17 Female Travel Bloggers Share Their Best Solo Travel Experience
Do you want to go travel solo? I asked these 17 female travel bloggers for their expert advice on the best destinations for solo female travelers and their best solo travel experience. You will see that traveling solo as a woman is not that hard and is even a fun way to live new adventures and make new friends on the road! I hope you will enjoy all their tips about traveling solo for the first time, including safety, meeting new friends, and how to pick your first solo destination!
Table of Contents
1. Making local friends in Iran
Iran is one of the best places I’ve traveled to solo. While it is an off the beaten path destination, it also means that you might travel to many places without meeting many other travelers. However, the locals make up for it! As some of the friendliest people on earth, the Iranian locals will make you feel at home at all costs. Be prepared to get invited for dinner and other fun activities with strangers.
While Iran is a safe country to travel solo, you still need to be careful and not trust every person you meet. As everywhere else. Only in Iran, the number of dishonest people will be far less than in your home town.
I was even invited to a local tea party in Esfahan where families and friends were all dancing and letting their hair loose. Yes, even the women were letting their hair loose and forgetting about the strict regime outside the four walls for a while. It was quite an experience as I was pulled out on the dance floor jumping up and down to a modern fusion of traditional Persian and pop music that everyone seemed to know the words to!
Traveling around is easy and cheap as public transport is frequent. Even if you want to take a private car to stop at several places on the way to your destination, it’s affordable. The only thing that can turn out expensive if you don’t find other travelers willing to share with you, are the desert tours. But with some coordination and talking to my hotel host, it always sorted itself out, and they found someone I could share with.
As a solo traveler, I have never come back home with so many new local friends after a trip as I did after my trip to Iran.
Linn Haglund from Brainy Backpackers
2. Taiwan: a mix between modernity and cultural discovery
Before I came to Taiwan, many friends and family members asked me if I was nervous.
I told them, "No, besides the language barrier, travel should be a breeze." I've traveled and lived in places where watching your back is a part of the lifestyle and I looked forward to traveling to one of the safest places for solo female travelers.
The culture is relaxed despite how bustling the major cities can seem. For example, you can be in a street filled with hundreds of people with a live show going on and when the performers ask for applause, the response from the Taiwanese is underwhelming. It’s kinda adorable and I tend to be among the loudest audience members.
Across Taiwan, you’ll find Taiwanese people are kind and very helpful, even if you don't speak their language. Sometimes people even came up to ask if I needed help, and I was always confident they were just being nice.
Another aspect of travel in Taiwan that makes for great solo travel is the convenience of travel itself -- I stayed in Taipei for two months and spent maybe $20 a month taking the train around the city. You can also easily travel the entire West Coast by train and it is easy to get a SIM card.
The nightlife in Taipei was very fun, especially as a solo female traveler because it feels safer here than in other countries where sexism runs rampant. I always felt respected as a female in Taiwan.
I particularly recommend Taiwan for first-time solo travelers as it’s still a culture shock, but the modernity and safety make solo travel less overwhelming. For experienced solo travelers, Taiwan is an excellent break from more intense destinations.
Kayla from Kayla Meets Culture
3. The Garden Route in South Africa for an epic road trip
The Garden Route in South Africa, which stretches from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, is hailed one of the most scenic road trips in the world. I traveled the Garden Route in South Africa by myself in 2019, and I was terrified in the beginning. Solo female travel in Africa didn’t really have the safest reputation.
However, I was blown away by how epic the Garden Route is for women who travel solo. I was shocked to notice just how many solo female travelers there were, each one of us absolutely in awe of how great the country is to travel solo in. South Africa, admittedly, has its problems, but I found that if you just stay sensible, keep an eye on your belongings and don’t walk around by yourself late at night you’re totally fine.
There are some incredible hostels throughout South Africa, and most of them are geared up for socializing. Not only that, but everything you do on the Garden Route is amazing value for money. A bed in a dorm room will set you back around $10, a full day wine tour with unlimited tastings will cost around $50. South Africa is the land of unforgettable adventures, such as safaris where you can see incredible animals, bungee jumping, tours through the gorgeous wine regions, and meeting penguins at Boulders Beach!
