Do Not Travel
“Do not travelto Russia for any reason due to terrorism, unrest, wrongful detention and other risks. U.S.”
Updated Mon, 29 Dec 2025
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Is Moscow safe? 🇷🇺
Russia · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Moscow scores 20/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No. Moscow is not safe for travelers due to official Do Not Travel advisories and elevated risks of detention and drone attacks. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Moscow 🇷🇺
Russia · Assessed 19 October 2026
20
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~7% of countries
Score capped at 20 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime56/100FairCrime index 34.9 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment59/100FairMixed
Advisories0Elevated
Stability54Caution
Health84Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
Advises against all travel
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). FCDO advises against all travel to Russia FCDO advises against all travel to Russia due to the risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine, including: security incidents, such as drone attacks, and Russian air defence activity lack of flights to return to the UK limited ability for the UK government to provide support There is an increased risk of British nationals being detained in Russia, including if the Russian authorities suspect you of engaging in or supporting activities against Russian law, even if activities took place outside Russia.”
Updated 2026-10-07T12:49:04Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Russia: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-10-14T09:05:55.130000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
10.4M residents
38
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
6.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Russian Federation6.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
58
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging risk is moderate, mainly in poorly lit areas or late at night outside the city centre
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is moderate, concentrated in crowded tourist zones like Red Square, metro stations, and busy streets such as Tverskaya Ulitsa
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Caution
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
59/100
Reported feel45Mixed
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate unease due to geopolitical tensions and detention fears, though some note low street crime in tourist areas when precautions are taken.
No. Moscow is not safe for travelers due to official Do Not Travel advisories and elevated risks of detention and drone attacks.
Despite relatively low street crime, Moscow carries extreme geopolitical risk: Western governments advise against all travel due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, arbitrary detention of foreigners, and limited consular support. Pickpocketing and scams occur in crowded areas like Red Square and metro stations, but the primary dangers stem from the conflict environment and legal unpredictability.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Dozens detained at a rally in Moscow held by Kremlin-friendly Communist Party— AP News
- Oct 2026Japan summoned the Russian ambassador over the arrest of a journalist on spying charges— Euronews.com
- Sep 2026Ukraine launched a heavy drone attack on Moscow as Russia voted in regional elections— CNBC
- Jun 2026U.S. Embassy in Moscow issued a security alert due to ongoing risks— U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Russia (.gov)
Common scams
- Plainclothes police impersonators demanding document checks and stealing cash or imposing fake fines
- Taxi drivers overcharging tourists or taking longer routes
- Currency exchange scams offering poor rates or counterfeit money
Full briefing
Moscow remains under multiple Level 4 Do Not Travel advisories from the US, UK, and Canada due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, risks of arbitrary detention, and severely limited consular assistance for Western nationals. While street-level crime is relatively low compared to global averages, the security environment is shaped by geopolitical tensions, including drone attacks on the city and heightened surveillance. Travelers who ignore advisories face real risks of detention, interrogation, or being caught in security incidents unrelated to tourism.
Pickpocketing and scams are present in crowded areas such as Red Square, Okhotny Ryad metro station, and along Tverskaya Ulitsa, particularly targeting tourists near major landmarks. Documented scams include individuals posing as plainclothes police to inspect documents and steal cash or impose fake fines. Unofficial taxis and currency exchange offers also pose financial risks. Travelers are advised to use only official transport apps, avoid unsolicited officials, and keep valuables secure in busy zones.
Despite these risks, some visitors report feeling safe during daylight hours in well-patrolled central districts, noting visible police presence and extensive CCTV coverage. However, the consumer sentiment score reflects mixed feelings, dominated by anxiety over detention and legal unpredictability rather than street crime. Recent incidents underscore the volatility: detentions at political rallies, diplomatic protests over journalist arrests, and repeated drone strikes on the city highlight that Moscow is not insulated from the broader conflict. For these reasons, all official sources uniformly advise against travel.
Was this Moscow, Russia report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Moscow districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Moscow safety map.
Basmanny DistrictavoidEastern district near Kursky Station; higher incidence of street crime and scams targeting foreigners, especially at night
Krasnoselsky DistrictavoidNortheast of city center; limited tourist infrastructure, higher reports of robbery and scams, avoid particularly after dark
Tverskoy DistrictcautionCentral area with major landmarks; petty theft and police impersonation scams reported near Okhotny Ryad metro and Tverskaya Ulitsa
Arbat DistrictcautionTourist-heavy pedestrian zone; pickpocketing and document scams frequent around Arbat Street and nearby metro exits
Presnensky DistrictcautionContains Moscow-City business district; safe by day but avoid isolated areas after dark due to occasional reports of muggings near transit hubs
Tagansky DistrictcautionMixed residential and commercial; reports of pickpocketing in markets and near Taganskaya metro, exercise caution after dark
Khamovniki DistrictsaferUpscale residential area near Moscow-City; lower street crime, good lighting, and strong police presence
Yakimanka DistrictsaferSouth of Kremlin along Moskva River; well-patrolled, popular with tourists, low violent crime, standard precautions for pickpockets advised
07 · After Dark
Is Moscow safe at night?
92% of people in Russia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Mugging risk is moderate, mainly in poorly lit areas or late at night outside the city centre
After dark, be most careful around Basmanny District, Krasnoselsky District, Tverskoy District, Arbat District. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Moscow safety FAQ (2026)
Is Moscow safe right now (2026)?
No. Moscow is not safe for travelers due to official Do Not Travel advisories and elevated risks of detention and drone attacks. Despite relatively low street crime, Moscow carries extreme geopolitical risk: Western governments advise against all travel due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, arbitrary detention of foreigners, and limited consular support. Pickpocketing and scams occur in crowded areas like Red Square and metro stations, but the primary dangers stem from the conflict environment and legal unpredictability. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Is Moscow safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Moscow 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 Moscow should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Basmanny District, Krasnoselsky District as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Moscow (2026)?
- Plainclothes police impersonators demanding document checks and stealing cash or imposing fake fines
- Taxi drivers overcharging tourists or taking longer routes
- Currency exchange scams offering poor rates or counterfeit money
How does Moscow compare with other places in Russia (2026)?
Moscow ranks #1 of 9 Russia destinations we've assessed, scoring 20/100. See the Russia safety overview for the full list.
How is this moscow 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: moscow.json (CC BY 4.0).