Suggestions for female solo

I am going to suggest that most places in Europe are safe for a solo female traveler. I have not felt unsafe or uncomfortable so far and I am a pretty risk averse individual.

What are your biggest concerns regarding safety?

You might feel more comfortable starting your European travels in the UK or Ireland where English is the primary language. Places such as London are extremely easy to navigate on public transport.

What do you want to see and experience? What's your budget?

Countries that I feel...
Perfectly safe as a solo female: Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia.
Somewhat safe: Switzerland, Austria, Spain
Not too safe: France, Germany, Sweden, Italy,

This is a very subjective list. By safety, I mean things like getting robbed or groped.

I second Carol Now Retired's question - what are your concerns about safety? I can't think of any European country that I would exclude out of hand for safety reasons - but that's based on my personal comfort level. For example, just about every big city has areas that might be best to avoid at certain times of day - you research destinations so you know ahead of time and make arrangements that suit your comfort level (e.g., taking a taxi home after a night out clubbing).

A little more information will help us give you productive suggestions - have you traveled alone before? Have you been to Europe? What are your interests/tastes? When do you want to go? What is your budget?

Switzerland would be my top choice. It was my first solo trip last year. You might find my trip report helpful:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-in-switzerland-my-trip-report

I also had two solo trips this year—York/Edinburgh and Netherlands/Belgium. Here are my trip reports:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-in-the-uk-my-york-and-edinburgh-trip-report

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-in-the-netherlands-and-belgium-my-trip-report

I have never felt unsafe when traveling in Europe. However, I did feel bothered/uncomfortable in Italy and that was with my sister and brother-in-law. Just people coming up to you or making comments and gestures.

Everyone has their own comfort level. I was the victim of a crime many years ago and that probably makes me a little more cautious than most. I would never walk around late at night by myself. And I avoid places/streets that might look a little unsavory to me. I do that some thing at home.

There are a lot of solo female travelers on the forum and reading about their trips gave me the confidence to try a solo trip on my own. And turns out I love traveling solo. I do a ton of research ahead of time so I know what to expect, especially on the transportation. And that’s another reason Switzerland is such a great solo option—the best public transportation that I have experienced so far.

Good luck!!

If you haven’t already seen it, you might want to check out bostonphil’s trip report. 78 and she traveled on her own. How’s that for inspiration. 😊

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-1-london-to-lisbon-norwegian-dawn-october-14-2023

Sure it wasn’t a perfect trip. But she was able to overcome many challenges.

There are published lists of safest countries, but I rarely plan my travel based on those lists. Part of it may depend on your age, experiences, confidence, level of risk aversion/acceptance. I am a senior woman solo traveler who travels globally and rarely base a desire or interest to travel to a specific area based on safety...but then I have a long list, and if things are tense somewhere at a certain time, I move that location down my list. I am not a night owl, so I don't worry about being out late - as I never tend to feel the need. Even then, most major cities are busy until late at night so you are just one of many on the sidewalk. If it would help, book a hotel with a 24 hour front desk. Check google street view for your gut reaction to the streets you may be near (though remember that graffiti is everywhere in Europe and doesn't mean it is any more dangerous than your own home block). Ask on TripAdvisor city forum if a specific neighbourhood is safe or not. Take day group trips until you feel more settled in a place. Maybe stick to a place where English is common until you gain some solo travel confidence.

Where do you wish to travel? What have you always wanted to see? Do you have friends overseas whom you would love to see again? These can all be safe for female solo travelers!

I would also be a bit careful not to overgeneralize just by country. Big European cities
vs small towns and villages are two completely different things. Staying in 5* hotels vs
hostels, same idea. Traveling on a group tour solo vs travelling totally by yourself, likewise.

I'm a solo traveler and have been traveling to Europe twice a year since Covid (once a year before that!). I'm older, gray-haired and over weight so am perfectly recognizable as an Old American tourist!

In the spring I went to Amsterdam (4 nights), Paris (10 nights), London (8 nights), Northern England to meet up with a small group tour, then back to Windsor at the end for 2 nights. In August I went to Orkney and Shetland via Amsterdam and Aberdeen, some days on either end as a solo, middle part on a small group tour.

I felt 100% safe everywhere. I am SO not a big city person (well, see, I live in North Idaho, hahaha!) but I never feel threatened in Paris or London. I stay in good hotel locations and take public transport everywhere. I'm not out in the middle of the night but I'm an early to bed person here at home too!

I'd also be curious to know if you are getting the "Europe is unsafe for solo women" message from family or friends. Most of my friends who are NOT travelers are shocked that I go to Europe on my own. "My gosh you are so brave" Good grief. My friends here on the forum think it's normal. Don't let non-travelers spook you in to NOT going to Europe on your own!

I’ve traveled solo since Nixon was in office. Amsterdam, Zurich, Lake Geneva, Rome, Florence, Milan, Orvieto, Dublin, Belfast, Derry, Dingle, Killarney, Cork, Lyme Regis, Richmond, London, Paris, Munich, Bremen, NYC, Miami, Portland, Denver, Kansas City, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Victoria, Dallas, Fort Worth, Istanbul and Havana.

Never felt unsafe anywhere. Not one to go out and drink at night. Maybe theatre or to a concert. Have used public transport up to midnight. Rarely taxis.

I walk with focus, no purse and I don’t smile.

I encourage you to look at the
www.journeywoman .com

Lots of excellent information and travel tips.

And to answer your question I’d do the London and Paris option first.