The best and most popular way to get around is to hire a car, but being a nervous driver, I opted to take the BazBus instead. This shuttle service is designed for travelers and takes you door to door from the hostel you were leaving to your next one, meaning I felt really safe. The reason I recommend the Garden Route specifically is that it’s absolutely buzzing with life. It’s impossible to not make friends traveling the route, as you’ll often bump into people you met previously further along the route. I can’t wait to go back!
Ella from ManyMoreMaps
4. Outdoor adventures in Java
My 2-week solo adventure in Java takes a special place in my heart and remains one of my most memorable trips. Solo travelers can rejoice in its public transport while adventurous backpackers will enjoy the scale of nature here. Spoiler alert: Java is EPIC. Yes, those local buses were sometimes a trial, with men selling bananas and various knick-knacks getting on and off the bus every ten minutes over eight-hour journeys, but to me, this was more interesting than the 'backpacker' only buses I'd often used in Thailand and Vietnam. It was easy enough that I felt safe while still feeling like an explorer - a rare balance to find.
Java is thin and long, making it easy to travel from East to West (or vice versa). It helps that it’s cheap too, with private rooms just about affordable to even a single traveler on a budget. I stayed in some of the cleanest hostel dorms I’ve experienced and the hosts were supportive and incredibly helpful. As an introvert, I do often get lonely on my trips, but Java really was home to the kindest people.
The experiences in Java frequently knocked other similar trips out of the park. Borobudur wasn't just a temple, it was sunrise at the biggest Buddhist temple in the world. Tumpak Sewu Waterfall hike wasn't just a walk to average falls but a clamber down ladders and half-rotten pathways to a hugely impressive and vast tiered waterfall. The volcanoes I visited, Ijen and Bromo, were vast active plateaus or home to eerie, natural phenomenons such as a blue flame that dazzles off the side of a mountain, only to be seen at night. Even the paradise island section of my trip - Karimunjawa - was home to the emptiest, most pristine beaches I’ve experienced.
To say this is my favorite solo female travel destination yet would be an understatement!
Cassie Bailey from Cassie the Hag
5. An unexpected local twist in Rome
Rome, the eternal city, is, without doubt, the best place for solo female travelers! The majority of the most important landmarks, monuments, and museums are inside the “Centro Storico” (Ancient Center) of Rome and so many movies are set there! Everywhere is accessible by walking, especially when it is a sunny day. Eating and drinking and talking to strangers is not uncommon in Rome. Everything can happen easier if you are traveling solo. Here’s my little story.
I was out for a long day to see a few monuments in Rome. Starting from Vatican City, I was wandering inside the St.Peter’s square and listening to some old Italian music from my phone while taking photos. A couple reached me out to help to take photos for them, and they told me that they were going to Vatican Museum for free that day! "It was a free-entry day." They said. It was a long time ago before I know that museums in Europe offer free-entry on a specific day every month!
Moving on that day, I ended up in Rome’s oldest neighborhood, Cavour, around a post-lunch hour. This neighborhood has many cute bistros with solo-friendly options. I headed to Ce Stamo a Pensa. It turned out to be a Neapolitan special bistro. The “sandwich” didn’t look like a sandwich, and neither did the “pizza”. The guy at the cashier figured out my doubt immediately and started to introduced me one by one with his heavy southern Italian accent. I was happy to try that palm-size deep-fried “pizza” because he recommended it as the most traditional street food in Naples. When I finished the quick bite and was ready to go, he stopped me and presented me with a big deep-fried rice ball (now I know it is called “suppli”). I was confused for one second, and then I recognized that he wanted me to taste it because he made it as an experiment for the new recipe! Out in the narrow Rome streets, having the extra bites, I was so happy and thought I wouldn’t have had this if I didn’t travel solo.
Menty from GustoBeats
6. Solo female travel in New Zealand for fun nature adventures
New Zealand is one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world, and a great place to travel solo. With quirky, colorful cities, fascinating history and culture, stunning landscapes, and adventure around every corner, New Zealand is a must-visit solo traveler destination and has something for every type of traveler.
