7 International Destinations For Solo Travellers.
After my first solo trip in India, many people asked me what it was like to travel alone. Liberating, was my first thought. To travel alone is to realize that the “big bad world” has a bigger heart, that there is nothing quite as empowering as the confidence to experience an unknown place by yourself, and that you don’t need a man to figure out directions!
Here’s a list of friendly destinations for solo travel getaways, around the world and in India:
1) Singapore
This small island nation in Southeast Asia can seem almost too good to be true as a single woman: it is as safe as it is cosmopolitan. With glittering shopping malls and massive year-round sales, well-preserved cultural districts, tranquil seaside escapes, and a happening nightlife, there is enough to keep you on your toes. Its vicinity to Malaysia and Indonesia makes it a perfect base to explore the rest of Southeast Asia. If you’ve been there before, there are always new reasons to visit – after spending six years studying and working in Singapore, I revisited to marvel at Gardens by the Bay, the latest addition to the city skyline and an architectural marvel, and sample trendy concept bars and cafes popping up everywhere on the island. The best part? The island’s reputation of safety precedes it, meaning convincing your parents to let you go alone should be a breeze.
Read: Awesome Free Things to do in Singapore
2) Bahrain
What has the conservative Gulf region got to offer a single traveller, you might ask – the warmest hospitality, utmost respect, and some much-needed perspective, in that order. Bahrain offers a flavor of the Middle East and a history lesson dating back to before 2,500 BC, minus the tourists of Dubai and Egypt. In fact, tourism is in such a nascent stage that the residents are genuinely happy to welcome foreigners into their homes and lives; I always found myself conversing, befriending, sharing meals, and even hitchhiking with the locals. It is here that the east really meets the west – Arab men and women wearing traditional costumes drive foreign cars, converse in Arabic slang and accented English, and hang out at European cafes serving fusion Middle Eastern cuisine! In the vicinity of the coast lie spectacular uninhabited islands, while inland, souqs (street markets), pottery villages and restored traditional houses stand alongside bustling malls, artsy neighborhoods and quirky cafes and bars. A state-of-the-art causeway connects Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, and driving on this engineering spectacle is as close as you can get to its conservative neighbor as a solo female.
Read: Land of a Thousand Friends
3) Southern Spain
Not quite taken by Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara? Then hear this: Spain has more to offer than a sun, sea and sand getaway, a reason to party, and bull fights. Along the Andalucian countryside, I was marveling at Arabic architecture and Roman ruins, biking around picturesque vineyards and olive fields, and tapping to the beat of the flamenco in a cave hammam (Turkish bath), all in one day. Much safer than bigger European cities, the countryside villages and towns in Spain’s south have a way of easing outsiders into the good life – lazy lunches and long siestas.
Read: Practical Ways I’ve Learnt to Stay Safe While Travelling Alone
4) New Zealand
You don’t have to be a Lord of the Rings fan to crave a trip to Middle Earth; Googling pictures will suffice! Undoubtedly heavy on the pocket, the entire country sounds like one big postcard with its emerald green mountains, rainbow-studded skies, and turquoise blue waters. Famous for having more sheep than people, this is where you go to get away from it all, literally, and pamper yourself with the finest wines, cheeses and chocolates, without once doubting if you’ll be safe. If you can afford it, of course! I hope I will soon.
Read: Solo Travel: To Go or Not To Go?
5) North Kerala, India
North Kerala is one of the few regions in India where as a solo female traveller, I felt genuinely welcomed, with a greater sense of admiration than concern! Ditch the houseboat-lined backwaters along Alleppey and Kumarakom, for the sleepy, coconut-fringed hamlets of the state’s north. Here, the backwaters flow like full-fledged rivers and are clean enough to swim in, uniting with the Arabian Sea across virgin white-sand beaches. The hill countryside is home to well-preserved forests and tribal villages, and many families in the region offer homestays on their tea estates and coffee plantations, together with heartwarming hospitality and delicious home-cooked food.
Read: Travelling Alone in India: Am I Crazy?
6) Himalayan Deserts, India
Ironically enough, the coldest regions of the Trans-Himalayas are home to the warmest people! Spiti and its better-known cousin, Ladakh, are enchanting places; home to stark terrain, magnificent landscapes, postcard villages, ancient monasteries, snow-hooded mountains, and star-studded skies. I couldn’t have picked a better region for my first solo trip, or my first hitchhike, for the smaller and more remote the villages in these Himalayan deserts, the more welcoming the locals. If the notion of atithi devo bhava (guest is god) ever did justice to a region, it was here, and it really doesn’t matter if you’re a solo traveller.
