A first solo trip is a mix of excitement and nerves, and the right destination can tip the balance firmly towards excitement.
Friends will tell you to be careful, and forums are full of worst-case stories. The reality is that huge numbers of women travel alone every year without trouble, and some countries make it much easier than others. The five below combine low violent crime, reliable public transport, clear emergency services and a culture where a woman eating or exploring alone attracts no attention. No country is risk-free, so for each one we cover what actually tends to go wrong, too.
Iceland: safe streets, serious weather
Iceland has topped the Global Peace Index for years, and it feels like it. Street harassment is rare, people leave prams outside cafés, and Reykjavík is easy to walk at any hour. The real risks here are natural, not human.
- What to watch: sudden storms, icy roads and the powerful "sneaker waves" at black-sand beaches such as Reynisfjara. Never turn your back on the sea there.
- Getting around: a rental car is the most flexible way to see the Ring Road in summer. In winter, consider a guided tour unless you are used to driving on ice.
- Before you drive: check road conditions on road.is and leave a travel plan with SafeTravel (safetravel.is). Rescue teams use it if you go missing.
- Emergency number: 112
Guesthouses and hostels around Reykjavík and the south coast often have female-only dorms, and solo travellers are common everywhere.
Japan: late nights without worry
Japan is the country many women name when they talk about freedom from worry at night. Walking home through a quiet Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto neighbourhood after midnight is normal. Lost wallets are routinely handed in.
- Help nearby: small neighbourhood police boxes called koban stand near most stations and busy junctions. Officers give directions and help with lost property as well as emergencies.
- Women-only carriages: many city train lines run them during the morning rush hour, marked in pink on the platform.
- Where to stay: business hotels are safe and good value, and several capsule-hotel chains have women-only floors with key-card access.
- Emergency numbers: 110 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. JNTO's Japan Visitor Hotline answers in English around the clock.
See our Tokyo guide for neighbourhoods that are easy to base yourself in.
Portugal: easy, friendly and affordable
Portugal is one of the most relaxed places in Europe to travel alone, and one of the best value. Lisbon and Porto are walkable, people are helpful, and the hostel scene is excellent for meeting others.
- What to watch: pickpocketing on Lisbon's Tram 28 and around busy stations such as Rossio. Wear your bag across your body and keep it zipped.
- Meeting people: many hostels run family-style dinners and free walking tours, which makes solo evenings easy.
- At night: central areas such as Baixa and Chiado stay busy until late with families and diners.
- Emergency number: 112
Singapore: order, cleanliness and great food
Singapore is compact, extremely safe and almost entirely English-speaking. Strict laws and good public lighting mean you can explore gardens, food halls and old shophouse streets late into the evening.
- Getting around: the MRT metro is clean, air-conditioned and well signed, with platform screen doors at every station.
- Eating alone: hawker centres are where everyone eats, and solo diners are everywhere. Locals "chope" (reserve) a seat with a packet of tissues before queuing; you can do the same.
- What to watch: fines for small offences such as eating on the MRT. The heat and humidity also take some getting used to.
- Emergency numbers: 999 for police, 995 for ambulance and fire
New Zealand: outdoors with backup
If your idea of a holiday is hiking, kayaking or a campervan road trip, New Zealand is hard to beat. Locals are relaxed and helpful, and the outdoor tourism industry is well organised, with clear safety information everywhere.
- Hiking alone: before any big walk, leave your plans with someone using the Outdoors Intentions form on AdventureSmart (adventuresmart.nz), and carry a personal locator beacon on remote tracks. Many visitor centres rent them.
- Campervans: holiday parks have lit facilities and staff on site, and are a better choice than isolated free-camping spots.
- What to watch: fast-changing mountain weather and no phone signal in large parts of the backcountry.
- Emergency number: 111
How they compare
| Country | Emergency number | Getting around | Main thing to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iceland | 112 | Car or tour | Weather, waves |
| Japan | 110 / 119 | Excellent trains | Crowded trains |
| Portugal | 112 | Trains, metro | Pickpockets |
| Singapore | 999 / 995 | Excellent MRT | Fines, heat |
| New Zealand | 111 | Car, campervan | Remote terrain |
Habits that work everywhere
A few routines do more for your safety than any destination choice.
- Share your live location with someone at home for the travel days, and send them your accommodation details.
- Post after you leave. Share photos and check-ins once you have moved on, not while you are there.
- Arrive in daylight. Book trains and buses that get in before dark when you are going somewhere new. Finding a guesthouse with luggage is much easier in daylight.
- Split your money. Keep one card and some cash on you, and a backup card locked in your room.
- Trust your instincts. If a person, a taxi or a bar feels wrong, leave. You do not owe anyone politeness at the cost of feeling safe.
Choosing where to stay
Where you sleep shapes how safe a trip feels more than almost anything else. A central room near a station saves late-night walks through quiet streets and expensive taxis.
- Location first: pick a neighbourhood that is busy in the evening, within a short, well-lit walk of public transport.
- Staffed reception: a 24-hour front desk means someone is always there if you lose a key or arrive late.
- Room details: ask for a room above the ground floor, and check that the door has a proper lock and a chain or latch.
- Social hostels: if you want company, choose hostels with female dorms and organised evening activities. It is the easiest way to meet other travellers without going to bars alone.
If something goes wrong
Most problems on the road are lost phones, stolen bags and missed connections, not danger. A little preparation makes them much easier to fix.
Save your country's embassy or consulate number in your phone before you go, and register your trip with your government's traveller service if it has one. Keep photos of your passport and insurance policy in cloud storage. If you are robbed, report it to the local police and get a written report. Your insurer will ask for it.
If you ever feel threatened, go into the nearest shop, hotel or café and ask for help. In all five countries above, staff will help you call the police or a taxi.
Frequently asked questions
Is any country completely safe for women?
No. Safety is about probabilities and choices, not guarantees. The countries above have low rates of violent crime and good emergency services. Check your government's travel advice and use the same common sense you would at home.
Do I need a local SIM or eSIM?
Yes, it is one of the most useful safety tools you can carry. Mobile data lets you use maps, ride-hailing apps and translation, and call for help. Buy an eSIM before you fly so it works the moment you land.
Should I tell people I am travelling alone?
There is no need to announce it. If someone asks, "I'm meeting friends later" is a perfectly good answer. Hotel staff, however, should know how to reach you, so keep your contact details up to date at reception.