Made up of two main islands - aptly named the 'North' Island and 'South' Island (plus around 600 smaller islands), it was actually one of the last landmasses to be settled by humans. Much of the landscape has been shaped by volcanic activity, resulting in stunning mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, hot springs, forests and fjords.
New Zealand is incredibly safe, and easy to get around. There are buses, trains, ferries and flights to get you around, or many visitors opt to hire a campervan and travel around at their own pace. Alternatively, there are tour companies such as Kiwi Experience that provide a flexible, hop-on-hop-off option around both islands, with options to join in on group activities and tours in each destination. There are also plenty of hostels, campgrounds and lodges around the country that are great for meeting new people, and budget-friendly to boot.
Some of the best experiences in New Zealand are the natural wonders; you can go hiking, skiing, snowboarding, rafting, caving, take helicopter flights, glacier walks, jet boat rides, sail the fjords...the best part is that most of it is cheap, or even free (though please make sure that if you are adventuring solo, tell someone where you are going, and when you will be back). If you're an adrenaline junkie, don't miss the many heart-stopping activities on offer - including bungee jumping, the shotover jet, skydiving, canyon swings or white-water rafting.
Amongst all this natural splendor are New Zealand's cool cities - don't miss quirky Christchurch; after the 2011 earthquake, some new additions include a mall made of shipping containers, and a cardboard church. Wellington has beautiful views and architecture, Auckland is full of character, and don't miss funky (smelling) Rotorua with its Sulfur springs, the Art Deco town of Napier, or stunning Queenstown (and its famous burgers).
New Zealand is an amazing place for a solo vacation - plenty to do and see, friendly locals, safe and easy to get around, and simply just a stunning destination!
Jenna Rank from I Know the Pilot
7. Myanmar: spirituality and nature
Myanmar is one of the best places for solo female travel. Over the years I’d spent a lot of time exploring Southeast Asia, mostly solo, but was surprised by just how many more female travelers there were in Myanmar compared to neighboring countries like Vietnam. It gave me an instant sense of safety and throughout my two weeks in Myanmar I didn't personally experience or hear of any situations that altered my view. The locals are welcoming and the country is very spiritual, attracting travelers who are looking for an authentic cultural experience and outdoor exploration rather than drinking and partying.
Myanmar is a large country filled with mountains, temples, lakes, vineyards, and bustling towns. The most famous spot in Myanmar is Bagan where you can take to the skies in a hot air balloon. Traveling solo through Myanmar gave me the opportunity to spend as little or as long a time as I wanted in each of the different places in the country. I stayed in sociable hostels (in female only dorms), and discovered hidden gems by talking to locals and other travelers. This meant my already loose plan changed quite often throughout the two weeks and I explored more destinations in the two weeks than I had initially thought when planning the trip at home. In Bagan I met three other solo travelers in the lobby of my hostel and instantly hit it off, we spent the next five days hiking in the jungle, wine tasting in secret vineyards and discovering 1000s of pagodas on foot. Experiences I wouldn't have had if I hadn't traveled alone in Myanmar.
Roshni Patel from the Wanderlust Within
8. Copenhagen: One of the best places to travel alone in Europe
To be quite honest, Copenhagen was never on my list of top European cities. I didn’t know anyone who’d been and hadn’t heard much about it. A quick Google search showed that Copenhagen offered my cheapest path to Europe, so I booked my trip.
Arriving at my hostel after only one wrong turn felt like quite the accomplishment, but the truth is, the city is incredibly easy to navigate. For anyone who’s spent hours getting turned around in cities, Copenhagen will be a breath of fresh air. I spent a few hours learning my way around the town and stumbled upon the Round Tower. You can climb to the top for a 360 view of the city, it was perhaps my favorite spot in all of Copenhagen. All that climbing made me hungry, so it was time to grab some stellar street food.
One of my favorite parts of any trip is the people you meet along the way. Something about getting to know someone in such a short time tends to lead to really authentic conversations, and Copenhagen seems to be the perfect place to make connections. I’ve stayed in quite a few cities and hostels, but I’m not sure I’ve stayed in better a place to go backpacking alone. I hadn’t even locked up my luggage before I happened to run into two guys who had been on my plane. I spent the next two days getting to know them along with a whole other crew of travelers from my hostel eager to connect with new people.
