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I'm planning a solo trip for myself in 2-3 years. I'm going to be completely alone and this is my first time leaving the country and travelling as a whole. I'm just done waiting for "Mr. Perfect" to come along and take me travelling. My friends are pregnant, so they can't do girl's trips with me.
What countries would recommend for me to visit that is fairly easy and safe for women to roam around freely? I'm shy and introverted around new people, so it has to be minimal contact. In addition, which countries are more open towards solo travellers?
I know that I'll be doing a lot shopping, eating, and (if I'm brave enough) nature walks. I plan on doing all touristy things and not "off road" things because that's dangerous.
I have Japan on my list, but I don't know what other countries lol
I'm assuming you are from the USA: pretty much any city in the EU is fine for women solo travellers. I travel alone frequently to most of the big cities and they all have great transport links, food and culture. I particularly love Italy for the latter two although I'm half Italian so biased.
When I walk around I tend to have my headphones in (even if I have no music playing) as that deters scammers or random approaches. I always use Google maps on my phone (never paper map) and make it look like I'm texting or something. I always walk confidently, like I know where I'm going even if I don't. Basically, I do all the tourist stuff but try to look as much like a local as possible, which is easy in a cosmopolitan city.
If you ever feel like heading to Australia, I recommend Melbourne + Sydney.
Iceland, Ireland, anywhere in Scandinavia, Croatia, Poland, Canada, Austria, Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, S. Korea, and New Zealand are all pretty safe imho. I've been to all the ones I mentioned by myself (except S. Korea, that was 17 years ago when I went for an exhibition as part of my college's equestrian team) and had a lovely time apart from being gawked at for being so tall. BUT I don't drink in public or around people I do not trust, I don't go clubbing or bar hopping, and I avoid all the boys like I would here. I mostly like to visit the spas, get out in the wilderness (what you would consider off-road, sometimes with groups), or explore the cities on foot and eat to my heart's content during the day depending on weather conditions. I think as long as you use common sense and don't make yourself stick out as a tourist sore thumb you'll be fine just about anywhere.
Other places I've been that I would recommend but NOT by yourself are Namibia, Romania, the Phillipines, Brazil, Russia, Italy, Greece, Mexico, and any carribean destination (unless you're going to a gated all-inclusive resort).
Southeast Asia is fun and good for solo female travel. Thailand, Laos and Vietnam are very popular with solo travellers, also cheap and safe. Laos is particularly good because it has zero sex industry and is proper communist so they’ll leave you alone and not try to sell you stuff on every corner.
Do not go to India or Egypt or Morocco on your own.
Anywhere but Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi, Nigeria, and parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Be safe, but approach it from a place of curiosity and opportunity, never fear. Have fun and take lots of pics!
The Netherlands and Germany are very digitalized and everything is very self-explainatory and safe. Usually things are written in several different languages. Just for German small stores cash is needed. + Don't go to small villages in the east of Germany alone If you are poc. In Italy and Spain it is safe also but many signs tend to be in the local language only. But people are very tourist friendly. In Italy I found some debit cards are not working and phone wireless payments wasn't working too. Greece was a bit more unfriendly, especially for poc prepared to possibly get screamed at by some locals
Singapore is also pretty famous for being a safe place.
Wherever you travel, travel as safe as possible. Don't hitchike and stay in proper hotel rooms.
You can join meetup or Facebook groups for women who love traveling to find travel buddies and friends.
I travelled solo through Cambodia. Beautiful place with lovely people & great food! The women were so kind and welcoming, and I even felt safe among the men - they aren't aggressive at all, just helpful.
(glazing through the comments because I'm sick of dating in America). I've also wondered this too, I think statistically Finland and New Zealand are decent, I've always wanted to go to those places
By the way never go on nature walks alone.
A lot of good suggestions here, so I’ll add Dubai and Abu Dhabi to the list. I felt very safe there, and walked the streets alone during the day. And as others have said, do not go to India alone. I’ve never been more afraid in my life than a solo trip I took to India.
Frequent traveler from Germany checking in 😅
Honestly, I can't recommend Europe, even though it's beautiful here. Crime rates are exploding especially on women.
If you must choose Europe. I'd suggest the Netherlands, Austria or Switzerland.
I'll happily suggest Japan. Low crime and beautiful country and culture.