Solo Female Travel Guide
Overview
Solo female travel is booming, and we’re finding that more women are travelling independently and no longer waiting for a partner or friend to tick long-awaited great adventures off their bucket list. And rightly so! There are so many options to help you fulfil your dream itinerary yourself or with a like-minded group of explorers, so why wait?
Thanks to advances in security and infrastructure, more information for women travelling solo, and female guides, there has never been a safer or more informed time for women to travel the world autonomously.
Solo female travel is booming, and we’re finding more and more women are travelling independently and no longer waiting for a partner or friend to tick long-awaited great adventures off their bucket list. And rightly so! There are so many options to fulfilling the dream itinerary yourself or with a like-minded group of explorers, so why wait?
Thanks to advances in security, infrastructure, more information for women travelling solo, and female guides, there has never been a safer, or more informed time to travel the world autonomously as a woman.
In this page, we’ll explore the benefits of solo female travel, where to go, and the options on how to travel. We’ll look at how travelling with a group works, as well as tailor-made solo adventures. Plus, there will be lots of top tips and advice throughout, and of course our top destinations and tours for travelling solo as a woman!
The benefits of female solo adventures:
- Meet like-minded people and make new friends that can last a lifetime (many of our group tours are still friends after many years, and often travel again together!) Plus, you’re more likely to meet new people and interact with the locals and you can tap into the knowledge and experiences of others to shape your adventure.
- There are no tricky compromises about where to travel when it’s just your bucket list you’re fulfilling. Similarly, once on your trip, you can set the itinerary and choose your own path – whether it’s spending that extra day exploring a history-steeped town, or venturing down a far-flung mountain trail.
- You’ll push yourself outside of your comfort zone and learn more about yourself in new environments. Prepare to be amazed at what you’re capable of when adventuring! Solo travel means discovering how you cope with new environments, situations and people and trusting your intuition that travel awakens, building confidence and self-awareness.
- Carve out time to focus on yourself and your life – travel is a great form of self-care! You’ll be spoilt for time to reflect on what you want, and even start formulating plans for how to make them a reality when you’re home. Solo travel can help you clear your mind and give you some much-needed space.
- You’ll likely save money, too as the costs of the trip are only for one person. You can be more flexible when you go than being tied to the schedules of others and make the most of ‘shoulder seasons’ or less ‘fashionable’ places. You’ll also become an expert at self-sufficiency, stretching your budget further.
- And of course, you’ll get to explore thrilling landscapes, scale new heights and witness the wonder of the world! These experiences help shape us and the way we are connected to our natural world, so nurture that bond and re-find your childlike awe for nature and the incredible place we call home.
Our Favourite Solo Destinations
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is fast becoming one of the most popular choices for solo adventurers! As a top destination for Wild Frontiers, we often hear female travellers find it safe and easy to explore, as part of a group or solo. With its glittering minarets and hypnotic mosaics, Uzbekistan will surely steal your heart. You'll be immediately struck by the world heritage sites, like the Historic Centre of Bukhara, and the breathtaking Islamic architecture.
India
India truly offers something for every kind of traveller, and Rajasthan is a great choice for solo travellers looking to experience classic India. Travel the Golden Triangle between Delhi, Agra and Jaipur before heading off the beaten path to explore the real Rajasthan. For wildlife lovers, head to the Ranthambore National Park in search of India’s famous and endangered tigers, and a whole host of animals you’ll enjoy spotting on a safari.
Pakistan
For those looking for a truly off-the-beaten-track solo adventure, Pakistan is a destination. We recommend travelling in a small group tour when visiting Pakistan, as a knowledgeable tour leader is essential for experiencing the best Pakistan has to offer, but travelling in a small group makes it easy to meet the locals. Hospitality is a way of life for the diverse tribes of the Northwest Frontier, a staple experience on our Pakistan tours. Almost all of it remains mostly undiscovered in mainstream tourism, so take a journey that will leave even the most experienced traveller with a sense of awe and wonder.
Vietnam
Vietnam is incredibly popular with solo travellers and remains one of Southeast Asia’s most diverse and intriguing destinations, with incredible variety in its landscapes, food, architecture and culture. Balance your experience with the famous, such as Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City – with some more off-beat places, such as Phong Nha-Ke Bang. Experience delicious food, fine craftsmanship and serene beachside breaks that allow a true respite from it all.
Colombia
Colombia is a great travel destination for solo adventures, with its colourful history and stunning natural beauty. It has come a long way from its troubled past, and now has plenty of draws for adventure-lovers, culture-vultures and nature-enthusiasts alike. You can explore every aspect of Colombia on your Colombia trip, from the cosmopolitan streets of Bogotá to the colonial outposts of its small towns. You can experience mud baths in volcanoes and trekking on glaciers, or sip Cuba Libras in the bars of Cartagena. There is something for every kind of traveller.
Japan
Explore Japan’s stunning, contrasting landscapes and dive deep into the heart of a land where the past and the future come together in a dazzling fusion of neon colour and tradition. Stay in traditional Japanese-style inns, temple lodgings and idyllic ryokans, on a solo journey infused with geishas, gardens, hot springs, old teahouses and the customs, culture and cuisine of the old Samurai; providing you with an unsurpassed insight into one of the most fascinating, and safe destinations anywhere on earth.
Mongolia
For anyone seeking a wild adventure, a trip to Mongolia is a must. Nearly 30% of its population lives a nomadic lifestyle and its easy to see why. Mongolia's diverse and breathtaking landscapes will be sure to entice you if experiencing the local lifestyle first-hand isn't enough. This vast country is home to dramatic mountain scenery in the north and the Gobi desert in the south, with a fascinating and ancient culture scattered in between.
