The following destinations are the best for solo female travelers! If you’re planning a solo adventure soon it’s good to know which destinations are both fun and safe for solo female travelers.
There are around 15 destinations on this list so there’s definitely something here for everyone. Say you’re down for an adventure… I would check out New Zealand or Costa Rica. Or maybe you want to drink champagne on a secluded beach after a well-deserved shopping spree? Bali or Thailand will probably be the best bet (both locations are dirt cheap, so you can actually live like royalty).
Solo travel isn’t as dangerous and complicated as most people think. Yes, the world can be quite an intimidating place, but most of it is just media hype. Trust me, the world is teeming with beautiful and safe places to travel alone for females. Recent research has found that nearly two-thirds of today’s travelers are women and nearly 32 million American women travel alone every year.
This article is for all the independent girls out there that are dreaming about exploring the world! I share some of my favorite travel recommendations that make solo female travel possible followed by the destinations that are safe to travel to in 2024. Make sure to leave a comment if I missed any destinations that you think should be added to the list, or just to say hi!
Here’s to your first solo trip! xoxo
Travel Recommendations:
How to meet people on the road:
On a recent solo trip to Hawaii, I used the Couchsurfing app to meet other travelers. You can find a meetup in practically any city you travel to!
Where to find a cheap hostel to stay in
I usually use HostelWorld to find cheap accommodations while traveling abroad. Hostels can be sketchy at times, so while planning where I’m going to stay, I’ll check out the user-submitted pictures of the place before I book to see if the place is as advertised.
How to translate anything on the spot:
Did you know that If you download the Google Translate app on your iPhone/Android and when using the application, hold your phone up in camera mode in front of any foreign text & it will translate it for you? This includes languages like Japanese and Thai which is full of symbols not on the English keyboard?!!! This is not an ad – I just found out about this yesterday and it blew my mind 🙂
Best site to find cheap flights
I’ve had quite a few mishaps while using third-party booking websites for traveling & in my experience, Expedia has been the most reliable (and also affordable) platform from which to book flights. Expedia compares prices from all of the major airlines and can help you find the cheapest available flight for your next travel adventure. From one traveler to another, Expedia does not disappoint.
Insure your stuff
I recommend taking the necessary precautions to insure your gear before your next big trip. You never know what can happen and you DO NOT want to wait before it’s too late. World Nomads is the premier insurance company to insure short-term and long term travelers against theft or natural disasters.
This page contains affiliate links meaning I earn a commission if you use those links. I only recommend brands I use and trust. See my disclosure for more.
Bali
Bali is the number one destination for budget travelers. For North Americans, our money goes 3x as far in Bali, making it perfect for those looking to vacation on a budget. Bali natives are super friendly and accommodating which is why the island is home to a huge expat community. You can live like a Queen for just under $1000 US dollars. This includes food, transportation, and housing. You just can’t live like that anywhere else.
There’s something for everyone in Bali. Lush forests and easy waterfall hikes are perfect for thrill seekers, backpackers, and hikers. You’re bound to make a friend or two in the first day you arrive there, especially if you stay in a hostel.
Things to see:
- Lempuyang Temple (Gate to Heaven)
- Nusa Penida Island tour
- Ubud hot springs
- Sacred Monkey Forest
Click here to find to check affordable flights to Indonesia on Expedia
Click here to book a room in Bali
Montreal, Canada
Looking to have a taste of Europe without spending a fortune? Canada is the place to be. The country is popular amongst solo travelers for being safe and has in the past fought to uphold a stance for women’s rights (probably even more so than it’s American counterpart *cough* *cough*)
Montreal is known for it’s rich culture and history. You’ll find amazing French restaurants nestled within in 17th-century buildings. There’s something here for everyone, and this includes thrill seekers too! Montreal is only minutes away from huge mountains, forests, and awesome hikes.
Click here to find to check affordable flights to Canada on Expedia
Click here to book a room in Montreal
More posts if you need some travel inspo:
Stairway to Heaven Hike (Haiku Stairs)
15 Beautiful Places You Should Visit in Italy
New Zealand
If you have seen any one of the Lord of the Rings movies, then you’re familiar with New Zealand’s scenery. The country is voted regularly as one of the world’s most beautiful places, and it’s easy to see why. New Zealand’s dramatic landscape offers a myriad experience from skydiving and stargazing to skiing, cruising through glacial fiords and insights into Maori culture. Rolling hills, sparkling lakes, the purest air, and water, make the country a giant and a zesty outdoor playground that should be a staple on anyone’ bucket list.
