Is Dubai safe for solo female travellers?

Yes, and it is a common choice. Dubai is one of the easier cities to travel alone in as a woman: the Metro has carriages reserved for women and children, there are pink-roofed taxis with female drivers, and the rules are clear. What you need to know are conventions rather than dangers — and the heat.

What the safety rankings say

Visit Dubai, the official tourism site, cites three outside rankings. Numbeo’s 2025 Safety Index by Country placed the UAE first, with a score of 85.2 out of 100. The same index ranked Dubai the third-safest city in the world, with 83.8. And an InsureMyTrip index named Dubai the safest city for female solo travellers, ahead of 61 other destinations, with an overall score of 7.71 out of 10. Rankings are not guarantees, but they match the practical picture below.

Getting around safely as a woman alone

The Metro

Every Dubai Metro train has a women-and-children section, marked in pink and available throughout operating hours. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) fines anyone who accesses or sits in an area designated for another category of passenger AED 100. RTA says the network has more than 3,000 CCTV cameras and dedicated metro police. On public buses, the front seating area is reserved for women.

Taxis

Dubai Taxi’s Families and Ladies Taxi is driven by women and is recognisable by its pink roof. Any woman or family can use it. You can book it through the Bolt or S’hail apps, or find it at Dubai International Airport (Terminals 1, 2 and 3), Al Maktoum International (DWC), Port Rashid and some malls and hospitals, subject to availability. Visit Dubai also describes Careem and Uber as widely used.

Where to stay

Stay near a Metro station — Downtown, Business Bay, Bur Dubai or the Marina — and you will rarely need a taxi. See the Metro and Nol card guide.

Dress and conventions worth knowing

• Swimwear stays at the beach or pool. Visit Dubai’s guidance is that it is not appropriate in business districts or shopping malls.
• Historical areas: Visit Dubai suggests covering shoulders and knees, or wearing loose garments.
• Mosques: arms and legs covered, and women may need to wear a headscarf.
• Ask before photographing people, especially women and families. It is the local norm, and it protects you as much as anyone.

More detail is in what to wear in Dubai.

The practical shape of a solo trip

Old Dubai is best in the morning; the Marina and JBR promenades stay busy into the evening. Walking after dark is ordinary in most districts, including Deira. Eating alone is unremarkable everywhere, though brunch is built around groups. A desert safari works well solo because it is a shared tour — see is the desert safari worth it.

Who to call if something goes wrong

Save these to your phone before you land. Your hotel reception can also call for help.

The real hazard: heat, not people

Visit Dubai puts the average July temperature at about 36°C, with highs reaching 40°C. Dehydration starts before you feel thirsty. Carry water, plan outdoor sightseeing for mornings and evenings, and use indoor options in the afternoon.

Common mistakes solo travellers make

• Stepping into the women’s section with a male companion — he can be fined AED 100.
• Wearing swimwear off the beach, into a mall or a hotel lobby.
• Planning long outdoor walks in the middle of a summer day.
• Not saving the emergency numbers before arrival.

This page is general travel information. For the wider picture, see is Dubai safe and first time in Dubai.

Questions people ask

Can I walk alone at night in Dubai?

In most districts, yes — walking after dark is ordinary. Use the same judgement you would at home.

Is the women’s section on the Metro available all day?

Yes. Visit Dubai says it is available at all times during operating hours.

How do I get a taxi with a female driver?

Book the pink-roofed Families and Ladies Taxi through the Bolt or S’hail apps, or ask at the airport taxi rank.

Do I need to cover my hair?

Not in daily life. Women may need to cover their hair when visiting a mosque.

What number do I call to report harassment?

999 in an emergency, or Dubai Police’s Al Ameen service on 800 4444.

Verified August 2026. See our editorial policy.