15 Best Trip Destinations for Solo Travel for Women

Solo travel is one of those things that people are either intimidated by or wholeheartedly embrace. Even though I fall into the latter category—I do it multiple times every month—I still find traveling alone as a woman requires research, thorough preparation, and a constant sense of awareness. Some pre-trip non-negotiables for me include downloading maps to use offline, carrying a fully charged portable power bank, and sharing my location with my friends and family.

“Be sure that someone at home has a copy of your travel itinerary, including contact information for the hotels you’ll be staying at and any other contacts on the trip that can help get a hold of you,” adds Maeve Hartney, chief program officer at Road Scholar. “I also recommend packing as light as possible so you can stay agile, manage your own luggage, and be aware of what’s happening around you.”

Is it a lot to think about? Yes—but it’s worth it. “Once you learn to embrace the freedom and beauty of traveling alone, it leads to such eye-opening experiences and greater awareness of the world around us and provides a good boost of self-confidence,” says Lisa Michele Burns, founder of The Travel Photographer Club.

Selecting the right destination makes traveling by yourself easier, too. Some places are better than others for solo female travelers, and we’ve compiled 15 of the best ones below.

Read on to see our full list of the top destinations for women traveling solo.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is at the very top of Hartney’s list—and for that, she credits a few different factors. “The hotels in Costa Rica are very accommodating for solo travelers, as they offer more single rooms and/or single-room rates,” she says, adding that the country is also known for its “low crime rates, strong police presence in touristic areas, and a general culture of friendliness and peace.” If your schedule allows, skip San José and head to locations better suited for solo female travelers (they’re more laid-back but still popular among tourists), including La Fortuna, Monteverde, Guanacaste, and the Manuel Antonio area.

Reykjavik, Iceland

“Iceland is one of the safest destinations in the world and an outstanding choice for women seeking epic landscapes and outdoor experiences on a solo adventure,” says Burns. “You can opt to base yourself in Reykjavik and do day tours; hire a car and drive along the Ring Road or southern coast, taking in glaciers, volcanoes, and black-sand beaches; or join a multi-day tour.” Plus, she says, given its popularity as a destination for solo travelers, you’re “likely to meet friends very quickly.” Even though Reykjavik is the country’s major city, its crime rates remain low, and it has plenty of activities well-suited for alone time—including swimming and relaxing in geothermal pools, walking tours, and sightseeing (don’t miss Hallgrimskirkja, the largest church in Iceland).

Bath, England

While London is frequently touted as a great destination for solo female travelers, I’ve found there’s a better one just a short train ride from Paddington Station. You may recognize Bath from some of your favorite TV shows and movies; Bridgerton and the 2022 “Persuasion” were both shot in the small city famous for its Georgian architecture and Roman baths. Not only is it picturesque around every corner—from the Royal Crescent to the Bath Skyline walk—but it’s also small and compact enough to explore by foot in just a day or two.

I even lived there for a short period of time by myself and found it incredibly safe, welcoming, and easy to get around. As far as how to fill your solo schedule, I recommend swinging by Landrace Bakery for coffee and a cardamom bun, taking a long walk through Royal Victoria Park, and stopping in every bookstore you see (there are more than a handful in the city center).

Quebec City, Canada

“‘Second cities,’ or smaller cities that are a little less popular than capital cities, are always a great option for solo travelers,” says Hartney. Take Quebec City, for example. She describes it as a small city that’s “very walkable and easy to navigate” and says “most of what you’ll want to see is very condensed.” You can spend an entire day by yourself exploring Old Québec (a UNESCO World Heritage Site); enjoy a coffee and pastry in one of the charming cafes, walk along Terrasse Dufferin, and pop into the Musée de l’Amérique Francophone at your leisure. Since French is the city’s primary language, Hartney also recommends downloading a translation app just in case.

South Island, New Zealand

If you’re planning some sort of international solo road trip, but you’re not sure where to go, Burns recommends New Zealand—specifically, the South Island. “I’ve toured the South Island solo many times and love how alive it makes me feel, with days spent hiking among mountain peaks and swimming in alpine lakes while still having the comfort of a hotel and town never too far away,” she says. “It’s the ideal destination for first-time solo travelers seeking a mix of adventure and luxury, with a host of wineries, scenic tours, and welcoming locals.”

New York City

“New York City is one of the easiest major cities to navigate, both because of the grid system and access to public transportation and taxis, which makes it great for solo travelers,” says Hartney. It also lives up to its nickname; the always-on atmosphere in the “City That Never Sleeps” provides a comforting presence if you’re grabbing dinner or seeing a show after dark. I also lived in Manhattan for several years in my early 20s, and some of my favorite solo activities included walking the High Line, seeing new exhibitions at the Whitney, and popping in and out of the shops along Bleecker Street.

