of drug-related violence and protests; avoid at night and during unrest
Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar)cautionBusy commercial hub; pickpocketing risk in crowds, especially during festivals
Paltan BazaarcautionCrowded market; moderate theft risk, avoid flashing valuables
ISBT DehraduncautionMajor bus terminal; scams and luggage theft reported, use prepaid taxis
DharampurcautionNear railway station; occasional mugging reports, stay alert after dark
Rajpur RoadsaferUpscale area with hotels, restaurants, and good lighting; low crime reports
Sahastradhara RoadsaferResidential and tourist zone near Robber's Cave; well-patrolled, safe by day
Clement TownsaferQuiet residential area with low crime and good access to hospitals
07 · After Dark
Risk of mugging or armed robbery is low for visitors; incidents are rare and typically not targeted at tourists.
After dark, be most careful around Raipur, Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar), Paltan Bazaar, ISBT Dehradun. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes — Dehradun is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though monsoon-related landslides and occasional crime require vigilance. Dehradun has a moderate composite safety score (66/100) with low homicide and terrorism risk, but visitors should be alert to petty crime, scams, and seasonal hazards like landslides during monsoon season. Recent reports indicate isolated violent incidents and communal tensions, though these are not typical for tourists. Overall, day-to-day safety for travelers is favorable with standard precautions. (Assessed 25 September 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Dehradun 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.
Field research flags Raipur as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Dehradun ranks #8 of 9 India destinations we've assessed, scoring 75/100. See the India safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 13+ 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.
Browse the India safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: dehradun.json (CC BY 4.0).