United States · New York City

Is New York City Safe for Tourists? Local Scores, Subway & Scam Guide

New York City features a visible police presence and heavily populated streets day and night. Violent crime against tourists is exceedingly rare. However, petty crime such as pickpocketing and smartphone snatching can happen in high-traffic hubs like Times Square, Penn Station, and crowded subway cars.

79/100
Safety Score
Low–Moderate Risk
Risk Level
Back to United States Safety Hub

Safety Score Breakdown

New York City safety profile across key traveller risk categories.

Solo Female Safety82/100
Night Safety74/100
Public Transit81/100
Scam Risk72/100

Transit tip: The NYC Subway is monitored 24/7. Late at night, stand near the conductor's car (marked by a yellow/black zebra board) or off-peak waiting areas.

Emergency Contacts

Save these numbers before you arrive. Calls are free from most local phones.

Police
911
Medical
911
Fire
911

Common Scams to Avoid

Recognise the pattern, decline firmly, and walk away.

Times Square costumed character photo tipping traps

CD/Mixtape pushy hand-out extortions

Pedicab rides with unposted per-minute rates

Safe Areas

Neighbourhoods and districts recommended for first-time visitors.

Upper East SideGreenwich VillageBattery Park CityDUMBO

Areas to avoid or exercise caution

BrownsvilleHunts PointIsolated areas of Central Park after dark

More cities in United States

City-by-city safety scores, scams and emergency contacts.

Visa & entry requirements for United States

See nationality-by-nationality visa rules, passport validity and fees for travelling to United States.

View Visa Guides

Plan this trip safely with DheeVoy

Get real-time safety alerts, verified entry rules, and offline emergency access in one travel companion app.

Start Planning Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions travellers ask most.

Last reviewed and verified for 2026. Always check your government's latest travel advisory before departure.

Plan and Book Your Trip to New York City

DheeVoy has partnered with trusted travel providers to help you book every part of your trip. We earn a small commission on purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.

🏨

Hotels in New York City

Compare and book hotels with free cancellation on most rooms.

Search Hotels →

*Sponsored — affiliate link

✈️

Flights to New York City

Search and compare flights from hundreds of airlines.

Search Flights →

*Sponsored — affiliate link

🚗

Car Rental in New York City

Compare car hire deals from local and international providers.

Find Car Rentals →

*Sponsored — affiliate link

🎫

Tours in New York City

Book skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and local experiences.

Browse Tours →

*Sponsored — affiliate link

🛡️

Travel Insurance

SafetyWing covers medical emergencies abroad from $56/month — recommended for New York City.

Get Covered →

*Sponsored — affiliate link

📱

eSIM for New York City

Stay connected from day one — no SIM swap needed. Activate before you fly.

Get eSIM →

*Sponsored — affiliate link

Affiliate Disclosure: DheeVoy partners with trusted travel providers. Links marked with * are affiliate links — DheeVoy earns a small commission if you make a purchase. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps us keep DheeVoy free to use. We only recommend services we consider genuinely useful for travellers.

Related Travel Guides & Resources

Explore more DheeVoy guides — visa requirements, safety briefings, eSIM deals and travel resources for destinations worldwide.