Read: Will You Get Lonely When You Travel Alone?
7) Meghalaya, India
While all seven northeastern sister states pay an ode to nature in the majestic backdrop of the Eastern Himalayas, Meghalaya stands out as a matrilineal society; descent is traced through the mother and women play the more dominant role in everyday life. That only means one thing: female travellers are not only safe, but also highly respected. True to its Sanskrit name, “the abode of clouds”, much of Meghalaya receives high rainfall, making it one of India’s richest biodiversity belts, its ancient forests protected by the hill tribes for their cultural and religious beliefs. An almost mystical aura engulfs the state during the rains, with the clouds coming low to kiss the verdant hills and picturesque villages. I can’t wait to make it there!
Read: My 14 “Incredible India” Moments in 2014
Where have you travelled alone and felt safe? Or not so safe?
Also Read:
On Solo Travel and Indian Women.
The Story of How I Quit My Job to Travel.
Join The Shooting Star on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more travel stories and tips.
I originally wrote this article for a special edition of The Times of India.
Welcome to my blog, The Shooting Star. I’ve been called a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism consultant and environmentalist. But in my heart, I’m just a girl who believes that travel – if done right – has the power to change us and the world we live in.
Absolutely wonderful post Shiva 🙂 Have only been two a couple of places in the above mentioned list.
Thanks Daksh! Hope you’ll be checking out some of the others soon 🙂
Timely. I’ve been a bit rattled from the news of the Swiss cyclist who got gang raped in MP.It convinced me solo cycling in the country is unsafe for women. And though your post suggests otherwise in a few places, I’d always ask my friends keep a check on who is behind their back.
Shreyas, I think it is unfair to generalize an entire country (in this case for solo cycling) based on one incident. What happened was terrible, but surely, it can’t keep us cooped up in our homes either. Precautions are important of course, but so is getting out there and braving it for the sake of the adventure!
Love this post, so glad you wrote it … and I have just put three new Indian destinations on my India travel wish list (which is getting longer the more I travel in India … what’s up with that?!?)
I’m glad I’ve helped you find 3 new reasons to come back to India 🙂
I’ve felt completely safe in Nepal – though I didn’t go anywhere a man wouldn’t go alone, had a guide in the mountains etc.
Malaysia – I never felt unsafe there, though didn’t go to the fundamentalist Muslim area in the north-east (I’m a white woman).
Cambodia – the Khmer were wonderfully kind and welcoming.
Laos – I had no problems in Laos, and its a beautiful country.
(I gave up work in my mid-50s and went round the world on my own. And it was wonderful!)
You’re an inspiration, Jo. I’ve loved travelling in Southeast Asia too, though I’ve done most of it with friends, so don’t quite have a flavor of what it would be like alone, especially in a smaller town / village. Glad to know you found it very safe 🙂
I’ve only been to Vancouver alone but I would say most places in Canada are very safe for women traveling solo. I took public transport and/or walked everywhere, watched sea planes land, hiked in the nearby mountains, and enjoyed excellent food at reasonable prices. A few times, I was actually stopped by tourists asking for directions.
I love when that happens; getting stopped by other for directions. Happened with me a couple of times in Spain!
I’ve heard as much about Canada. Can’t wait to visit myself. You make it sound so beautiful 🙂
I have to add Pranpur!
🙂
I believe that the best travel writing is not one that informs, or makes you marvel, or shatters myths; it is one that inspires people to travel. This post did exactly that to me, Shivya. I so hope to cover at least 4 of these destinations in the next couple of years!
I’m glad it did, Nishi! Awesome. Let me know if you need tips for any of them 🙂
I traveled solo to Tokyo last year and to Bangkok with my girl friends.. they were awesome experiences and completely safe.. I plan to travel to USA this year for a month – east coast to west coast. Any suggestions?
Glad to hear that Mansi 🙂 I haven’t been to the US yet, so will look forward to your suggestions!
I have just returned from my month long solo trip to the US. Visited about 10 states, most of them being really safe. I think every city has a few areas that you should avoid especially after sundown. The locals were always happy to help. 🙂
Thanks Shivya. Will surely do that. I have been thinking of going to Malana, the remote village apparently inhabited by Aryan descendants, and said to be the oldest democracies of the world. It is not considered a very hospitable land, and one has to be careful about their conduct lest they offend the natives.The plan is always deferred though. But this year I will, and I must! Do share some insights if you know of anyone who has been there.
