Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin India due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Mon, 16 Jun 2025
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Is Delhi safe? 🇮🇳
India · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Delhi scores 58/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes. Delhi is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow basic precautions, though petty crime and scams require vigilance. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Delhi 🇮🇳
India · Assessed 20 October 2026
58
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime49/100CautionCrime index 59.1 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment62/100FairModerately positive
Advisories75Good
Stability63Fair
Health69Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
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 2026-10-07T10:56:27Z
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 2026-10-14T15:24:03.3013656-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Urban scale factor
11.0M residents
37
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
2.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6India2.8World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
79
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMotorbike-borne bag snatching occurs, especially in south Delhi and near railway stations; mugging of tourists is uncommon
Pickpocketing
HighPrevalent in Chandni Chowk, Paharganj, New Delhi Railway Station and during metro rush hour
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Moderately positive
62/100
Reported feel64Moderately positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Visitors report feeling generally safe during daylight in well-patrolled areas but express concern about nighttime safety and harassment, particularly solo female travelers.
Yes. Delhi is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow basic precautions, though petty crime and scams require vigilance.
Delhi presents moderate overall risk with violent crime against tourists uncommon but pickpocketing and scams prevalent in crowded areas. Solo female travelers should exercise extra caution, particularly at night, due to higher rates of harassment. Recent protests in October 2026 have increased police presence and potential for disruption in central districts.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Crowds throng New Delhi amid escalating protests, with police facilitating peaceful assembly amid lockdown-like restrictions— NPR
- Oct 2026Indian court extends detention of ‘Cockroach’ movement leaders as youth-led protests grow despite thousands detained— Reuters
- Aug 2026UAE travellers to India face tighter airport security ahead of Independence Day travel period— NDTV
- Jun 2026Hotel fire in Delhi prompts fire safety crackdown and calls for stricter norms in medical tourism sector— DW.com
Common scams
- Fake tourist information centers near Connaught Place and railway stations
- Taxi and auto-rickshaw overcharging
- Unsolicited 'help' with directions or travel advice from touts
- Fake ticket sellers at transport hubs
Full briefing
Delhi’s safety landscape remains defined by persistent petty crime and scams rather than violent threats to tourists. Pickpocketing is a high-risk concern in Chandni Chowk, Paharganj, and at major transport hubs like New Delhi Railway Station, especially during metro rush hour. Motorbike-borne bag snatching has been reported in south Delhi, though direct mugging of visitors is uncommon. Solo female travelers should take extra precautions after dark due to elevated levels of staring, following, and unwanted touching reported in areas like Connaught Place and near tourist sites.
Recent developments in October 2026 include ongoing youth-led protests in central New Delhi, drawing crowds and prompting increased police presence. While authorities have facilitated peaceful assembly, the potential for sudden demonstrations or road closures exists, particularly around government quarters and India Gate. Travelers should monitor local news and avoid protest zones. Airport security for UAE-bound flights has been tightened since August 2026, so allow extra time for checks.
Practical safety hinges on vigilance: use a money belt, avoid displaying valuables, and rely on pre-booked or app-based transport. Stick to well-lit, populated areas after dark, and be skeptical of unsolicited offers of help — especially from individuals posing as tourist guides near Connaught Place or railway stations. While upscale neighborhoods like Lutyens’ Delhi and South Delhi offer greater comfort at night, areas such as Paharganj and Sadar Bazaar require heightened caution after sunset. Air quality in October is moderate, with no extreme weather hazards reported.
Was this Delhi, India report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Delhi districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Delhi safety map.
PaharganjavoidHigh-risk for petty crime, scams, and drug activity at night; budget travelers should exercise extreme caution, especially after dark.
New Delhi Railway Station areaavoidChaotic environment with frequent scams, overcharging, and pickpocketing; heightened risk of robbery at night.
Connaught PlacecautionGenerally safe by day but pickpocketing and scams common in crowds; avoid isolated areas after dark.
Chandni ChowkcautionHistoric market with heavy pickpocketing and touts; safe in daylight with vigilance, avoid alone after dark.
Karol BaghcautionBusy commercial district with moderate pickpocketing and scam risk; exercise caution in crowds and avoid poorly lit side streets after dark.
East Delhi (Laxmi Nagar, Preet Vihar)cautionGenerally safe by day but reports of bag snatching and poor lighting in some lanes; avoid isolated areas after dark.
Lutyens' Delhi (Government Quarter)saferHigh security presence around India Gate and embassy areas; well-lit and patrolled, safest for tourists even at night.
South Delhi (Hauz Khas, Greater Kailash)saferUpscale residential and commercial zones with good lighting, expat presence, and reliable metro access; safe day and night.
07 · After Dark
Is Delhi safe at night?
Motorbike-borne bag snatching occurs, especially in south Delhi and near railway stations; mugging of tourists is uncommon
After dark, be most careful around Paharganj, New Delhi Railway Station area, Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Delhi safety FAQ (2026)
Is Delhi safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Delhi is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow basic precautions, though petty crime and scams require vigilance. Delhi presents moderate overall risk with violent crime against tourists uncommon but pickpocketing and scams prevalent in crowded areas. Solo female travelers should exercise extra caution, particularly at night, due to higher rates of harassment. Recent protests in October 2026 have increased police presence and potential for disruption in central districts. (Assessed 20 October 2026.)
Is Delhi safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Delhi 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 Delhi should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Paharganj, New Delhi Railway Station area as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Delhi (2026)?
- Fake tourist information centers near Connaught Place and railway stations
- Taxi and auto-rickshaw overcharging
- Unsolicited 'help' with directions or travel advice from touts
- Fake ticket sellers at transport hubs
How does Delhi compare with other places in India (2026)?
Delhi ranks #9 of 9 India destinations we've assessed, scoring 58/100. See the India safety overview for the full list.
How is this delhi safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ 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.
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Raw data: delhi.json (CC BY 4.0).