Safe places to travel alone as a woman in 2025, rated by women who frequently travel solo are: Japan, Portugal, New Zealand, Canada, and Iceland.
Travel is amazing, usually. The hard reality is that travel experiences are not all equal and our safety is dictated by a number of factors, including gender.
With that in mind, and with some external criteria to weigh into the discussion, there are a few places that rank higher in the list of safe places to travel alone as a woman in 2025.
These destinations (Japan, Portugal, New Zealand, Canada, and Iceland) consistently receive positive reviews from women when evaluating for safety, friendliness, and infrastructure — all essential for women travelling solo.
Safety matters for solo women travellers
Solo travel can indeed be empowering, but understand that it should also be an exercise in self-awareness.
True, most trips are all likely to be smooth sailing. However, this does not mean that women are excused from the need to plan with a heightened sense of caution.
When it comes to safety, it can make a world of difference to thoughtfully select destinations with low crime rates, gender equality, reliable public transportation, and welcoming cultures.
Consulting online resources like Reddit’s r/solotravel thread or female-run travel blogs like The Blonde Abroad and Adventurous Kate can help you to discover recommended destinations to enjoy travel without compromise.
Japan
A favourite among solo women travellers, Japan maintains an extremely low crime rate. It also boasts a culture in which locals are respectful of personal space and privacy.
Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka are popular cities known for being clean, efficient, and easy to navigate—even without speaking Japanese.
In fact, rush hour trains in Japan ever offer women-only train cars to underscore the seriousness of safety. Truly incredible!
Portugal
With a mix of old-world charm and solo travel ease, Portugal invites women travellers to enjoy a number of cities. Lisbon and Porto are great options for their walkability, welcoming locals, and relaxed vibe.
Affordable accommodations, English-speaker-friendly cities, and a laid-back lifestyle, especially the Algarve region with its stunning coastal views, make Portugal ideal for a first solo trip.
New Zealand
For nature-lovers, New Zealand is a fantastic option and among the list of the safest countries on the planet.
Not only does it rank highly for gender equality and offer a low crime rate, but it’s also bustling with other women solo hikers who are hiking, biking, and road tripping through the North and South Islands.
Canada
Yes, indeed, Canada lives up to its reputation. Known as one of the most multicultural countries in the world, Canada’s friendly and welcoming atmosphere offers a sense of security to empower solo-travellers.
With big cities like Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto inviting the comforts of modern urban life (with proximity to nature, of course), there are options for reliable public transportation—though you’ll likely also feel safe to walk alone during the day and in populated areas at night.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, the rumours are true. Canadians are insanely polite.
Iceland
Every year Iceland finds itself at the top of the Global Peace Index listings. With a focus on sustainability and gender equality, it’s a perfect option for solo women who are seeking travel across a landscape of rugged beauty without foregoing modern safety standards.
With choices to explore the island nation with a rental car or by joining a guided tour, there is always a peace of mind knowing that help is nearby if ever needed.
Which country will you choose?
Now that you have a list of safe places to travel alone as a woman, it’s time to get out there and see the world! You can be confident in choosing one of these destinations if you’re planning your first ever solo trek.
