Safe Destinations for Solo Female Travel

Safety is almost always the biggest concern when it comes to women traveling alone. I am not going to lie and say there aren’t dangers but if you pick the right location those dangers can be minimized. It is often thought that the only safe places to go are westernized countries. In many cases this can be true. Countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Canada can be very safe. Those countries however are not the only options. Below are ten safe destinations for solo female travel and a few things to still look out for:

Note: All of these countries are a level one threat which is the lowest level given by the US State Department. You can find my list of solo female safety tips right here.

Finland:

Finland is a great option because their violent crime rate is practically non-existent. While you may have to battle the cold weather you won’t have to battle much else. Like EVERY country that you will travel to make sure that you are vigilant against the common tourist threats. These include pick-pocketing, credit card theft, and petty theft. This can all be avoided by being vigilant regarding your personal items, paying with cash instead of credit cards, and overall being aware of personal surroundings.

Iceland:

If you can afford the price tag, Iceland is a great place to travel. It has one of the lowest murder rates in the entire world and violent crime is rare. Take the opportunity to see the Northern Lights but make sure you are watching your personal belongings. Downtown Reykjavik can be known for getting a bit rowdy after a night of partying so stay aware of your surroundings and try to stay within your limits when it comes to alcohol or other mental inhibitors. Try to avoid putting any of your bags on the floor in bar, restaurants, or nightclubs as they can be easily taken. Other than that, remember to bundle up and enjoy the beauty that is Iceland.

Hong Kong:

Hong Kong is known for having a respectful and vigilant police force. If you are familiar with “911” there is a similar “999” that can be used in case of emergencies. Hong Kong can develop demonstrations so all visitors should be aware of large gatherings. With they are primarily peaceful there is always a chance that things could get out of hand. I would also like to offer a word of caution against buying pirated or counterfeit items. Not only are they illegal within the United States but there is a chance of also breaking local law. It is something to be aware of and to avoid if possible. So while watching your personal belongings enjoy the festivals and fireworks.

Portugal:

Portugal is a country filled with wonderful restaurants, natural springs, and volcanic caves. It should be on everyone’s travel bucket list. Portugal is a place that has a low crime rate though demonstrations do happen occasionally. The major thing to look out for is pick pocketing. Just be careful when it comes to getting on and off the trains. Pick-pocketing can happen anywhere but the jostling that often happens on the train is an easy way for thieves to take something without being noticed. Beware also of illicit drug as dealers come out at night and may try to approach you. My last note is to make sure that you keep your windows and door locked, especially on a rental car, since petty theft and break-ins can happen.

Austria:

If the land of Mozart is on your wishlist than you are making a pretty safe bet (lol). With it’s fairytale villages and amazing architecture it is one of the most under rated travel locations out there. Austria has the basic threats which boil down to petty theft. As long as you are watching your personal belongings and protecting your identity there is little of great concern. Public demonstrations do happen here and like other countries they can turn violent but they all require permits and start off with the best of intentions.

The Netherlands:

The Amsterdam canals are one of my top ten “must see” sites and luckily The Netherlands is a safe destination for solo female travelers.  While you are enjoying a country steeped in history make sure that you are watching those bags and credit cards. As a tourist, there is always a risk of being a target for people who want to steal your informations. There are even some stores, restaurants, and hotels who will only accept cards that have “chips and pins” in order to combat this threat. Make sure you are also watching out for online scams. Before you make a purchase do some research to make sure that they are reputable.

Bulgaria:

This may come as a shocker and a bit off the beaten path but I have personally been to Bulgaria and have experienced it as a solo female traveler. I found the people to be incredibly pleasant, areas are well lit, many of the people speak english, and overall I didn’t run into any safety threats. Agencies are always watching European countries for terrorist threats and that is always a possibility. The biggest issue is that I ran into was taxi scams. It is so important to find a reputable taxi company. I would also suggest making sure that you carry cash (Bulgarian Lev) as there may be issues with using your card. Trust me, it’s easier.

Thailand:

Not only is Thailand a safe place to travel to but it is very safe for your budget as well. Thailand is a country that is set up with an extensive tourist infrastructure. Not only do they have hotels, restaurants, and various attractions, they can also boast about their natural beauty. There are several concerns for Thailand. One of the biggest concerns for tourists is being overcharged for taxi, bar, or rental services. Make sure that you are researching average prices for whatever service that you need to make sure that the price you are being charged is appropriate. Sexually motivated violence is a possibility so make sure that you are extra vigilant if you choose to go to parties or bars. This shouldn’t deter you from enjoying yourself but you should make sure that people know where you are and be wary of strangers who could be overly friendly.

British Virgin Islands:

As of September 2018 the British Virgin Islands is still recovering from Hurricane Maria (September 2017). This may be an opportunity to visit the islands when they are a bit cheaper as people try to get back on their feet. With that being said, any tourist has to make sure that they are looking out for counterfeit items and opportunities for price gouging. The British Virgin Islands is a country that you should avoid walking around at night by yourself unless you are staying to well lit and populous areas. It may be worth the money to get a guide or speak with natives to better understand what areas should be avoided.

Ireland:

There isn’t much to say about Ireland. The food, the culture, and the geography often sell themselves. In the past couple of years petty crime and theft have been on the rise. Even with the rise in crime most tourists leave without incident.  As long as you are watching your belongings you should have very little to worry about.

Malta:

Malta is a small country out in the mediterranean. This country boasts of the same scenic coasts as Italy, France, and Northern Africa. This may be a country that isn’t on the map for a lot of tourists but it seriously packs a punch. Malta has history from the Romans, Moors, French, and British. You won’t be at a loss of things to do. The most common crimes involve simple assault, pick-pocketing, and petty theft. If you plan to hit the town at night make sure that you are aware that there have been reports of people being drugged and robbed in the downtown area.

So there you have it. While there are many countries out there, here are ten that are safe destinations for solo female travelers.