Do Not Travel
“There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.”
Updated Mon, 29 Dec 2025
Full advisory →Is Moscow safe? 🇷🇺
Russia · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Moscow scores 18/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No — Moscow is not safe for travelers due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, arbitrary detention risks, and severely limited consular support, despite relatively low street crime. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Moscow 🇷🇺
Russia · Assessed 12 September 2026
18
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~6% of countries
Score capped at 18 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime57/100FairCrime index 38.1 / 100
Sentiment82/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories0Elevated
Stability56Fair
Health83Good
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 Russia FCDO advises against all travel to Russia due to the risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine, including: security incidents, such as drone attacks, and Russian air defence activity lack of flights to return to the UK limited ability for the UK government to provide support There is an increased risk of British nationals being detained in Russia, including if the Russian authorities suspect you of engaging in or supporting activities against Russian law, even if activities took place outside Russia.”
Updated 2026-08-04T12:54:28Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Russia: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-09-09T09:13:44.1160404-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
10.4M residents
38
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
6.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Russian Federation6.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
58
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are uncommon for visitors; incidents are rare and typically occur in poorly lit outer districts late at night.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded metro stations, tourist hubs like Red Square, and on public transport, especially during rush hour.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
82/100
Reported feel70Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors generally feel safe walking alone in central Moscow during the day and night, citing visible police presence and low street crime, though geopolitical anxiety affects overall perception.
No — Moscow is not safe for travelers due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, arbitrary detention risks, and severely limited consular support, despite relatively low street crime.
While Moscow experiences low levels of street crime and visitors often report feeling safe walking alone at night, the city operates under extreme geopolitical risk stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Western governments uniformly advise against all travel due to threats of drone strikes, arbitrary detention, and severely limited embassy assistance. Petty crime like pickpocketing occurs in crowded areas but is secondary to systemic risks.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Russia due to risks from the Ukraine conflict, including drone attacks and limited consular support— UK Foreign Office (FCDO)
- Sep 2026Government of Canada updates advisory to 'avoid all travel' to Russia, citing inability to provide consular assistance— Government of Canada
- Aug 2026Azerbaijan summons Moscow's ambassador over 'provocative' Russian media statements, reflecting regional diplomatic tensions— aa.com.tr
- Jul 2026UK government updates Russia travel advice, maintaining 'do not travel' stance due to security incidents and flight restrictions— GOV.UK
Common scams
- Fake police officers demanding bribes or passports
- Overcharging in taxis and restaurants near tourist sites
- Currency exchange scams offering unfavorable rates
Full briefing
Despite Moscow’s relatively low street crime and high sense of personal safety reported by visitors — including feeling secure walking alone after dark — the city presents severe risks for travelers due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and its geopolitical fallout. The U.S., UK, and Canadian governments all maintain Level 4 or equivalent advisories, warning of arbitrary detention, severely limited consular support, and threats from drone strikes and air defense activity. These are not hypothetical: embassies have reduced operations, and dual citizens or those perceived as opposing Russian law face heightened risk of detention, even for actions taken outside Russia.
On the ground, petty crime remains a concern in specific contexts. Pickpocketing is moderate and concentrated in crowded areas such as the Moscow Metro (especially stations like Teatralnaya and Ploshchad Revolyutsii), Red Square, and popular tourist routes. Bag-snatching can occur on trams and buses during peak hours. Mugging is rare for visitors but more likely in poorly lit outer districts late at night, often involving intoxicated individuals. Scams targeting tourists include fake police officers demanding bribes or passports, overcharging in taxis near hotels and attractions, and currency exchange tricks offering poor rates. Travelers should use only official apps like Yandex.Taxi, avoid unmarked cabs, and exchange money only at banks or licensed bureaus.
To stay safe, travelers must prioritize geopolitical awareness over street-level precautions. Register with your embassy’s traveler program, avoid any public discussion of politics or the Ukraine conflict, and refrain from protests or photography near government buildings. Keep digital and physical copies of your passport, visa, and insurance separate from the originals. While the city’s infrastructure functions normally and hospitals are accessible, your ability to receive consular help in an emergency is extremely limited. Given these risks, non-essential travel to Moscow is not advisable.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Moscow districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Moscow safety map.
Novomoskovsky Administrative OkrugavoidFar southern district; sparse population, limited infrastructure, and higher risk of opportunistic crime
Tverskoy DistrictcautionCentral area with major attractions; petty crime like pickpocketing reported on Arbat Street and near metro stations
Arbat DistrictcautionHistoric pedestrian zone popular with tourists; frequent pickpocketing and scams targeting visitors
Northern Administrative Okrug (Khovrino, Voykovsky)cautionIndustrial zones with reports of gopnik activity and drunk-related incidents, especially near freight areas
Yuzhnoye Tushino DistrictcautionNorthern residential area; occasional street scams and pickpocketing near metro stops after dark
Khamovniki DistrictsaferUpscale residential area near Gorky Park; low street crime and well-patrolled
Zamoskvorechye DistrictsaferQuiet, historic area south of the Kremlin; minimal crime reports and strong local presence
Western Administrative Okrug (Kuntsevo, Mozhaysky)saferResidential suburbs with good policing, low violent crime, and access to major hospitals
07 · After Dark
Is Moscow safe at night?
92% of people in Russia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon for visitors; incidents are rare and typically occur in poorly lit outer districts late at night.
After dark, be most careful around Novomoskovsky Administrative Okrug, Tverskoy District, Arbat District, Northern Administrative Okrug (Khovrino, Voykovsky). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Moscow safety FAQ
Is Moscow safe for tourists right now?
No — Moscow is not safe for travelers due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, arbitrary detention risks, and severely limited consular support, despite relatively low street crime. While Moscow experiences low levels of street crime and visitors often report feeling safe walking alone at night, the city operates under extreme geopolitical risk stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Western governments uniformly advise against all travel due to threats of drone strikes, arbitrary detention, and severely limited embassy assistance. Petty crime like pickpocketing occurs in crowded areas but is secondary to systemic risks. (Assessed 12 September 2026.)
Which areas of Moscow should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Novomoskovsky Administrative Okrug as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Moscow?
- Fake police officers demanding bribes or passports
- Overcharging in taxis and restaurants near tourist sites
- Currency exchange scams offering unfavorable rates
How does Moscow compare with other places in Russia?
Moscow ranks #1 of 9 Russia destinations we've assessed, scoring 18/100. See the Russia safety overview for the full list.
How is this Moscow safety score calculated?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Russia safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: moscow.json (CC BY 4.0).