I went into this trip with no expectations of the city, but left with new friends and memories of an incredible three days. Copenhagen doesn’t get enough praise and is definitely one of my favorite solo trips.
Caroline ZuHone from Sippin’ Sangria
9. Iceland for incredible natural wonders
Iceland is a magical place with otherworldly landscapes and natural wonders that I’m so glad I got to visit and can’t wait to return to.
My main concerns before traveling there solo were whether I could do it on a backpacker’s budget and how to get around without a car.
Unlike most other European countries, Iceland’s public transport system is near nonexistent, so to make the most of your time there you either need to rent a car or take a tour. As I’m still learning to drive I opted for the latter, and wouldn’t blame anyone for not feeling comfortable driving in a new place solo. Thankfully the sheer number of tours available makes Iceland’s southern region quite accessible to solo travelers. There are some off-the-beaten-track sites that won’t be easy to get to without a car, but I’m impressed with how much of the country I managed to see on my own in a week and how much there is to do in Iceland. I made it around the highlights of the south coast, including waterfalls, black sand, and ice caves as well as the golden circle and the blue lagoon. I even got to see (albeit very faintly) the northern lights!
It’s so easy to meet fellow travelers if you take a multi-day group tour, which is the best option for seeing as much as you can in a short time period. The many hostels in Reykjavik are also great for meeting like-minded people and saving money while discovering the city. I had the best time in the quirky space-themed galaxy pod hostel!
If the money is the only thing putting you off visiting Iceland solo, I’d note that it is an expensive place. That said, there are loads of ways to save money on your trip!
Imani Adeyemo from Imani Escapes
10. Solo female travel in Thailand: live it up without breaking the bank
In the last few years, I’ve traveled solo quite a lot in Europe and in Asia, but the most fun I had was for sure in Bangkok. Somehow I did not expect that, as a lot of travelers recommend only for a couple of days before heading north to Chiang Mai or south to the islands, as they seem to think Bangkok is just a busy, dirty, and loud city.
I have to strongly disagree, as Bangkok is one of the most amazing and diverse cities in the world. The city is a hub for travelers and digital nomads, and the second most visited city in the world, so if meeting people is a big part of your travels, as it is for me, this is the place for you.
Bangkok is CHEAP! You can experience the most amazing street food, get a Thai Massage every day, party, and visit incredible places without breaking the bank. I recommend you make time for a day trip to Ayutthaya.
The fact that you have so many places and activities to choose from in Thailand leaves you no time to get bored, and you can always find some people to come along and share the fun. I personally made a lot of great memories with the amazing travelers I met in Bangkok, so for that, the city will always have a special place in my heart.
11. Czech Republic: history and parties
The Czech Republic is a land of history, castles, and ancient cities with 14 UNESCO sites. You’ll also love their awesome beer and delicious wine. Many cities and towns have romantic cobblestone streets with Gothic and Renaissance buildings where you can find lovely cafés or pubs with world-famous beer.
These are the main reasons why it is my favorite as a female solo traveler:
The Czech Republic is one of the safest countries for solo female travelers, consistently ranking among the TOP 10 safest countries in the world, which makes it one of the best places for solo women travelers.
It is so easy to travel there: public transportation is accessible, cheap, and takes you nearly anywhere you want.
It is a perfect place to make friends as a solo traveler: The hostels are a great place to socialize especially in bigger cities like Prague or Brno. I personally joined one pub crawl from a Hostel, where I met 2 other girls, one from France, the other from Italy. We kept in touch and traveled together the next day on a day trip to Karlštejn Castle. The nightlife is quite big in city centers. Prague has the second-highest density of bars and clubs in the world which makes it the perfect party destination. I guess the main reason is the world-famous Czech beer which isn’t just great, but also very cheap, attracting travelers from all over the world!
Nature and outdoor lovers shouldn’t miss national parks and protected areas with mystical sandstone pillars, which created very unique rock cities like Adršpach or Prachovské skály. To experience Czech folklore and traditions, visit South Moravia – the land of wine and folk music. So don’t wait and find the best places to visit in the Czech Republic.