Just check out some of these adventures:
- Milford Sound
- Mount Cook
- Fiordland National ParkMilford Sound
- Kayak around Cathedral Cove
- Dig your own spa on hot water beach
- Hobbiton (Home to the Hobit houses from Lord of the Rings)
Click here to find to check affordable flights to New Zealand on Expedia
Click here to book a room in Auckland
Kyoto, Japan
Out of many countries on this list, Japanese people are considered the most respectful towards solo female travelers. Japan is famous for having a progressive culture that does not shy away from nuanced ideas such as solo female travel (unlike some middle eastern countries). Travelers often go to Tokyo and call it a day. More experienced travelers fly south to Kyoto, a city which in my opinion has more to offer in terms of providing a look into ancient Japanese culture, and has been coined as being the MOST beautiful city in Japan.
Things to see
- Imperial Palaces
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Fushimi Inari Taisha (Shinto shrine with a beautiful red gate pathway that dates back to 700AD)
- Bamboo Grove
Click here to find to check affordable flights to Japan on Expedia
Click here to book a room in Kyoto
The Philippines
I wish I could fit all of Philippine’s highlights in a simple bullet list but I found that REALLY hard. The Philippines is a remarkable country made up of more than 7,000 islands. The Palawan peninsula is absolutely STUNNING! There are crystal clear waters in between islands that just don’t exist anywhere else. Don’t just take my world for it. WATCH THIS VIDEO!!! Seriously, wow! There’s actually a place on planet earth that looks like this. I’m actually drooling.. ok so if you’re planning a trip to the Philippines here’s what I recommend seeing:
- Coron is repeatedly voted as 1 of the ten best islands to visit in the world. Known for its lakes, lagoons, beaches and reef wreck diving. The natural beauty of Coron will definitely leave you awestruck.
- Visit the city of Manilla
- Kayangan Lake
- Batad Rice Terraces
- Malcapuya Islands – stunning beaches
Click here to find to check affordable flights to the Philippines on Expedia
Click here to book a room in the Philippines
More posts if you need some travel inspo:
15 Bucket-List Destinations That Are Open For International Tourism In 2024
The 15 Most Beautiful Hotels in the World
The World’s 10 Most Underrated Travel Destinations
Reykajavik, Iceland
Iceland is a Nordic island nation that has a diverse and beautiful terrain, defined by its dramatic landscape with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and lava fields. The country is consistently ranked as the world’s most peaceful nation and the number one country as far as gender equality goes.
Iceland is a Nordic island nation that has a diverse and beautiful terrain, defined by its dramatic landscape with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and lava fields. The country is consistently ranked as the world’s most peaceful nation and the number one country as far as gender equality goes.
Things To See:
- The Northern Lights
- Soak in the Blue Lagoon – made famous by Instagram recently.
- Glacier trek
- Skogafoss Waterfall
Click here to find to check affordable flights to Iceland on Expedia
Click here to book a room in Iceland
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is as welcoming as it is gorgeous. Costa Rica was once stereotyped as an unsafe destination but it has since cleaned up its act. I’ve read a bunch of articles recently praising Costa Rica for its helpful and warm-hearted locals. It’s now been ranked as the happiest country in the world by the Happy Planet Index. Thrillseekers will love relaxing in one of the country’s many thermal hot springs after racing ATVs through dense rainforests.
Things to do:
- Tabacon Thermal Resort Spa – Situated in the middle of the forest, this spa’s unique healing thermal mineral spring river emerges from the volcanic earth.
- Ziplining
- Waterfall hikes
- ATV forest adventure
Click here to find to check affordable flights to Costa Rica on Expedia
Click here to see hotel nightly rates in Costa Rica
Switzerland
Switzerland’s rich scenery and year-round sense of adventure are perfect for any solo traveler looking to ski, hike and rock climb. Not to mention a perfect destination for luxury travelers or women searching for prince charming. The country produces great food and tasty wine that rivals the vineyards of France and Italy.
Click here to find to check affordable flights to Switzerland on Expedia
Click here to see hotel nightly rates in Switzerland
Singapore
Asia for beginners. Known worldwide as the premier financial trade center for Asia, Singapore has experienced tremendous financial growth in recent years. The tourist industry is booming in Singapore and a treasure-trove of cool experiences. The tropical country has been topping safety rankings for years, thanks to its super-efficient police force, so you don’t have to worry yourself sick over staying out late
Things To See:
- Garden by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands is stunning at night
- Cloud Forest
- Singapore Botanic Gardens – Singapore’s largest green spaces, complete with the world’s most extensive orchid garden. Home to lush vegetation, well-tended lawns, themed gardens and tranquil lakes.
