The Best Countries for Solo Female Travel

Solo traveling as a woman is becoming more and more common across the world, yet there are still precautions that one should consider. This list is meant to share the best places to travel alone as a woman, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. I like to believe that there is no country that is off-limits for women to travel too, but there are some more difficult ones that one should save for solo travel once they are more experienced. 

The following eight countries have earned their reputation as the safest and most welcoming destinations for solo female travellers and also just happen to be incredibly to visit places in their own right. A twofer as some might call it. They’ve got: low crime rates, strong gender equality, reliable infrastructure, and a culture that respects women traveling alone. This is a great list for where you can start your solo female travel adventure. 

Quick rundown on what we’re covering + what makes these countries safe for solo female travellers: 

• Iceland:  14 consecutive years as the world's safest country, virtually no violent crime, midnight sun hikes without worry. Some of the most insane scenery on the planet.  

• Japan: ultra-low crime, women-only train cars, culture of respect, solo dining designed into the infrastructure. Superb for foodies. 

• Switzerland: 85% of women feel safe walking at night, efficient public transport, strong gender equality laws. The biggest danger with visiting Switzerland is that this will ruin your standards for all other countries visited afterwards.  

• Norway: excellent safety record, gender equality focus, well-connected transport, friendly locals. This place rocks. 

• Portugal: safe urban areas even at night, growing solo female travel community, easy to navigate. Portuguese aren’t always the most friendly, but you will never feel in danger anywhere.

• New Zealand: low crime, outdoor adventure infrastructure, English-speaking, strong women's rights. The Kiwis are notoriously friendly.  

• Denmark: top-tier safety rankings, bike-friendly cities, progressive culture, solo-friendly atmosphere. Great bread.  

• Costa Rica: eco-tourism capital, comfortable for solo women, well-managed tours, friendly locals. Just stay out of the capitals! 

1. Iceland

Iceland has maintained its position as the world's safest country for solo female travelers for the 14th consecutive year according to the Global Peace Index. The crime rate is virtually non-existent. If you go during summertime, you can hike at sunrise, explore at midnight during the summer sun, and stop at gas stations for hot dogs at 2 AM without a care in the world. Beware, you may get addicted to the breathtaking views that are unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Image of Iceland

2. Japan

Japan operates on a level of safety and respect that feels almost unreal if you're coming from most Western countries. With low crime rates, ultra-efficient public transport, and a culture of respect, Japan is an easy and stress-free place to travel solo. Women-only train cars exist to give extra peace of mind during rush hour.

Even the small details, like phone cameras being required to make a shutter sound to prevent secret photos, show how much safety is prioritized. Locals are polite and helpful, even if they don't speak English. People will stop what they're doing to help you find your way if you look lost.

Solo dining is built into the culture. Restaurants have one-person seating with privacy dividers so you can eat in peace without awkward stares or forced small talk. Vending machines are everywhere, convenience stores are safe at all hours, and public transport runs like clockwork.

Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima. All of them are incredible for solo travel. The language barrier can feel intimidating at first, but it quickly becomes part of the adventure. Japan is one of those places where you feel safer alone than you do in most major cities back home.

Image of Japan

3. Switzerland

Walking alone at night in Switzerland feels as safe as it gets. About 85% of women report feeling safe at night in Switzerland. Crime rates are low, streets are well-lit, and public transportation is efficient and reliable. Everything runs with Swiss precision.

Cities like Zurich, Bern, and Lucerne are clean, organized, and easy to navigate. The trains connect everything seamlessly. Multilingual services make settling in straightforward for travelers. And the scenery is absurd. Snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear lakes, hiking trails that feel like they belong in a postcard.

Switzerland also ranks highly on the Women, Peace, and Security Index (WPS Index), which measures women's safety, inclusion, and justice worldwide. Strong gender equality policies and low rates of violence make it one of the safest countries for solo female travelers.

The main drawback is cost. Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. But if safety and organization are your top priorities, it's hard to find a better destination.

Image of Switzerland

4. Norway

Norway combines incredible safety with some of the most stunning landscapes in Europe. Violent crime is rare in Norway, and solo female travelers generally feel at ease walking alone, even at night. Gender equality is a major focus here, and the country consistently ranks among the best for women's safety and quality of life.

Public transportation is efficient and safe. English is widely spoken. The locals are friendly and helpful without being intrusive. Oslo has a cool art scene, great food, and easy walkability. Outside the cities, the fjords, hiking trails, and scenic train rides are what Norway is really known for.

The Lofoten Islands are a dream for solo adventurers. Dramatic peaks, fishing villages, Northern Lights in winter, and midnight sun in summer. The entire country feels like it was designed for people who want to explore nature without worrying about anything else.

The cost is high, similar to Iceland and Switzerland. Dining out and activities add up quickly. But for solo female travelers who prioritize safety and natural beauty, Norway delivers.

Image of Norway

5. Portugal

Portugal has become one of the most visited destinations in Europe for solo women, thanks to its beautiful landscapes, and urban safety. It's easy to walk around cities like Lisbon or Porto, even at night. There are some sketchy neighbourhoods in Lisbon that I would avoid (Martim Moniz), but other than that you'll be fine. 

