Female solo travel is on the upswing. According to an American Express Travel trends report for 2024, Gen-Z and millennials view solo trips as self-care. And it makes sense—after staying put through the early covid years, people are restless to explore, and who has time to line up schedules and itineraries? Solo travel means your trip, your terms. And no doubt, independent travel can feel scary. So opting for a domestic trip is a smart baby step before you take off for that round-the-worlder you’re dreaming of.
But when it comes to solo travel as a female, there are few extra things to take into consideration, namely, safety. So, in curating this list, I made certain that the majority of these destinations are extremely safe for women traveling alone and those that are deemed less safe (NYC, Chicago, Seattle) can be navigated safely by following the tips below. Another factor I took into account was ease of getting around. Every city or town on this list is easy to explore by walking or some other readily available means of transit (bike or scooter share) or public transportation. Also, each destination offers a variety of options for every type of solo traveler—the foodie, bar hopper, spa seeker, shopper, art and culture buff and outdoorswoman. Lastly, each boasts a strong presence of women-owned businesses and women-centered lifestyle offerings. Ready? Get packin’.