- Asian Civilizations Museum
- Take a night safari
- Singapore zoo is one of the highest-rated zoos in the world.
Click here to find to check affordable flights to Singapore on Expedia
Click here to see hotel nightly rates in Singapore
Netherlands (Amsterdam)
Famous for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system, and antique houses, Amsterdam is a must for any traveler. Great if you love exploring cities on the back of a bicycle.
Things to do:
- Museum District for the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Stedelijk.
- Visit the many windmills and the tulip fields just outside the city.
Click here to find to check affordable flights to the Netherlands on Expedia
Click here to see hotel nightly rates in the Netherlands
California
California is a paradise. I love it here. No matter how far away I wander, I always come back to California. There is absolutely no other place in the world like it. The state just has so much to offer. Famed for its diverse climate and lifestyle, California is something that EVERYONE should experience at least once in their lives.
Check out:
- Yellowstone & Redwood National Park
- Malibu (The Getty Villa & El Matador State Beach)
- Santa Monica
Click here to find to check affordable flights to California on Expedia
Click here to see hotel nightly rates in California
More posts if you need some travel inspo:
The World’s 10 Most Underrated Tropical Destinations
What’s In My Camera Bag?
The Best Travel Gifts To Get Your Jet-Setting Friend This Holiday Season
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai, commonly nicknamed as the “rose of the north,” is well known for being accommodating to tourists and solo female travelers. Nestled on Northern Thailand’s foothills, this city is one of the most picturesque places in Asia. It’s much safer, quieter, and greener than the nation’s capital, Bangkok. Home to over 300 Buddhist temples and an array of vegetarian dishes and yoga studios, so I promise you will never get bored in Chiang Mai.
Click here to find to check affordable flights to Thailand on Expedia
Click here to see hotel nightly rates in Thailand
Melbourne, Australia
Fancy a visit to the land down under? I recommend checking out Melbourne, a city praised for its live music, award-winning food, and artistic culture. Labeled as the cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne has a lot to offer. From its lush green gardens and large parks to its theaters and galleries, museums and shopping, you’ll never run out of things to do here.
Things to see
- Philip Island
- The Great Ocean Road
- Victorian-era architecture
- Grampians National Park
Click here to find to check affordable flights to Australia on Expedia
Click here to see hotel nightly rates in Australia
Italy
Remember that scene from Eat Pray, Love, where the main character played by Julia Roberts gorges on a giant plate of spaghetti all by herself in Rome??? Yea, that could be you this summer.
Famed for its fashion, FOOD, beautiful people, and romance, Rome is a definite must for everyone. Make sure to fly south to Portofino, a quiet beach town that’s been all over Instagram recently.
Things to see:
- Pantheon, the Roman Forum and Coliseum.
- Vatican City – perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of the pope!
- Saint Peter’s Basilica
- Get lost amongst narrow cobblestone roads and stumble into one of the cities pizza restaurants.
- See the Trevi Fountain (Make sure to grab a drink at Hotel Fontana overlooking the fountain)
Click here to find to check affordable flights to Italy on Expedia
Click here to see hotel nightly rates in Italy
Dubai
I’m absolutely in love with Dubai. There’s definitely more to the city then meets the eye. It’s known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene.
Click here to find to check affordable flights to Dubai on Expedia
Click here to see hotel nightly rates in Dubai
Places to avoid while traveling solo
Certain parts of India – I don’t mean to disrespect India whatsoever. In fact of all of the cultural experiences in the world that I want to experience, number one is the Holi Festival. Reports of women being groped, stalked, and even assaulted are more frequent nowadays, so proceed with caution. If planning to visit India I suggest watching this youtube video and this one.
How to stay safe while traveling
- Don’t pick a hotel just because it’s cheap. Look at where the hotel is located. Both YouTubers I mentioned picked hotels that were $10 a night BUT had BAD experiences because the hotel was located in a BAD part of town – like only meters away from a place known for prostitution and drug smuggling
- Stick to upper-middle-class neighborhoods or part of town that caters to foreigners.
- Don’t go out past a certain time. Some cultures frown upon women being outside of the house past a certain time.
- Appear as if you know exactly where you’re going. If you have a bewildered tourist expression on your face, you will be treated as such.
- Be hyper-aware of everything and everyone around you. In other words, put your phone away.
- Bring a wedding ring, even if you’re not married.
- Make sure you dress appropriately (Indian woman cover their arms and legs)
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