Rick Steves Is Tired Of People Thinking This Iconic European Destination Is Dangerous

Millions of travelers have trusted Rick Steves to help them plan their dream vacations. Throughout his career he's become a leading travel expert and has researched and written many bestselling guidebooks. He has also hosted a popular television series called Rick Steves' Europe, and guided thousands of travelers on group tours. He calls the United States home, but Europe is his area of expertise, and he continues to spend several months a year across the pond. It's safe to say he's someone that travelers can trust, and his advice is to stop being scared of traveling to London.

London is not a particularly dangerous destination, but there are still those who will choose to stay home after viewing a few horrific stories on the news. While the Department of State has issued a travel warning for tourists to exercise increased caution due to terrorism in the United Kingdom, it's only a level two warning of four. There are dozens of countries with level two warnings, and many of them are top tourist destinations. According to Rick Steves, London remains a "safe and fun" destination, and easily one of the best cities to visit with kids. 

Like any major city around the globe, London isn't without its risks, but tourists shouldn't stay at home due to safety concerns, according to Steves. The most common issues tourists experience are petty crimes like pickpocketing, purse snatching, and cell phone theft. Violent crimes are less common, but do still occur. Terrorism is also a risk. Currently, The United Kingdom's counterterrorism and counterintelligence agency, M15, has issued a terrorism threat level three, meaning the risk of a terrorist attack is "substantial," but not considered "severe" or "critical."

Some travelers from the United States may have started to view the city as more dangerous after a series of tragic terrorist attacks in 2017 that resulted in multiple deaths. The negative perception that London is dangerous may also have increased due to commentary from right-wing political figures. For example, Donald Trump received some backlash after criticizing London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, and retweeting the right-wing media personality Katie Hopkins when she referred to London as "Stab City" in 2019.

While there is a risk of terrorists attacks globally, Steves assures travelers that the government has responded with increased safety measures, adding that, "Londoners know that when politicians and the media overreact to a terrorist killing, it only rewards and encourages the evil."

If you're from the United States and you're fearful of traveling to London due to terrorist attacks, it's important to have some perspective. In 2023, there were 656 mass shootings in the United States — that's more mass shootings than days in the year. The United States government has even published a printable "Active Shooter Pocket Card." While the USA doesn't currently have any travel advisories within its own borders, the United Kingdom advisory warns travelers that terrorist attacks are very likely in the United States, as are mass shootings and violent crimes.

"Let's say you're an American who's decided London is 'too dangerous,' and decide to vacation in Las Vegas or Memphis instead. But let's look at the numbers. London has nearly 15 times as many people as either Memphis or Las Vegas, but far fewer murders," Steves wrote on his website. And those aren't even the most dangerous vacation places in the U.S.

London is generally considered far safer than many cities in the United States. If you feel okay with domestic travel, you shouldn't feel afraid to enjoy a fun trip to the U.K.'s capital. Violence, crime, and terrorism are an unfortunate part of our modern world, but it's crucial that we don't become paralyzed by fear. We should continue to have hope, travel, and broaden our world views through cultural experiences whenever possible. Go ahead and plan that trip, and have the best vacation in London.