Safe for a solo female?

[YourBrickTiger]

Hi - I'm hoping that I might soon be able to take a break from everything and am not afraid to travel alone. There are a lot of holiday destinations now that are more available than even 10 years ago.

Apart from really obvious places like warzones, where would you recommend and where would you consider is definitely NOT safe for a female travelling alone? Can be anywhere in the world.

Thank you!

I don’t think I’d go to India as a lone female. DS and his partner went and she said she got stared at a lot, she wouldn’t have felt safe alone.

I wouldn't go to Egypt or Morocco as a solo female traveller. I've travelled a lot and the harassment I got there was by far the worst. I haven't been to Tunisia or other surrounding countries but I would be wary about going there on my own now.

I have friends who've been fine travelling alone in India but I'd also be nervous about that. Not necessarily because it's unsafe but more that I wouldn't want to be stared at.

(Goes without saying that I know this doesn't apply to all men in these countries and is just my experience)

DD recently travelled Australia (along the whole east coast from Melbourne up to the Whitsundays!) solo. Absolutely adored it (so much so that I am losing her to a working holiday visa for the year..), had the time of her life, met wonderful friends and felt very safe throughout. We live in a UK capital city and she said that she felt much safer over there than she does here. Less petty crime etc

I have travelled solo a lot. Would recommend
Most of Western Europe
Thailand but not sleazy bits like Pattaya
Singapore
Hong Kong
Malaysia

I have been ok in India, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Egypt but that's because I am brown. Better avoid if you can't pass for a local.

I can second the east coast of Australia.
I drove a hired campervan up the coast of Queensland from Brisbane to nearly Townsville and back, mainly stopping in national parks a little way inland. I did a lot of walking in the parks, and swimming and surfing in the sea. I felt totally safe, apart from a close encounter with a wild boar - not sure who was more surprised there! Everyone was very friendly and helpful IME, but I’m sure there are no-go areas in the larger towns, just as there are in the UK.

I would never go to Morocco or Tunisia or Egypt as a lone female. Hugely harassed by men there even when accompanied. Awful, awful awful. Avoid!

I’ve travelled alone in most of Europe, parts of the USA, much of Canada, and in south east Asia (Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam), New Zealand, and Central America (Mexico, Belize, Panama, Costa Rica).

The places I’ve felt least safe are all in the UK, and the only places I’ve actually been a victim of crime are London (including being physically attacked), Brighton, rural West Yorkshire and I was pickpocketed very skilfully in Paris.

Japan is incredibly safe for lone females and lots to do

Switzerland is stunningly beautiful and safe. Unfortunately it's very expensive.

Oh yes Japan too!
I have also done Cambodia and felt safe.

My mum solo travels and has been to Iceland, Finland, France (just Paris), Switzerland, Norway, Borneo (malaysia side), Japan, Germany, Kenya and Poland on her own. She felt safe in them all, used public transport/walked to places, including during the evening/when it was dark. The only place she had holiday’d alone and didn’t feel safe was Belfast, there were lots of stag parties that she felt were intimidating despite also feeling that they were likely safe adults.

I’ve recently got back from Morocco (as a lone female) and felt perfectly safe the whole time. Even spent a few nights in the desert! Having said that I’m fairly experienced in solo travel so maybe not for a first timer. Croatia was great and everywhere I’ve been in Italy. I’d give Egypt, India, East Africa and the whole of the EAU a miss.

Depends a bit on your age. Once you’re in your 60s, places like Egypt and Morocco are fine for solo women. Assuming you are reasonably savvy and not likely to fall for a romance scam, elders are treated with more respect than most tourists.

I solo travelled a lot until I met my partner in my mid 30s.

Most places I had no issues. The places that felt safest included China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Eastern Europe (although I think that region would be more challenging if you are not white), Chile.

I found Morocco okay with my wits about me but Egypt would be a no.

Also remember you're not 100% safe anywhere including at home. I always say I travelled the world but my scariest experience with men was in a club in Newcastle. In many places being a tourist offers you protection in itself - locals know they are in big trouble if they mess with visitors.

I can highly recommend Tobago. Locals are welcoming and kind. Very little crime and violence. What's more there is little in the way of natural hazards too - hurricanes are rare and swimming in the sea is very safe.

India

Uzbekistan

Based on experience and bearing in mind I’m mixed heritage and and do not stand out as a gringa in a lot of countries when I solo travel I’d say:

Very safe: south east Asia, Australia (except for the n territory) NZ, Nepal, Peru and Colombia.

Felt less safe in morrocco and Bangladesh. Sri Lanka was sometimes a bit iffy.

Just to add: as a solo traveller I’ve had dodgy experiences in places a lot of people perceive as safe when I was much younger. Thailand for example there were a couple of incidents of men trying to enter my room at night.

Bali. DD loves it.

India, Egypt and South Africa would be a no from me and possibly Mexico and Jamaica.

I've done Spain, Scotland, New York and Switzerland alone. All were brilliant.

I came to say Morocco & Egypt .
And sadly I have to add Poland. The attitude by men towards single/ solo traveling woman makes you feel a bit like fair game. (That was in 2023...)

I've been to many places around the world for both work and pleasure, mostly solo. Very few countries as a whole I wouldn't go back to, but some parts of Mexico and Guatemala would be a "no" from me. Sadly, quite a few Caribbean islands would also be an "avoid", unless you were staying in a resort / doing managed excursions. I personally wouldn't do South America alone, but mainly because I don't speak good enough Spanish, and would struggle to sort out all the admin / logistics. Peru was wonderful, however, and if you do the "tourist route", you'd probably be fine. Malaysia was wonderful last year, no problems at all. Vic Falls park in Zimbabwe / Zambia was amazing, but Harare is a def. no-go alone. You used to be able to get a round-trip flight like a bus route between Jo'burg, Vic Falls and Livingstone. All of the European places I've been have been fine. I wouldn't do Morocco alone, which is sad, as I loved Marrakech (holiday). Didn't love Casablanca (work). Worked in Egypt for a few years, and have also been many times on holiday and I wouldn't do it alone, now. Escorted river cruise down the Nile would be fine, though.

My positive experiences may be down to being older and largely "invisible". I imagine it would be more difficult if you are young, attractive and look rich! 😀

India and Egypt. Anywhere in north Africa’s South and Central America fine plus Europe

I do a lot of solo travel, Europe wise recently really enjoyed Stockholm, Budapest, Vilnius and Belfast.

My sister did a big solo trip round Japan and enjoyed