Solo Travel for Women: The Safest and Most Dangerous Destinations

Article Highlights

• Safety Matters: Solo female travelers should prioritize destinations with low crime rates and welcoming cultures to ensure a secure travel experience.
• Stay Informed: If you’re traveling alone as a woman, you should know the best solo female travel destinations to avoid dangerous areas and make informed decisions on where to travel.
• Pack Smart: Essential safety gadgets such as personal alarms, pepper spray, and portable chargers can significantly enhance personal safety while traveling alone as a woman.
• Balance Is Key: Finding a balance between safe and comfortable travel allows women to enjoy their adventures while remaining vigilant and secure.
• Empowerment Through Travel: Solo trips for women can be an empowering experience, helping women build confidence, independence, and a sense of adventure.

Traveling alone as a woman can be one of the most liberating and empowering experiences in life. However, with freedom comes safety concerns. It is essential to recognize that a safe destination doesn’t guarantee safety, nor does it mean crime is nonexistent. Wherever you go – solo or not – travelers will “encounter different cultural norms that make you uncomfortable,” said Kiersten Rich aka The Blonde Abroad.

For North American women, finding the right destinations that prioritize safety is crucial.

Safe Travel vs. Comfortable Travel

Safe travel focuses primarily on minimizing risks and ensuring personal security. Key behaviors that prioritize safety include choosing destinations with low crime rates, avoiding sketchy neighborhoods, and maintaining situational awareness. It often requires more planning and research to ensure that every aspect of the journey is as secure as possible.

Comfortable travel – distinct from safe travel – emphasizes relaxation and enjoyment. It allows travelers to immerse themselves in the culture without excessive worry. In addition to safe travel behaviors, comfort travel includes choosing accommodations with top-notch reviews and using reputable services for transportation and exploration.

20 Best Solo Female Travel Destinations

East and Southeast Asia

• Singapore is a city-state known for its cleanliness and safety, providing a comfortable environment for solo travelers.
• Taiwan is known for its safety and hospitality, offering a rich cultural experience without worrying about crime.
• Japan’s low crime rates and respectable culture make it a fantastic destination for women traveling alone. Cities like Tokyo and Kyoto offer a blend of modernity and tradition.

Nordic Countries

• Finland is known for its safety, cleanliness, and stunning natural beauty, ensuring a comfortable travel experience.
• Iceland is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in the world due to its stunning landscapes and welcoming culture.
• Norway’s striking fjords and vibrant cities make it a safe destination for solo female trip-takers.
• Sweden’s progressive values and low crime rates make it a top destination for women traveling alone.

North America

• Canada’s diverse cities and natural beauty are not only safe but also incredibly welcoming to travelers.

Northwestern Europe

• Ireland’s welcoming nature and beautiful landscapes make it a safe and enjoyable destination.

Oceania

• Australia’s cities like Melbourne and Sydney are not only vibrant but also safe for women traveling on their own.
• New Zealand is known for its breathtaking scenery and friendly locals, making it a safe environment for solo adventurers.

Schengen States

• Austria has a rich history and low crime rates and is a haven for female travelers, especially in cities like Vienna.
• Belgium’s charming cities and low crime rates make it a safe destination for women traveling by themselves.
• The Netherlands is known for its open-minded culture and offers safe urban environments for women traveling alone.
• Spain’s vibrant culture and friendly locals, particularly in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, make it a popular destination for solo female travelers.
• Portugal is praised for its friendly locals, beautiful landscapes, and low crime rates, making it ideal for travelers on their own.
• Switzerland is renowned for its fabulous mountains and efficient public transport, making it an excellent choice for solo female travelers.

South America

• Costa Rica emphasizes eco-tourism and low crime rates and is perfect for adventurous solo women trip-takers.
• Chile’s striking landscapes and friendly locals have become a favorite among women traveling solo.
• Uruguay’s beautiful beaches and relaxed atmosphere equals a safe option for women traveling alone.

Most Dangerous Destinations for Solo Female Travelers

• Brazil has areas with high crime rates, particularly in urban settings, making it essential for travelers to be cautious.
• Colombia has improved in safety, but some regions still face issues with crime and violence.
• Egypt is historically rich, but the country has seen a rise in violence and harassment against women, making it less safe for solo travelers.
• Honduras has high crime rates and is considered unsafe for solo female travelers.
• India is rich in culture, but it has a high rate of violence against women, making it essential for female travelers to exercise caution.
• Indonesia can present safety risks in some parts, especially regarding harassment of women but Bali remains popular.
• Mexico is known for cartel violence and crime, which can pose risks to solo female travelers.
• South Africa has high crime rates, particularly in urban areas, which can be concerning for solo female travelers.
• Turkey has seen political instability and certain areas can be dangerous for solo female travelers.
• Venezuela faces severe economic and political issues, making it one of the most dangerous countries for travelers.

