Best Countries for Solo Travel: My Personal Guide After 47 Countries Alone

I still remember staring at my reflection in the airport bathroom mirror in Bangkok, giving myself a silent pep talk.

“You can do this. You are not going to die. This was not a terrible idea.”

It was day one of my first solo trip. I was jet lagged, overwhelmed, and questioning every life choice that had led to that moment.

Fast forward eight years and 47 countries later, solo travel has transformed from terrifying to the most natural thing in the world. Those initial fears seem almost funny now.

I have slept in countless hostels, navigated bizarre transportation systems, made friends in the most unexpected places, and yes, gotten spectacularly lost more times than I care to admit.

Through it all, I have discovered something powerful: traveling alone isnt just doable. It is one of the most rewarding ways to experience our incredible world.

Let me share what I have learned about the best places for solo travel, with special attention to safety for women travelers like myself. No Instagram filters, just honest experiences.

Safety Fundamentals: What I Have Learned the Hard Way

Before diving into specific countries, lets talk safety. Not the paranoid, see danger everywhere kind. The smart, aware, still have an amazing time kind.

Trust Your Gut, Every Single Time

The most important safety tool you have is your intuition.

In Marrakech, I ignored the weird feeling about a “friendly” guide who kept insisting I visit his cousin’s shop. When I finally extracted myself from the situation, a local woman pulled me aside and warned me about the scam they were running.

Your instincts pick up subtle red flags before your conscious mind processes them. Listen to those nudges.

Practical Safety Habits That Have Saved Me

These practices have become second nature after years on the road:

• Know where you are going before you leave. I always download offline maps and save my accommodation location before arriving.
• Share your itinerary with someone back home. My sister always knows what country I am in and when to expect check ins.
• Keep emergency cash separate from your wallet. I keep $100 USD in a hidden spot. It has saved me twice when my wallet disappeared.
• Have backup plans for everything. My rule: always know how to get back to safe accommodation from anywhere.
• Stay aware in transit hubs. Airports, train stations, and bus terminals are where opportunists look for disoriented travelers.

💡 Tip: The first day in a new place is when you are most vulnerable. I always book accommodation with 24 hour reception for my first night, no matter how budget conscious I am being elsewhere.

The Insurance Reality No One Talks About

Can I be totally honest with you? Travel insurance feels like a waste of money until the moment you desperately need it.

I learned this in Vietnam when a scooter accident left me with a broken arm and a $3,000 medical bill. My insurance covered everything, including the extra flight changes when I could not travel as planned.

For solo travelers, comprehensive travel insurance isnt optional. It is the difference between an inconvenience and a crisis.

The most important coverages for solo travelers:

• Emergency medical (with evacuation coverage)
• Trip cancellation/interruption
• Theft protection for valuables
• 24/7 emergency assistance line

I have personally used VisitCover’s international health insurance on multiple trips. Their emergency support line has walked me through finding English speaking doctors in three different countries.

Best Countries for All Solo Travelers: Friendly, Navigable, and Safe

Based on my personal experiences, these countries consistently deliver amazing solo travel experiences:

Japan: The Ultimate Solo Travel Training Wheels

Japan was my fourth solo destination, and I kick myself for not making it my first. It is the perfect introduction to solo travel.

Why It Works:

• Incredibly low crime rates
• Bullet train system that makes getting around effortless
• Helpful locals who will go out of their way for you
• Amazing solo dining culture (counter seating everywhere!)
• Convenience stores with cheap, excellent food

My experience in Tokyo included getting hopelessly lost in Shinjuku Station. A local woman not only gave me directions but literally walked me to my platform, 15 minutes out of her way.

Japanese culture respects personal space and privacy, making it perfect for introverted travelers. No one finds it weird that you are alone.

Best Solo Experiences:

• Temple stay in Mount Koya
• Food tours in Osaka (made for solo travelers!)
• Kyoto’s bamboo forest at dawn (before the crowds)

The Challenges: Language barriers can be significant outside tourist areas. The cost is high compared to Southeast Asia. Solo accommodation options are somewhat limited in rural areas.

Portugal: European Charm with Laid Back Vibes

Portugal captured my heart on my first visit and keeps pulling me back. It combines European charm with gentle prices and genuinely welcoming locals.

Why It Works:

• Excellent safety record for solo travelers
• Affordable by European standards
• Widespread English in tourist areas
• Efficient and inexpensive public transportation
• Incredible hostel culture for meeting others

In Porto, I joined an impromptu dinner with the hostel staff, who took us to their favorite local spot. We ended up on a midnight walking tour led by the owner’s cousin who was proud to show off his city.

Best Solo Experiences:

• Wine tasting in the Douro Valley
• Coastal walks along the Algarve
• Sintra’s fairy tale castles (go early to avoid crowds)

The Challenges: Some petty theft in tourist areas of Lisbon. Limited transportation in rural areas. Intense heat in summer months.

