The Best Countries For Solo Female Travelers

Whether you’re new to solo travel, have traveled before, or are a solo veteran, choosing the correct country to visit depends on your comfort level and how challenging or adventurous you want your trip to be. This is especially true for solo female travelers who may have additional considerations when planning their trips.

So, what makes a country good for solo travelers? The key ingredients are safety, friendly locals, language, good infrastructure, and the ability to meet other solo travelers.

If you’re looking for ease, pick a country with locals who speak the same language. It makes getting lost or needing to ask a question in your language so much easier, and you’ll immediately have more confidence if it’s the same lingo.

Spanish speakers may gravitate towards other Spanish-speaking countries, such as Latin America, and English speakers towards Australasia or North America.

Here’s a guide to countries geared specifically toward solo female travelers, with other nationalities of solo travelers you can expect to meet there.

For First Time Solos

If it’s your first time, you’ve researched and gathered the facts, but you’re feeling apprehensive about going on your own, these countries are perfect for first-time solo travelers.

England

England is great for English speakers and for those who want to see a lot in a short time. With a cosmopolitan society, multi-cultural cities, and plenty of history, it has a lot to offer a solo traveler.

However, if you’re looking for interaction, venture out into the countryside, where you’ll experience a more authentic discussion with the locals.

Types of travelers: American, Australian, Asian, European.

USA

If you’ve never travelled alone, America is a great starting point. The United States may not be as unfamiliar as somewhere like Asia, but what it lacks in ancient culture, it makes up for in world-renowned buildings and vibrant cities (and if you’re British, they love the British accent).

Types of travelers: Mainly American.

Australia

Australia is one of the easiest places to travel to alone. Because of its ease, many younger travelers visit here to experience life Down Under before entering the job market.

Australians are incredibly friendly, and you’ll never be short of company. With an outdoor culture and a more relaxed vibe, Australia will feel like home, only further away.

Types of travelers: Younger crowd on the East Coast. European and many more.

New Zealand

An abundance of gorgeous scenery and easygoing folk create a winning destination. And if it’s adventure and the great outdoors you’re searching for, New Zealand could be for you.

There is a large choice of hostels, campsites, hotels, and wooden lodges; getting around the country couldn’t be simpler. Jump aboard an organized tour, hire a car, or rent a motor home to explore the two islands; perfect for those who prefer solitude.

Types of travelers: European, Israelis.

Bhutan

Bhutan may not be somewhere you’ve even considered, but it’s one of the most cultured countries in the world and incredibly safe for solo female travelers.

You can only visit on a pre-organized Bhutan tour or by invitation from a resident, so it can be pretty costly. However, you get your very own personal guide, 4-star accommodation, and three-course meals included as you’re escorted around this Buddhist country.

Although Bhutan is very peaceful, Thimphu is the best place to meet others and has surprisingly good nightlife.

Types of travelers: Mature travelers from across the globe.

For Seasoned Solos

You’ve been on a round-the-world ticket and travelled through the easier countries. You’ve surpassed yourself by visiting countries you didn’t expect, and you realize it’s not that hard.

You’re ready for the next step, and your feet are twitching for somewhere new. Here are the best places for seasoned solos (or first timers looking for something more challenging).

Swaziland

Africa may not seem like a continent suitable for solos, but this is one country that welcomes internationals with open arms.

The Kingdom of Swaziland is untouched by mass tourism, and with Swazis believing that greeting foreign guests is a way of gaining wisdom, you can be sure of an enlightening and cultural stay.

Swaziland is mainly known for its game parks and culture, and self-driving is the best way to see the country.

Types of travelers: Mature travelers from across the globe.

Thailand

Thailand’s hospitality is known as one of the friendliest in the world. If you travel solo here, you are guaranteed royal treatment and service fit for a queen.

Completely geared up for the tourist industry, Thailand is incredibly easy to visit. It has great transport links, stunning accommodation, and the guarantee of meeting many other like-minded solos.

Types of travelers: A younger crowd on the Andaman Coast. Europeans, Australians.

Canada

Canadians are some of the loveliest people on the planet and with vast open spaces and cosmopolitan cities, this country has a lot of offer. If you love stunning scenery, the great outdoors, and long train journeys, Canada is a great starting point for your solo adventure.

Types of travelers: European, Australian, Asian.

Latin America

So many countries, so little time! From the less-developed to the more modern, Belize is the only English-speaking country here, with the rest predominantly Spanish (except for Brazil, which is Portuguese).

These countries are challenging if you don’t know the language, and it can be an adventure to get around them. It’s an entirely different scene from Southeast Asia, and you’ll meet a different type of traveler looking for a more cultural experience.

Types of travelers: Americans, Israelis, Spanis,h and other Europeans.

India

If you’re looking for a complete overload of the senses and a place so diverse and different from anywhere else, then India has to be. It’s a fantastic country with so much to see that you may not even get around half of it.

Travel from October to February, and you’ll likely meet Westerners travelling the country, but be ready for culture shock. As a woman, you might draw some unwanted attention, especially in the beach areas. This country is a life-changer.

Types of travelers: Europeans, Australians, Kiwis, Russians, Israelis.

Israel

Due to its ongoing political unrest with the West Bank, Israel may not be on your bucket list, yet this country is straightforward to travel around with English spoken in most areas.

Israel and its people will surprise you with a cosmopolitan capital, great food, and sandy beaches (not to forget the Dead Sea).

Types of travelers: All nationalities.

Europe

Europe is the perfect continent to explore, with many open border crossings and different regions and cultures to discover.

Western Europe is the easiest to travel around, with many home comforts and an organized transport network, but for the more seasoned solo traveller who is looking for somewhere more rustic, visit the Balkans: Albania, Serbia, Bosnia, Macedonia, or Bulgaria.

Types of travelers: Australians, Asians (in the Alpine countries), Russians (in the Balkans), Europeans.

For The Solo Pro

Anywhere in the world! Just check the Foreign Office advice before you begin your intrepid adventure. Where is your favorite country for solo travel?

_____

About Lisa Eldridge

If you love these tips on solo travel, there are plenty more in A Female Guide to Solo Travel, the most comprehensive travel guide for women travelling alone.

Learn how to conquer your fear of travelling solo, how to plan your trip, coping mechanisms for when you’re on the road, and how to overcome the post-travel blues when you return home. Plus, there are many special discounts to save you money, too!