I have been solo traveling as a single woman most of my adult life, so you could call me an expert on the matter. I’ve lived abroad, I’ve traveled for months on my own and I’ve learned a lot about myself and the world around me.
And today I’d love to share what I’ve learned, because even as a privileged white woman, the world still isn’t quite sure how to deal with us appropriately.
- I’ve witnessed racism in ways I never thought I would
- I’ve been attacked on multiple occasions in the most bizarre manners
- and I’m constantly underestimated by people everywhere.
- I’ve also had to deal with extremely challenging situations abroad completely on my own.
On the other hand, I’ve seen incredible places that most people never will, I’ve done things I never thought I could and I’ve met people and experienced cultures that made me realize that the grass really is greener on the other side!
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Solo traveling is growing in popularity, as has been proven in multiple studies, like a survey made by a travel search engine, Kayak. It shows that in 2023 single-person flights were searched 36% more than in 2022.
And it makes sense! Because when you’re traveling solo, there’s no need for plans, schedules and compromises. It’s a special kind of freedom to travel solo, because you don’t need to consider anyone but yourself.
Solo Traveling as a Single Woman 2026
It’s really important to understand that as women, we still have to keep our wits about ourselves when traveling solo. Just as minorities are still facing too much racism, us women are seen as outlandish creatures when we travel on our own.
And this brings with it unnecessary safety challenges that we just have to be aware of. Like being targeted by robbers more easily and facing sexual harrassment from passers-by and hotel staff (because in their world it’s a normal way to behave).
So, as long as you do a bit of planning and use common sense while out there, there is no reason why solo traveling as a single woman wouldn’t be the best thing you ever did in your life! I’m here to help you make sure your first solo trip is a success:
How to prepare for solo traveling?
If you’re a European citizen and you plan to travel solo in Europe, it’s pretty straightforward. But if Europeans plan to travel to other continents, or solo travelers from elsewhere are coming to Europe, a bit of cultural awareness is a necessity.
By this I mean being aware of and prepared for different communication styles:
- Where people from the US would be overly polite and positive, European communication is very direct and honest. It may seem rude, but it’s not.
- Also, when choosing a country or a region where you plan to travel solo as a woman, you should consider how women are perceived in that country.
- In general it is safe for us to go anywhere, as long as we look after ourselves. But don’t assume you’ll be respected everywhere just because you’re a lady.
Once you’ve chosen a destination you should also get acquainted with the map of the city you’re going to. See what would be a good area to find accommodation, where are all the sights you want to visit and check if there are areas you should perhaps avoid.
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If you prefer public transport, check what options you have and where you can get tickets. Google which taxi apps work in the city and install them before the trip (honestly, this has saved my life!)
It’s also always respectful and useful to learn at least some phrases in the local language. If nothing else, this can get you free meals or drinks in a restaurant. Simply because people often appreciate the effort.
Here’s a recap of things to do before the trip:
- get acquainted with the city/country
- get acquainted with local culture and habits
- do a bit of research on how women are perceived/treated in your chosen country
- install a taxi app and check public transport options
- learn a bit of the language.
Need a car while traveling?
Where to stay as a female solo traveler?
When thinking about where to stay when solo traveling as a woman, consider the following factors:
- what is your budget?
- do you prefer privacy or is sharing fine?
- what level of safety and security are you looking for?
The cheapest option is of course hostels. You can choose whether you share a room or whether you want your own room. Whichever option you go for, hostels are the easiest way to meet new people. Hostels also arrange tours and activities for the guests, so it’s a full package.
AirBnB‘s are another good option, and they can also be a budget-friendly one. By booking an AirBnB you’ll get a deep-dive into how the locals live. If you throw in a bit of extra cash, you can also get an extraordinary accommodation experience. By this I mean things like tree houses, massive swimming pools, a vinyard in the backyard, you name it.
Hotels are of course the most expensive option, but if you’re like me, then you are willing to pay for comfort and convenience. No cleaning, no cooking, all services, like gym and a spa available whenever needed, etc. It’s costly, but for me, it’s totally worth the money.
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And then a word about the safety/security side: in general all of the above options are completely safe. If you’re staying in a shared hostel room, make sure your belongings are kept ‘unavailable’ to the other guests. Another thing to check is where your accommodation is located.
Check on Google Maps’ street view what the surrounding areas and streets look like. As women we would do well to prefer active, well-maintained areas where we feel safe coming ‘home’ in the middle of the night.
How to meet people while solo traveling as a single woman?