Essential Safety Gadgets for Solo Female Travelers

While the benefits of traveling solo as a woman include everything from building confidence to connectivity, there’s still concern this type of travel is too risky. But that risk is being mitigated.

“Any type of travel can be risky,” said Global Rescue member Amanda Burrill, a former Navy lieutenant turned global adventurer, travel writer, and food connoisseur. “But, if you do your research, follow customs, and take the proper travel safety measures, you can bring down the risk level.”

Global Rescue member Dianette Wells reflected on why she travels solo 90% of the time, something the 57-year-old adventure-chasing endurance athlete and world traveler has been doing since she was 18 when a college friend suddenly bailed on their Austria skiing vacation. “I had gotten my first passport and already invested the money,” she said. “So, I went anyway, alone, and I’m so glad I did. I learned early it’s not worth it to give up on these amazing travel experiences just because you think you need someone to go with you.”

Almost 70% of women don’t travel alone due to safety concerns. If you pack the right safety items in your travel kit, you’ll be more prepared. Here’s what Global Rescue recommends packing if you’re a solo traveler.

• Personal Alarm – Compact and easy to carry, a personal alarm can emit a loud sound to deter attackers and draw attention in emergencies.
• Pepper Spray – Effective for self-defense, pepper spray is a must-have for many solo female travelers. Ensure you check local laws regarding its use in your destination.
• Smartphone Safety Apps – Apps like Life360 or bSafe allow you to share your location with trusted friends or family and can even send emergency alerts.
• Portable Phone Charger – Keeping your phone charged is vital for communication and safety. A portable charger ensures you’re never stranded without a way to call for help.
• Travel Door Lock – A portable door lock provides an extra layer of security for hotel rooms or rented accommodations.
• Whistle – A simple yet effective tool, a whistle can alert others in case of danger, and it’s lightweight and easy to carry.
• Money Belt – A discreet safety belt can hide cash and valuables, making it harder for pickpockets to access your belongings.

“Don’t carry the big handbag, don’t wear elaborate jewelry, leave it all at home — it’s not necessary. When traveling alone, that can make you more of a target when what you want to do is blend in,” Wells said.

The Global Rescue Connection

The Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, which tallied 1,500 responses from the most experienced travelers in the world, reported seven out of ten women have traveled solo for leisure in their lifetime. Booking.com forecasts a notable surge in solo travel interest with 54% of women expressing plans to travel alone next year.

“Solo travel is absolutely returning,” said Beth Santos, founder and CEO of Wanderful, a global community and lifestyle brand that specializes in helping women travel the world. “People aren’t waiting for their travel partners; they’re just going.”

No matter who you are (male or female, young or old) or how you are traveling (solo or with family), you should travel prepared with a Global Rescue membership. Global Rescue is the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation, travel risk, and crisis management services.

Do you need emergency help during a trip? A medical evacuation? Travel information, event alerts, or trip planning information? Your Global Rescue membership provides services for emergency field rescue from the point of illness or injury, medical advisory, traveler assistance, destination reports, event alerts, and medical evacuation transport home, and (for applicable memberships) virtual healthcare access and security services.

As a member, we want you to contact us whether it’s a major emergency or something minor.

Did you sustain a major injury or get sick? Head injury? Acute Mountain Sickness? Malaria? Heat exhaustion? Heart attack? Contact us immediately and an on-staff expert will answer and assess your circumstances and arrange for your medical evacuation, if necessary.

Do you have a twisted ankle or is it a fracture? Is your severely upset stomach due to food poisoning? Is that strange bug bite getting worse? It may seem like a minor injury or illness at first, but you can make certain by contacting Global Rescue. You will get real-time access to doctors, paramedics and nurses who will help sort out the do’s and don’ts based on your unique situation and symptoms. It’s part of your membership services.

Did you run out of a prescription, lose your passport or hear a flash flood warning? Maybe there’s a local language barrier you need to overcome. You’re just one call away from help from travel advice experts who will keep you safe and prepared, whether identifying where you can refill your prescription, changing your destination to avoid a natural disaster threat, or finding translation services. Again, it’s all part of your membership.

“A lot of solo travelers deal with ‘what ifs.’ ‘What if I get a stomach bug in Paris?’ ‘What if I lose my passport?’” said Wells. “Having Global Rescue takes so much of the stress associated with the ‘what ifs’ away because you know you’ll have 24/7 access to help.”