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Indonesia · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Medan scores 67/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Medan requires a high degree of caution due to moderate risks of petty crime and environmental hazards. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Indonesia · Assessed 13 October 2026
67
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“Volcanic eruptions Volcanic eruptions occur frequently across Indonesia. In the event of a volcanic eruption, follow the latest advice issued by the local authorities, including on areas to avoid, exclusion zones and actions to take if air quality is affected.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:44:39Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Indonesia: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:34.2730629-04:00
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
ModerateWhile violent crime is not prevalent, muggings can occur, particularly in less-trafficked areas or at night.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are common in busy tourist areas, markets, and on public transport.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Cautiously optimistic
66/100
A majority of people feel safe walking alone after dark, but this sentiment is tempered by concerns about crime and environmental factors.
Medan requires a high degree of caution due to moderate risks of petty crime and environmental hazards.
While Medan has a low homicide rate, travelers should be aware of potential scams, pickpocketing in crowded areas, and significant air quality concerns. Road safety is also a consideration.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Medan presents a mixed safety profile, with official advisories recommending a high degree of caution. While the city's homicide rate is low, comparable to Japan, travelers should be prepared for moderate risks of petty crime and environmental challenges.
Recent reports highlight that Medan has crime rates requiring attention, and pickpocketing is a concern in crowded areas like markets and on public transport. Scams involving taxis and currency exchange are also possibilities. The air quality in Medan is frequently poor, often rated as unhealthy, making it advisable to monitor local conditions and consider respiratory protection.
Additionally, Indonesia, including Medan, is prone to heavy rain and flooding in October, and volcanic activity across the archipelago can affect air quality. Travelers should also be aware of potential protests, as seen in February 2026 regarding a pork sale ban, which can disrupt local mobility. Road safety is another factor, with higher-than-average traffic accident rates in Indonesia.
Was this Medan, Indonesia report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 6 Medan districts for visitors, 6 needing caution. See them plotted on the Medan safety map.
Medan Kota (City Center)cautionModerate risk of pickpocketing and petty theft; exercise caution after dark.
Medan DenaicautionHigher traffic density and potential for petty crime; stay aware of surroundings.
Medan AmplascautionGeneral urban risks apply; be vigilant, especially in crowded areas.
Medan HelvetiacautionStandard urban precautions recommended; avoid displaying valuables.
Medan PoloniacautionAreas around the airport may have increased transient activity; usual urban vigilance needed.
Medan JohorcautionResidential and commercial mix; be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
07 · After Dark
63% of people in Indonesia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2020).
While violent crime is not prevalent, muggings can occur, particularly in less-trafficked areas or at night.
After dark, be most careful around Medan Kota (City Center), Medan Denai, Medan Amplas, Medan Helvetia. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Medan requires a high degree of caution due to moderate risks of petty crime and environmental hazards. While Medan has a low homicide rate, travelers should be aware of potential scams, pickpocketing in crowded areas, and significant air quality concerns. Road safety is also a consideration. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Medan 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.
Areas with poor lighting or known for street crime after dark should be avoided.. See the district-by-district safety map.
Medan ranks #9 of 9 Indonesia destinations we've assessed, scoring 67/100. See the Indonesia 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.
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Raw data: medan.json (CC BY 4.0).
