Worldwide, women report that they feel significantly less safe walking alone at night in contrast with men. On Forbes Magazine’s list of the least safe countries in the world in 2019, the US ranked 19th, and anyone who lives in the US knows that safety varies dramatically from state to state and city to city.
So, if you want to feel safe as a solo female traveler while also enjoying some of the biggest and best travel destinations, here are five of the safer major locations in the United States to consider: New York City, NY; Denver, CO; Salt Lake City, UT; Maui, HI; San Diego, CA.
Though not a comprehensive list, these American locations are popular amongst solo female travelers and also safer compared to some of the other major destinations like San Francisco. Let’s dive further into the idea of solo female travel and why these destinations are safer for women and well-worth exploring.
What Is Solo Female Travel?
To put it plainly, solo female travel is when a woman travels the world independently with no friends, family, partner, or chaperone by her side. She goes to parties, restaurants, museums, beaches and engages in any of the numerous exciting vacation activities one enjoys when in a new place.
Of course, she is likely to meet new people and hang out or even travel to new locations with them before usually parting ways once plans change. The difference is that the bulk of her travel is done on her own.
Why Is the Term “Solo Female Travel” Necessary?
Women are at greater risk of a wide variety of crimes than men and are known to travel in packs, even if just to the restroom. It is both a social habit and a response to the significant dangers of being alone as a female in this world.
Since traveling alone for much of history has been an option widely enjoyed and almost exclusively enjoyed by men for most human history, a new designation of sorts has been created for women who travel alone: the solo female traveler.
The title helps women figure out the safest neighborhoods, cities, and countries to travel to, including the places where they will be able to enjoy themselves most and worry about their constant safety the least, such as:
- Bars
- Restaurants
- Other locales
In other words, the designation “solo female traveler” helps women feel more confident when exploring new places and empowers more women to claim their independence to travel the world. The roads for women traveling alone are not as well paved as they are for men, and the phrase seeks to change this reality.
Where Is Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
The safest destinations for solo female travelers will almost always be the safest destinations for any traveler. Take a look into the violent crime rates of the city or country you are looking to travel to and decide on a case by case basis. Stereotypes are often sorely mistaken, and neighborhoods can vary drastically.
For women, in particular, it is important to look into the ideologies of the country you are visiting. Make sure to respect cultural customs and listen to local advice. If you would prefer to dress and do as you please, select your destinations accordingly. In the US alone, etiquette varies dramatically from the South to the West.
For most countries, you will be safe if you do your research. No country is free of violence, but be especially smart when choosing a country notorious for its high crime rates, such as Russia or Mexico, or well-known its more misogynistic ideologies.
While traveling, it is safer if you understand and speak the language. If you do not, armor yourself with as much knowledge as possible. Study how to use public transportation, how to spot a scam, and carry emergency contact information on your person along with proper ID and medical insurance.
5 Safe Solo Female Travel Destinations
Many factors go into deciding whether a city is safe, especially for a solo female traveler. Therefore, to make things easier, a list of five destinations for you to consider have been listed below.
In addition to assessing each city’s safety ranking, here is some more information about why you will want to consider each of these cities for your next solo travel destination.
Salt Lake City, Utah
With a remarkably low homeless population and unemployment rate, Salt Lake is a city that fights for a high quality of life. In addition to these impressive figures, Salt Lake City also boasts the following:
- Salt Lake City provides buses, trains, and even light rails for transportation, making it one of the easiest American cities to navigate.
- Salt Lake City ranks high on the list of safest capital cities in the USA.
- Salt Lake City is near a wide variety of outdoor activities year-round, meaning you can visit during any season and find something new to try, like rock climbing in spring or skiing in the winter.
- Locals also embrace travelers and will welcome you to their city. You may find yourself getting invited on a group hike or to a downtown live music event.
This is a city where strangers will smile at you and where you can be more trusting of the invites you receive. Still, as in most if not all cities, use common sense. Keep your home and car doors locked, and do not leave your belongings or bicycles unattended. While armed or forced robbery is not common, break-ins and petty theft still occur.
New York City, New York
Given its incredible population and sprawling metropolis, it may be surprising to find New York City on this list. However, New York City is one of the top-ranking large cities in the world for safety. Although it may be obvious why it is such a great destination for solo female travelers, here are some of the reasons:
- Out of all cities in the US, New York City has the widest and most impressive array of museums, rivaling even the most famous in Europe.
