Do Not Travel
“Do not travelto Sudan due to risk of unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, and health threats. The U.S.”
Updated Fri, 15 May 2026
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Is Port Sudan safe? 🇸🇩
Sudan · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Port Sudan scores 20/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No. Port Sudan remains extremely unsafe for travelers due to ongoing conflict, crime, and official Do Not Travel advisories. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Port Sudan 🇸🇩
Sudan · Assessed 13 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
Crime40/100CautionCrime index 45.6 / 100
Sentiment38/100ElevatedMostly negative
Advisories0Elevated
Stability35Elevated
Health59Fair
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 FCDO advises against all travel to Sudan because of the ongoing military conflict in Khartoum and other parts of the country.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:14:42Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Sudan: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:35.397575-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Mugging & robbery risk
High risk
34
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
20 / 100 (Mostly negative)
20
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
490k residents
76
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.1 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
65
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robbery poses a high risk to visitors, particularly in less secure districts and during periods of instability
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching present a moderate risk, especially in crowded areas or markets where specific data is lacking but instability increases opportunity
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Elevated
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Elevated
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly negative
38/100
Reported feel20Mostly negative
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Traveler reports indicate widespread concern over safety due to conflict, crime, and infrastructure failures, with many noting that even Port Sudan requires extreme caution despite being relatively more stable than other regions.
No. Port Sudan remains extremely unsafe for travelers due to ongoing conflict, crime, and official Do Not Travel advisories.
Despite being relatively more stable than Khartoum, Port Sudan operates under Sudan's nationwide Level 4 advisory due to armed conflict, crime risks including robbery and pickpocketing, and severely limited consular support. The city faces chronic power and water shortages, and while specific crime data is sparse, the broader instability elevates risks for visitors.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Traders in White Nile protested rising fees amid Port Sudan's ongoing water and power crisis— Dabanga Radio TV Online
- Aug 2026Sudan protests spread over crippling power cuts and water shortages affecting Port Sudan— Middle East Online
- Jul 2026Sudan court sentenced RSF leader to death in absentia, reflecting ongoing judicial responses to conflict-related violence— Arab News
- May 2026Qatar Airways resumed flights to Port Sudan following audits, indicating limited but continued international access— Sudan Tribune
Common scams
- Fake officials demanding bribes or fees
- Overcharging for transport or goods targeting foreigners
Full briefing
Port Sudan continues to face severe challenges despite being relatively more stable than conflict zones like Khartoum or Darfur. The city remains under Sudan's nationwide Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory due to the ongoing SAF-RSF conflict, which has caused widespread displacement and instability since 2023. While Port Sudan serves as a de facto entry point for essential travel, it suffers from chronic power and water shortages, as highlighted by trader protests in August 2026 over rising fees and utility failures. These conditions strain infrastructure and increase vulnerability for visitors, particularly after dark.
Crime risks are elevated, with robbery assessed as high and pickpocketing as moderate, though specific local data is limited. The Dabagha district is frequently cited as an area to avoid due to higher crime incidence. Visitors should be alert to scams involving fake officials demanding bribes or inflated prices for transport and goods targeting foreigners. Consular support is extremely limited, with the U.S. Embassy having suspended operations in April 2023, meaning travelers must rely on home-country guidance and register with any available diplomatic presence immediately upon arrival.
Traveler sentiment reflects deep concern, with safety perceptions shaped by conflict, crime, and deteriorating services. Even those acknowledging Port Sudan's relative stability stress that non-essential travel should be avoided. If travel is unavoidable for compelling reasons, strict security protocols are essential: avoid nighttime movement, stay in vetted accommodations, minimize public exposure, and maintain constant situational awareness. Given the composite safety index of 20/100 and unanimous government warnings, Port Sudan is not a viable destination for tourism or casual visit under current conditions.
Was this Port Sudan, Sudan report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Port Sudan districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Port Sudan safety map.
Dabagha DistrictavoidFrequently cited as high-risk for robbery and violent crime; avoid entirely.
Al Azhariq DistrictavoidInformal settlement with elevated robbery and assault risk; not recommended for visitors.
Port Sudan City CentrecautionAdministrative and commercial hub; daytime movement generally okay but robbery risk high after dark.
Al Thawra DistrictcautionMixed-use zone near port; petty theft and pickpocketing reported in markets.
Port Sudan Seafront / CornichecautionPopular for walking; pickpocketing moderate, avoid isolated stretches after sunset.
Industrial Zone / Port AreacautionWorking port with theft and vandalism risks; avoid non-essential visits, especially at night.
Al Salam DistrictsaferResidential area with NGO presence; lower crime and relatively stable.
Red Sea State Government QuartersaferSecure administrative zone with controlled access; low crime during daylight hours.
07 · After Dark
Is Port Sudan safe at night?
Armed robbery poses a high risk to visitors, particularly in less secure districts and during periods of instability
After dark, be most careful around Dabagha District, Al Azhariq District, Port Sudan City Centre, Al Thawra District. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Port Sudan safety FAQ (2026)
Is Port Sudan safe right now (2026)?
No. Port Sudan remains extremely unsafe for travelers due to ongoing conflict, crime, and official Do Not Travel advisories. Despite being relatively more stable than Khartoum, Port Sudan operates under Sudan's nationwide Level 4 advisory due to armed conflict, crime risks including robbery and pickpocketing, and severely limited consular support. The city faces chronic power and water shortages, and while specific crime data is sparse, the broader instability elevates risks for visitors. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Port Sudan safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Port Sudan 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 Port Sudan should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Dabagha District, Al Azhariq District as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Port Sudan (2026)?
- Fake officials demanding bribes or fees
- Overcharging for transport or goods targeting foreigners
How does Port Sudan compare with other places in Sudan (2026)?
Port Sudan ranks #1 of 5 Sudan destinations we've assessed, scoring 20/100. See the Sudan safety overview for the full list.
How is this port-sudan 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: port-sudan.json (CC BY 4.0).