With the vast majority of the world having reopened in the wake of the pandemic and the U.S. State Department issuing a record number of passports, it's safe to say that international travel is back in a big way.
For many of those looking to venture abroad in the final third of 2023, safety will be a top priority. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to visit without sacrificing peace of mind. However, some stand out from the rest.
The following list takes into account the Institute for Economics and Peace's 2023 Global Peace Index (GPI), the latest State Department travel advisories and Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's (BHTP) rankings of the safest places to travel in 2024.
The latter list considers the GPI and State Department travel safety ratings in addition to traveler survey responses and GeoSure Global scores of the major cities in each country.
Iceland
Iceland has topped the Global Peace Index for 17 years straight and ranks as the second safest country to travel to, according to Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. The European island nation also received a Level 1 travel advisory from the State Department as recently as July 26.
The Westfjords of Iceland. (photo courtesy of Visit Iceland)
Australia
Travelers can venture Down Under with peace of mind this autumn (it's now spring in Australia). Australia is up four spots to 22nd on the Global Peace Index and ranks sixth on BHTP's list of the safest places for 2024.
Wildlife is arguably the biggest threat to travelers in this part of the world. "Australia recorded 377 homicides in 2022. By comparison, Chicago had 692 homicides that same year," BHTP states.
Japan
Much of Asia was off-limits to travelers for a good chunk of time amid the COVID pandemic but as the region reopens, Japan is among its safest destinations. It ranks ninth on the Global Peace Index and 13th on Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's list of the safest places to visit in 2024 after missing out on the top 15 just a year ago.
"Japan is built on order and regimentation. That allows little room for crime or any other form of untoward behavior. It helps explain why its rates of murder and theft are minuscule," the experts at BHTP note.
Ireland
St Patrick's Quay on the north channel of river Lee. Cork, Ireland (Photo Courtesy of iStock / Getty Images Plus / Arsty)
According to Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, Ireland's 69 homicides in 2022 put it behind as many as 16 U.S. cities. The Emerald Isle ranks ninth on BHTP's 2024 list of the safest places to visit and third on the Global Peace Index.
Ireland is also listed at Level 1 on the U.S. State Department's four-tier travel advisory scale.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is up five spots on the Global Peace Index this year to 16th and ranks seventh on Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's list of the safest places to visit in 2024.
"Amsterdam is one of the world’s safest cities, according to the American travelers we surveyed, and last year those same travelers rated the Netherlands as the world’s safest country," BHTP notes. Nonetheless, travelers can expect to pay a premium for that safety next year.
New Zealand
New Zealand jumped seven spots on Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's annual list of the safest countries to visit, rising all the way to third for 2024. The South Pacific destination also ranks fourth on the Global Peace Index and received a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department in its most recent update on September 8.
Aerial view of Queenstown, New Zealand. (photo via Mlenny/E+)
"New Zealand has a homicide rate of 0.7 per 100,000 people, according to Prospero Health & Social Care. By comparison, the U.S. has a homicide rate of 7.8 per 100,000," BHTP points out.
Canada
Canada continues to be the safest country in North America, ranking 11th on the Global Peace Index and fifth on Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's list of the safest countries for 2024, climbing one spot from 2023. According to the U.S. State Department, Americans can exercise normal precautions when visiting Canada this fall.
Switzerland
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection named Switzerland its safest place to travel in 2024. "Switzerland has been synonymous with security for forever – or at least, for as long as there’s been a Switzerland," says BHTP.
What's more, the country ranks 10th on the Global Peace Index and received the coveted Level 1 travel advisory from the State Department.
ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao)
A picturesque Aruban coastline. (photo courtesy of Aruba Tourism Authority)
In the Caribbean, the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are among the safest travelers can visit this fall, not only for their low crime and safe and secure tourism infrastructure but also their location outside of the Atlantic hurricane belt. (hurricane season runs through November 30).
All three destinations also received a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department this past summer.
Denmark
Ranking second on the Global Peace Index and eighth on Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's list of the safest places for 2024, Denmark is another excellent option for travelers to Europe prioritizing safety this fall. Denmark also consistently ranks among the world's happiest countries.
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