New Zealand: Adventure with Safety Net

New Zealand feels like it was designed for solo travelers seeking outdoor adventures without compromising safety.

Why It Works:

• Extremely low violent crime
• English speaking
• Extensive backpacker infrastructure
• Genuinely friendly locals
• Perfect blend of adventure and accessibility

During my South Island road trip, my car broke down on a rural road. Within 10 minutes, three different vehicles had stopped to help. A local farmer not only called a tow truck but invited me for dinner with his family while we waited.

Best Solo Experiences:

• Hiking the Routeburn Track
• Wine tasting in Marlborough
• Overnight cruise in Milford Sound

The Challenges: It is expensive. Driving is almost essential for flexibility. Accommodation books up early in peak season.

💡 Tip: In high safety countries like these, the biggest risk isnt crime but accidents. Make sure your travel insurance includes adventure activities if you plan to hike, ski, or try anything adrenaline inducing. I learned this lesson after being told my basic policy would not cover my planned bungee jump in Queenstown!

Top Countries for Solo Female Travelers: Extra Layer of Consideration

As a woman who has traveled extensively alone, I have learned that some destinations offer a particularly good experience for solo female travelers:

Taiwan: The Underrated Safety Haven

Taiwan rarely tops travel lists, which is a shame. It offered me one of the safest, most welcoming solo experiences of my life.

Why It Works for Women:

• Extremely low harassment levels
• Night markets and late night culture that feels safe
• Excellent public transportation
• Affordable accommodation with good security
• Helpful locals who often speak English

In Taipei, I accidentally left my phone in a taxi. When I realized it was gone, I borrowed a hotel phone to call it. The driver had already turned around and was circling the block looking for me. He refused a reward.

Best Solo Female Experiences:

• Hot springs in Beitou
• Jiufen’s atmospheric old streets
• Cycling around Sun Moon Lake

The Challenges: Language barriers increase outside Taipei. Some accommodation is business oriented rather than for tourists. Typhoon season can disrupt plans.

Iceland: Freedom to Roam

Iceland gave me a sense of freedom I have rarely experienced elsewhere. The ability to explore breathtaking landscapes with virtually no safety concerns is priceless.

Why It Works for Women:

• Top global safety rankings
• Virtually nonexistent street harassment
• Strong infrastructure and connectivity
• Solo travel is completely normalized
• Midnight sun in summer means no dark streets

I remember walking back to my guesthouse in Reykjavik at midnight, realizing I felt exactly as safe as I would at noon. That feeling is worth the high price tag.

Best Solo Female Experiences:

• Self drive Ring Road tour
• Glacier hiking with groups (perfect for meeting people)
• Reykjavik’s cafe culture

The Challenges: It is extremely expensive. Weather can be harsh and unpredictable. Limited budget accommodation options outside Reykjavik.

Spain: Social Magic

Spain surprised me with its perfect balance of safety, social opportunities, and cultural richness.

Why It Works for Women:

• Public social culture makes meeting people organic
• Late night dining culture means rarely walking alone in the dark
• Excellent public transportation
• Widespread English in tourist areas
• Street harassment is relatively low for Mediterranean Europe

In Barcelona, I joined a paella cooking class where the instructor invited the whole group to join her friends at a local festival afterward. What started as a cooking lesson ended as an all night dance party with new friends.

Best Solo Female Experiences:

• Tapas tours in Madrid or Seville
• Beach time in San Sebastián
• Hiking in the Picos de Europa

The Challenges: Petty theft is common in Barcelona and Madrid. Summer crowds can be overwhelming. Some rural areas have limited public transportation.

For Women: The Street Smarts No Guidebook Teaches You

Over years of solo travel as a woman, I have developed habits that dramatically improve the experience:

Accommodation Strategy Matters

Where you stay impacts your solo experience significantly:

• First night rule: Always book somewhere with 24 hour reception for your first night in a new country.
• Location over price: I will pay more to stay in a central, well lit area with evening foot traffic.
• Research after dark: Google Street View has saved me from booking places on streets that look fine by day but deserted at night.
• Reviews from solo female travelers: I specifically look for these in reviews, as they notice different things than couples or groups.

In Istanbul, I switched hotels after arrival when I realized the “short walk” from the main street involved a dark alley. The extra $30 for a better location was worth every penny.

The Fine Art of Confident Navigation

Looking lost immediately identifies you as vulnerable. My strategies:

• I study maps before going out and memorize key landmarks.
• If I need to check directions, I step into a shop rather than standing on the street.
• I walk with purpose even when I am not 100% sure where I am going.
• When truly lost, I ask for help in hotels, restaurants, or shops, not from random people on the street.

💡 Tip: Save your accommodation in Google Maps with a star, and download the offline map of each new city. This has saved me countless times when my phone had no signal or was low on battery.

