Solo Female Travel Guide

Solo female travel has surged in popularity over the past decade, yet some folks seem to have some fairly strong attitudes towards solo travel, particularly when it comes to female solo travel. “It isn’t safe!” some might say. “Won’t you get lonely?” others might wonder. These reactions might come from a place of care, but as it is with everything, you don’t need to listen to everything you hear: you can take the well-meaning advice of others with a pinch of salt. There are so many ways to guarantee you have a safe, connection-filled solo trip of a lifetime.

Find out more about exploring the world as a solo female traveller. From the best destinations to add to your list to who you might befriend on your travels, we’ve got you covered.

Staying safe as a solo female traveller

Travelling alone does not need to be a nerve-wracking experience. There are plenty of ways to ensure you can stay safe as a solo female traveller. Here are of our tried and tested solo travel safety tips:

• Plan your trip in advance - while it can certainly be exciting to have a spontaneous solo adventure abroad, creating a comprehensive itinerary will allow for fewer opportunities for things to go wrong, plus it means you can share your specific whereabouts and contact details with your family and friends. They will thank you for it!
  
  
• Keep in touch with loved ones - of course, you want travel to remain the focus of your solo trip, and not social media, but it pays to regularly update your family and friends about your current location while you are journeying. This ensures they know who to contact should they not hear back from you for any reason.
  
  
• Pack a first-aid kit - this might be common practice for the seasoned holiday makers out there, but on each solo venture, you might like to invest in a compact and fully-equipped first-aid kit containing painkillers, plasters, bandages, anti-bacterial wipes, tweezers, gauze, insect repellant, and more.
  
  
• Memorise the local emergency numbers - it’s a simple one, but it could be a life-saver. Simply learn the local emergency numbers and save them as an emergency contact on your phone.
  
• Purchase a long-lasting portable charger - this tip is particularly useful if you have a lot of travel time on buses, trains, or planes coming up and you are looking to pass the time! Keeping a reliable portable charger on hand also means you will have enough battery to map out your location, contact your loved ones, or phone your hotel for assistance, should you need it. Keep that phone juiced!

We understand if safety is a huge concern for you. On one of our solo holidays, you will be in great hands. We will take fantastic care of you, whether you’re venturing out on your own for the very first time, or you’ve done a bit of solo soul-searching and globetrotting in the past. We offer myriad adventures, from exploring Poland’s striking former royal city to a fairytale rail journey through Scotland.

The best destinations for solo female travel

When it comes to travel, every individual is completely different. And that’s the beauty of solo holidays: you can be reassured by the fact that you are choosing a holiday that’s right for you. Not the holiday for your travel companion, but for you. So in that sense, the world is your oyster. To get an idea of where you might like to be, consider your bucket list, or perhaps the destinations you’ve always had in mind but never found the right companion to go with. If you’re still stuck, allow us to help. Here are some of our recommended destinations for solo female travellers:

• Italy: the peaks and sapphire lakes of the north

Italy is one of the best European destinations for solo female travel. Its extensive public transport system means it is a breeze to get around, plus the friendly locals mean you will often find yourself always in the company of others. And if you’re a foodie, you will be in heaven. Any day can be spent joyously indulging in saucy gnocchi or a delicious bottle of local wine. You’re never on your own when you have rich Italian carbs at the table.

In Italy, you can go anywhere you like. There’s romantic Rome if you fancy it. Or the rolling hills and abundant wineries of Tuscany. But for something slightly different, you need to get yourself way up north. One of Newmarket Holidays’ most popular tours with solo female travellers is The Italian Dolomites for Solo Travellers. On this journey, you will be in awe of the glacial mountains, tranquil lakes, and quaint rifugios - all locations are like scenes from classical art.

• Croatia: the walled cities and world-class beaches

Do you need warmth to radiate confidence and contentment? Does the summer sun make you feel most like yourself? Then head somewhere sunny for your first solo adventure. Croatia is a popular destination for solo female travellers over 50. Our Delights of Croatia for Solo Travellers will allow you to visit the stunning Makarska Riviera, the historic walled city of Dubrovnik, and the fascinating island-city of Trogir. You can even stretch the trip to Montenegro, one of Europe’s most unspoilt countries. It’s time to get out there.

• India: The Golden Triangle

Already experienced your fair share of European odysseys? Then it’s looking like you need to head a little further afield. Let’s start with India. At first, India might seem like a destination for the seasoned solo traveller. But if you’re only just starting out, a fantastic way for first-timers to experience India is on a tour. We would definitely recommend our Tigers & the Taj Mahal for Solo Travellers tour which is a thrilling opportunity for you to visit the Golden Triangle: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur all in one go.

With some new, like-minded friends, you will have the chance to tick several items off your solo travel bucket list. See the rising sun at the majestic Taj Mahal? Check. Spot a tiger in Ranthambhore Park? Check. Spend the evening in a luxurious jungle resort? Uh, extra check.

Making new connections

So, you’re beginning to form a beautiful idea of where in the world you’re going, but you might be wondering: who will I be travelling with? While we don’t offer exclusively female solo tours, most of the people on our solo holidays are women. In fact, 60% of our solo travellers are women, but this varies from tour to tour. 

On average, around 25 people join our solo tours. Customers tend to be aged over 30, but more typically over 50.

On our solo holidays, we offer a few special touches to help you relax and to help foster a sense of connection in the group. Everyone needs a good icebreaker, right? Our warm, knowledgeable tour managers are there to organise welcome gatherings, drinks and meals. They will also meet you at the airport, escort you to your hotel and join you on excursions and included meal times. 

At the beginning of your trip, you can unwind with a refreshing welcome drink at an informal get-together with the other solo travellers. Throughout the rest of the holiday, there will also be plenty of dinners and activities. These will help you to engage deeply with the culture of your chosen destination and help you get to know your fellow adventurers. Some of our customers have made life-long friends on our trips.

Your own time

Of course, one of the best parts of travelling solo as a woman is all the “me” time. And our solo holidays certainly offer these precious moments. There’s nothing quite like those hours and experiences which allow you to reset and discover a little bit more about yourself. Our solo tour itineraries offer a variety of included and optional excursions, meaning you have the flexibility to indulge or to kick back, have time to yourself, and explore your own interests. There are no obligations - you have the freedom.

If you’re still curious about starting your solo tour journey, we have done our best to answer your most frequently asked questions about solo holidays.