- Subways are a great way to cheaply navigate the city 24/7, even if they are a bit crowded and stinky at times.
- The city offers some of the world’s greatest shopping strips, restaurants, nightclubs, and theatres.
- NYC has the most diverse population of any city in the world. Wherever you are from, whatever your gender, you will see yourself represented here.
Asking what you can’t do in NYC might be the better question to ask. You are free to do as you please. New Yorkers are not known for being nice, but they are known for minding their own business. Do as you please and do go to as many neighborhoods as you can. There may be no better city to explore your freedom as a solo woman.
Women will experience a great deal of cat-calling in NYC, day or night, but violent crime rates are remarkably low in a city with so many neighborhoods. Like any city, you can stay safe in NYC by following basic rules to avoid pickpocketing and petty theft. Check out these cheap flights to New York to start planning your trip.
Denver, Colorado
Denver boasts 300+ days of sun per year and has had a great influx in population over the last decade. Due to this, many of the locals in Denver are recent arrivals from out of state, which will make a solo traveler feel right at home in this diverse community of nature lovers.
- You will find plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy year-round.
- Denver is a progressive city with a younger population on average. Locals are open to newcomers of all backgrounds.
- Good variety of city nightlife, including craft breweries and music venues.
- Public transportation is average, but the city is bike-friendly.
Steer away from some of the more crime laden inner-city neighborhoods and the downtown area at night. As with most of the cities on this list, petty theft is the main crime you will want to look out for.
San Diego, California
Yet another sunny locale with perfect weather year-round and an emphasis on recreation, San Diego ranks in the top safest cities in California. Here are some more of this gorgeous city’s many perks:
- Efficient and affordable public transportation that incorporates buses, trolleys, trains, and shuttles.
- Incredibly and increasingly bike-friendly.
- A recreational paradise with surfing, hiking, biking, and more.
- Lively nightlife, including top-class restaurants, jazz, and nightclubs.
To avoid trouble, lock your car and chain up your bicycles. Do not wander too close to the California-Mexico border, and as always, look up the neighborhoods online and locate them on a map before going out at night.
Maui, Hawaii
While not a city, the island of Maui is meant to be explored from coast to coast, and the entire circumference can be driven in 10-12 hours. Any solo traveler could find an endless amount of fun in the always sunny and fun city of Maui, HI, and it is reassuring to know that Maui is quite safe for solo female travelers, as are all of the islands.
- With a laid-back lifestyle and many tourists looking to soak up the sunshine, you will undoubtedly run into many friendly folks traveling solo.
- Hitchhiking is common. Even if you don’t stick out your thumb, chances are someone will stop to ask if you need a ride.
- Though food and lodging are pricey, you can easily find incredible camp spots around the island and save a lot of cash. Hostels are another popular and safe option.
Maui is also rumored to be a place where very few people keep their doors locked at night, which would not be recommended in any of the other cities listed here. That is one of the best indicators of a city that is safe for solo female travelers. Some places can look a bit run down, but it is part of the easy-going charm and not cause for alarm.
What Is the Safest Country for Females?
According to Forbes, as of 2019, Spain is the safest travel destination for women. Along with being the safest for women, it is also the second-biggest travel destination next to France. Pickpocketing and minor theft are just as common as they are for most of continental Europe, but there are many measures to prevent this:
- Put your cellphone in a sealable jacket pocket or zippered bag.
- Keep all valuables close to your body or somewhere they would be difficult to reach in easily and steal.
- Do not pull out large wads of cash or flaunt your wealth.
- Remain aware. Do not text and walk, and leave the headphones at home.
- Always have your bag, wallet, phone, camera, etc., attached to your person.
You will find lively nightlife in Spain and incredibly friendly locals wherever you go. Most people will speak English, and learning a bit of Spanish will go a long way to pleasing your hosts. Enjoy delicious seafood meals and dive into a rich cultural history. The streets of many of Spain’s cities are lined with vibrant art and color.
(If you truly want to be away from all the dangers of the big cities, you could always travel to see the southern lights!)
Conclusion
No matter where you are as a solo female traveler, make sure to take the usual precautions and use common sense. Hopefully, this list provides you with the confidence to explore one of your dream destinations with greater peace of mind.
So, when you are ready to start planning your trip, make sure to check out Scott’s Cheap Flight Reviews to find the best flights to your destination!