Georgia
Georgia, although not a mainstream travel destination, is one of our favourite places to visit. It really is Europe's best-kept secret. Georgia's capital city Tbilisi has a unique charm, full of quaint shops and chic cafes in its old town. Georgia offers a variety of breathtaking landscapes, the cuisine is outstanding and relatively undiscovered, and the people are friendly and welcoming. Georgia really has it all, whether you are looking for a walking holiday to see its scenery, or a group tour to meet fellow travellers whilst you discover the rich culture of this destination.
Madagascar
One of the most spectacular, vibrant solo holiday destinations is Madagascar! It boasts luscious wildlife, great food and welcoming locals. Those seeking adventure will find breathtaking hiking trails, while those looking to relax will find peaceful beaches. It's a fantastic holiday destination all year round.
Our Group Tours
At Wild Frontiers, we specialise in Small Group Tours, which are perfect for solo female travellers. With an average group size of 9, and a maximum size of 12 on any trip, you’ll get a personal, varied experience with like minded travellers, and usually over 70% of passengers on our small group tours are solo adventurers! Plus you get all of the excitement of discovering new places combined with the security of travelling with an organised group, with an exciting mix of people!
Rooming-wise, unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so there is no additional cost for single travellers on our tours if you share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, with whom we can pair you up and you’ll pay the same as a couple. If you would prefer your own room, then you will need to pay a single supplement, which varies depending on the tour. Occasionally you may even end up with your own room.
Our number one priority is the safety of our customers. You will always have a tour leader with you and they will help you to feel completely at ease in even the most remote locations. Travelling with a group is a great way to make sure everyone feels safe. It is precisely for this reason that solo female travellers particularly are huge fans of our small group tours. You benefit from the safety that a group provides and the guide's insider knowledge - you won’t have to stumble upon experiences or get them from a guidebook like everyone else. We always strive to take you off the beaten track and aim to get you under the skin of each destination with plenty of immersive experiences to enjoy along the way.
Tailor-made Solo Female Trips
Going it alone can be exhilarating and life-changing. You get to determine where you stay, for how long, and which activities you’d like to engage in. Plus you can still opt to have a guide along the way. Our guides are highly trained to assist you in getting the most from your dream destination. We consistently get positive feedback about our guides' engagement, knowledge, and passion, especially on tailor-made trips. Whether you want to jam-pack your every day with exciting activities or prioritise free time to meander through streets and get under the skin of a city, you can take charge of how your itinerary unfolds before you.
With more freedom to tailor your trip, it’s important to really think about what you want from your experience. Are you a foodie who wants to taste every local dish in the street market? A culture vulture who wants to soak up the atmosphere in buzzing hot spots? A history lover who can wile away hours in an important historic site? Or an active walker who simply wants to strap on their boots and power up the most challenging path? All of this and so much more can be integrated into your trip, plus you can get advice from travel experts for recommendations based on what you like. It’s what they’re there for!
You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorted tours to our walking holiday.
Important things to consider
Safety and security
Safety is a key factor for travelling solo. We advise speaking to a travel expert and reading travel guides to get a good understanding of what it will be like as a solo visitor. Feeling like you understand a country and its security will help you feel relaxed and overall enjoy your trip more. Travelling with a group is a reassuring way to stay safe as a solo traveller and you will have a tour leader with you throughout who will look out for the whole group. Many women choose to travel with us on our small group tours for the added confidence that this way of travelling offers. If travelling solo on a tailor-made trip, our tour guides can advise you how to stay safe and make you aware of any areas of caution. Be clear with your boundaries and what feels comfortable to you, and adhere to any advice about walking around alone, or after dark.
Socialising
As part of solo travelling, you may want to meet other like-minded travellers. There’s nothing better than joining other solo adventurers to share stories and experiences you’ve encountered up until that point. It's what bonds you together. If this is the case, small-group tours are a great opportunity to meet fellow travellers on their quest of discovery. Who knows, you may make a new friend for life. When interacting with locals, you can learn so much and glean incredible insights that will enrich your visit to their home. If you are in a situation that feels uncomfortable to you, flag this with someone around you and ask for help, and when possible remove yourself from the environment.
Easy transportation
The last thing you need from a destination while on your own is a lack of transportation. Both public and private. From our own experience, choosing a location which has reliable public transport, easy to use ride-sharing apps or is even walkable, is a destination we would choose when solo travelling. Remember you may have potential language barriers you may have to think about too. Our helpful solo travel tips guide cover many of these topics that you may not have first thought about before departing on your adventure.
Cost and affordability for solo travel
The best solo female travel destination for you may also be based on budget. While a location could have a high rating within the community, there is no point going if you can’t afford to pay for experiences while you're there. The key is to factor in additional costs, such as single room tax if booking hotels, dining out in the evenings, or even must-see attractions. It all adds up when you travel alone.
Understanding local culture and traditions
With a whole world of different destinations, cultures and viewpoints, comes a wealth of cultural norms and expectations for visitors of a country. It is best to familiarise yourself with these while planning your solo trip.
Always be considerate to locals you interact with and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly. Researching local attitudes towards topics such as bartering/haggling, customer service interactions and also people experiencing homelessness and begging in different countries can help you feel confident in how you’re engaging with people.
Clothing can differ based on the religion of a country, and women may be expected to wear long trousers, and cover their shoulders in some places as a sign of respect.
With some destinations that have a problematic or controversial public perception in regards to women's rights, it is best to visit with an open mind. The only way to dispel myths, or learn more the truth about a place, is to take the plunge and see it for yourself. Being open to conflicting opinions, and approaching it with a critical mind, can help us break through expectations and ultimately create a more understanding, and accepting world. That being said, you should also trust your gut instinct if you believe you may struggle to witness certain aspects of a society.