First and foremost, be extremely careful with Tinder and other dating apps! They are one of the easiest ways to meet locals and other travelers, but can also be the most dangerous. This advice comes from personal experience! And I would much prefer that you could avoid such encounters.
At the end of the day, solo traveling as a single woman is a chance for us to enjoy our own company. Which often is more than enough! But after a while we do find ourselves wanting company, because we are social creatures.
As mentioned previously, hostels are the easiest way to meet people. Whether you’re staying in a hostel or not, you can just go and have a drink in many hostel bars. AirBnB also offers brilliant opportunities to meet fellow travelers:
Through AirBnB you can book yourself into different kinds of tours and trips, or do as I did, and book a photographer to materialize your solo trip memories.
At the end of the day, the best thing about solo traveling as a woman is that you meet people EVERYWHERE.
- Sitting by a bar you end up chatting with the bartender and get great local tips.
- Shopping in local boutiques the sales people give you restaurant recommendations and invite you out for a cup of coffee.
- You start chatting with people you’re on a tour with and become friends.
All of this ↑ actually happened to me in one trip in 2023. And that is what makes solo traveling the best thing ever: the places you see, the experiences you have and the people you meet!
What to do in case of emergencies?
As a very experienced solo traveler, I’ve of course seen it all. Thankfully the attacks I’ve endured didn’t result in major physical damage, but the mental toll was something I had to deal with on my own while on the road. I have had to take a friend to hospital, though.
So here are my tips on making sure you are prepared and covered for unexpected illnesses, events, accidents and occurrences:
- before the trip, make sure you have all necessary travel insurances in place
- always make sure you’re phone has full battery when you leave your accommodation
- find out what is the local emergency number
- make sure you have internet access wherever you go (in case you need google translate or a taxi)
- find your country’s embassy or a consulate on the map, save the phone number on your phone
- save your bank’s phone number in case you’re wallet is stolen and you need to freeze your cards.
All of the above are things that I’ve had to learn the hard way. When I first moved abroad at the age of 19 I was naive af, and it’s expensive to be so! One thing I would add, but that isn’t a rule as such, is to be aware of the fact that authorities aren’t as you expect them to be everywhere.
For example, filing a police report about sexual assault may not be taken seriously in many countries in Europe. Not unless you’ve sustained serious physical injuries. Yes, I learned this through personal experience…
Overall though, it goes back to what I said in the beginning: use common sense and prepare well, and you will be just fine.
Is it safe to travel solo as a single woman?
Despite all of my personal kerfuffles along the way, I would definitely say YES, IT IS!
The world is a very different place to how it was just 20 years ago. It’s much more open, easily accessible, and as different cultures mix together, many places have become much safer in general. Oh yes, even though the media would try and convince us otherwise, the world is a lot safer now than it was 20 years ago!
But while solo traveling as a single woman, it is important to keep our wits about us. Idiocy has never done anyone any favours, and I for one can vouch for this. I grew up in one of the safest countries on Earth, and thus I expected everywhere else to be safe too. No such luck! But thankfully I’ve never experienced anything too extreme or traumatizing.
Solo traveling is one of the best things your can do for yourself, regardless of gender! It gives you healthy perspective, opens your mind to new possibilities and enriches your life on every front.
Have you ever been solo traveling? Is it something that you’ve had on your bucket list? I’d love to hear about your experiences and thoughts, so comment below! ♥
FAQ
Q: Is it safe to travel solo as a woman?
A: I would definitely say YES, IT IS! The world is much more open, easily accessible, and as different cultures mix together, many places have become much safer in general. But while solo traveling as a woman, it is important to keep our wits about us.
Q: Where is it safe for women to travel solo?
A: Basically the whole world is just as open to women as it is to men. But at the same time us women are still seen as outlandish creatures when we travel on our own, so healthy consideration about where you travel solo and when is recommended. Make sure you know about the local culture and customs to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and problems.
Q: Why should women travel solo?
A: Solo travel is one of the fastest ways to get to know yourself and enhance personal growth. Travel always comes with its challenges, and as a solo traveler you navigate those challenges on your own. This provides you with a healthy dose of perspective, resilience and self-awareness.
Q: Is it okay to eat in a restaurant on your own?
A: As us solo travelers know, there is absolutely nothing strange about eating in a restaurant or going to the movies on your own. More and more of us do it, some even prefer it. While eating in a group setting comes with its own benefits, eating on your own you get to truly focus on the food experience and do some serious people watching (my favourite way to pass time!)
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