Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin India due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Mon, 16 Jun 2025
Full advisory →Make this report personalWho's travelling? A family, a woman alone, a business trip — the score and the key findings are re-weighted for your group, not the average traveller.8 districts
Is Delhi safe? 🇮🇳
India · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Delhi scores 62/100 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. 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 August 2026
62
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~60% of countries
What drives this score
Crime63/100FairHomicide 2.8 / 100k
Sentiment64/100FairMostly positive
Advisories50Caution
Stability61Fair
Health71Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Caution
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 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
11.0M residents
51
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
2.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6India2.8World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
79
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging of tourists is uncommon but motorbike‑borne bag snatches occur, especially in south Delhi and near railway stations
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing is prevalent in crowded markets (Chandni Chowk, Paharganj), metro rush hour and railway forecourts
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
64/100
Reported feel71Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveller reports on forums and review sites indicate visitors generally feel safe during daylight in central areas, though many note persistent harassment and scams that erode confidence after dark.
Yes — Delhi is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow basic precautions.
Delhi’s composite safety index of 68 reflects moderate overall risk, with petty crime and scams being the primary concerns rather than violent incidents; recent data shows low homicide rates but elevated pickpocketing and bag‑snatching in crowded areas.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Bag‑snatching on a moving autorickshaw reported in South Delhi; police recovered the item after a chase— TheWire.in
- Jun 2026Fire safety crackdown ordered after a Delhi hotel fire injured 12 guests; highlighted gaps in building regulations— DW.com
- Jun 2026Air India flight turbulence injures 12 passengers; reminder of health and safety concerns for air travelers— The Times of India
Common scams
- Fake tourist‑information offices and “hotel closed” ruse by auto drivers
- Overcharging by unlicensed taxis and unofficial guides
- Pickpocketing and bag‑snatching in markets and metro stations
Full briefing
Delhi is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow basic precautions. The city’s composite safety index of 68 reflects moderate overall risk, with petty crime and scams being the primary concerns rather than violent incidents; recent data shows a low homicide rate (2.8 per 100 k) but elevated pickpocketing and bag‑snatching in crowded areas. Recent incidents include a June 2026 bag‑snatching on a moving autorickshaw in South Delhi (TheWire.in), a fire‑safety crackdown after a Delhi hotel fire that injured 12 guests (DW.com), and a June 2026 Air India turbulence event that injured 12 passengers (The Times of India).
The main risks for travelers are scams — such as fake tourist‑information offices that lure you with “your hotel is closed” stories, overcharging by unlicensed taxis, and persistent pickpocketing in places like Chandni Chowk, Paharganj and metro rush hour. Robbery is moderate; muggings of tourists are uncommon, but motorbike‑borne bag snatches do occur, especially near railway stations and in southern neighborhoods. Pickpocketing is high, so keep a hidden money belt, use a decoy wallet, and avoid carrying valuables in back pockets.
To stay safe, use app‑based rides (Uber/Ola) or prepaid airport taxis instead of street hails, stay in well‑lit, tourist‑friendly neighborhoods like South Delhi, Connaught Place or near the airport, and avoid walking alone at night — particularly in Anand Vihar, Old Delhi and red‑light districts. Carry only the cash you need for a few hours, keep bags zipped, and be wary of unsolicited “help” from strangers. By staying vigilant and following these practical steps, you can enjoy Delhi’s vibrant culture and historic sites with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Delhi districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Delhi safety map.
Anand Viharavoidavoid: high crime hotspot for bag snatching and theft, especially at night, avoid due to elevated risk
Old Delhi (Chawri Bazar)avoidavoid: crowded historic area with frequent pickpocketing and harassment incidents, particularly unsafe for solo women after dark
Connaught Placecautioncaution: bustling commercial hub with high foot traffic and frequent petty scams targeting tourists, stay alert especially after dark
New Delhi Railway Stationcautioncaution: crowded transport hub prone to pickpocketing and tout scams, keep belongings secure and avoid unlicensed transport
Chandni Chowkcautioncaution: historic market with dense crowds and aggressive touts, petty theft and overcharging are common, stay vigilant
Karol Baghsafersafe: major shopping district with heavy daytime activity and police presence, lower risk of petty crime but remain aware of scams
Hauz Khassafersafe: popular nightlife and dining area with well-lit streets and regular patrols, generally safe for visitors after dark
South Extensionsafersafe: upscale residential and commercial area with good security, low crime incidence for tourists
07 · After Dark
Is Delhi safe at night?
Mugging of tourists is uncommon but motorbike‑borne bag snatches occur, especially in south Delhi and near railway stations
After dark, be most careful around Anand Vihar, Old Delhi (Chawri Bazar), Connaught Place, New Delhi Railway Station. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Delhi safety FAQ
Is Delhi safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Delhi is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow basic precautions. Delhi’s composite safety index of 68 reflects moderate overall risk, with petty crime and scams being the primary concerns rather than violent incidents; recent data shows low homicide rates but elevated pickpocketing and bag‑snatching in crowded areas. (Assessed 20 August 2026.)
Which areas of Delhi should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Anand Vihar, Old Delhi (Chawri Bazar) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Delhi?
- Fake tourist‑information offices and “hotel closed” ruse by auto drivers
- Overcharging by unlicensed taxis and unofficial guides
- Pickpocketing and bag‑snatching in markets and metro stations
How does Delhi compare with other places in India?
Delhi ranks #9 of 9 India destinations we've assessed, scoring 62/100. See the India safety overview for the full list.
How is this Delhi safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ 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.
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