If not, I will share mine once I return! 🙂
North Kerala is truly an unexplored stretch of God’s own country. We went there precisely for that – its non-touristy and small town charm. You should visit this lovely heritage home if you happen to be there anytime again http://bit.ly/14SdcLF.
The heritage home looks lovely! I’m hoping to visit North Kerala again, soon enough 🙂
I guess entire Kerala is pretty safe, infact Southern states tend to be much more friendlier and predictable
I think it’s comparable to the northern states that are on the tourist circuit (Himachal, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand etc), perhaps with the exception of Delhi.
Hey Shivya,
First of all, I love your name. Never heard it before 🙂 I’ve been following your blog for quite a while now, so thought I’d drop in for a word. I’ve read a few of your posts and I love them. In fact, I’ve been gathering courage for travelling by myself through your posts. So thank you! Looking forward to more awesome memories/experiences.
Cheers! 🙂
Thanks Navmi, so glad to hear that 🙂 Thanks for the note. It inspires me to keep doing what I do when I hear that my writing could inspire someone to take the plunge to travel, travel solo and travel responsibly. What’s your first solo travel destination going to be?
Love your writing, Shivya! It’s informative, witty, and makes compulsive reading! So am all the more thrilled to read your opinion of Bhimtal and a bit about us. Thanks!
Thanks Padmini, glad to see you here! 🙂
Reblogged this on meghatyagi01 and commented:
Next stop on my book tour……..
yes this post was really inspiring. I would love to visit all these places that you have mentioned here.
I have been travelling in many countries and Australia is my favourite one. I’d love to travel to India on my own so your your suggestion about these 3 destinations in India are very useful. Thanks! 🙂
Hello!
Love your article. I am hoping to plan a solo trip for myself sometime this summer, however am terrified. I’ve never travelled to any unknown places by myself. Besides your list of safe places, do you have any suggestions in starting to plan a solo trip?
Melissa
Hi Shivya,
I have been following your blog for quite some time. And I have finally planned my first trip alone – the blogs I read here did give me that initial push to do something I have always had at the back of my mind. I am travelling to Kathmandu tomorrow and exploring bits of Nepal for a week alone before I am joined by my husband! I always look out for glimpses of Indian art and culture in places I travel to and have decided to start blogging about my tales of color and inspiration – beginning with this trip! A big THANK YOU for your blog!!! Keep inspiring 🙂
Love,
Anuradha
So proud of you, Anuradha! Hope you have a great adventure and tell us all about it when you’re back 🙂 Safe travels!
I was really upset when i started googling for places to travel alone in India. Your blog is so welcoming, i have high hopes now. I am planning to visit meghalaya, hope all turns out well.
All the best Saumya. I haven’t been there yet, but I’ve heard the people are really friendly and welcoming towards solo female travellers, being a matriarchal society and all 🙂
I have been travelling solo many countries and I want to travel solo in India. Thank you very much for sharing such a great destination about India here. I think this information will be helpful to me.
magnificent publish, very informative. I wonder why the opposite specialists of this sector don’t notice this.
You should continue your writing. I’m confident, you have a great readers’ base already!
I have been thinking to take a sabbatical and go for long travel …but its been 3 years now :(,,, Though my “Single Travel” is definately on and plus you really inspired me :)….. This list is going to be very helpful for me …
It’s great to read about your experiences. I have done a bit of exploring the souteast asia with another friend(girl)….. I thought Hongkong, Macau and Bali are pretty hospitable places for a solo woman traveller…. Do let me know if you are aware if Vietnam and Cambodia are advisable alone, as these are next on my wish list for now!
I recently made my first ever solo trip to Europe. And what amazing 15 days of my life! I will remember them forever! I am itching to do it again soon. I think I have caught a bug and I am so happy!
Hampi definitely should make it to the list.
It is always nice to read the positive to traveling alone as a female. I feel like lately a lot of what I see is the bad and the why you should not (and of course my parents see that too, which is why they are terrified to let me leave the country alone!). I did a weekend alone in Peru a couple years ago and I have to agree with you it was so liberating. With all your solo travel, did you ever experience troubles because of it? I always like to be prepared for anything so advice for keeping away from any trouble that arises would be great!
Hi Shivya,
I am very inspired from you. You travelling various country as solo. As your background,you left corporate life and now travelling as backpacker. Now I am doing job in West Africa. I want to ask you, as solo travel to move all over world or maximum countries. How much bucks need to save, so I can.
Regards