Cultural Research Pays Off

Understanding local gender norms dramatically improves the experience:

• I research appropriate dress before arrival and pack accordingly.
• I learn basic local phrases, especially “no thank you” and “please leave me alone.”
• I understand common scams targeting women in each destination.
• I know which behaviors might be misinterpreted in local context.

In Morocco, I struggled until a local woman explained that wearing a fake wedding ring and mentioning my “husband” frequently would reduce unwanted attention. This simple change transformed my experience.

Trust Building with Local Women

The most valuable safety resource while traveling solo has consistently been other women:

• Female tour guides often share insider safety tips.
• Women working at accommodations can advise on areas to avoid.
• Local women will often look out for obvious tourists.

In Istanbul, a shopkeeper’s wife pulled me aside to warn me about a popular scam in the area and suggested alternative shops where I would not be overcharged.

Suggested Itinerary Styles: Finding Your Solo Travel Groove

Solo travel is not one size fits all. Over the years, I have developed different itinerary styles depending on my goals:

The Community Hopper

This style involves staying in social hostels or guesthouses for 3 4 days, then moving to the next destination. Perfect for:

• First time solo travelers
• Those prioritizing meeting others
• Shorter trips where quick connections matter

My Portugal trip followed this model. I stayed in social hostels in Lisbon, Porto, and Lagos, joining group activities and meeting new people at each stop. The constant movement kept the social energy fresh.

💡 Tip: Book accommodation with organized social activities. The walking tours, family dinners, and pub crawls offered by good hostels are the easiest way to make friends while traveling solo.

The Base Camp Explorer

This approach involves setting up in one location for 1 2 weeks, taking day trips but returning to the same accommodation. Ideal for:

• Building deeper local connections
• Reducing the stress of constantly moving
• Settling into local rhythms

In Japan, I spent 10 days in Kyoto, taking day trips to Nara, Osaka, and Arashiyama. Returning to the same neighborhood each night, I became a regular at a local ramen shop where the owner eventually started preparing my order when he saw me walk in.

The Slow Immersion

This style means spending 3+ weeks in one location, possibly taking language classes or volunteering. Perfect for:

• Deeper cultural understanding
• Building meaningful relationships
• Combining travel with personal development

My month in Oaxaca, Mexico included Spanish classes each morning and plenty of time to explore at my own pace. By week three, I had regular cafe spots, friends at the local market, and a much richer understanding of the culture.

Final Thoughts: The Solo Travel Mindset

After years of traveling alone across continents, I have realized that successful solo travel is as much about mindset as destination:

Embrace the Freedom

The greatest gift of solo travel is freedom. You can:

• Change plans on a whim
• Spend three hours in a museum or skip it entirely
• Eat ice cream for dinner without judgment
• Take that nap when jet lag hits instead of pushing through

In Slovenia, I extended my stay in Lake Bled by four days simply because I loved it. No discussion, no compromise, just the pure luxury of following my own joy.

Connect Intentionally

Solo doesnt mean always alone. It means choosing when and how to connect:

• Free walking tours are friendship gold mines
• Organized day trips gather like minded travelers
• Cooking classes create instant dinner parties
• Coffee shops with communal tables invite conversation

Some of my deepest travel friendships started with simple questions like, “Is this seat taken?” or “Have you tried the local specialty yet?”

Give Yourself Grace

Not every moment of solo travel is Instagram worthy:

• You will get lost
• You will have lonely moments
• You will make mistakes
• You will miss home sometimes

These moments dont mean you are “bad” at solo travel. They are part of the experience.

In Amsterdam, I spent an entire day in my hostel room, overwhelmed and homesick. The next morning, I joined a canal cruise where I met two Canadian travelers who became friends for the rest of my trip. The low moment passed, as they always do.

My Most Important Solo Travel Lesson

The most valuable thing I have learned in all my solo adventures is this: most problems have simple solutions if you stay calm and resourceful.

• Wrong train? Get off at the next stop and recalibrate.
• Accommodation not as advertised? Switch, even if it costs extra.
• Feeling unsafe in an area? Grab a taxi back to a tourist zone.
• Bad weather ruined your plans? Find a cozy cafe and embrace the detour.

And always, always make sure you have proper travel insurance. I cannot stress this enough. The freedom to solve problems quickly often comes down to having financial protection in place. You can compare international travel insurance options here.

Solo travel has given me confidence I never knew I possessed, friendships across continents, and stories I will tell for decades. The world is more accessible to solo travelers than ever before.

Start with the countries where you feel most comfortable, build your skills and confidence, and watch as the entire world gradually opens up to you, one solo adventure at a time.

Have you traveled solo? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments. Where did you go? What surprised you? What would you recommend to other solo travelers?

Safe and happy travels,
Mani