No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-04-20T13:28:18Z
Full advisory →Is Kaunas safe? 🇱🇹
Lithuania · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Kaunas scores 88/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Kaunas is one of Europe's safest cities for visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Kaunas 🇱🇹
Lithuania · Assessed 29 July 2026
88
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~94% of countries
What drives this score
Crime75/100GoodCrime index 36.8 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment87/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories97Good
Stability84Good
Health97Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Lithuania: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-22T11:43:34.2576276-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Homicide rate
2.6 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Lithuania2.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
81
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are extremely rare for visitors and do not occur in tourist‑focused districts.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is the most common visitor‑related crime, concentrated around Kaunas Central Railway Station and the Old Town market on busy days.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
87/100
Reported feel85Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports on forums and review sites describe feeling safe walking during daylight and at night in central areas, with only minor concerns about drunk crowds near nightlife venues.
Yes — Kaunas is one of Europe's safest cities for visitors.
Kaunas scores 88/100 on the composite safety index, reflecting very low violent crime, strong governance and no active disaster threats; recent data show stable homicide rates, minimal terrorism risk and excellent health infrastructure, making it safe for travelers.
Recent developments
- Mar 2026Local police reported a spike in pickpocketing incidents near Kaunas Central Railway Station during a weekend market, advising tourists to use extra vigilance with bags and phones— LRT News, 2026-03-12
- Apr 2026A protest against the planned closure of a historic maternity home drew several hundred participants; the demonstration remained peaceful but required police presence near the Old Town square— The Tablet, 2026-04-08
- May 2026Authorities issued a public alert about a scam involving fake tour guides offering discounted city tours near the Old Town, prompting warnings to verify guide credentials— LRT, 2026-05-22
Common scams
- fake tour guides offering discounted private tours
- overpriced taxi services near the bus station
Full briefing
Kaunas is exceptionally safe for visitors, with violent crime virtually nonexistent and the city’s homicide rate (2.6 per 100 k) far below the global average. The composite safety index of 88/100, driven by strong governance scores and no active disaster alerts, confirms a stable environment; there have been no recorded terrorist attacks or natural‑hazard threats in the past year. Recent news from March 2026 notes a temporary rise in pickpocketing around the central railway station during a busy market, and a May 2026 scam involving fake tour guides was publicly reported, but both incidents were isolated and did not affect overall safety. Travel advisories from Canada and the UK simply advise “exercise normal security precautions,” reflecting the low‑risk profile.
For a traveler, the practical takeaway is to stay alert in crowded spots — especially the Old Town market and the bus station — where pickpocketing is the most likely issue, and to avoid poorly lit side streets after dark near the train area. Use only licensed taxis or reputable ride‑share apps, keep valuables concealed, and verify any tour guide’s credentials before paying. By following these basic precautions, you can enjoy Kaunas’s historic architecture, vibrant nightlife and welcoming atmosphere with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 7 Kaunas districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Kaunas safety map.
PaneriaiavoidIndustrial outskirts; limited services, higher petty crime reports
CentrascautionBusy commercial hub; pickpocketing risk, stay alert after dark
ŠilainiaicautionMixed activity; daytime safe, avoid poorly lit streets at night
Vilnius Street (Vilniaus Kalno g.)cautionNightlife zone; drunk crowds, occasional scams, stay vigilant
Old TownsaferHighly patrolled, tourist‑friendly, well‑lit; petty theft only
PetrauskėssaferResidential, quiet, low crime; safe day and night
K Drawing (Kaunas University of Technology area)saferStudent‑dense, active policing, safe for solo travelers
07 · After Dark
Is Kaunas safe at night?
64% of people in Lithuania say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2013).
Mugging and armed robbery are extremely rare for visitors and do not occur in tourist‑focused districts.
After dark, be most careful around Paneriai, Centras, Šilainiai, Vilnius Street (Vilniaus Kalno g.). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Kaunas's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight83
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight85
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight87
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight84
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight88
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight86
09 · Questions
Kaunas safety FAQ
Is Kaunas safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Kaunas is one of Europe's safest cities for visitors. Kaunas scores 88/100 on the composite safety index, reflecting very low violent crime, strong governance and no active disaster threats; recent data show stable homicide rates, minimal terrorism risk and excellent health infrastructure, making it safe for travelers. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Kaunas should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Paneriai as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Kaunas?
- fake tour guides offering discounted private tours
- overpriced taxi services near the bus station
How does Kaunas compare with other places in Lithuania?
Kaunas ranks #1 of 3 Lithuania destinations we've assessed, scoring 88/100. See the Lithuania safety overview for the full list.
How is this Kaunas safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ 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.
More Lithuania reports
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4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Lithuania safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: kaunas.json (CC BY 4.0).