Destinations Where Women Thrive Alone
Travel Solo. Travel Safe. Travel Empowered.
The complete guide to solo female travel in 2025. Safety ratings, monthly costs, female communities, healthcare access, and cultural tips for each destination.
UAE (99/100)
Vietnam ($800/mo)
Portugal
16
Jump to section
Solo female travel isn't about being fearless. It's about being informed, prepared, and choosing destinations where you can actually breathe.
This isn't a romanticized guide to "finding yourself." This is a practical map of where women travel alone and feel genuinely safe. Where the community is supportive. Where you can eat dinner alone without unwanted attention. Where your only concern is whether to hike or explore museums.
The reality: 85%+ of solo travelers are now women. The communities are massive. The resources are there. But not all destinations are built equal for female solo travelers. Safety ratings, harassment risk, healthcare access, and female community presence vary dramatically.
This guide maps the destinations that work best for women traveling alone—with honest safety data, real costs, actual female community presence, and what to actually expect culturally.
Pick Your Priority:
Each destination includes: safety rating (breakdown by category), monthly costs, female-friendly accommodations, transportation safety, community size, cultural considerations, and why solo female travelers specifically love it.
These women have millions of followers and have visited 60+ countries alone. Here's what they prioritize:
1.5M followers
Youngest to visit every country. Prioritizes adventure, empowerment, ambitious exploration. Appeals to women seeking challenge and growth.
131.6K followers
Over 65 countries. Created 150+ all-female adventure tours. Her site gets 5M annual visits. Prioritizes: safety, affordability, authentic experiences. Appeals to women 20s-40s seeking community.
607K followers
UK-based. Focuses on feminism, empowerment, global exploration. Appeals to women seeking empowerment and representation.
200.8K followers
145 countries. Organizes group trips. Honest about challenges and struggles. Appeals to budget-to-mid-range travelers seeking authenticity.
210.8K followers
Polar expeditions, extreme adventure. Practical advice for remote/nature exploration. Appeals to nature-focused adventurers.
51.6K followers
Founder of Solo Girl's Travel Guide. Strong focus on safety tips, community building, destination guides. Appeals to first-time solo travelers needing reassurance.
Iceland, Japan, Switzerland, Denmark, Singapore, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Portugal, South Korea, Norway, Sweden
India, Egypt, Morocco, Brazil (certain cities), Mexico (certain regions), parts of Latin America
Important Note: Safety varies dramatically by neighborhood within cities, not just country. Research specific neighborhoods. A city can have both very safe and unsafe areas.
Safety varies by neighborhood and by how you present yourself, not just by country. Iceland is safe everywhere. Tokyo is safe everywhere. But in other destinations, one neighborhood can be beautiful and safe, the next sketchy. Research, ask locals, trust your gut.
| Archetype | Best Destinations | Budget Level | Community Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adventure Seekers | Iceland, New Zealand, Canada, Norway | Mid-High | Medium |
| Budget Backpackers | Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, Portugal | Low (<$25/day) | Large |
| Luxury Solo | Switzerland, UAE, Singapore, Japan | High ($100+/day) | Medium |
| Digital Nomads | Portugal, Thailand, Bali, Spain | Mid | Large |
| Over-40 Travelers | Ireland, Portugal, Canada, Switzerland | Mid-High | Medium |
| Solo Mothers | Denmark, Singapore, Canada, Portugal | Mid | Medium |
Depends on culture. Conservative countries (parts of South Asia, Middle East, North Africa): yes, some judgment. Europe, Japan, Scandinavia, North America: no, it's normal and celebrated.
Yes, in 15+ destinations. Research specific neighborhoods. Safety isn't universal within countries—it's neighborhood-specific. Read reviews from other solo women.
Don't respond to catcalling. Walk with purpose. Use ride-sharing when it's dark. Avoid isolated areas. Stay in women-rated hostels. Dress modestly in conservative areas. Trust your instinct.
Period products are widely available in developed countries. In developing nations, they're generally available but sometimes harder to find. Research before you go. Many solo female travelers carry enough for entire trip just in case.
In very conservative regions, sometimes advisable to wear a ring or say you're married. Most other places, solo female travel is celebrated.
In Iceland, Japan, Switzerland, Singapore, Scandinavia, Canada: absolutely yes.
In Thailand, Portugal, Ireland: yes, in main neighborhoods.
In India, Egypt, Morocco: caution, stick to groups or well-lit main areas.
Social hostels, Facebook groups, organized tours, meetup apps. Join communities before you arrive online.
Solo female travel isn't brave. It's not reckless. It's not unusual anymore.
85%+ of solo travelers are now women. The communities exist everywhere. The apps exist. The hostels exist. The route is well-worn.
What's real: You'll be nervous before you leave. You'll second-guess yourself. You might experience harassment (in some places). You might get scammed. You might feel lonely sometimes.
But you'll also feel powerful. You'll solve problems. You'll make friends across continents. You'll eat alone at restaurants without concern. You'll hike to summits solo. You'll discover who you are without someone else there to influence it.
That transformation is real.
This guide maps the safest, most supportive places to have that experience.
Start with a destination that matches your comfort level. If Iceland feels too expensive, start with Portugal. If you're not ready for Southeast Asia, start with Japan. If you want affordable, start with Vietnam (with caution and smart choices).
The destination matters less than the decision to go.
Get a personalized itinerary with hotels, activities, restaurants, and budget breakdown - all tailored to how you love to travel.
Get personalized recommendations, destination deals, and updates when we add new content to this guide.
Last updated: 2025. This guide covers 16 solo female travel destinations with actual safety ratings, realistic costs, female community presence, and practical logistics based on experiences from millions of solo female travelers.