Travel solo. Travel fearless.

In most of the world, yes. The key word is "most." Some destinations are significantly easier and safer than others for women travelling alone. But here's the thing: the vast majority of solo female travellers come home with nothing worse than a dodgy sunburn. The risks are real but manageable with basic precautions: research your destination, share your location with someone, book well-reviewed accommodation, and trust your instincts. Our full safety guide goes deep on this.

Countries that consistently rank high include Japan, Iceland, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, and the Scandinavian nations. Low crime rates, good public transport, and cultures that generally respect personal space. That said, "safe" is relative and personal. A country being statistically safe doesn't mean you switch off common sense. And a country with a mixed reputation might surprise you if you travel smart.

Hostels are still the single best way. Communal kitchens, free walking tours, organised pub crawls. They're basically designed for this. Beyond that: cooking classes, group day tours, co-working spaces, and apps like Meetup or Couchsurfing Hangouts. Most solo travellers find that being alone actually makes you more approachable, not less. People talk to you because you're not already deep in conversation with someone else.

Not as much as you'd think. The essentials that solo women specifically benefit from: a doorstop alarm (cheap, effective, fits in your palm), a portable door lock, a money belt or hidden pouch, a head torch for poorly-lit accommodation hallways, and a sarong or large scarf that works as a cover-up in conservative areas. Beyond that, pack exactly what any smart traveller would: layers, good shoes, minimal toiletries.

More in some areas, less in others. You'll pay more for accommodation since you can't split a double room. Budget roughly £25-40 / $30-50 / €28-45 per night more than someone sharing. But you'll spend less on food (you eat what you want, when you want) and activities (no compromising on expensive things you don't care about). Overall, budget roughly 15 to 25% more than the per-person cost of a couple's trip, mainly due to accommodation.

For your first solo trip? Book your first 2 to 3 nights and your airport transfer. That's it. Having somewhere safe to land when you arrive removes 90% of the anxiety. After that, you can play it by ear. As you get more experienced, you'll probably book less. Experienced solo female travellers often just book accommodation 1 to 2 days ahead and leave the rest open.

For about the first 10 minutes of your first meal alone. After that, you genuinely stop caring. Bring a book, bring your phone, or just people-watch. In most cultures, nobody thinks twice about someone eating alone. In some (Italy, Spain, Japan), it's completely normal. The weird part is how quickly it becomes one of your favourite things about solo travel.

Leave. Immediately. Walk into the nearest shop, restaurant, or hotel lobby. Pretend to call someone (or actually call someone). If you're being followed, change direction and head somewhere busy and well-lit. Don't worry about being polite or causing a scene. Your safety is more important than anyone's feelings. If the situation is serious, contact local emergency services or your embassy.