Is Rome Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

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A guide to staying safe in Rome for solo female travellers. Covering common crimes, getting around, and safety tips.

“Are you travelling alone?” Asks a woman in my tour group. She’s visiting Italy from New Zealand, travelling with her husband, sister and brother-in-law. When I tell her that yes, I’m visiting Rome solo, her reply surprises me: “wow, you’re brave.”

I’ve had this response from people all over the world – usually in places like Mexico, India, and Egypt. But in Rome, it comes as a surprise. I honestly thought nothing about hopping on a two-hour flight to fly here for a couple of days. It seemed no more daunting than taking the train to London.

That brief interaction reminded me that just because I’ve gotten used to travelling alone, it can still be a big step for some. Especially if Rome is your first destination as a solo female traveller – or if you’re visiting from outside of Europe. And just like every city, there are things to be aware of – and steps to take to keep yourself safe.

So – here’s my tried-and-tested solo female travel guide to Rome: from someone who’s been travelling the world alone for nearly a decade! I’ve covered safety tips, issues to be aware of, advice for getting around, and more. I hope it helps!

If you have any questions at all, feel free to get in touch via the comments or on socials (I’m @em_luxton on Instagram). Buon viaggio…

Is Rome Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

The short answer is YES! Overall, Rome is very safe for solo female travellers. In fact, the city ranked 29th on the Economist’s Safe Cities Index. Italy in general is very safe and is one of the top European countries I’d recommend for solo travel.

However, there are a few things to be aware of, which I’ll outline below.

Common Crimes to be Aware Of

Crime levels are generally low in Italy. However, some petty crimes are common in city centres and often target tourists. I’ve listed these below.

Pick-pocketing and bag-snatching: Sadly, this is quite a high risk in Rome – especially on public transport, around the Termini train station, and at the major tourist attractions. Take care of your belongings at all times and try to stay aware of your surroundings. There are some more tips at the bottom of this section.

Theft from cars: If you’re driving, don’t leave any valuables in your vehicle. Theft from cars is particularly common in the Colosseum area.

Drink spiking: Thankfully, this isn’t common – but there have been reports of drink spiking in Rome, with victims being robbed or even assaulted in some cases. Don’t accept drinks from strangers and never leave any drinks unattended.

Unlicensed taxis: Also known as “pirate taxis”, these are illegal in Rome. They will often overcharge unwitting tourists and you could be putting yourself in danger. Always head to a taxi stand, use a ridesharing app, or ask your accommodation/restaurant to call a cab for you.

Good to Know: Official taxis are usually white and will have a sign on the roof and a company name and number written on the side. 

Terrorism

Terrorism isn’t really a high risk in Italy. However, as of October 2024, the UK government’s Foreign Travel Advice website states that “terrorist attacks in Italy cannot be ruled out”. They also advise that there is “a high threat of terrorist attack globally”.

Political demonstrations are uncommon but can happen unpredictably. Keep an eye on the local news and avoid any large public demonstrations or protests if they do take place.

Harassment

I’ve visited Rome twice now as a solo traveller and have always felt perfectly safe walking around on my own. The city doesn’t have a reputation for being dangerous for women, and I didn’t experience any cat-calling or aggressive behaviour from men.

That said, these issues are unfortunately common the world over, and just like any big city, some areas of Rome are less safe after dark. It’s worth taking a few steps to stay safe:

• Avoid going to bars alone. Instead, see if your hostel is hosting any parties or consider joining a guided bar crawl – there are some great ones on GetYourGuide (click here to view).
• Don’t walk alone in quiet areas or around the main train stations late at night.
  • The Centro Historico and main touristy areas tend to stay fairly crowded at night so generally feel safer. However, late at night, it’s still best to take a taxi rather than public transport or walking.
• Don’t flag down a taxi in the street as there’s no way to know if it’s licenced. Instead, use a ridesharing app to call a cab or ask the bar/restaurant to call one for you. More info in the “Getting Around” section further down the page.

Health and Hygiene

Vaccinations: You don’t need any vaccinations to travel to Italy – although it may be a good idea to top up your Covid and Flu vaccinations if you’re in a high-risk category.

Mosquito Bites: In 2024, there have been a small number of cases of Dengue fever in Italy, a disease which is transmitted by mosquito bites. Most of the reported cases were in the Marche region, and none were in the Lazio region (where Rome is situated). However, it’s a good idea to avoid mosquito bites where possible and keep an eye on the NHS Fit For Travel page for updates.

Sun: The biggest health risk in Italy is probably the sun. Rome can be very hot during summer: expect highs of 32°C in July and August. Take all the normal precautions: wear suncream, cover up with loose clothing and a sunhat, avoid the midday sun, and drink lots of water.

Water: Tap water is safe to drink across Italy, including Rome. Public fountains are common in the city, so take a refillable water bottle.

Top Tip: If you’re still concerned about drinking water (or just don’t like the taste of tap water), I highly recommend a Water-to-Go bottle for on-the-go water filtration – check out my review for a 15% discount.

Getting Around in Rome

While the Centro Historico area is fairly compact and walkable, the rest of Rome’s city centre is sprawling. Taxis aren’t that cheap and can add up fast if you’re on a budget.

