Are you traveling to Toronto for some purpose or planning to relocate? Of course, you’ll love the city with its amazing sights and other wonderful features. But there are other things you could be wondering about when moving here, such as how safe the city is. So, is Toronto safe at night?
Toronto is safe at night, with areas such as Downtown, Chinatown, etc., being great. But there are some sketchy areas such as Jane and Finch, Regent Park and Cabbagetown, etc. Apart from safety tips, it’s best to use PATH at night with caution.
Regardless of the few unsafe neighbourhoods in the city, Toronto is still one of the best cities to live or visit. It’s best to follow safety tips when in the city to ensure your security. Here, we discuss whether Toronto is safe at night.
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How Safe is Toronto
Toronto is one of the safest cities to visit in North America. In 2019, it was the 6th safest city globally and second safest in 2021. Crime levels are generally low compared to what you’ll get in other major cities. But that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. It’s worse than other cities in some areas, and violent crimes can sometimes be a concern. Most of the violent crimes in the city are gang-related, which means most victims are usually young people. But it’s not uncommon to find victims of other crimes. However, the city is still safe at night, although some sketchy areas are worth avoiding in darkness.
Is Toronto PATH safe at night?
The Toronto PATH is the underground pathway running through the core downtown area and connecting different buildings in the city. Most of those who use the PATH work in the office buildings within the area, so it might be isolated at night. Given this, it’s advisable to use the PATH at night with caution.
Is the Subway Safe at Night?
The subway is generally safe during the day and night. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be very careful when using the subway at any time of the day. At night, you might have to be extra careful. You can comfortably use the subway within the core downtown during the night. But if you’re traveling outside Downtown, it’s advisable to be extra careful, as there are risks of sketchier passengers. Of course, you can always press the yellow strip in case of emergency. But it’s important to be careful.
Safest Places in Toronto
Like all cities, Toronto has both its good and bad areas. Here are some of the safest areas in Toronto:
1. West Queen West
If you’re looking for an elite part of Toronto to stay in, this is one of the places you should consider. But it’s not just great, and with many amenities, it’s also one of the safest neighbourhoods in the city. It boasts unique attractions as it blends innovative environments and designs with historic architecture. Several magazines rank it as one of the best neighbourhoods in the city. With several restaurants, boutique shops, and galleries, you’ll find people from some of the most artistic and fashionable crowd in Toronto here. There are several bars here too, and it’s generally busy both during the day and at night.
2. Downtown
Downtown is where the party’s at in Toronto. So, it can get somewhat rowdy on some nights. But Downtown West is a lot cooler and offers you the choice of location with a very safe environment. This neighbourhood is very good for families, and there are famous attractions and sights in the neighbourhood. Given that it’s in the heart of the city, you can easily go to several parts of Toronto with the public transport system here. The Toronto harbour is also here, which means it hosts a lot of tourists almost throughout the year. The hockey hall of fame and CN Tower are also here. The downtown area is usually safe even at night, and that’s not just Downtown West. Any area from Eaton Centre to the Harbourfront.
3. Chinatown
Toronto Chinatown is the biggest in North America and one of the city’s safest areas. This incredibly busy area is filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars. The sounds, tastes, and smells here are renowned, and you can also be sure of your safety in Chinatown. If you’re a tourist, this is one of the best places to find budget accommodation.
Areas to avoid at Night in Toronto
Just as there are safe and cool areas in Toronto, there are also some areas that you should avoid, especially in the dark hours. These areas of Toronto aren’t as safe as others, and if you’re in these areas at night, you have to be extra cautious and alert. It’s even best to avoid coming to these areas after dark. They include:
- Dundas Streets
- Neighbourhood of Bloor
- Neighbourhoods northwest of Queen Street West and Bathurst Street
- Regent Park and Cabbagetown
- Jane and Finch
- Scarborough
- Entertainment districts usually have drunk people and bar fights.
Safety Tips for Living in or Visiting Toronto
- Keep your belongings close to yourself when you’re outside, and make sure you are always aware of your surroundings.
- Don’t carry important stuff such as wads of cash, passport, and important documents with you. Instead, keep them in a money belt or safe purse if you have to.
- Steer clear of homeless people as much as you can; while most are pretty harmless, some can be unpredictable.
- Plan your trips ahead of time so you can avoid sketchy and unsafe areas before dark and familiarize yourself with directions, so you won’t be working about holding your phone
- When on public transport or busy areas, don’t keep anything valuable in easily accessible pockets
- Be aware of your surroundings and those you interact with; thieves sometimes use distraction techniques like asking for directions, bumping into strangers, dropping something, etc.
- Be extra cautious around ATMs, and it’s best to withdraw from inside the bank or during the daytime.
- If you’re a tourist, try your best to blend in and not dress in a way that gives you off as a stranger.
- If someone tries to attack or assault you, scream, make a fuss, kick if possible, and run.
- If you’re driving a car, lock the door immediately; enter the car and check inside and around before even entering.
- Cross the street if you notice someone following you to confirm, and if they are, call for help and run.
In Conclusion
Toronto is fairly safe even at night, but it’s not perfect. There are a lot of unsafe or sketchy areas, so you need to be conscious and aware, especially when walking alone. However, the downtown area is usually safe anytime.