Solo Female Travel Guide

Have you ever wanted to travel alone?

Despite the warnings of your family, friends, and maybe even that little voice in your heat, you just can’t get the idea of solo travel out of your head?

The allure of being able to see the world through your own eyes is so compelling that it drives you to keep pushing forward despite all obstacles in front of you?

Maybe you’ve even taken a single trip as a woman and want to power forward, but don’t know how?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above, then this solo female travel guide is for you!

Whether you’re looking for the safest solo travel destinations for women, gear guides for solo travellers, or just need some tips for meeting travel buddies, I’ve got you covered. In this complete solo female travel blog, I’ll take you from fearful to confident.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have all the resources you need to be a solo female travel pro – with the confidence to go out and book your dream trip!

Keep reading for everything you need to know to travel alone as a woman.

What is Solo Female Travel?

First and foremost, let’s define what solo female travel is.

In a nutshell, solo female travel is when a woman travels independently – without a travelling companion.

(Note: “Woman” or “female” in this guide is meant to refer to anyone who identifies as female.)

A solo female trip could be anything from spending a weekend away in a nearby city to embarking on a month-long backpacking trip around Southeast Asia. The sky’s the limit!

Some people argue that solo travel needs to be 100% solo. But I disagree.

Many solo female travellers identify as “solo travelling” even when they meet people along the road or join tour groups.

The “solo” part of their journey refers to the state they leave home in. Not the state they end up in.

Backpacking solo around South America? You’re a solo female traveller.

Solo travelling across Southeast Asia with a tour group you met along the way? You’re still a solo female traveller.

Even if you travel with other people, if most of your trip is still spent exploring on your own terms, you can call it solo travel!

As long as it feels right to you, call it whatever you want.

Solo Female Travel Statistics (2021)

Solo travel is on the rise!

• There has been a 45% growth in solo bookings since 2019.
• Google trend data shows that “solo travel” has increased by over 750% since the pandemic began.
• Google searches for “female solo travel” have increased by 63% in the last 3 years
• Booking.com saw nearly double the amount of respondents say they are planning a solo trip since before the pandemic

Women prefer to go solo!

• 73% of UK travel agents found that women bok more solo trips than men.
• Nearly 3/4 of American women prefer to travel solo
• In the UK, 55% of solo travel searches are done by women
• Overseas Adventure Travel found that 85% of their registered “solo travel” members are women
• VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations report that 68% and 87%, respectively, of their participants were solo female travellers in 2016

Solo travel once, and you will again!

• 59% of females who travelled solo before say they will again within the next year

The market is growing for females!

• Women-only travel companies have increased by 230% in the last few years

Where do women go?

• UK travel agents say that Europe is the most popular destination for solo female travellers

[Sources: Condor Ferries, Solo Traveler World, Booking.com, Solo Female Travelers]

How Do You Travel Alone for the First Time?

The hardest part of solo travelling is getting started.

Almost everyone I meet has said they never thought they could do it, until they did.

There are two schools of thought on solo travelling for the first time.

Some think you should dive right in, and just go for it. Book that solo gap year, move abroad, or commit to two weeks alone in Europe so you have to go for it.

Others say you should test the waters first. Take a day trip, have a solo staycation, or join a group tour.

Personally, I prefer diving right in. But I’ve always been a deep-end kind of girl (even though, ironically, I don’t swim well).

My advice? Do what feels right.

If you’re scared, find small ways to explore on your own first. If you want to go big, book that round-the-world ticket or year-long backpacking trip.

There are no rules here!

Why I Solo Travel as a Woman

I started to solo travel for many of the reasons other women do:

• No one else I knew prioritized travel like I did
• People would bail on planned trips
• I wanted to see more of the world
• I was bored at home
• I love adventure
• I saw others doing it and wanted to be free like they were

I kept solo travelling because it’s the time when I feel most like myself. It’s when I’m least stressed, feel the freest, and am living a life I truly enjoy.

When I travel with others, I tend to overthink everything and forget to enjoy anything myself. I’m too busy playing tour guide to them – even if it’s my first time in a place, too.

