The World’s 15 Safest Cities (2 U.S. Cities Made The List), Ranked In A New Report

Searching for the safest places to travel? Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) recently unveiled its annual State of Travel Insurance Safest Destinations report, which ranks the world’s 15 safest cities to travel. This year, two U.S. cities made the list, with Honolulu named the safest city in the world.

“BHTP’s State of Travel Insurance Safest Destinations report is unique in its ability to pair firsthand, survey respondent experiences with valuable third-party sources in order to identify its annual list of Safest Destinations,” Carol Mueller, vice president at BHTP told me in an interview. “Only travelers who have actually been to the cities are allowed to rank them on a variety of safety measures, using their first-hand knowledge as a yardstick.”

In addition to surveying actual travelers who have visited the cities, BHTP analyzes several third-party data sources—including the U.S. State Department, The Economist and more—to evaluate safety concerns such as terrorism, weather emergencies, health measures and the safety of underrepresented groups.

Over the past four years, the report has witnessed notable changes, reflecting the evolving travel landscape. While Scandinavian nations and Northern Europe traditionally dominated the list, this year’s report showcases a diverse lineup, with Asian and South American cities making their mark.

For 2024, Honolulu claims the coveted first spot. Despite its vulnerability to natural disasters, Honolulu impresses travelers with its overall safety, making it an ideal travel destination. “Even Honolulu’s lowest marks are the highest of any destination in that category,” says Mueller. “Though the island’s volcanic origin and location in the Pacific make it an obvious target for a variety of natural disasters, from wildfires to typhoons, surveyed travelers perceive Honolulu as an incredibly safe destination for their tropical vacations.”

Coming in second on the list is Montreal. The Canadian city is recognized—above all—for its transportation safety, where it gets the highest marks. One concern, according to BHTP: wildfires, since smoke from fires in northern Quebec can drift down to Montreal, impacting the air quality.

Reykjavik, Iceland comes in number three on the list of safest cities. According to BHTP, its high ranking is due to its excellent scores for women, people-of-color and LGBTQ+ safety, as well as safety from terrorism.

Rounding out the top five is Sydney, Australia (which receives consistent safety marks from travelers) and Amsterdam in the Netherlands (which ranks highly for safety for women, LGBTQ+ travelers and people of color).

The only other U.S. city on the list of world’s safest cities is Orlando, Florida, which comes in at number 15. Renowned for its theme parks and family-friendly attractions, Orlando gets high ratings for transportation safety and safety against terrorism. “While we’d caution travelers against chasing golf balls near Lake Jesup, which is home to about 10,000 alligators, Orlando has high ratings for transportation safety and safety against terrorism,” says Mueller. “This should come as no surprise—you rarely hear about disasters aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad.”

As travelers navigate the intricacies of safety, the report also offers insights into each city’s unique challenges and precautions. From concerns about wildfires in Honolulu to political demonstrations in Barcelona, travelers can make informed decisions to ensure their safety during their journeys.

Beyond the overall rankings, the report also ranks cities according to the nuanced safety concerns of different traveler segments, from millennials to LGBTQ+ travelers prioritizing inclusive destinations.

Read on for the lists of the world’s safest cities to travel, as well as lists from the perspective of various traveler segments.

The World’s Safest Cities To Travel in 2024

1. Honolulu
2. Montreal
3. Reykjavik
4. Sydney
5. Amsterdam
6. Dubai
7. Copenhagen
8. London
9. Seoul
10. Venice
11. Tokyo
12. Berlin
13. Paris
14. Barcelona
15. Orlando

Safest Cities for Women/LGBTQ+/BIPOC Travelers

1. Honolulu
2. Amsterdam
3. Copenhagen
4. Reykjavik
5. Montreal
6. London
7. Las Vegas
8. Sydney
9. Paris
10. Miami

Safest Cities for Millennial Travelers

According to BHTP, Millennials (ages 25-44) tend to travel farther afield. “Hence, the high ratings for Singapore, Dubai and Seoul,” say the authors of the report.

1. Seoul
2. Copenhagen
3. London
4. Singapore
5. Barcelona
6. Dubai
7. Amsterdam
8. Honolulu
9. Tokyo
10. Orlando

Safest Cities for Mature Travelers

“Beijing’s presence here is a little surprising,” say the authors of the report. “But everything else is as expected.”

1. Copenhagen
2. Reykjavik
3. Sydney
4. Montreal
5. Tokyo
6. Honolulu
7. Beijing
8. Berlin
9. Amsterdam
10. Singapore

Safest Cities for Families

“Parents find Asian destinations safe,” say the authors of the report. “Hence, four of them made their top 10.”

1. Seoul
2. Honolulu
3. Dubai
4. Venice
5. London
6. Tokyo
7. Paris
8. Singapore
9. Hong Kong
10. Miami

LGBTQ+ Travelers

“Puerto Rico’s top city doesn’t show up anywhere else but here,” say the authors of the report. “Also note that despite discriminatory laws towards LGBTQ+ travelers, they still consider Dubai to be an extremely safe destination.”

1. San Juan
2. Barcelona
3. Dubai
4. London
5. Hong Kong
6. Montreal
7. Venice
8. Sydney
9. Honolulu
10. Amsterdam

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