Solo travel can be a life-affirming experience, but traveling alone as a woman can be a daunting experience. That’s where our tips for solo female travelers come in, helping you prepare for your solo journey, stay safe, and have fun.
Road Scholar’s 2024 survey revealed that female solo travelers make up 85% of all solo travelers – and that number is only on the up. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t still anxieties about solo female travel. In fact, according to the Solo Female Travel Trends Survey 70% of women list personal safety as their main worry when traveling on their own, so here are some helpful tips for solo female travelers that help you prepare for your trip and hopefully alleviate some of those anxieties.
Tips for solo female travelers
Go guided
We think one of the best tips for solo female travelers looking to alleviate some of the anxieties around it is to take a guided tour, and we’re not alone, with 90% of solo travelers prefering to take tours according to the most recent Solo Travel report. Our Women-Only Tours were created by women, for women, boasting 11 expert-curated itineraries spanning the world from North Africa to South America, with curiosity and confidence in mind. Your female Travel Director will take care of all the details, leaving you to enjoy hand-picked hotels, top-rated dining, and giving you peace of mind that everything is sorted for you. Traveling solo doesn’t mean traveling alone, and you can meet some incredible like-minded people on these trips.
Stay in hostels
If you’re not going completely guided, then it’s best to stay in hostels – ideally run by female hosts. Hostels are a great way to meet fellow travelers, and many cater to a range of age groups and offer private rooms so you’re able to meet like-minded people while still keeping a sense of privacy.
Start small
If you feel nervous or overwhelmed by the thought of traveling alone, then start small; perhaps just an afternoon exploring somewhere new on your own for your first solo trip, or a short weekend away to ease yourself into the idea of spending time traveling alone. Think of solo travel like a muscle – you have to build it up!
Do your research & be prepared
One of the most important tips for solo female travelers is to do your research, because you never want to be caught out whenever you’re traveling, but particularly when you’re solo. Download the offline version of maps so you don’t need to rely on data, and have a translation app on your phone. Plan your routes, figure out transport links, and make sure you always have a charged power bank with you so you’re not left incommunicado. Try to remember your route before you go, as any tourist walking down the street looking at their phone is a target.
Give yourself time to relax
If you’re going away for a long period of time, it’s a good idea to set aside a day of relaxation every week or so. This can be a day when you just sleep in, treat yourself to a nice dinner, or have a beach day where you can rest your feet. It’s necessary to plan your trip as a solo female traveler, but that doesn’t mean every day has to be packed with activities – make sure to plan rest as well.
Don’t overshare…
If you’re getting to know locals or other travelers, it’s best not to share too much about yourself or your travel situation until you get to know them better – it’s better to keep details about where you’re staying, your future travel plans and who you’re with more private.
… but do share your location
Going off-grid can be an enlightening experience, but if you’re going alone it’s a great idea to share your location with someone either in your current destination or even back home – no matter whether you’re exploring out in the city or off on a hike.
Learn the language
Learning even a few basic phrases in the local language can get you far. Not only does it help you connect with locals (and maybe even make some friends!), but it can also come in handy if you’re ever in need of help.
Get local insights
Locals often know the best travel tips and tricks for helping you get the most out of your trip. On our Women-Only tours, we utilize our network of local people across the world to help you get even closer to your destination. You’ll meet knowledgeable Local Experts and inspirational women on each trip, from Quechua weavers of Peru’s Sacred Valley to the first and only woman to have won the Supreme International Sheepdog Championships in Scotland, and even hearing an inspirational talk from a woman who summited Mount Everest in Kathmandu.
Only take the essentials out with you
Get yourself a secure day bag for when you’re out and about, ideally a cross-body bag to keep your belongings safe. If you have cash with you, don’t take it all out with you every time – take what you think you’ll need for that trip (plus a bit extra as a buffer for the unexpected). Unless you’re traveling between countries, leave your passport back at your accommodation. Do take a power bank, your phone, and a form of ID with you.
Keep yourself entertained
Learning to love your own company is all part of the solo travel experience, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit with your own thoughts every mealtime or on every hike. If you’re going to be on your own for a longer period of time, take a good book or create your perfect playlist to keep you company.
Have fun!
This is one of the most underrated tips for solo female travelers. While there can be a lot of things to think about when traveling solo and travel safety is important, don’t get overwhelmed and miss the whole point – to have fun, experience new things, and explore the world.
Questions from solo female travelers
Where is the best place to travel as a solo female?
That really depends on what you want from your vacation – do you want to try somewhere new, step out of your comfort zone or maybe rediscover a place you’ve been to before in a whole new light? Our Women-Only tours travel across Europe, America, India and Morocco, so there’s something for everyone.
Generally, you’re going to feel the most secure in countries that you are most familiar with, which makes North America and Europe great starting points (Scotland and Ireland are especially warm and welcoming, as are Italy and Spain). Both destinations have mature tourism industries that provide plenty of support to visitors, making them more approachable for solo female travelers. For less familiar destinations, that’s where a tour can come in to help you feel more confident and secure.
How do I stay safe as a solo female traveler?
There are some great tips above! Make sure you stay alert, plan where you’re going, let people know where you’ll be, and don’t share too much information about yourself until you know people better. Traveling in a group or on a tour is also a great way to stay safe, as someone is always looking out for you.
Is Costa Rica safe for solo female travelers?
Costa Rica is not only a beautiful country but is among the safest countries in the world for things that matter specifically to women, according to the Solo Female Travelers Safety Index (which ranks countries on their safety for women based on real time data and direct reviews). The index considers the U.S. and U.K. travel advisory ratings, the Global Peace Index, risk of theft and harassment for women, attitudes towards women and risk of scam. That being said, try to avoid walking on your own at night (particularly on the beaches), and if you do have to then stay in well-lit busier areas – and always be aware of your personal belongings.
Is Paris safe for solo female travelers?
Generally, Paris is considered safe for solo female travelers – though as with many major cities Paris is known for pickpockets, which any traveler needs to be on the lookout for, particularly around the main tourist sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Sacre-Coeur, the Louvre and outside busy stations like Gare du Nord.
There are a few tips for solo female travelers to look out for when traveling round Paris. Don’t take ‘gifts’ from people on the street (red roses or bracelets are common) as this is a scam; once you take it, they will then charge you for it and refuse to take it back. Taxi scams are also common, charging tourists over €100 to travel around the city. To make sure you get into a legitimate taxi, look for cars with a ‘TAXI Parisien’ light on top – a common legitimate taxi company is G7.
Is Portugal safe for solo female travelers?
Low crime rates, excellent public transport, and welcoming locals make Portugal one of the safest countries in Europe according to the Global Peace Index. Even in the capital city of Lisbon petty crime is low, and if it does happen then it’s likely to be in busy areas like metro and train stations – look out for pickpockets in these areas. As with any destination, be careful at night and stick to more populated areas.
If you feel prepared for your solo travel journey with these tips for solo female travelers, explore our solo tours for women.
