Traveling alone has its perks. You’ll learn a lot about yourself, make new, like-minded friends and do whatever you want to do, whenever you want. But not all places are fitting for a female solo traveler.
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You’ll want to consider travel goals and preferences, friendliness of the locals, accessibility, and of course, safety. We kept all these factors in mind when we made our list of the best destinations for female solo travelers. Check them out below!
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The Americas
Why: Friendly locals and fun things to do.
Everyone you meet in New Orleans will have tips on where to go, what to eat and more. Shop in the French Quarter, go on a walking tour, get your tarot cards read, explore the Bywater and listen to live music on Frenchman Street.
Why: Outdoor adventures and yummy food.
Maui is a paradise for nature lovers. Snorkel, hike to waterfalls and learn how to surf. And don’t forget to sample the delicious local fare: poke, loco moco, kaluha pork, Hawaiian-style macaroni salad, spam musubi and so much more.
Why: Nature, wellness and relaxation.
Montana locals respect and honor the nature that surrounds them. Relax and reflect with hiking, yoga, meditation and stand-up paddling. Visit art galleries, organic grocery stores and crystal shops.
Why: Attractions and architecture.
Quebec City is surprisingly compact with lots to see and do. Explore Old Town, visit Montmorency Falls, check out the museums and go on walking tours.
Why: Nature, friendly people and chill hippie vibe.
Although most of Patagonia is remote and quiet, you can enjoy both nature and meeting new people in El Chalten. Breathe in the fresh air while making friends at your hostel, camping, hiking or rock climbing.
Why: The animals and untouched beauty.
There’s pretty much only one reason why people go to the Galapagos, and it’s to get up close and personal with the animals: birds, reptiles and sea creatures galore. You’ll also get a chance to meet like-minded people on a dive trip or island cruise.
Europe
Why: Stunning landscapes and the safest country in the world.
Hostels in Reykjavik are very social, so you’ll have no problem finding adventure partners to go on road trips, chase the northern lights, hike to waterfalls, watch shooting geysers, go whale watching and more.
Why: Counterculture, creative people and delicious food.
Berlin is one of the coolest cities in Europe, and for good reason. The city is all about counterculture. Things that are frowned upon in other places are embraced here. Take it all in by strolling along the East Side Gallery, checking out the museums, admiring the graffiti, ducking into a hidden bar and so much more. Don’t forget to stuff yourself silly with Berlin’s infamous street food.
Why: Nightlife, culture, architecture and shopping.
Copenhagen is perhaps the hippest city of the Nordic area. Plus, the city is compact and easy to navigate with a bicycle. Chill out in Nyhavn among the colorful buildings, wander around the Botanical Gardens, visit Tivoli Gardens, The Blue Planet and the many museums, and check out the organic eateries and art galleries of Christiana.
Why: History, tasty food and romance.
Rome is a city that will awaken all your five senses. Visit the city’s ancient sites, get lost amidst the cobblestone lanes and piazzas, cycle the Appian Way and nosh on the city’s delicacies. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even get a marriage proposal from a dashing stranger.
Asia
Why: Culture, adventure and beautiful views.
Lombok is much like Bali with beautiful beaches and stunning waterfalls. But Lombok doesn’t have the bad traffic, litter and long lines for Insta-worthy spots. It’s a great alternative to Bali, and it’s cheaper.
Why: Plenty of attractions and solo dining.
In Tokyo, it’s completely normal to eat alone. In fact, there are even restaurants that specialize in “low interaction dining.” Besides that, there are plenty of fun and interesting things to do, like people-watching at parks, dining in themed cafes and visiting unique museums.
Why: Surfing and motorbike adventures.
Siargao isn’t the easiest place to get to, but once you’re there you won’t want to leave. This island in the Philippines attracts thrill-seekers all over the world for its ridable waves. But there’s much more to Siargao than just its surf. With flat and easy roads, you can rent a motorbike to go exploring. Hit up the Magpupungko rock pools, Sugba Lagoon, Maasin River and the “Secret Spot.”
Why: Gorgeous landscapes, friendly people and hiking.
The Annapurna Circuit is a 128-mile trek that circles Nepal’s glorious Annapurna mountain range. You’ll get to experience a wide range of jaw-dropping landscapes with each day. And because the trail is so popular, you’ll meet plenty of like-minded travelers along the way.
Why: Tasty food and plenty to do.
Taipei is a city that has everything. World-renown cuisine, friendly locals, gorgeous temples, nearby national parks, hot springs, endless shopping, lively nightlife and much more.
Africa & Middle East
Why: Breathtaking views, fresh seafood and beaches.
Forget everything you heard about South Africa, because it doesn’t apply to Coffee Bay. This small community on the Wild Coast has some of the best surf and the freshest seafood in the country. Experience the rich Xhosa culture, lounge on the beach with local cows, wander around the verdant hills and much more.
