We understand the thrill of travelling solo and we have spoken about best solo travel destinations as well as shared solo travel guides before.
However, when embarking on a solo trip, finding the countries that offer the safest environment can be crucial, especially for solo female travel. When travelling as a solo girl, safety should be the number one priority when deciding on where to go.
Luckily, there are many destinations in the world where travelling as a solo travel for women is a safe and rewarding experience.
The 8 best places for women to travel alone
Japan: Safe haven solo travel for women
Japan is one of our top places for solo trips for women. Transport is highly efficient, with an excellent train and bus network (you can order a Japan Rail Pass in advance), which makes travelling around this beautiful country as a solo girl an absolute delight. It is also extremely safe, coming 9th in the Global Peace Index 2019.
Travelling in Japan was my first completely solo female travel experience and it was a fascinating destination to discover on my own. Though I was sometimes greeted with concern (I was asked ‘does your mother know you are here?’ on a number of occasions), people went out of their way to help and I was even guided to my hostel or ryokan several times after I was spotted trying to decipher my map.
Enjoying some sake in vibrant Hiroshima and exploring Takayama’s Hida Folk Village in the Japanese Alps were the highlights of my solo trip.
Hawaii: For adventure-loving female solo travellers
Hawaii is a fantastic choice for active solo girls. Travellers can hike, surf or join boat and snorkelling tours making it one of the best places to travel alone as a female in the US. It is considered a safe destination, so female travellers can enjoy stunning islands and tranquil beaches without worrying about safety.
We recommend Maui Surfer Girls camp, for solo girls or women, where you can learn to surf in the company of other solo female travellers.
Vietnam: Excellent for meeting solo girls from other parts of the world
Vietnam is an exciting destination for all kinds of travellers. Having travelled as a solo girl here several times, I have always felt comfortable. There is a well-established route of buses (and some overnight trains) and plenty of other travellers so you will never be lonely on the road.
Whilst there is some low-level crime (as in many countries), this should not detract from the experiences on offer for solo female travel as long as you are careful. Keep your phone, money and passport out of sight and in a safe place.
My best adventures were an accidental private trip on a fishing boat through Halong Bay, cycling at dusk to find a village nestled in between mountains and rice paddies near Cat Ba National Park, and joining an Oxalis group tour (where I met other solo girls) in the awe-inspiring caves in Phong Nha.
South Korea: Stay in a temple and enjoy public baths
With vibrant cities and accessible national parks, South Korea is another excellent option for solo female travel. Considered generally very safe, solo women can comfortably travel here without concerns.
When I visited in 2018, my favourite experiences were a two-night temple stay in the beautiful Jikjisa temple and multiple visits to the affordable jimjilbangs (Korean public baths).
New Zealand: Rent a car or a campervan as a solo girl
New Zealand is a breathtakingly beautiful country that ranks very highly for safety (it was second in the 2019 Global Peace Index) and is one of the best places for women to travel alone. If you are prepared to drive yourself and have an international drivers licence, you can rent a car or campervan – Mad Campers offers one-bed vans.
If you would prefer some company, solo girls can also sign-up with one of the many tour companies offering either comprehensive tours or hop-on, hop-off bus travel (KiwiExperience and Stray Travel are two well-established examples). I joined a GAdventures tour in 2014 and had a fantastic time.
From bungee jumping and horseback riding in Queenstown to swimming with dolphins in Kaikoura, I also made lifelong friends of other solo girl travellers on the trip.
Iceland: Immerse in exquisite nature as a solo female traveller
Not only does Iceland have fantastic scenery, but it is also the safest country in the world, which makes it ideal for solo trips for women. Reykjavik is a hub for travellers so there are opportunities to join up with others to share the cost of renting a car either for day trips of journeys farther afield on the Iceland Ring Road.
Whale watching, viewing the northern lights and soaking in thermal pools (like Landmannalaugar or the Blue Lagoon) are just some of the many activities on offer at one of the best places to travel alone as a woman.
Patagonia, Argentina: An unconventional but worth exploring solo travel destination
South America might have a reputation for being a challenging destination for female solo travel, but that does not mean that solo girls cannot have an incredible trip here.
El Chaltén in Argentina, the hub for trekking in Patagonia, is a relaxed town where solo girls can meet other travellers, join camping trips, go rock-climbing or go glacier hiking, all in an environment that is comfortable for female travellers.
Singapore: Indulge in great food and explore the city life as a female solo tourist
If you want to visit Asia but are slightly nervous about travelling as a solo girl, Singapore is an excellent introduction to the continent. It is safe, has efficient (and air conditioned) transport links around the city and English is widely spoken.
I had a great, stress-free few days wandering around lush gardens and fascinating museums (the Chinatown Heritage Centre was my favourite) and indulging in some great food in Ann Siang Hill.
Female solo travel can be an amazingly rewarding experience and will give you unforgettable memories. Choose from our list of ideal solo female travel destinations to find a safe and exciting trip for you.
