Safest Places to Travel in 2026
What the New Rankings Mean for You
If “safe, easy, and inspiring” is your 2026 brief, the newest data lands with good news. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) just released its annual Safest Places for Travelers research—and there are some notable shifts. Headline: The Netherlands takes the top spot for countries, and Reykjavík, Copenhagen, and Zürich lead the city list.
Safest countries (top 10):
- Netherlands
- Australia
- Austria
- Iceland
- Canada
- New Zealand
- UAE
- Switzerland
- Japan
- Ireland.
Safest cities (top tier):
Reykjavík, Copenhagen, Zürich (with long-time stalwarts like Tokyo and Singapore still ranking strongly).
How BHTP builds the rankings (and why they matter)
BHTP blends traveler survey data (how safe people actually felt on the ground) with external safety indices (infrastructure, health care access, risk metrics, etc.). That combination makes the list especially useful for families, first-timers, and anyone who wants solid logistics with low friction.
What changed for 2026
- The Netherlands jumps to #1. Think immaculate rail links, bike-first cities, and traveler-friendly English—plus cultural depth beyond the big hitters.
- UAE breaks into the top 10 at #7, reflecting years of investment in safety and visitor infrastructure.
- Northern Europe still dominates cities: Reykjavík and Copenhagen remain gold standards for walkability, transit, and low petty-crime rates.
If you’re trip-planning, here are smart, safety-forward routes
- Netherlands (7–9 days): Amsterdam → Haarlem → Leiden → Delft → The Hague (day trip to the beach at Scheveningen). Rail-only, no car required, museum passes + canal hotels for stress-free logistics. (Yes, tulips in spring are as good as you’ve heard.)
- Austria (7–10 days): Vienna → Wachau Valley → Salzburg → Salzkammergut. Scenic rails, tidy timetables, and lake-town stays that feel like a deep breath.
- Iceland (5–8 days): Base in Reykjavík; combine Golden Circle with an overnight on the South Coast. World-class emergency services and clear road guidance make self-drives approachable in the right season.
- Copenhagen + Southern Sweden (6–8 days): Copenhagen → Helsingør → Malmö/Lund via Øresund bridge. Smooth cross-border trains, bike culture, and design-forward hotels.
- Japan (8–12 days): Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto. Add a JR Pass segment and stay near major stations for maximum ease and safety.
Practical tips for “safe and smooth” travel in 2026
- Lean on rail where possible (Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Japan): reliable schedules minimize the usual travel hiccups.
- Book walkable bases near central stations/old towns—better lighting, more people around, easier late-evening returns. (This also reduces rideshare dependence.)
- Pack admin smarts: photocopies of passports, offline maps, local emergency numbers saved in your phone.
- Match season to your style: shoulder seasons = fewer crowds and typically calmer logistics in these already order-loving places.
Why this list aligns with how I plan trips
My itineraries prioritize frictionless movement (good transit, central hotels), clear day-by-day pacing, and local texture—the exact strengths highlighted by BHTP’s top destinations. If you’re the “I want easy, authentic, and well-run” traveler, these picks make your life simpler before you even leave home.
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