Adriana Plotzerová from Czech the World
12. Panama: great for first time solo travelers
One of my favorite places I have ever traveled solo in is Panama. In total, I had spent around two weeks in Panama. It was the first country in Latin America that I had ever visited and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Even though it is a rather small country, there is a lot to see and do. From surfing in Santa Catalina to hiking in Boquete or visiting the world-famous Panama Canal. You should also make time to experience the busy city life in Panama City or take a tour to one of the most beautiful places in the world: The San Blas Islands.
Other than traveling to the islands, it is pretty easy to travel between different locations. Public transportation is affordable and always felt like a safe place for solo female travelers as well. If you want to save some time then there are also shuttle services available.
The locals are really friendly and always try to help you out if you are feeling lost. Surprisingly, I have met a lot of other solo travelers in Panama, a lot more than I have met in other countries. Therefore, it was always quite easy to connect with fellow travelers and make new friends. Pretty much all the hostels I stayed in were really social as well and as a solo traveler you are guaranteed to have an amazing time. Most of them also had a tour desk so you could easily book your next adventures or day trips.
Traveling Panama has been one of my best solo adventures and I loved everything about it: the food, the people, the nature, the culture. I can highly recommend it, especially if it is your first time as a solo female traveler in Latin America.
Becky from Becksplore Travel
13. Solo female travel in Colombia for a unique vibrant culture
Of all the best places to solo travel in, Cartagena on Colombia’s northern coast is by far one of my favorites. The city just oozes old-world charm with its Spanish architecture and vibrant Afro-Colombian culture. Plus, there’s so much to discover in Cartagena!
My favorite things to do here were eating ceviche at The Blue Lagoon, seeing the sunset over the ocean from the cocktail bar El Cafe del Mar, and strolling the maze of streets to photograph all the color-splashed houses and buildings.
When I first moved to Colombia on my own I received a lot of warnings about the country being a dangerous destination for travel. But after three months of living in Bogota and traveling throughout Colombia, I found out the opposite to be true. It is safe to travel in Colombia and Cartagena is no exception. With that said, taxi scams are increasingly common, so it’s wise to carpool with other travelers if you can. I shared an Uber with three other girls to reach the turquoise-blue waters at the famous Playa Blanca.
There are other awesome beaches to visit off the shores of Cartagena as well, but I could only fit Playa Blanca into my 3 day Cartagena, Colombia itinerary. Be sure not to miss a tour of the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, better known for being one of the greatest forts ever built by the Spanish!
Over the years Cartagena has become more of a popular tourist destination, so you’re likely not to be the only solo traveler in town. If you can, book a hotel or hostel within the walled city (Old Town) as it makes exploring around on foot much easier. Personally, I can’t wait to return to Cartagena for another adventure. If you get the chance, a solo trip to Cartagena is a must!
Brittany Sneller from Buckelist Bri
14. Budapest to feel at home and meet new people
Budapest is my favorite place I've traveled by myself. I hadn't heard a bunch about the city so my expectations were low and I ended up extremely surprised by how much I loved it.
I ended up staying at an amazing hostel that I have now stayed at twice. They had free dinner and drinking games every night which allowed me to meet new people. I always love meeting new people when traveling alone it makes the experience feel less lonely and I enjoy expanding my horizons by meeting people from all over the world. It was nice that the hostel had a kitchen since I was able to avoid eating alone at a restaurant which for me makes me very uncomfortable.
I would go out and explore on my own every day whether it was walking around the quiet streets until I got lost and finding my way back again or visiting some of the main sites. At night, I would eat dinner at the hostel and talk to the people also staying there. Then I would join in the drinking games and go out to whichever bar they had chosen for the night. The bars in Budapest are some of my favorites since they are in literal ruins and the drinks are beyond cheap.
Budapest is by far one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to it has everything that I like when exploring a new place from beautiful architecture to great shops and cafés to meaningful historical sites and great nightlife. Both times I went to Budapest there wasn’t one time I felt unsafe or like I was a foreigner walking the streets. It was a very welcoming city that made me feel like I belonged.
Riley from Riley Recommends Travel
15. Singapore: three destinations in one
Singapore is like visiting three destinations in one, and it's so easy to see them all in a short amount of time. I visited this Asian metropolis on a long 13-hour layover, and managed to squeeze most of the main sights into that time, but a solo traveler could easily find enough to fill several days. With great public transport, food to die for and a beautiful, walkable city center, it's a solo traveler's dream destination.
