The Safest Places to Travel in 2024

For most travelers, safety and security are a top priority when planning a getaway. Fortunately, numerous destinations offer visitors not only peace of mind but one-of-a-kind experiences.

Looking at the latest U.S. State Department travel advisories, the Institute for Economics & Peace's Global Peace Index and Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's list of the safest places to travel—which takes into account each of the latter, plus traveler feedback and GeoSure Global scores of the major cities in each country—we can uncover the world's safest destinations.

In 2024, these are the places that stand out when it comes to safety and security.

The United States' neighbor to the north continues to be among the world's safest countries, ranking first on Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's list of the safest places to visit in 2024 and 11th on the Global Peace Index, up two spots from last year.

Canada also receives a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department and Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto all rank in the top 10 of the Global Liveability Index for 2023.

Switzerland is trending up when it comes to safety. The mountainous European destination is up one spot to 10th on the Global Peace Index this year and up seven spots to second on Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's list of the safest places to visit. "Switzerland has been synonymous with security forever – or at least, for as long as there’s been a Switzerland," BHTP points out.

The Emerald Isle is another easy choice for travelers prioritizing safety and security in the new year. "The country’s 69 homicides in 2022 puts it behind 16 U.S. cities," Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection points out. Ireland ranks fourth-safest on that list and third on the Global Peace Index.

A burgeoning destination located just across the pond, Portugal ranks seventh on both the Global Peace Index and Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's list of the safest places to travel in 2024. Currently, the U.S. State Department advises visitors to exercise normal precautions in Portugal. 

Yet another European destination that travelers can visit with confidence in 2024, Denmark ranks second on the Global Peace Index and eighth on Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's list of the safest places to travel in the new year.

"Since the world's happiest country report came out in 2012, Denmark has consistently topped the report. Danes have a stable government, low levels of public corruption, and access to high-quality education and health care," She Is Wanderlust points out.

Iceland maintains its impressive number-one ranking on the Global Peace Index. The European island country has topped the GPI every year since 2008 due to its low crime rates, minimal military spending and conflict avoidance. Iceland also ranks ninth on Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's list of the safest places to travel in 2024 and receives a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department.

New Zealand is a spectacular destination, especially for nature lovers and adventure seekers. It also happens to be one of the world's safest countries, checking in fourth overall on the Global Peace Index and ranking as the 11th-safest country to visit, according to Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. 

Japan held steady at ninth overall on the Global Peace Index and elevated into Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's top 15 list of the safest places to travel, ranking 12th in 2024. The beloved destination also receives a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department heading into the new year.

Elsewhere in Asia, Singapore climbed four spots on the Global Peace Index to sixth overall in 2023. Visitors to this island country and city-state can anticipate not only a safe environment but a clean one as well. 

Americans venturing Down Under in 2024 can also explore Australia with peace of mind. The country-continent jumped four spots on the Global Peace Index to 22nd in 2023 and ranks as the 10th-safest place to travel to in 2024, according to Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.

Despite falling four spots from atop Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's list of the safest places to travel this year, the Netherlands jumped five spots on the Global Peace Index, reaching 16th. The country's impressive safety ratings are aided by its most sought-after destination in Amsterdam, which continues to be one of the safest cities in the world, according to American travelers.

Ranking inside the top 25 on the Global Peace Index and reaching third on Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's list of the safest places to travel in 2024, Norway is another safe and sound option in Scandinavia. According to Statistics Norway, the crime rate in the capital of Oslo was 39 per 1,000 residents in 2021, making it Norway's safest area.