Solo travel is something that can be so intriguing for many, yet panic-inducing for others. As alluring as the idea of traveling alone to a foreign place can be, any traveler will tell you that it’s also daunting, especially for first-timers.
In a new report, the travel safety index highlights 10 locations around the globe that are deemed to be safe for solo travelers. So grab your gear and get going to one of these top-rated locations for some solo exploring.
While there is no shortage of reports ranking locations in terms of safety for solo travelers, the sheer amount of information can be overwhelming. This recent list breaks it down simply, analyzing data from many areas and then assigning a score for each location. The 10 places with the highest score were then added to the list of the top 10 safest destinations for solo travelers.
The list takes into consideration many factors, including crime rate, universal healthcare coverage, road accident deaths, the food safety rating as per the World Health Organization, total number of police officers and medical institutions, and also internet connectivity (after all this is important to report any crime and staying connected).
With all these factors into play, the total numbers were then compared among the country and city populations. After all, this was considered, the following locations come out on top in terms of traveler safety.
Here are the top 10 safest destinations for solo travelers, according to a new report from the UK Post Office:
Washington, Seattle – USA
You will notice that the USA’s Pacific Northwest has made this list twice, with Seattle ranking number 1 overall for solo traveler safety. With many choices for medical facilities, good food quality, and fast internet connectivity readily accessible, this city rates highly as a safe destination.
Another bonus is that most things tourists want to see here are all found within a mile and a half of each other, meaning you don’t need to wander aimlessly around city neighborhoods to find what you are looking for.
Tokyo, Japan
Aside from rating high for all the metrics mentioned above, Tokyo is perfect for solo travel for the very fact that being solo here is normal. Look around you at any ramen bar or capsule hotel in this mega city, and you will find countless people who are on their own.
It’s very normal to be alone here and alone in public, and nobody will think twice if you are sightseeing, dining, or even belting out some KTV, all while by yourself. Tokyo has also been named one of the top cultural hotspots to visit this year, giving you just another reason to head to this colorful city.
Portland, Oregon
Here we have the Pacific Northwest’s second contender on this list. Portland is a favorite for solo travelers for a variety of reasons, one major one being the laid-back, chill vibe that everyone here seems to live by.
Portland’s moody weather can also be the perfect place to spend some solo time, wandering the streets and ducking into coffee shops and bookstores to self-reflect over a good read and strong brew. There’s a lot to love in Portland, no matter if you go alone or with others.
British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Canada’s addition to this list is the beloved British Columbia city of Vancouver. Solo travelers love this location because, well, it’s Canada, after all. Known to be one of the safest countries for solo travelers in general, Canada has a good reputation, and for good reason.
Vancouver is simply a stunning city, with landscapes surrounding the beautiful urban design. There are also ways to explore this city on a budget, meaning you can save your money for your next trip to another place on this list!
Copenhagen, Denmark
This Scandinavian favorite is considered to be one of the safest cities in the world, thanks to many factors, including its low crime rate. Copenhagen is a traveler favorite no matter if you visit solo, couple, or group, but one reason that it ranks high for solo travelers is due to the ease and safety of the city’s modern public transport network.
Although with most sights being so close to each other, you might not even need to use it. Copenhagen is becoming more and more popular with travelers in recent years, so it’s definitely worth a visit now more than ever.
Oslo, Norway
It goes without saying that Norway is one of the safest countries in the world to travel to, and therefore its addition to this safe places for solo travel list should be expected. Norway’s capital city of Oslo is easily navigable for first-time visitors, and the tram network connects all areas that you might need to go to for a very cheap price.
While English is commonly spoken and you should not have a hard time getting help or directions from almost anyone, it does have its share of common street crime that you should remain aware of. As with any city on this list, it’s not recommended to walk around at night in areas you are not familiar with.
Cairo, Egypt
Out of all the destinations in this top 10 places for solo traveler safety list, Cairo might be the one to surprise you the most. While this sprawling and ancient capital city of Egypt might seem daunting at first, solo travelers will find that it can actually be quite accessible.
Cairo ranks high on this list for a few reasons. Its large police presence is one of them. While Cairo is growing massively, Uber is easy and cheap, and a new rideshare app for women only is being planned. Also, being such a tourist destination, there are guides available for almost anything, and it’s highly suggested to use them for exploring certain areas.
One bonus, the city has a large number of female guides available as well, meaning women travelers can feel more at ease if they prefer female company as they explore. Also, the country of Egypt is investing huge amounts of money in its tourism infrastructure, meaning it’s likely only to get safer and easier to visit.
Dublin, Ireland
This entry on the list brings us to charming Ireland, where the capital city of Dublin constantly ranks high for solo traveler safety and satisfaction. While being a capital city it’s of course necessary to keep your wits about you at all times, Dublin is generally very safe and welcoming.
The small size also makes exploring by foot easy and convenient, and not having to take public transportation can help to bring any exposure to crimes down. Dublin is also a long-time favorite amongst solo women travelers, and those who visit are likely to meet up with other new friends who are other own as well.
Zurich, Switzerland
Seeing a city from Switzerland on this list of safe travel destinations is not likely to shock anyone, as the country is one of the world’s safest destinations. The Swiss city of Zurich makes the grade here for its low crime rate and generally respectful citizens.
While typical city crimes such as pickpocketing and petty theft do occur here (especially around areas such as the city center and train stations), overall, the city is very safe. The city also earns high safety marks due to the ease of connecting to the Internet, health facilities, and food safety. Switzerland has many reasons to visit, including this new scenic train to enjoy the views.
Singapore
As Asia’s only location to make this list of the top 10 safest destinations for solo travelers, the city-state of Singapore has long been known to be a safe traveler choice. According to the Global Peace Index 2022, this is a country that has been named the most peaceful country in Asia.
This small country ranks high for many reasons, with a high food safety rating, police presence, numerous accessible medical institutions, and very high internet connectivity. It should also be noted that Singapore is also known to be one of the most female-friendly traveler locations in the world as well.
Most people know that Singapore is strict, and the police have a zero-tolerance for most things. So while this will keep you safe while visiting, it’s important to be aware of local laws before your visit as well.
