No advisory against travel
“G7 Summit The G7 Summit will be taking place in Evian, France, between 15-17 June 2026. A number of attendees will be transiting through Geneva.”
Updated 2026-10-07T12:54:14Z
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Is Bern safe? 🇨🇭
Switzerland · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Bern scores 93/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Bern is one of the safest capital cities in the world for visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Bern 🇨🇭
Switzerland · Assessed 13 October 2026
93
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime86/100GoodCrime index 27.4 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment87/100GoodVery Positive
Advisories100Good
Stability90Good
Health95Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Switzerland: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-13T05:32:32.9233245-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
85 / 100 (Very Positive)
85
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
122k residents
85
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.6 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
97
Robbery / mugging
LowArmed robbery and mugging of visitors are rare, with isolated violent incidents sometimes linked to drug scenes away from tourist areas.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is the most realistic crime risk, concentrated at the main train station, on busy trams, and during seasonal events.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Very Positive
87/100
Reported feel85Very Positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travelers generally feel safe in Bern, with high scores for feeling safe walking alone in daylight and a low worry about being mugged or robbed.
Yes. Bern is one of the safest capital cities in the world for visitors.
Bern presents a very low risk to travelers, with official advisories recommending normal security precautions. The primary concerns are petty theft and tourist-targeted scams, while violent crime is extremely rare.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026A large anti-capitalist protest occurred in Bern with no major incidents reported.— SWI swissinfo.ch
- Oct 2026Police maintained a presence in Bern ahead of an unauthorized rally.— blue News
- Jun 2026The G7 Summit in Evian, France, led to some attendees transiting through Geneva.— Government of Canada
- May 2025A U.S. travel advisory was issued for a famously safe country, though specific details for Switzerland were not provided.— The Manual
Common scams
- Pickpocketing gangs targeting busy areas like the train station and trams
- Tourist-targeted scams, though specific examples are not detailed in the provided data
Full briefing
Bern, Switzerland's capital, is exceptionally safe for travelers, with a very low overall risk profile. Official advisories from Canada and the U.S. recommend exercising normal security precautions, highlighting that the main concerns for visitors are typically theft-related rather than violent crime.
While Bern is considered one of the safest cities in Europe, travelers should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly in busy areas like the main train station and on trams, where pickpocketing is the most realistic crime risk. Reports indicate that violent crime is extremely rare, with any isolated incidents often linked to specific drug scenes away from typical tourist paths.
Practical safety measures include keeping valuables secure and out of sight, especially in crowded locations. For those venturing into the Bernese Oberland, it is crucial to prioritize mountain safety by never hiking alone and always checking weather forecasts. The city's well-maintained infrastructure, reliable public transport, and strong rule of law contribute to a secure environment for visitors.
Was this Bern, Switzerland report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 7 Bern districts for visitors: 5 safer, 1 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Bern safety map.
Reitschule/SchützenmatteavoidAssociated with drug activity, though isolated incidents are generally not tourist-focused.
University DistrictcautionGenerally safe but can be livelier at night due to student activity and nightlife.
Old Town (Alstadt)saferHistoric center with excellent lighting, police presence, and heavy tourist traffic.
BahnhofplatzsaferBusy business and shopping area with strong public safety infrastructure.
KirchenfeldsaferUpscale residential area with museums and embassies, known for being quiet and secure.
Breitenrain-LorrainesaferGenerally safe residential area with good infrastructure.
MonbijousaferA safe residential area with a mix of amenities.
07 · After Dark
Is Bern safe at night?
84% of people in Switzerland say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Armed robbery and mugging of visitors are rare, with isolated violent incidents sometimes linked to drug scenes away from tourist areas.
After dark, be most careful around Reitschule/Schützenmatte, University District. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Bern safety FAQ (2026)
Is Bern safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Bern is one of the safest capital cities in the world for visitors. Bern presents a very low risk to travelers, with official advisories recommending normal security precautions. The primary concerns are petty theft and tourist-targeted scams, while violent crime is extremely rare. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Bern safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Bern 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 Bern should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Reitschule/Schützenmatte as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Bern (2026)?
- Pickpocketing gangs targeting busy areas like the train station and trams
- Tourist-targeted scams, though specific examples are not detailed in the provided data
How does Bern compare with other places in Switzerland (2026)?
Bern ranks #8 of 9 Switzerland destinations we've assessed, scoring 93/100. See the Switzerland safety overview for the full list.
How is this bern safety score calculated (2026)?
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: bern.json (CC BY 4.0).