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While most countries offer unique experiences and opportunities for exploration, certain factors are especially important for women traveling alone. For first-time solo travelers or those with less experience, it’s essential to ask yourself what factors contribute to a country being a good place for solo female travel.
Things to consider are aspects like safety, local attitudes toward women, ease of transportation, and access to reliable healthcare.
Countries with lower crime rates, a welcoming culture, well-established tourism infrastructure, and efficient public transport systems tend to be more appealing for solo female travelers.
In this guide, I will break down the key factors to consider when choosing a destination, helping you find the perfect place to take your first or 100th solo female traveler journey.
Lets Pick an example: Sydney Australia
Crime Rate: 34.02 Score- It ranks as one of the TOP 5 Safest Cities in the World!
Walk Score: 23 – You need a car!
Public Transportation: 99! This to me crosses out the bad walk score!
Culture: I would look into different websites and news articles to get a feel of the lifestyle and what kind of experience most tourists have.
This is an example of how I would start evaluating a city.
Now, this one was quite easy because the scores speak for themselves, you may be picking a location where its a bit more difficult to determine if it a good country for a solo female traveler to go, so again, my best advice, use the questions below as a guide to do your research!
What is the crime rate of the city?
There is crime everywhere. Try to pick a city with lower crime rates or crimes that are non violent in nature.
Make a list of countries and cities you are interested in and then look up how safe they are using one of the crime report websites.
Check if there are any Travel Advisories listed by the Government. Now I will say I have certainly traveled to places where there were yellow travel advisories but this is all up to you and your level of comfort. Be informed of all the information so you can make the best decision for yourself.
Are there any risks of disease/infection/outbreak?
Check with the CDC or your local health provider on what vaccines and medications you may need pre, during and post a trip in order to protect yourself.
Make sure you know all the side effects of the possible infections/diseases and the medications you may have to take.
What is the culture of the country you are going to?
First off, you would want to understand what culture means. To me: Culture are the shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that many of the people in that country/region share.
It can be anything from language to religion to cuisine and even how they interact with each other. Based on this, I would have follow up questions.
What is the general Attitude towards woman?
Honestly to find this out, I would use the internet and type in the country name plus culture and then do research.
Look at other blogs.
Look at news articles.
Generally, I would look at what countries have a high percentage of crime against women and I would rule those out as a first time solo female traveler.
This article by BBC shows the countries around the world that have the most gender equal countries. If you don’t know where to start this could be a good place!
Is there a Partying Culture?
There are certain cities, regions around the world that are know as party spots. If this is something you are looking for then you know what to search for.
However if this is something you want to avoid, it is best to know this up front. Make sure you do your due diligence and find out if the place you are traveling to is considered a high party zone.
What is the cities walk score?
Check out the cities walk score.
Why? This will let you know if you are able to walk around without any public transportation, if you will need to utilize it, or rent a bike, or if a car is required to get around.
Chances are most of the time you will not want a location that has a low walk score which is reliant on a car
Is public transportation easily accessible? What is the Public Transportation Score?
I hate driving in general, but especially in places I don’t know. I want to make sure I have a safe, convenient and easy way to get around.
Some things to look at when researching public transportation
Complaints
Frequency of Trains/Buses
Walk Score (Distance between stops)
Stop Locations
Would you feel safe there?
This is the MOST important question. When you have done your research, you need to stop and think if you will feel safe visiting.
This could be the safest city in the world but if you are not going to feel comfortable for whatever reason, then for you it’s not the right choice.
End game start over and pick a new destination
You Selected a Destination- Some Other Things to Remember
How long can you stay? Are there VISA Requirements?
Always check if you need a VISA before booking any flights, hotels or finalizing any plans. You will need to know, if you are approved and how long you can stay in the country.
Here are 19 Tips for Staying Safe as a Solo Female Traveler
- Do research. Research, research, research- sometimes spontaneity is not the right choice. Read Reviews. This goes with research. I deep dive on this one.
You can usually tell if it’s a paid review or a legitimate review so only consider the reviews you consider to come from actual people. - Keep copies of your passport on your phone and in the cloud.
Keep the actual passport in safe in your accommodation - Make sure your phone is always charged and you have a portable charger
- Make sure you have WiFi and/or a phone plan. E-Sims are affordable these days
- Always be aware of your surroundings and be alert
- Be smart on SOCIAL. DONT post where you are LIVE. You can wait a few days
- Ask someone you meet on a tour to go to a dinner or what they are doing the next day if you are not comfortable being alone on that specific day/time. Or even ask them to walk you back to your property.
- Know your limits when it comes to going out at night. When it comes to alcohol, the same rules apply abroad as they do at home.
Don’t take a drink from someone- only accept drinks from bartenders and don’t leave your drinks unattended!
Don’t be in a situation where you are out of control! - If you are going out at night, know how you are getting home even before you go out for the evening. Know what time public transportation closes, know if there will be Ubers readily available from where you are going back to your accommodation, always have a plan on how you are getting back after your night out.
- We all want to save money, but if it comes to saving money, or your safety, spend the few extra dollars
- Take the Uber over the cab. I also use the extra protection in Uber where they have to provide me a four digit code to ensure they are my actual driver
- Confidence= Fake it till you make it! If you act like you know where you are going and what you are doing people are less likely to target you.
I have gotten asked for directions in many cities which has surprised me but its because I had given off an aura of confidence even though I was completely lost myself - Travel Insurance – this is a must! Make sure it covers Medical Expenses!
- You get more with sugar than you do with spice. People are more willing to help you if you are nice to them. Even if you are frustrated, chances are it’s not that persons fault so don’t take it out on them!
- If you are scared, be loud and make noise. Who cares what you look like, if it deters someone from approaching you that is all that matters
- Dress Appropriately for the Culture. While this shouldn’t be listed because we should be able to dress how we want, unfortunately I still have to list this in many parts of the world.
- Don’t wear bright colors- blend in! (same as above)
- Never share the location of your accommodation.
- If asked, you say you are traveling with friends and you are doing your own things that day/night, etc. You don’t owe anyone your story!
