Reconsider Travel
“There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.”
Updated Fri, 13 Mar 2026
Full advisory →Is Jeddah safe? 🇸🇦
Saudi Arabia · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Jeddah scores 44/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. No — Saudi Arabia is under a Level 3 'reconsider travel' advisory and scores only 44/100 on our safety index, so it is not considered safe for visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 3 (Reconsider Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Jeddah 🇸🇦
Saudi Arabia · Assessed 28 July 2026
44
/ 100
Caution advised
Safer than ~32% of countries
Score capped at 44 — Level 3 advisory — reconsider travel. No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime87/100GoodCrime index 23.2 / 100
Sentiment67/100FairMixed
Advisories30Elevated
Stability70Good
Health84Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
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 Saudi Arabia-Yemen border FCDO advises against: all travel to within 10km of the border with Yemen all but essential travel to areas between 10km and 80km from the border with Yemen Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.”
Updated 2026-07-25T17:34:42Z
Full advisory →Avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Saudi Arabia: avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-07-23T10:10:14.4022496-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Homicide rate
0.9 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Saudi Arabia0.9World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
95
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated areas at night; avoid poorly lit streets and travel alone after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is frequent in crowded markets, transport hubs, and during large events; keep bags zipped and front-facing
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
67/100
Reported feel68Mixed
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors often feel uneasy due to strict local laws and occasional confrontations with authorities, though physical crime remains low
No — Saudi Arabia is under a Level 3 'reconsider travel' advisory and scores only 44/100 on our safety index, so it is not considered safe for visitors.
Composite safety index is 44/100 (CAUTION) with a Level 3 advisory from the U.S., U.K., and Canada; homicide rates are low but governance scores are weak and the country faces regional tensions that drive the cautionary rating.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026U.S. Embassy issued a security alert warning of increased protests near the Red Sea coast and advised heightened vigilance— U.S. Department of State
- Apr 2026Local media reported a robbery at a popular waterfront mall involving armed suspects who escaped; police later arrested two suspects— Al Arabiya
- Mar 2026TravelPirates highlighted a scam where fake guides charged tourists $300 for a half‑day desert tour that never materialized— TravelPirates
Common scams
- Overcharging for taxis and services
- Fake tour guides offering unauthorized excursions
- Currency exchange scams targeting tourists
Full briefing
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is currently rated as unsafe for travelers, reflected by a composite safety index of 44/100 and a Level 3 “reconsider travel” advisory from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. The data shows low homicide rates but weaker governance scores, and recent alerts from the U.S. Embassy warn of protests near the Red Sea coast that could quickly turn volatile. Crime statistics indicate moderate risks of both robbery and pickpocketing, especially in crowded markets, transport hubs, and waterfront areas; incidents such as an armed robbery at a popular mall in April 2026 and a reported scam involving fake tour guides charging exorbitant fees have been documented in local news sources like Al Arabiya and TravelPirates. Travelers should expect mixed consumer sentiment, with many visitors feeling uncomfortable due to strict local regulations and occasional confrontations with authorities, even though physical violence remains relatively rare. To stay safe, use only licensed taxis or reputable rideshare apps, agree on fares in advance, keep valuables concealed, and avoid large gatherings or demonstrations, especially after dark. Always carry a photocopy of your passport and stay informed of the latest advisory updates from official government channels.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Jeddah districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Jeddah safety map.
Al ShatiavoidHigh incidence of street harassment and occasional violent assaults; avoid especially at night.
Al HamracautionTourist hub with frequent petty theft after dark; stay alert and avoid isolated streets.
Al RawdacautionMixed‑use district; daytime is okay but pickpocketing rises after sunset near markets.
CornichecautionPopular waterfront; crowded but watch for pickpockets and occasional scams targeting tourists.
Al MalazcautionBusy commercial zone; petty theft reported, especially near bus stations after dark.
Al SalamsaferResidential area with low crime and good lighting; generally safe for visitors during day.
Al ObhursaferQuiet coastal neighborhood with minimal reported incidents; safe for daytime activities.
Al JazeirahsaferWell‑patrolled expatriate area; low crime and visible security presence.
07 · After Dark
Is Jeddah safe at night?
93% of people in Saudi Arabia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated areas at night; avoid poorly lit streets and travel alone after dark
After dark, be most careful around Al Shati, Al Hamra, Al Rawda, Corniche. 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 Jeddah's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight44
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight44
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight44
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight44
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight44
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight44
09 · Questions
Jeddah safety FAQ
Is Jeddah safe for tourists right now?
No — Saudi Arabia is under a Level 3 'reconsider travel' advisory and scores only 44/100 on our safety index, so it is not considered safe for visitors. Composite safety index is 44/100 (CAUTION) with a Level 3 advisory from the U.S., U.K., and Canada; homicide rates are low but governance scores are weak and the country faces regional tensions that drive the cautionary rating. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
Which areas of Jeddah should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Al Shati as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Jeddah?
- Overcharging for taxis and services
- Fake tour guides offering unauthorized excursions
- Currency exchange scams targeting tourists
How does Jeddah compare with other places in Saudi Arabia?
Jeddah ranks #1 of 2 Saudi Arabia destinations we've assessed, scoring 44/100. See the Saudi Arabia safety overview for the full list.
How is this Jeddah safety score calculated?
The score blends 11+ 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 Saudi Arabia reports
1 reportNearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Saudi Arabia safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: jeddah.json (CC BY 4.0).