The people aren't the most friendly, but they won't ever do anything to you more than give you a grumpy look. But that's just the Portuguese! They seem addicted to misery tbh, but the beauty of their country balances it out. The food is incredible and the cost of living is lower than most of Western Europe, making it accessible for budget travelers. Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve all offer different experiences, but the safety level is consistent across the country.

Public transport is reliable and affordable and english is widely spoken in tourist areas. You will be impressed with how well the whole country speaks English. The Portuguese seem to be excellent linguists. Solo dining is common and you won't get weird looks for eating alone, but they do have a stronger culture of togetherness with their close friends + family. The growing solo female travel community means you'll meet other women doing the same thing.

Portugal is one of those countries where you can relax into the experience without constantly being on guard, just be mindful of pickpockets in major travel hubs. generally, it's safe, it's beautiful, and it's one of the easiest European countries for solo female travel.

Image of Portugal

6. New Zealand

New Zealand is remote, peaceful, built for outdoor adventure, and lovers of water activities. The country has low crime rates, strong women's rights, and an infrastructure that is so easy to navigate that it's silly. English is the primary language, so communication is as easy as it gets.

The South Island has fjords, mountains, glaciers, and some of the best hiking in the world. They filmed The Lord of The Rings there for a reason! The North Island has geothermal areas, beaches, and Maori culture which has not just been preserved but perfectly integrated into New Zealand culture. Both islands are safe for solo female travelers, and the local attitude is welcoming without being overbearing.

Tourism is a major industry here, so everything is designed to accommodate the large amounts of travelers that visit each year, you'll find copious amounts of hostels, group tours, and adventure activities. All of it is well-managed and solo-friendly. You'll meet other travelers with ease if you want company, or you can explore on your own without issue.

The only real challenge is the cost of getting there. Flights to New Zealand are expensive, and the country itself isn't cheap, but if you're traveling for some time, you could pair it with another destination in Asia and save yourself the money and time. Once you're there, the safety and the scenery make it worth it.

Image of New Zealand

7. Denmark

Denmark is one of the Nordic countries that rank as the safest destinations for women traveling alone in 2026. It's so safe it's boring- which is good! You definitely do not want to go to a country where danger pops up in the news. Copenhagen is one of, if not the most bike-friendly, clean, and easy to navigate cities on the planet. It has a progressive culture, excellent public transport, and a solo-friendly atmosphere.

The Danish concept of "hygge" creates a welcoming environment with tons of cozy cafes, warm hospitality, and a culture that values quality of life over hustle. Crime rates are low, gender equality is strong, and women report feeling safe walking alone at night.

Denmark is small, so you can explore the entire country in a week or two, but Copenhagen is the main draw. There are some smaller cities like Aarhus and Odense that could be worth visiting if you want to see more of the country. The countryside is peaceful, the coastline is beautiful, and everywhere you visit you will feel safe.

Like the rest of Scandinavia, Denmark is expensive. But it provides a safe, progressive, and easy destination for solo travel. 

Image of Denmark

8. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is well-known for eco-tourism, safety, and some of the greatest surfing in the world. Women often highlight how comfortable they feel traveling here alone and it's no surprise that that the country has a strong tourism infrastructure, well-managed tours, and friendly locals who are used to visitors of all kinds.

Beaches, rainforests, volcanoes, wildlife, Costa Rica packs a lot into a small country. The adventure activities are world-class, but they're also safe and well-organized. This place sets the global standard for lots of activities like zip-lining, surfing, hiking, wildlife tours. Basically everything is designed with tourists in mind.

The people are warm and welcoming and have famous slogan you've probly heard of: "Pura Vida." That slogan itself creates a mentality of a laid-back, positive atmosphere. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, and getting around is pretty straightforward. Solo female travelers report feeling comfortable and safe throughout the country. Just avoid San Jose and Alajuela. Only use those cities to fly in and out of as that is where all of the crime is focused. 

You will find that Costa Rica is more affordable than Europe or Scandinavia, making it accessible for budget-conscious travelers, but it is growing more and more expensive each year. It's also one of the best destinations if you want adventure and nature without sacrificing your ownd safety.

Image of Costa Rica

Ready to make it happen?

Iceland, Japan, Switzerland, Norway, Portugal, New Zealand, Denmark, and Costa Rica are the eight countries where solo female travel is easy as pie. In those 8 countries, solo travel is as empowering as much as it is fun. These countries have earned their reputation through low crime rates, strong gender equality, reliable infrastructure, and a culture that respects women traveling alone.

Pick the one that matches what you're after. Adventure, culture, nature, cities. All of them deliver on safety. And when you land, staying connected is easy. Grab an eSIM before you leave and you'll have data the second you touch down. No hunting for WiFi, no dealing with airport SIM card shops. You land, you're online, and you're already moving.

Resources:

This article was informed by data from the following sources:

• Women, Peace & Security Index (WPS Index): measures women's safety, inclusion, and justice worldwide

• Global Peace Index (GPI): ranks countries by overall safety and peacefulness