Thankfully, there’s a pretty decent public transport system in place. There are three metro lines in the city: lines A (the red line) and B (the blue line) cover the city centre and some of the most famous monuments, like the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and the Vatican. 

The metro is straightforward to use (click here for a guide). Ticket machines can be switched to English (and other languages) and stops are announced in both Italian and English.

Top Tip: If you’re short on time, the hop-on-hop-off bus tour from City Sightseeing is a great way to cover a lot of ground without trying to navigate Rome on your own.

Is the public transport safe in Rome?

The public transportation system in Rome is generally considered safe. Metro stations are well-lit and clean, and there are usually staff around.

However, as mentioned above, pickpockets and petty crimes are common in Rome – so it’s important to stay vigilant and keep your belongings secure.

Is there Uber (or similar) in Rome?

Yes – Uber does work in Rome and is perfectly legal. However, it’s usually the more expensive option, as only the premium Uber Black is available. Thankfully, you can also use the Uber app to hail local cabs – which is handy as it means you can still pay digitally, and benefit from the app’s safety features.

In Italy, FREE NOW is the more common cab-hailing app. It’s cheaper than Uber and has similar safety features. I recommend downloading it and setting up an account before your trip.

Top Tip: Whichever app you choose, be sure to set up all the in-built safety features in advance. You can set up a PIN verification, switch on safety check-ins, and add a trusted contact with whom you can quickly share your location and trip status if you’re concerned.

Safety Tips for Solo Female Travellers in Rome

No matter which country you’re visiting, my advice to all solo female travellers is to remain vigilant, practice common sense, and avoid dangerous situations.

Learn the local emergency numbers

The single emergency number in Italy is 112: it’s a free number and needs no prefix. The operator will put you through to the appropriate service.

Alternatively, download the 112 Where Are U app before your trip. This is the official emergency number app in Italy: you can use it to instantly contact emergency services and share your location.

Get a Local SIM or eSIM

Some mobile networks allow for free data roaming in Europe. If yours doesn’t, get a local pre-paid SIM card or an eSIM in order to stay online while you’re in Rome (handy for online maps, translations, ordering Ubers, etc).

You can buy a prepaid Vodafone SIM card at Rome airport (more expensive) or head to a TIM mobile phone store in the city centre to purchase a prepaid SIM (better deals).

Personally, I prefer eSIMs: you can download them to your phone so there’s no need to change SIM cards over. You can set it up before you arrive in Italy and then activate the SIM as soon as you land – so you can get online straight away without any faff!

Airalo: From £4 / $4.50 (1GB, 7 days). Use code EMILY9237 to get £2.50 off your first purchase.
Nomad: From £3.50 / $4.50 (1GB, 7 days). Use code EMIL96SV to get 25% off your first purchase.

Have good travel insurance

I cannot stress enough the importance of travel insurance. If you encounter an issue – whether it’s a cancelled flight, stolen phone, or a medical emergency – you want that covered.

I recommend Safety Wing Travel Insurance. They have policies specifically for long-term travellers, digital nomads, and backpackers, and offer a really comprehensive cover for all trip types.

More safety tips for female travellers

• Avoid sharing your live location on social media: post things like Instagram stories at the end of the day.
• Don’t meet up with anyone you don’t know.
  • If you want to use dating apps or join a meetup event, I highly recommend doing it in a public place and arranging set check-in times with a trusted friend back home.
• Avoid unlicensed taxis in Rome. Use Uber or FREE NOW to order cabs, or get someone at your accommodation/restaurant to call one for you. Turn on location sharing via WhatsApp if you’re ever concerned.
• Use reputable providers for tours and excursions. I recommend using Get Your Guide to find tours – they have a great range and use verified reviews, so you can make sure the tour you’re booking has a good reputation.
• Avoid walking alone late at night – especially around the Termini train station or in quieter areas. A taxi from door to door is usually the safest option after dark.

Quick Summary: Solo Female Travel in Rome

• Get a local pre-paid SIM or eSIM (use my referral codes above for a discount).
• Learn the local emergency number (112) or download the 112 Where Are U app.
• Have good travel insurance.
• Beware of pickpockets – especially in train stations and busy tourist attractions.
  • Don’t keep your valuables in pockets or a backpack – opt for a zipped cross-body bag or bumbag/fanny pack instead.
  • Consider an anti-theft bag like the ones from PacSafe or Travelon.
• Beware of drink spiking – never take a drink from a stranger or leave your drink unattended.
• Keep a “backup” credit or debit card separate, preferably in the hotel safe, in case your wallet is lost/stolen.

Please don’t let the above warnings put you off visiting Rome! This guide is about arming you with practical info so you can make the right decisions and stay safe.

Remember, even though things like pickpocketing can be an issue, it’s not the norm and most visits to Rome are incident-free.

As long as you make sensible choices, take the right precautions, and use your common sense, you should be perfectly safe travelling solo in Rome. I hope you have a great trip!

Got a question about solo female travel in Rome? Scroll down to leave a comment and I’ll try to help!