Do Not Travel
“Do not travelin Yemen due to risk of terrorism, unrest, crime, health risks, kidnapping, and landmines. Do not travel to Yemen for any reason, including the island of Socotra.”
Updated Sat, 10 Oct 2026
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Is Sanaa safe? 🇾🇪
Yemen · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Sanaa scores 17/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No. Sanaa is extremely unsafe for travelers due to active armed conflict, frequent airstrikes, and near-total absence of consular support. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (severe risk) and robbery (severe risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Sanaa 🇾🇪
Yemen · Assessed 20 October 2026
17
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~5% 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
Crime43/100CautionCrime index 60.8 / 100
Sentiment15/100ElevatedOverwhelmingly negative
Advisories0Elevated
Stability23Elevated
Health56Fair
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 Yemen FCDO advises against all travel to the whole of the Yemen due to the unpredictable security conditions.”
Updated 2026-10-13T12:11:26Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Yemen: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-10-13T15:16:11.1346226-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Urban scale factor
1.9M residents
60
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Yemen5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
SevereArmed robbery and carjacking are frequent, especially at night and near checkpoints; foreigners are targeted for ransom or detention
Pickpocketing
SeverePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded markets like Souk al-Milh and transport hubs, though violence poses a far greater threat
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Elevated
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Elevated
Traveller sentiment score
Overwhelmingly negative
15/100
Reported feel5Overwhelmingly negative
Robbery risk12Severe risk
Pickpocket risk40Severe risk
Traveler reports from mid-2026 describe Sanaa as effectively inaccessible and perilous, with those who entered citing constant fear of strikes, detention, and abandonment by authorities.
No. Sanaa is extremely unsafe for travelers due to active armed conflict, frequent airstrikes, and near-total absence of consular support.
Sanaa remains in a state of full-scale war with shifting frontlines, regular drone and missile strikes, and widespread insecurity. Foreigners face risks of arbitrary detention, kidnapping, and being caught in crossfire, with no reliable emergency services or embassy assistance available. The city’s infrastructure is severely degraded, and movement is highly restricted by checkpoints, road closures, and fuel shortages.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Saudi-led coalition struck a fuel facility in Sanaa amid escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure— Gulf Business
- Oct 2026UN envoy warned Yemen has returned to 'full-scale war', urging immediate dialogue to prevent further civilian harm— Al Jazeera
- Oct 2026Saudi Arabia extended airport closures after Houthi strikes, with warnings of further escalation— Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- Sep 2026Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile toward Saudi Arabia’s capital, triggering regional alerts and flight cancellations— San Bernardino Sun
Common scams
- Fake visas or travel permits sold by unauthorized agents
- Unofficial guides demanding payment for access to restricted areas
Full briefing
No reputable travel sources recommend visiting Sanaa in late 2026 due to the city’s immersion in active conflict. Airstrikes and missile exchanges between Houthi forces and the Saudi-led coalition occur with little warning, endangering civilians and disrupting essential services. Sanaa International Airport operates only sporadically, often via Amman, and flights are routinely canceled without notice. Ground movement is hazardous due to shifting frontlines, unpredictable checkpoints controlled by armed groups, and frequent fuel shortages that immobilize transport. The Old City, while culturally significant, offers no safety from bombardment or stray ordnance, and its narrow streets complicate evacuation during emergencies. Travelers who attempt to visit risk arbitrary detention at checkpoints, prolonged interrogation, and possible kidnapping for ransom, particularly if perceived as affiliated with Western governments. Consular support is virtually nonexistent, as the U.S., UK, and other embassies suspended operations years ago and cannot assist citizens in distress. Even basic needs like clean water, reliable electricity, and medical care are severely compromised, increasing vulnerability to disease outbreaks. Given these conditions, any travel to Sanaa is strongly discouraged, and those already in Yemen should prioritize sheltering in place and seeking evacuation only through verified, secure channels.
Was this Sanaa, Yemen report helpful?
06 · After Dark
Is Sanaa safe at night?
Armed robbery and carjacking are frequent, especially at night and near checkpoints; foreigners are targeted for ransom or detention
No specific districts were flagged as no-go areas after dark, but the usual night-time rules apply: stay in lit, populated areas and keep your phone out of sight.
07 · Questions
Sanaa safety FAQ (2026)
Is Sanaa safe right now (2026)?
No. Sanaa is extremely unsafe for travelers due to active armed conflict, frequent airstrikes, and near-total absence of consular support. Sanaa remains in a state of full-scale war with shifting frontlines, regular drone and missile strikes, and widespread insecurity. Foreigners face risks of arbitrary detention, kidnapping, and being caught in crossfire, with no reliable emergency services or embassy assistance available. The city’s infrastructure is severely degraded, and movement is highly restricted by checkpoints, road closures, and fuel shortages. (Assessed 20 October 2026.)
Is Sanaa safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Sanaa 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 Sanaa should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Sanaa (2026)?
- Fake visas or travel permits sold by unauthorized agents
- Unofficial guides demanding payment for access to restricted areas
How does Sanaa compare with other places in Yemen (2026)?
Sanaa ranks #3 of 4 Yemen destinations we've assessed, scoring 17/100. See the Yemen safety overview for the full list.
How is this sanaa 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: sanaa.json (CC BY 4.0).