The Safest Places for Fall Travel

Safety continues to be one of the biggest factors travelers consider when planning an international getaway.

Fortunately, government officials and industry experts are constantly analyzing the latest threats in every corner of the globe to determine which destinations offer visitors the most safety and security.

Looking at the latest travel advisories from the U.S. State Department and other governments in Canada and the United Kingdom, Vision of Humanity’s Global Peace Index and Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s 2024 list of the safest countries and cities—which considers feedback from actual travelers—we can sufficiently highlight the world’s safest places this autumn.

Iceland

Despite its breathtaking and sometimes intimidating nature, Iceland continues to be one of the world’s safest countries, dominating the Global Peace Index for nearly two decades and receiving a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department.

Meanwhile, the European island country’s capital of Reykjavik was named the world’s third-safest city to travel to in 2024 by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection after ranking first last year.

The Westfjords of Iceland. (photo courtesy of Visit Iceland)

Canada

Ranking 11th on the Global Peace Index and receiving a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department as recently as October 4, America’s neighbor to the north remains one of the safest international destinations this fall.

Additionally, Montreal ranks as the world’s second-safest city to visit in 2024, according to the experts at Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.

New Zealand

New Zealand was among the strictest overseas destinations in the months and years following the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to bounce back. The South Pacific country ranks fourth on the Global Peace Index and receives a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department heading into the busy holiday travel period.

Unlike Iceland and Canada, New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere and thus in the midst of spring right now, making it an ideal time to visit.

A woman hiking the Hooker Valley Track, New Zealand. (Photo Credit: Goway Travel/naruedom/Adobe stock)

Switzerland

Switzerland is up seven spots from ninth to second on Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s list of the safest countries to visit in 2024. It trails only Canada. The beloved European hotspot also ranks sixth on the Global Peace Index and receives a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department.

Meanwhile, the Canadian government encourages citizens to exercise normal security precautions in Switzerland this fall.

Ireland

Trailing only Iceland on the Global Peace Index, the Emerald Isle is an attractive destination for many reasons, including its reputation for safety. The U.S. State Department reissued its Level 1 travel advisory for Ireland in late August and Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection ranked it as the fourth-safest country to visit this year, up from 12th in 2023.

Singapore

Singapore is the highest-ranking Asian destination on the Global Peace Index in 2024, at fifth. The tiny island country also receives a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department and the UK government notes that “violent crime and theft are rare in Singapore.”

Singapore Marina Bay area and CBD district at dusk. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/hit1912)

Denmark

Checking in at eighth on the Global Peace Index and Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s list of the safest places to travel in 2024, Denmark is an easy choice for autumn travelers seeking safety and security.

The country’s capital of Copenhagen also ranks as the world’s seventh-safest city for Americans this year, according to Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s latest analysis.

Biking through the Nasu Highlands of Japan. (Photo Credit: Ride Experience Inc)

Japan

Only Singapore and Malaysia rank higher among Asian countries on the Global Peace Index than Japan, at 17th. It was also deemed the 12th safest country to visit this year by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection after missing out on the top 15 a year ago.

U.S. officials also advise Americans to exercise normal precautions in Japan—a premier international destination for fall foliage—this autumn.

Australia

Another top 20 destination on the Global Peace Index, Australia ranks as the world’s 10th-safest place to visit this year based on the expert analysis at Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. What’s more, Sydney ranks as the fourth-safest international city for American travelers this year.

Plus, it’s been more than a year since the U.S. State Department updated its Level 1 travel advisory for the continent, meaning visitors can exercise normal precautions with peace of mind this fall.

The city skyline of Brisbane, Australia at twilight. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/f11photo)

The Netherlands

Another popular European country that’s among the safest places in the world this fall is the Netherlands. The country ranks 18th on the Global Peace Index and fifth on Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s list of the safest countries for 2024.

Plus, Amsterdam—the Dutch capital and the country’s most-visited city—ranks as the fifth-safest city for American travelers this year, according to Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.

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