To ask which destination you’d pick for a solo trip as a female traveller?

[RainSoakedNights]

I’m looking to do a European Grand Prix next year as a solo traveller. I’ve narrowed down my options to four choices

Belgium
Baku
Budapest
Barcelona

I have been to Barcelona before, so I’d feel relatively comfortable getting to/from the circuit. But any opinions on these destinations as a solo female traveler would be appreciated!!

I hated Barcelona and had a terrible time there but it’s likely fine solo.

I think “being a solo female traveller” can also depends on other factors such as age, ethnicity, looks etc.

Belgium - no problem.
I would not feel safe in Hungary and know nothing about Baku.

Why all the Bs?

I’m 26

Ha, I did notice that as i was typing. They’re all just tracks that appeal to me - Budapest is the Hungoraring which is cheap, Barcelona is a race I’ve been to before, the Belgian Grand Prix is an iconic one, and Baku is my favourite driver’s best track 🤣 just all the B’s

can i ask why you’d not feel safe in Hungary?

Been to all of them except Baku, and they were all safe and perfectly fine for a solo female traveller.

I loved Budapest, I adore Barcelona, Belgium I'm not generally thrilled about but it has its moments.

Maybe think about what you might like to do/what each offers away from the Grand Prix to help you narrow it down?

I love Belgium and it is really easy solo.

Watching with interest pp.
Belgium has never appealed to me. But I would have thought Budapest would be if anything, safer than Barcelona and the former was on the list to do solo. So I'm curious now why pp thinks Hungary might not be safe.

Where is it in Belgium? Brussels is a bit of a dump IMO but not unsafe

Budapest sounds best out of that lot

Spa Francorchamps, it’s a small town in the north i believe? By all accounts it’s quite easy to get to!

I’m awful when it comes to these trips. I’ll literally fly in and out for the race (Thursday - Monday), I’ve done a few with family and friends and it’s just less stress that way, in my mind!

I’d feel entirely safe in Belgium, Budapest or Barcelona, all of which I know well, and, while I have never been to Azerbaijan, DH has been there for work and thought it was fascinating — so I’d probably go there, for the sake of going somewhere unfamiliar.

Not sure I’d pick Spa, did you watch the race on Sunday?

Then surely it makes no difference where you go, if you’re literally either at the track or asleep in your accommodation all the time?

I did, I’m hopeful the 26 era cars will be better in the wet (that’s what they’re aiming for, anyway!). It’s a bit of a gamble but it’s so historic and beautiful, it feels it would be a shame to not go while it’s on the calendar and while I’m able.

I've only been to Bruges but I'd still rule Belgium out on account of being boring. Baku is a much longer flight and i don't know if anyone flies direct so I'd give that a miss. You've been to Barcelona before so I would go somewhere different this time - so I'd go Budapest, I've been twice, felt completely safe and it's a great city. Go to Szechenyi baths while you are there - amazing!

If all you want to do is go to the race though then just pick the easiest one for you.

I’ll obviously be out and about, what i mean is it’s not important to me to spend whole days somewhere else. Potentially I won’t go to practice on the Friday, but I’m just curious as to what people think of each destination and which is safest!

Watching this with interest as I’d love to gift my DH a trip to one of the European Grand Prix venues for his 50th next year. I was thinking Spa or Barcelona. I think he’d prefer the Belgian race but felt there was more to do around Barcelona if he wanted to do something other than motorsport.

I've only been to Barcelona of all those destinations and I was in a group. Aside from the pickpockets we felt safe. My friend is Hungarian and she rates Budapest for a city destination. Didn’t indicate it wouldn’t be safe for a female duo.

Barcelona is a brilliant city, and I quite liked the race! I’d throw in a shout for Silverstone (if you’re happy to stay home), an incredibly atmosphere!

I went to Budapest recently and would have felt safe there as a solo traveller .Really beautiful and lots to see - plus a day at the thermal baths.
I'm not a fan of Barcelona (although mainly as I prefer the tapas scene in the South!) A friend was shoved over and her bag snatched there but maybe that was bad luck. I love Madrid and would happily travel there alone though.

I don't think there are any safety issues at a y if them, particularly as there will be 10000 or more tourist and press everywhere, for my money Singapore is the best F1 venue

The current political regime and support for that regime makes it a place for me to avoid. A friend of mine, who travels everywhere solo, had to cut her trip short due to how awful her experience was and she went to Finland instead!

But you maybe fine, so definitely poll as widely as possible (which is what you are doing now I guess!)

I wouldn't pick Baku as a single female @RainSoakedNights. It is an overtly sexist place.

My friend had her pocket picked in Barcelona. Another friend was physically assaulted by an older woman and lots of weird sleazy guys.

Which is what has biased me against Barcelona!

Family have been to Baku and loved it. They were male travelers so can’t comment on the solo female aspect but they said it’s very low key for spectators compared to some other races as there aren’t as many fans there.

If you're interested in or have the budget for something further afield, Japan is always a great place to visit as a solo female traveller. I've been 4 times in the last 10 years, twice by myself.

There are some great Airbnb experiences like food tours which you can very easily do alone and join a group, I enjoyed stuff like that when I was by myself. It's safe, modern and pleasant to travel about, fascinating culture like the sights of Kyoto or beautiful, wild areas of northern Japan like Akita or as far north as Hokkaido, and then the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

Japan is quite a collectivist and traditional society, and it is still misogynistic in that sense - especially re: women working when they have families etc - but I've never been harassed or had issues with men as a foreign traveller there.

Most restaurants cater for solo diners with counter seating, i.e. yakiniku places where you have your own mini grill to cook your meat, and it's really common to eat alone so you wouldn't feel self conscious. It's pretty affordable both for food and accomodation as long as you book your hotel/apartment well in advance. I love it and I'm already planning my next trip there.

as I stated in my post, I’m only interested in doing a European Grand Prix. Not a tour round Japan

I've had a good time in all of the above.

I will say though that I went to Budapest with one other female friend and we felt very safe at all times, even wandering around and on public transport after dark. It's also a lovely city with lots to do. I recommend that one!