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Original poster

Where to travel as a single woman

26 replies

disneyprincess87 · 23/02/2019 19:57

So if i save very hard I think I can visit some exciting places. I've only just started my research but I love the idea of travelling to Cuba, visiting the Himalaya, north America.
Who would you recommend booking with? Where would you recommend going?
I would only be able to go for a max of a week, most likely 5 days and I'd be by myself. X

OP posts:
XXcstatic · 23/02/2019 20:03

If you only have a week, I'd forget the Himalaya or Cuba (unless you live in the Americas) - will take too long to get there & back.

What sort of thing do you like doing? Adventure travel? Hiking? Chill out at the beach? Spa? Foodie? Learning a language? There are loads of great options for solo travel, but it's hard to advise without knowing what you like

StrongerThanIThought76 · 23/02/2019 20:04

The only place in Europe I was recommended not to go on my own was Turkey - simply because I would attract a lot of (negative) attention/interest. Other than that I've always felt safe - assuming normal travel/lone traveller precautions.

Wauden · 23/02/2019 20:06

Also avoid Morocco for the same reason.

NannyR · 23/02/2019 20:11

Iceland was a four day trip that I really enjoyed travelling by myself. I went in January, stayed in a private room in a youth hostel and booked tours to the golden circle, south coast and northern lights. Contrary to popular belief it didn't work out too expensive (however I don't drink).
I really want to go there in the summer for ten days or so and drive round the whole island with a tent for accommodation, car hire is eye wateringly expensive though.

Sakura7 · 23/02/2019 20:11

If you do decide to go further afield at some point, South East Asia is very easy to get around, and safe. I travelled to Vietnam and Thailand on my own but joined group tours once I got there (with Intrepid and GAdventures) and that worked well for me as it took away the hassle of organising transport, accomodation, etc, and I got to travel with some really interesting people. Lots of people travel completely solo though and it's fine.

If you only have 5 days this time, I wouldn't go outside Europe.

mimibunz · 23/02/2019 20:12

Agree about not going to Turkey on your own. I made that mistake. Try Cuba?

ivykaty44 · 23/02/2019 20:13

If you can get away for more than a week (a week is unusual for long haul) then Exidus are a good company and don’t charge supplements for solo travelers

DisplayPurposesOnly · 23/02/2019 20:14

I've gone alone to Amsterdam, Boston and Reykjavik. With a friend I've been to Copenhagen, Paris, St Petersburg and New Zealand - would happily go to any of those alone. Lots of solo travel within UK. Apart from NZ, they'd all be good for a five day trip.

Didn't use a travel agent for any of those - just booked my own flights and accommodation, plus sorted visas for Russia and USA.

NotStayingIn · 23/02/2019 20:17

I was going to say either Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia. All very relaxed as a single female traveller. Amazing culture, food, scenery etc and affordable. I would also avoid places like Turkey, Tunisia, Morrocco. From my experience they suck if you are travelling by yourself, you just do not get left alone. It's so flipping tedious! But if you only have 5 days I would stick closer to home (assuming you are in the UK). Iceland is a brilliant suggestion. LOTS to see and it's all super easy with organised coach trips.

thetigerthatcamefortea · 23/02/2019 20:19

I’m about to book 5 days (a full week if you include travel time) to Victoria falls and a game reserve in Botswana.
It will be my first holiday alone.

TakeAChanseyOnMe · 23/02/2019 20:20

Japan - I have literally never felt safer and where as a solo traveller. Flights around £600 return and accommodation under £60 per night on AirBnB. I felt I could have had my bag hanging open in Tokyo and still not have been pickpocketed.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 23/02/2019 20:28

Tiger, you will have an amazing time! I went to Zambia last year - Victoria Falls then safari. If you're splashing out on a helicopter over the falls, pick one that goes into the gorge.

(I didn't count this in my solo trips post because, although I went alone, I was collected on arrival in Zambia and escorted everywhere. Was v well looked after and had a 'trip of a lifetime'.)

SheWoreBlueVelvet · 23/02/2019 20:35

What sort of age are you? I really liked doing the Himalayas/ Nepal on my own but it was full of 20 and 30 year old travellers with a few older hippies. I only did 10 days independently and that was enough although I made friends I have kept 10 years on

I don’t like the feeling I am missing out so I find touristy European busy cities a bit lonely. You need a reason or a purpose to go I find. I would be more worried about being a single female traveller in North America than Turkey. Turkey may be horribly sexist but it’s standard banter with female tourists. You need to watch the blokes that think you aren’t that special and that are on par in my experience.

Iflyaway · 23/02/2019 20:42

Also avoid Morocco for the same reason.

I had an amazing time in Morocco in the summer of 2017.

But I've been travelling independently solo for years....

thetigerthatcamefortea · 23/02/2019 20:49

@displaypurposesonly thank you! I’m shitting it if I’m honest but I think once I get over myself it will be as you say. Haven’t decided if I can justify the helicopter trip yet...

Original poster
disneyprincess87 · 23/02/2019 21:23

Thanks all for your messages. Really enjoyed reading them and going to follow up suggestions of who to book with.
I'm in the UK and open to doing lots of new things. Would be happy to mix my holiday up to get the best of the experience and the country.
I haven't done anything like this before by myself, circumstances now permit me to so want to grab it while I can! I've been to NYC for 4 days and crammed a lot in! Orlando too for Disney experience but that's as long haul as I've been.
I've been to Turkey before and understand concerns, there was lots of stares which put me off as I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb.
Maybe Europe would be my best bet, Norway or Iceland. I was debating the pros and cons of a cruise to explore.

OP posts:
Original poster
disneyprincess87 · 23/02/2019 21:25

@SheWoreBlueVelvet I'm 32 forgot to say

OP posts:
Butteredghost · 23/02/2019 21:49

Anywhere! Smile But I second SE Asia as a great place to travel, for anyone, but definitely suitable for a solo woman.

Arnoldthecat · 23/02/2019 22:19

For short haul you would be safe in the Greek islands. The Greeks are generally very respectful of travellers and a lone female will be unlikely to receive any unwanted attentions. The same cannot be said for many parts of Turkey and other places.

Sakura7 · 23/02/2019 22:30

Agree on Greece, it's one of my favourite places. Just avoid the overly touristy/party resorts. Santorini would be a good bet, or the western part of Crete (away from Malia, Hersonissos, etc).

nocoolnamesleft · 23/02/2019 22:43

Regarding cruising: hell, yes. I've been cruising solo for years. If it's a port I'm worried about, I can join an excursion. If not, I can head off an mooch by myself. No worries about meals. As much, or as little, social interaction as I fancy.

Not for everyone, but I love it. (Currently got a couple of tabs open comparing different possibilities for this year!)

AlpacaPicnic · 24/02/2019 10:16

If you're thinking North Ametica... Boston is lovely, not too long with flights around 5.5 hours and I felt very safe there as a solo female traveller recently. Lots to see and do but it's a small city so you can walk it easily! Plus you can go on a whale watching trip, or catch a ferry to Salem which was fun!

Arnoldthecat · 25/02/2019 20:39

Thumbs up for me for Boston also,,a great city to visit.

Wauden · 04/03/2019 21:31

Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

noego · 04/03/2019 22:10

If you haven't got a lot of money try looking at jacksflightclub for bargains and homestay. With homestay you can stop with a family in your own room and is a lot cheaper than hotels or BnB or airbnb