Provence, France

If you’re comfortable renting a car—and yes, the French do indeed drive on the right side of the road—you’re in for a memorable, picturesque journey through the South of France. “Provence is a region filled with scenic historic villages, open-air markets, and both coastal and mountainous landscapes. It’s the ideal destination for solo travelers looking for a creative break, somewhere to explore during the day, and a place to rest and relax in the evenings,” says Burns. You’ll have an even better experience if you time your trip for the shoulder seasons. April to May and September to October tend to see fewer tourists, so you’ll likely find more affordable rates on car rentals and accommodations.

Switzerland

The Swiss do a lot of things right—and solo female travel is one of them. With world-renowned public transportation, cleanliness, and low levels of serious crime (the government reports there is a recent rise in petty theft in larger cities, though), this is a country you can feel confident traversing by yourself. Plus, you don’t even have to rent a car to get to the small towns and storybook villages at the base of the Alps; most of them are reachable by train or bus (and a few, like Zermatt and Wengen, are even car-free).

Tokyo, Japan

There’s a certain level of comfort that comes with being a solo female traveler in a big city like Tokyo. You may technically be alone, but you’re surrounded by millions of other people—many of them who are also in the same boat. Tokyo also receives high marks for safety; the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index ranked Tokyo the fifth-safest city in the world in 2021, the most recent year the study was released. Plus, many of its signs in tourist areas are translated to English, and the metro and train networks are nearly unrivaled when it comes to efficiency. Not to mention, the city is extremely solo-diner-friendly—counter seating is conducive to eating alone—and it embraces the Japanese culture of hospitality and politeness.

Savannah, Georgia

I’ve visited every single major Southern city, from Richmond to Atlanta, and Savannah is, hands-down, the best one for solo female travelers, in my opinion. It’s a very peaceful, compact destination, one you can take at your own pace. Whether you’re interested in art, antiquing, history, nature, or photography, there’s an abundance of solo-friendly activities to keep you as busy (or as relaxed) as you like. Spend a quiet afternoon walking through the lush public squares, parks, and gardens, join a ghost tour, or pick up a new novel from E Shaver Booksellers and bring it to a nearby cafe.

Italy

“Italy is our top destination for solo travelers across the board. The regions are so diverse, making it a great country to revisit again and again to explore different cities and areas,” says Hartney. “The country’s train system is also one of the best in Europe; it’s easy to travel between cities and regions.” Rome, Milan, and Florence are all good options if you’re interested in the country’s larger cities. I just spent 24 hours in Milan by myself and highly recommend treating yourself to something special at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and a gelato while walking around the Duomo. Venice is another Italian city I’ve recently visited solo—and it was way easier to navigate the crowds of the San Marco Square without a plus one or small group in tow.

Edinburgh, Scotland

I’ve always found that the destinations where I thrive the most as a solo traveler are those with efficient public transportation, a walkable city center, and a large travel community.  Edinburgh has all three. Upon landing in the Scottish city, you can immediately hop on the tram that takes you directly from the airport into the heart of the city—hop off at Princes Street for an incredible view of Edinburgh Castle. From there, many of the main attractions (including the Royal Mile, Calton Hill, and Holyrood Park) are within walking distance. Just bring comfortable shoes, as Edinburgh’s cobblestone streets are hilly. This is also a destination filled with tourists from around the world, which makes it relatively easy to find friends or like-minded solo travelers if you’re in need of company.

Helsinki, Finland

Finland is regularly rated one of the safest countries in the world, and Helsinki is particularly suitable for solo female travelers. Like many European cities, it’s easy to navigate; while you can walk to your heart’s content, the public transportation options (buses, trams, and ferries) are also straightforward. Alternatively, you can opt to rent a bike and take advantage of the paths in the city center—or venture a little further than you’d be able to on foot. Cycle by The Aalto House, the Didrichsen Art Museum, Helsinki Cathedral, the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, and other must-see spots. Then, end your day with my favorite solo activity: the sauna. Helsinki has several public saunas, including Löyly and Kotiharjun Sauna.

Vienna, Austria

Viennese coffeehouse culture, which appears on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list,  is practically made for solo travelers. The coffee houses themselves are deemed places “in which time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is listed on the bill” (per the UNESCO listing), and guests are encouraged to stay as long as they like. Historically, people visited these coffee houses to read, write, and share ideas, and, as a solo female traveler, you can do the same. The Economist Intelligence Unit has also repeatedly named Vienna the most livable city, and Austria’s Global Peace Index score puts it in third place among the most peaceful countries in the world.

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin has everything you need for the ultimate solo travel day: cozy pubs and cafes, reliable public transportation, a compact layout, and a host of cultural attractions to check out on your own schedule. As a UNESCO City of Literature, it’s also a destination that beckons to readers; visit spots like the Irish Writers Centre and the James Joyce Centre. Pro tip: Spend your first day checking off all the famous attractions (Trinity College Library, St. Stephen’s Green, and Dublin Castle), and then use Dublin as your base camp for taking short day trips to either the seaside or the nearby countryside.