But when I’m solo, I can take my time, go at my pace, and not have to worry about anyone else but myself!

Top 10 Solo Female Travel Tips

1. Face your fears! Don’t wait to solo travel just because it scares you. The sooner you conquer the doubt, the sooner you’ll be living your solo travel dreams (or, less likely, learn it’s not for you).
2. Do your research! Make a list of things you want to do and see in the city/country you’re visiting, and find out where they are. Keep track of your planning in a travel journal so you can reference it on the go.
3. Take your dream trip – not anybody else’s! When you’re planning to go abroad solo, it can be easy to do what other people suggest or find yourself building a trip someone else would love. But this trip is for you! Do what you actually want, not what you think you should do.
4. Solo travel doesn’t mean you have to be lonely! I’m an introvert, so I love alone time. But I know many extroverted solo travellers who prefer being surrounded by people. You can easily make friends abroad when you’re a solo traveller without losing your street cred.
5. Instagram isn’t the goal! The goal is your happiness. Don’t worry about getting the perfect photo or having a 100% error-free experience. Instead, do what makes you happy, even if someone else wouldn’t do it.
6. Wear headphones to avoid unwanted attention! People often assume that solo female travellers are harassed a lot. I’ve been around the globe and have rarely felt the need to use this tip. However, sometimes you need some space, so pop in your headphones – they work better than a fake ring!
7. Don’t over plan! You may be worried about boredom, which leads to people booking WAY too much to do. Limit your itinerary so you don’t feel like a mad woman running across the city constantly.
8. It’s ok to get homesick! I’ve had many trips where I’ve gotten desperately homesick and miss my family. Embrace the feeling temporarily so it doesn’t drag you down. Then let it pass you and appreciate where you are.
9. Tell people where you are! I’ve often had the urge to run off into the forest or book a flight and vanish for a week. But that’s a terrible idea! Tell someone where you are and what you plan to do. I even tell the front desk if I’m going out alone in at night so they can know that something is wrong if I don’t return.
10. Trust your gut! It may be a solo travel tip, but this one applies to all aspects of your life. If you felt the need to put on headphones or felt uncomfortable in a situation – do something about it! Your gut may even tell you this isn’t for you, and that’s ok.

Quick Solo Female Travel Safety Guide

1. Be cautious on the street! Pay attention to your surroundings and if you feel someone is following you or making their presence known, cross the road. You can even go into hotels and let the security guard know you feel unsafe.
2. Don’t be too trusting of strangers! Just because they have a similar face to yours doesn’t mean they are friendly. Trust your instincts when meeting new people.
3. Don’t tell people you’re solo! You can tell other backpackers or your accommodation, but don’t tell your waiter or a stranger. Tell them you’re meeting a friend or a partner.
4. Be aware of your alcohol intake! This is especially important when travelling solo as a woman. Know your limits and don’t let anyone take advantage of you while under the influence.
5. Wear pick-pocket-proof clothing! Or be extra wary with your items so you don’t attract pick-pocket attention. Keep those jewels at home. Wear your backpack on your chest.
6. Look at what local women wear! In Morocco, you need to dress more conservatively to avoid standing out. This is a good practice anywhere so you don’t attract unwanted attention or offend anyone.
7. Use a portable charger for your phone! If you use your phone for maps, a flashlight, or use solo female travel safety apps, be sure to keep it charged.

Best Places for Solo Females to Travel

Canada

Canada is a great place for solo female travellers because it’s one of the safest countries in the world.

You can feel safe wandering the city streets of Toronto or skiing in Whistler. There’s something for everyone in Canada, so you’ll never be bored even if you’re solo travelling!

New Zealand

New Zealand is known as one of the safest countries in the world. Solo female travellers will feel very safe here.

There’s an abundance of activities to do, ranging from hiking and skiing to wine tours and city exploration. Plus, the locals are incredibly friendly and welcoming!

Most solo travellers to New Zealand are female (based on my observations), so you can quickly make friends if you’d prefer to travel in a female group.

