The Best Countries for Solo Female Travel
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Solo travel (and solo female travel, for me) is extremely empowering. Not everyone enjoys solo travel, but if it’s something you’d like to try, you should (no matter your gender)!
Women are traveling solo more than ever before. There’s almost nowhere you can’t go as a solo woman traveler, but of course, some places are easier to visit than others.
I’ll tell you where I’ve been solo (so far), and of those, which I think are the best places for solo travelers, particularly best for first-time solo travelers. Keep in mind, at the time of this post, I am halfway through a solo round-the-world backpacking trip, so the list will probably change and grow from here.
Becoming a Solo Female Traveler
My very first solo trip didn’t happen until I was 30 years old. I had traveled quite a bit with friends before then, and it was something I had been thinking of doing for a couple of years before finally making it happen.
I wanted to know what it would be like to have to rely on myself and make all of my own decisions. In New York City, where I lived for 13 years, I spent a lot of time alone, and I really enjoyed it. So why not see what it is like to travel alone?
My First Solo Trips
I chose Ireland as my first solo trip, for a couple of reasons. One, I had never been and always wanted to go. I had been to the UK (England and Scotland) a couple of times before, so I felt comfortable. And two, they speak English (in an accent I can usually understand, LOL!), so that would certainly make things easier for a first-timer. I went for just under a week and had a great time.
I was hooked and planned a two-week solo trip to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest for the following year. And soon after, started planning and saving up for this trip around the world.
Every Country I’ve Traveled Solo (so far):
- Albania
- Austria
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Cambodia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Czech Republic (solo only part of the time)
- El Salvador
- France
- Germany
- Guatemala (solo only part of the time because I had a friend join me)
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kosovo
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Nicaragua
- North Macedonia
- Panama
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- South Africa (Spent a few days doing solo activities, while my friend was working in our Airbnb)
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Switzerland
- Thailand
Would I Recommend These Countries to Other Solo Women Travelers?
I would recommend every single one of these countries for a solo female traveler or a solo traveler of any gender. Some of them might be a little trickier for a beginner traveler, and some cities are easier than others, but all of them would be generally safe and fun for a solo traveler.
I had a couple of awkward encounters along the way, but I have never felt scared for my safety – you can read about one of these moments here. Were there sometimes challenges that had to be overcome? Sure, but that happens in travel, whether you’re solo or not, or no matter your gender.
Best Countries for First-Time Solo Female Travelers
Of the 48 countries that I’ve traveled to so far (this number is growing since I’m only halfway through a solo round-the-world trip at the time this article was written), these are the top countries I would recommend for beginner solo women travelers or solo travel in general:
- Guatemala
- Israel
- Peru
- Portugal
- Spain
- Thailand
There are a lot of amazing places for solo women travelers to visit, of course, not just these.
I chose these countries as my top recommendations for first-time solo women travelers for a few reasons: They’re generally very safe. A lot of solo travelers visit these countries, so you’ll meet others more easily. There’s a popular backpacker trail that makes the countries easier to navigate than some others. It’s pretty easy to get around the country with public transportation, which is helpful when you’re solo. And you can get by fairly easily get by without knowing the local language, something else that makes first-time solo traveling a bit easier.
Honestly, anywhere in western Europe or Southeast Asia are probably fine for those traveling solo for the first time, as long as you’ve had some travel experience before, and have a sense of adventure and some patience. Central Europe isn’t necessarily hard for solo travel, not at all, but I think it would be helpful if you’re a more experienced traveler, since they’re not quite as organized as the west.
There Are Many More Great Places for Women Traveling Solo
I left some countries off that I haven’t explored thoroughly. For example, I’ve been to Budapest solo, which is definitely friendly to solo women travelers, but I haven’t explored any other parts of the country. Well-traveled cities in Europe like Prague, Vienna, Budapest, London, Paris, Rome, etc., etc., etc. are all fine for solo female backpackers, but I still think the four countries (as entire countries) above would be my top picks for first-timers, of those that I’ve traveled to.
A lot of backpackers also love Australia and New Zealand, but I haven’t been yet so I can’t personally recommend them. And I’m still getting my feet wet in Central and South America, so same thing. I don’t think I’d recommend my home country of the USA as an easy place for solo travel unless you’re going to a specific city that has public transportation, or if you’re comfortable driving (and English is a must).
Want more inspo? I found this solo female travel blogger very inspiring when I first got started.
Feel free to write to me on Instagram @catisoutoftheoffice2 or email catisoutoftheoffice@gmail.com with any questions – always happy to help out another solo lady traveler!