We talk a lot about how travel is great for spending quality time with loved ones. But for some people, travel is something they do solo for a variety of reasons: busy schedules that don’t allow for vacation time when others can go along, stressful lives that travel serves as a temporary escape from or the simple fact that single people like to travel too. For solo female travellers, safety can be an extra concern. And what good is traveling, alone or with others, if you don’t learn something about yourself? These are some of our experts’ recommendations for solo female travellers.
Destinations for Solo Female Travellers
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that I spent 19 months backpacking around the world as a solo traveller. Prior to that, I worked onboard a small expedition ship. During my time off, I would travel, usually by myself. I cannot stress enough how much I enjoyed my time exploring the world alone. I learned a lot about myself, I spent a lot of time in the car, I arrived and departed from destinations in the dead of night (hi, Bali, Singapore, Dubai), and I loved every single second of it.
Read more about my solo travels:
- Five Things I Would Tell My Younger Travelling Self
- Five Things That Travelling Has Taught Me About Life
- 32 Things I’ve Learned While Travelling
These below destinations, all recommendations from fellow Largay Travel colleagues and friends, are all places I can help you explore as a solo female traveller.
Australia & New Zealand
Admittedly, these destinations require more time off to visit. Family and work obligations can mean you don’t find somebody to go with you. Fortunately, both Australia and New Zealand (don’t combine them unless you have at least 4 weeks!) are the PERFECT destination for a solo female traveller.
While you’re certain to learn some new words, there isn’t a language barrier. The people are friendly, and it’s safe. There are enough cultural similarities to help you ease in but enough differences to make for a real adventure. There are great cities, expansive nature and unique wildlife. To top it off, there are plenty of other solo travellers in both countries, so you are sure to meet friends, either on the trail or at the pub.
Read more about New Zealand and Australia:
- 9 Must Try Foods in Sydney, Australia
- Travel Trends: Australian Wineries
- Destinations: Dive into the Narrow, Colourful Laneways of Melbourne
- 10 Reasons to Visit New Zealand
- Five Underrated Locations in New Zealand
- Travel Trends: New Zealand Vineyards
- On The Road: The Arts Trail in Golden Bay, New Zealand
- Why You Need to Plan a Romantic Getaway in New Zealand
Galapagos
Expedition ships often have special sailings where single supplement fees are waived, which means you have your own cabin at no additional cost. You’re still traveling in a relatively small group, so it’s easy to make friends, especially when you’re experiencing something so life-changing. The diversity of wildlife in the Galapagos definitely makes for a one-of-a-kind journey and will prompt some introspection that might lead to journaling in your cabin at night, much like Charles Darwin did when he visited.
The Nordic countries
Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and the Faroes. A selection of countries that beckon adventurous solo female travellers. Quality of life is pretty good, and people are generally welcoming. There’s a reason the rankings of happiest countries in the world basically read as a list of the Nordic countries: Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Sweden are all in the top 10 for 2019’s rankings. Depending on when you go, you can maximise your chance at seeing the Northern Lights or have it be daytime all the time. See for yourself what makes life in these countries so happy.
Read: What is Virtuoso Wanderlist?
Spain & Portugal
Spain and Portugal are two other great destinations for solo female travellers. The distance between cities can be covered in a few hours on a train. They’re rich in culture, and the food is incredible. Solo females can enjoy a small group wine tour, ensuring you meet other travellers while still experiencing the excellent wines made here. Each region offers something unique, so you can pack a variety of experiences into a compact area. The architecture and art are out of this world. The weather is usually good most times of year. This corner of Europe offers adventure and beauty at every turn.
Japan
Japan has been on my radar now for a very long time, and recently its cropped up in any number of places. As one of the safest countries in the world, Japan ranks high in the list of great places for solo female travellers. A lot of locals travel solo, so there’s an infrastructure for it, along with a level of familiarity. It’s easy to base yourself in one place and do day trips. The country is safer than most, and there are emergency phones and small police buildings called koban virtually everywhere if you need help. Hotels and ryokan are used to accommodating solo travellers, as are restaurants. Some cities offer female-only train cars on public transit, too.
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While there are any number of places I would go as a solo female traveller, these are some of the top destinations. Because I have first-hand experience in travelling alone, I’m equipped to help travellers venture off the beaten path while still feeling safe and in good hands. Are you, or do you know, a solo female traveller who wants to experience the world? I’d love to begin the conversation!
Great post, thanks a lot 🙂