Scandinavia

Scandinavia is a great choice for solo female travellers because it’s incredibly safe and the locals are very welcoming.

With most locals speaking English, it’s also easy for English-speaking travellers to get around.

The cities are well-developed with plenty of activities and attractions, but you can also easily escape to nature if that’s your thing.

Iceland

Iceland is one of the weirdest places you’ll ever visit, with landscapes that feel more appropriate for another planet.

However, it’s an excellent place to visit as a solo female traveller.

The country has a low crime rate, a high quality of life, and makes it really easy for women to explore.

I never felt unsafe in Iceland, even when I was climbing a glacier!

Japan

Japan is the safest country in Asia for solo female travellers.

Most people stay near Tokyo to enjoy the urban city life and the incredible parties. But if you want to go off the beaten track, there are plenty of regional areas with secluded temples and hidden hot springs.

One thing to be mindful of is that many temples prohibit women from entering if they’re wearing short clothing (above the knee). It’s best to stick with long skirts or pants when you travel to Japan.

Cultural Differences to Be Aware Of

When travelling to any new country, it’s important to be aware of the cultural differences. This will help you avoid any embarrassing or dangerous situations.

Remember that in some countries, it’s considered rude for a woman to speak to a man who isn’t her husband or father.

In others, it’s bad to give prolonged eye contact, as it’s a sign of attraction that could invite unwanted attention.

Before you visit a country, be sure to Google the local customs for women, so you understand what you can do safely.

It feels weird to alter yourself, especially if you’re going to a more conservative region.

As a very liberal Western woman, I often struggle with the idea of having to be more subservient to men abroad. I don’t mind needing to cover up, but I get frustrated when I can’t speak my mind freely.

Unfortunately, it’s safer to obey the customs than to challenge them. And your safety comes before your ideals.

Solo Female Travel Packing Tips

I know so many solo travellers who overpack for every “just in case” scenario.

But it’s way better to pack light. If you have less with you, it’s easier to get around. You won’t have to rely on anyone to help you carry your luggage at any point of your journey (a common scam abroad).

And if you buy things along the way, it won’t be such a big problem.

I prefer to travel carry-on only, but sometimes that isn’t realistic. If I check a bag, I really consider everything that I’m bringing with me to ensure I’ve got as little as possible.

However, when I travel solo, I always bring these essentials:

• Universal power adapter
• Portable phone charger
• Hidden pocket scarf to conceal valuables
• Good walking shoes (comfort > fashion)
• Tripod for my phone and camera
• 3-in-1 jacket that can be worn in any weather

Travel Insurance for Solo Females

Most of my solo trips have been error-free. However, sometimes things happen.

I get sick easily, so I’ve often needed to see a doctor abroad for some extra strong meds. I’ve also experienced losing things, having a flight delayed, and needing tips for medical treatments.

While I’ve been lucky to avoid more serious trip-ups that would require travel insurance, I’ve used my insurance policies regularly on trips.

With Safety Wing, you can rest easy knowing you’re covered for everything from adventure sports (including hiking and skydiving) to a lost camera case.

They have the most affordable and easy-to-book insurance policies I’ve found for basically every destination abroad.

With their 24/7 helpline, you’ll never have to worry about calling your mom crying from Italy when you’ve lost your passport.

👉 Find out how much it costs to protect your trip today with Safety Wing travel insurance.

Best Companies for Solo Female Tours

I’ve travelled solo without tours most of my life. But early on, I took a number of guided tours to help me make friends (and when I was under 18 and couldn’t be trusted abroad alone).

These are the best group tour companies for solo female travellers around the world:

• Intrepid for short trips and cultural experiences
• Contiki for under 35 year old tours
• KiwiExperience for bus tours around New Zealand
• G Adventures for self-guided explorations of North America
• Origin Travels for female-only tours

Solo Female Travel Tips

First Time Solo Female Travel Guides

Solo Female Travel Europe Guides

Solo Female Travel Africa Guides

Other Solo Female Travel Guides

FAQs About Solo Female Travel

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