Muscat: According to a global study by long-haul travel specialists Travelbag, Muscat was named among the top five safest cities in the world for solo travellers, reinforcing Oman’s reputation as one of the most stable and secure destinations in the region.
The research analysed 36 international destinations using daytime and nighttime safety scores from the Numbeo Crime Index, alongside affordability, transport costs and how welcoming destinations feel to visitors. The index is based on crowdsourced data reflecting perceptions of crime, theft, assault and personal safety.
While Abu Dhabi topped the global rankings with a daytime safety score of 92 and nighttime score of 87, followed closely by Dubai at second place, Muscat emerged as the highest-ranked city outside the UAE in the Middle East.
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Muscat recorded a daytime safety score of 89 and a nighttime score of 76, placing it fourth worldwide—ahead of several major international tourist hubs. Recent Numbeo data continues to show Muscat with one of the lowest crime perception levels globally, driven by strong community policing, social stability and a culture of public safety.
Oman has consistently ranked high in international safety indices, with residents and visitors citing low violent crime, minimal theft and a strong sense of personal security, even after dark. Well-lit streets, orderly public spaces and high trust in law enforcement contribute to Muscat’s appeal, particularly for first-time and solo travellers.
Top Five Safest Cities for Solo Travellers
Abu Dhabi, UAE – 92 (day) | 87 (night)
Dubai, UAE – 91 | 83
Chiang Mai, Thailand – 93 | 81
Muscat, Oman – 89 | 76
Queenstown, New Zealand – 86 | 74
The study comes as solo travel continues to gain momentum globally, with 76 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials saying they plan to travel alone this year. Safety remains the top priority for solo travellers, followed by affordability, ease of transportation and how welcoming a destination feels.
While the UAE dominated global safety rankings, Hanoi was named the best overall destination for solo travellers in 2025 due to its low costs, high daytime safety and friendly atmosphere.