Why: Desert landscapes, safaris and stargazing.
Sossusvlei is famous for its reddish-orange sand dunes and white salt pans. Of course, you’ll want to admire the dunes, but there’s also the Naukluft Mountains and wild safaris to explore, relax and reconnect with your inner child.
Why: Paradise beaches and delicious food.
Zanzibar is an archipelago nicknamed Spice Island, because it was once a hub for spice merchants. Not surprisingly, you’ll notice a blend of cultures in the local cuisine. Take a spice tour, go diving, snorkeling or sailing, and wander around Stone Town, Zanzibar’s historical capital.
Why: Green mountains, treehouses and free-spirited vibe.
Famous amongst backpackers and hippies, Olympos sits on a protected area where no permanent structures are allowed. So you’ll see a lot of wooden structures – some treehouses – and most accommodations are simple bungalows. If you like primitive, gorgeous nature, you’ll love Olympos.
Why: Food, art and parties.
Tel Aviv is a glitzy modern city that oozes personality and character. Each neighborhood has its own distinct personality. Head to Neve Tzedek for boutique shopping and trendy brunch cafes. Venture to Florentin for some street art. And for upscale restaurants and chic bars, get yourself to Rothschild’s Boulevard.
Credit Cards To Bring With You
When traveling alone, you need to carry the right cards with you. Look for perks such as emergency medical and dental benefits, travel insurance, purchase protection, and others. Here are some cards we suggest you take with you on your solo trip.
You may also want to take a look at our more comprehensive list of the best credit card bonuses here.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the best overall travel credit card and the best card for travel credits. The female solo traveler will benefit from excellent travel protections and generous earning structures.
CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card is offering 80,000 bonus points (worth up to $1,600 in travel per our valuations). You’ll need to spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening to qualify for the bonus. These 80k points are redeemable for $1,200 toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
This is a premium travel card with a premium annual fee of $550. But, you’ll receive premium benefits such as 5X points on air travel, 10x points spent on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit, 3X points on all other travel and dining, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
The card also features an application fee credit (up to $100) for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®, access to 1,300+ airport lounges with Priority Pass Select, and 50% more in travel redemption through Chase Ultimate Rewards. With Pay Yourself BackSM, your points are worth 50% more for existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best travel credit card for beginners and has the best welcome bonus. It offers similar travel protection and earning potential as its bigger sister, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Both cards reward female solo travelers with Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED® CARD
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card currently has an offer for 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Redeeming the 60,000 bonus points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, which is praised by users, will get you $750 in value towards travel. The 60K bonus points are worth $750 because you get 25% more value whenever you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Even better, strategize with Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer partners to potentially get even more value. Each point can be worth up to 2 cents apiece (60k points = ~$1,200). Read more on this here.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is the best travel credit card with luxury perks. While its hefty annual fee may turn off some solo travelers, you will find it makes up for it with tremendous benefits.
THE PLATINUM CARD® FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Platinum Card® from American Express has a special offer for 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in purchases within your first 6 months.
Membership Rewards® points are some of the most valuable in the market. Redeeming these points by booking travel through American Express or by redeeming for gift cards will give you a standard 1 cent per point value. The 100k bonus points are worth $1,000 going this route.
You can potentially get more value by transferring your points to Membership Rewards travel partners. Using this strategy can get you up to an average value of 2 cents per point. Get around $2,000 in value with 100,000 points this way. Read more on this here.
With this card, earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
The biggest drawback to this card is the $695 annual fee (see Rates & Fees, Terms Apply), which puts it in the premium class of credit cards. The card has a market because it offers premium travel benefits, such as 5X points for flights (up to $500,000 on these purchases) and eligible hotels, access to 40+ Centurion Loung and Studio locations worldwide, up to $200 airline fee credit annually, and an annual Walmart+ membership. These benefits are given as statement credits.
For frequent travelers, the added benefits make sense in terms of value and added luxury.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is the best card for international travel. For the solo traveler who is a fan of the Marriott portfolio of hotels, you will gain access to the second-largest hotel chain in the world. The brand’s wide reach means Boundless can help fund your trip no matter where you travel.
MARRIOTT BONVOY BOUNDLESS® CREDIT CARD
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase has an offer for 3 Free Nights after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
New to the card, you will earn 3x Bonvoy points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. The card is also offering an Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 spent.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card earns 17 points for every $1 spent at over 7,000+ participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. You’ll receive 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
You’ll get a Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every account anniversary year and automatic Silver Elite Status. Additionally, you’ll receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
This card has no foreign transaction fees and the annual fee is $95.
If you want to read about other great places to visit, see this list of best travel destinations to use the points and miles you’ve earned with your credit card rewards and loyalty programs.
READ MORE: SEE THE BEST BANK BONUSES HERE AND THE BEST INVESTING BONUSES HERE.
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