Best Countries for First-Time Solo Female Travellers

Solo travel has taken me to more places than I can easily recall at this point, each one teaching me something new about the world and about myself. It’s one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences out there, and it definitely has been for me. But as a woman, and specifically as a Nigerian traveller, safety is always at the forefront of my mind when I’m exploring alone.

The good news is there are plenty of safe destinations around the world where women can explore new cultures and cities on their own. In this post, I’m sharing places I’ve personally visited and felt genuinely safe in.

A quick disclaimer: these destinations are subjective, based on my own experience, safety measures I take whenever I travel, and comfort level. I’ll also include a few places I haven’t been to yet but would consider visiting solo, based on what I’ve read from other solo female travellers.

Alongside each destination, I’ll note how easy it was to get around using public transport, which also plays a key role in why I’ve classified them as some of the best countries to visit for solo female travellers, especially those doing it for the first time. Let’s get into the list.

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Japan

I bet this doesn’t come as a surprise, given how much I rave about Japan both here on the blog and on social media. It’s one of my favourite destinations. I’ve been twice already, and I’m planning a third trip.

Japan is one country where I travel with next-to-zero safety concerns. I feel comfortable walking at night, hiking through quiet villages and forests, and hopping from destination to destination without worry. It’s a place that lets me just be, instead of constantly watching my back or thinking too much about logistics. I get to focus on enjoying all the big travel moments and the little ones in between.

That’s not to say it’s some perfect utopia. As with anywhere else, situational awareness and mindfulness still matter. But Japan has been a breath of fresh air for me, and it’s a country I’ll always feel excited to return to as a solo female traveller.

Next on this list is Singapore.

Singapore

This is another country I’d certainly recommend to (Nigerian) women looking to travel solo for the first time. Singapore is compact, English is widely spoken, transportation is excellent, the country is clean, and the feeling of safety is immense.

My biggest culture shock there was walking into a mall to grab food and seeing people leave phones, bags, and even wallets on tables to save seats! I thoroughly enjoyed walking around the city without fear, the delicious meals from the food markets, and all the beautiful sights.

In terms of cost, it’s one of those places that runs much higher for solo travellers, especially accommodation. Other than that, it’s a country I can highly recommend to solo female travellers, even more so if you can combine the visit with a nearby country, especially if you’re travelling from Nigeria, since the distance and cost of travel are quite a lot to justify as a single trip.

I combined my Singapore trip with a visit to Malaysia, which is also a great place to visit. However, I’ve left it out of this list because my introduction to the country made me feel very unsafe. Again, a very subjective view.

Rwanda

Next on this list is Rwanda. Three visits have been enough to convince me of the sense of peace, safety, and serenity this country offers travellers. All my trips there have been with Mark, but it’s a country I’d feel extremely comfortable visiting as a solo female traveller.

Through my visits, I’ve ventured out to explore on my own and felt very comfortable walking long distances at night. Unlike the first two countries on this list, transport in Rwanda is typically via motorcycles (boda-boda or okada, as we call it in Nigeria), but shared cabs are also an option. As always, situational awareness matters wherever you are, but Rwanda is a country I’d confidently recommend to any woman considering a first solo trip to Africa.

Another African gem perfect for solo female travellers is Zambia.

Zambia (Livingstone)

I visited Livingstone as a solo traveller, and it now ranks as one of my most relaxing trips ever! Livingstone gave me warm hospitality, preferential treatment as a solo traveller, and a gentle welcome and smiles from everyone I met.

Cost-wise, it was one of my priciest trips, but I’d say it was worth every penny. I should mention that I didn’t really venture outside resort living while I was there. I spent my time in hotels and was chauffeured from place to place, but I found every destination and interaction to be cheerful. Long-distance road trips were fear-free, and the only hiccup I experienced was that some activities needed a minimum group size to sign up for, though it was never difficult to find alternatives.

I loved my visit to Zambia, and by extension Zimbabwe and Botswana, so much that it’s a trip I’d gladly repeat, solo or with family.

The next destination on this list is Czechia.

Czechia

I visited Prague with Mark, but ventured out solo multiple times and felt comfortable and safe walking around at all times of the day. Prague was beautiful, with stunning architecture and walkable streets. Transportation was excellent, and we had fantastic meals at several restaurants. I did have a startling welcome into the country, though.

As we walked out of the train station after arriving from Berlin, I watched two people aggressively bump into each other without either of them acknowledging it. It was quite shocking to witness, and I remember thinking that if that interaction was anything to go by, the city might be cold and unfriendly.

But by the time we made our way to the apartment, that impression had disappeared almost as quickly as it came. The people we met and interacted with were lovely, and I fell in love with Prague almost instantly. So much so that I would return to explore solo in a heartbeat!

Qatar

My Middle Eastern entry on this list is Qatar. I visited during a long layover while transiting from Tokyo to Nairobi. Navigating Doha in the short time I was there was incredibly easy, and I felt completely safe in the city.

This may be the most biased destination on the list, after all, I was there for less than nine hours. But I loved how much I was able to pack into such a short amount of time, and how incredibly easy and affordable it was to do so. I did hire a taxi driver to take me around, but he would drop me off at different places and let me explore on my own, which I did with the utmost sense of safety.

As I love travelling with Qatar Airways, I think I may have the opportunity to visit Qatar again. Next time, I would definitely consider extending my stay beyond a few hours so I can slow down, explore more, and experience more of the country.

Hong Kong

And speaking of awesome layovers, there was my three-day layover in Hong Kong, an absolutely fantastic and dynamic city.

With its excellent public transportation, beautiful sights, walkable streets, incredible food, and endless shopping, there was always something to see and do. I enjoyed every moment of exploring the city, and three days somehow felt like both plenty of time and nowhere near enough.

Now wrapping up this list with South Korea…

South Korea

This was my very first solo leisure trip to Asia. I arrived at 10 pm and walked 40 minutes to my hotel. Seeing so many kids and families out on the streets put me at ease straight away.

That said, I did have a couple of minor incidents with unwanted advances on that first trip. A firm “no” and simply walking away were enough to end the encounters. Despite this, South Korea remains one of my top recommendations for solo female travellers. I returned a second time and had another marvellous experience exploring many destinations solo.

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There are still a few destinations on my list that I haven’t visited solo yet, but they come highly recommended by other solo female travellers:

Places I Would Love to Visit as a Solo Female Traveller

• Iceland
• Switzerland
• Norway
• Denmark

These are just a few of the many destinations I would love to experience on my own. And while no destination is completely without risk, travelling solo has taught me that safety can often be about preparation, awareness, and trusting your instincts.

Ultimately, this list isn’t a definitive ranking of the safest countries for solo female travellers. It’s simply a reflection of my own experiences after more than a decade of travelling, and the places where I have personally felt comfortable exploring on my own.

If you’re considering your first solo trip, I hope this gives you a little inspiration and reassurance. You don’t have to wait for someone else to be available before you see the world. Start with a destination that feels right for you, do your research, trust your instincts, and go. Some of my most memorable travel experiences have come from simply deciding to go on my own.