First, I visited the Little India district to find roti in the large street markets there. The bustling area was just what I remembered other parts of Asia to be like: the smells, the crowds, the colorful flags, the narrow streets, and stalls. Oh, and the heat.
Next was to the stunning Gardens By The Bay, a futuristic fusion of nature and architecture, complete with an indoor waterfall. Within the city center, with the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel and the glass skyscrapers, I could have been in New York for all I knew, everything around me modern and shiny. As the light faded, I walked around Marina Bay to the Merlion statue, the mythical creature that stands proudly opposite the Marina Bay Sands Hotel as the city's mascot. When night had fallen, the daily light and music show across the water started. I found a seat on the steps by the water and watched colored lasers paint patterns across the sky.
I finished my short time in Singapore with a walk back towards the MRT station through yet another unique part of the city, where the architecture was straight out of colonial England. I wish I had had more time to explore this incredible country and its different districts.
Not only is the city full of wonders, but the airport is too. Changi is consistently voted the best airport in the world, with a two-storey butterfly garden, art installations, a cinema, a roof-top pool and a brand-new waterfall garden. Travelers could easily spend as much time in the airport as in the city itself!
Dearbhaile Ní Dhubhghaill from this Wild Life of Mine
16. Egypt: an unexpected female solo travel destination
I’d planned to travel to Egypt with a girlfriend, but things didn’t work out that way and I had my first experience traveling solo as a woman.
As we lived in different places, we arranged to fly to Cairo separately, meeting up in our hotel. After discovering that my luggage was lost, I was looking forward to a good laugh with my pal when I arrived at the hotel. Instead, I was handed an urgent message from my friend’s boyfriend in London - she was in the hospital with a perforated appendix!
So, I was in Cairo on my own, without my friend or a change of clothes, and my return ticket was unchangeable. This wasn’t the introduction to solo travel I’d anticipated. In the hotel bar that night, I met other women travelers who gave me items of clothing, and I decided to not cut my trip short. This is how I accidentally became a female solo traveler in Egypt.
I fell in love with Egypt, the local people that I met were kind, generous, and welcoming, and the food was unbelievably good.
The highlights of my trip were sleeping under the stars on a desert safari, sailing down the Nile from Edfu to Aswan, and staying with a local family on Elephantine Island in Aswan.
It is so rewarding to travel to Egypt as a female traveler. I’ve since traveled solo to other places but Egypt is still one of the best places for female solo travel for me. My main tip for solo female travelers in Egypt is to use common sense when traveling there, remember to dress appropriately, covering arms, legs, and cleavage (especially outside the main tourist areas) and try to sit next to other women when traveling.
Coralie Thornton from Grey Globe Trotters
17. Tanzania: for the most active of us!
You probably wouldn’t think at first thought that Tanzania is a good solo travel destination, but trust me, it is! Home to the famous plains of the Serengeti, one of the best spots for safari in the world, plus Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, there’s not much not to love about Tanzania.
If you are up for a challenge, set out on a 6 day climb of Kilimanjaro and tick one of the seven summits off your list. Head out for safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater and be ready with your camera to spot the big 5. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the few places where you have a good chance of spotting a rhino, and lions are everywhere in the Serengeti, an animal lovers dream. Explore cute cafes and shops, or just relax by the pool in the capital city Arusha, and head out for a cultural tour in a Massai Village, traditional lunch included! The opportunities are endless, you certainly won’t be bored.
It was actually my first solo trip, and I was completely terrified, but I had no need to be. I felt safer in Tanzania than I did at home, and the locals were so friendly and accommodating. Even when I was on the steep slopes of Kilimanjaro, I felt safe. It’s a country like no other, and you truly wont regret an epic solo adventure in Tanzania!
By Emma from Emma Adventures
I hope these stories by solo female travel bloggers motivated you to start traveling on your own! Don’t forget to go check out their websites!
Do you think this article could be useful to someone else? Share it on social or send it to someone who needs inspiration to start traveling solo! I’d really appreciate it! ⤵️