I had a friend who came to visit me in Singapore & got grief from untraveled girlfriends. I recall her saying the most dangerous part of the trip was driving down Wilshire Blvd in LA to go renew her passport! Still makes me laugh. Most US big cities are more dangerous than their equivalent in Europe, but I'm careful where ever I go & judge the time of day & who is out and about. I think @Pam made a very good point - don't listen to friends or family who aren't travelers & who live in fear of the unknown. Make the list of where you want to travel, look at the places you want to stay & check the reviews, don't stay out late at night unless you're really in the heart of the city, and enjoy your trip planning & travel!

I've mostly traveled solo to Europe for over 40 years. I always feel safer than I do here in the States. Is this you first trip to Europe? If so, I usually recommend Great Britain for the first trip solo as they kind of speak the same language and it makes one less thing to worry about. Just use the same common sense you do in any mid to large city here and learn what areas to stay out of (particularly at night,)

Hi.
I’m 69, female and have travelled mainly solo to Europe for about 20 plus years.
I’ve never felt unsafe in Italy, the UK, Denmark, Spain, France and Iceland.
Read many solo accounts on the web from similar travelers so you can get an idea of how to travel carefully and safely and still enjoy yourself!
Maybe start with an “easier” place such as the UK where you’ll have no language difficulties.

"I felt safe" really is limited in almost every regard. There are statistics that are fairly easy to research. But as a gross generality for EU countries, most any place you might visit as a first-time tourist is going to be in the same safety category as an upper middle income American neighborhood. Just follow a map and stick to the tourist areas for a little extra comfort. Having said that, if you are a nervous traveler, why not wait a few months and see how the current issues in the world playout, then plan.

I have lived in Germany for 37 years and would walk down any street here, in any city, at any time of the day or night and feel safe. Same thing for Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Iceland, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, ok, pretty much any country in Europe.
I enjoy traveling solo and don't mind staying in hostels either, as a 68 year old woman.
What exactly are your fears about traveling alone?

I did a long walk around the Paris neighborhoods behind Gare du Nord a couple of years ago. You definitely could get mugged there. Same for some neighborhoods in Barcelona. And in many other European cities.

But barring the absolute worst neighborhoods in big European cities, there's essentially next to no issue with crime or violence that you will face. Pickpocketing maybe.

Go to nice places, and stay in nice neighborhoods. Beautiful affluent tourist towns, and smaller family-oriented working towns, are the place where I feel absolutely the safest in Europe. Mountain places in particular feel extremely safe to me. Places that have strong multi-generational family culture, long time traditions, and strong work ethics. But plenty of towns in small cities with these attributes all over Europe.

But really you're going to be good mostly everywhere. I find the central and northern parts of Europe to be a bit more reserved, which can be reassuring in some ways, less sensory overload if you're nervous about a first trip alone.

This time in Paris I stayed solo almost a month, ie 27 nights to be exact, used 3 different hotels, all 2 star located in Gare du Nord, the last hotel was a bit closer to Est than Nord.

The last time in Paris was pre-pandemic, obviously. That was in 2018, also staying in Nord. Based on my experience this trip, no problem with safety. Personal safety is not an issue aside from taking the usual common-sense security measures. I never concerned myself about being mugged, day or night, ie, getting jacked American-style in the streets.

I am not recommending a hotel there, even though my 3 hotels were quite satisfactory to nice, that ie, unless you want a hotel recommendation.

I was there in July and Sept, ie, peak season., hot and crowded. Several hotels I saw with "complet" (full) signs. You don't see Americans staying in Nord in large (key word here) numbers but other foreign tourists.

I do second the suggestion that you might find traveling less intimidating, daunting if you decide on going to the UK first. It all depends on one's perception or expectations, comfort zone, etc.

Instead of Paris or Berlin, start out with London. My first trip it was London first, then a month later, landed in Berlin, both cities were absolutely to be visited.

Fred, quite a seasoned solo female traveler here. Business and pleasure, speak French, I can’t count the number of trips I’ve had to Paris since the late 1970s.

My business trip hotel last year, October, was booked near Gare du Nord by others. I believe it was a 3-star. No problem with guests in the hotel, mostly business types.

However, I was very glad I knew the area stone cold. I very much disliked walking past the “young men” hangers around the metro exits - clearly looking for a mark. This is not an area I would suggest for first time solo female travelers.

@ ORDtraveler....Your experience traveling in Paris basically corresponds to what I have experienced but you have the added skill of command of the language. My level in that is limited. I know that area around Nord and Est "stone cold" (an eloquent expression) too. I did include in my comments above that I was not recommending a hotel in Nord.

The solo first time female traveler : not recommended to stay in Nord., a valid point.

How do the European female solo visitors handle this, or the French solo female travelers?

Every day I saw solo French females walking through Nord or going from Nord to Est, vice versa, luggage in tow, or just a carry-on. The hotel just opposite of the main entrance of Nord , used to be the Mercure, is a 3 star. Nord has a few of them too.

To be clear, I'm not talking about the 10th around Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est. I'm talking about the 19th, away from the city center behind those stations. There aren't hotels there that you would have stayed in.

Quoting a French travel agency ranking the less desirable neighborhoods in Paris:

1. Paris 19th: The Most Criminogenic Place in France

The 19th arrondissement of Paris is known to be the most criminogenic
place in France, and visitors and residents alike are advised to avoid
this area at all costs.

With a high rate of crime, delinquency, and hostile behaviors, it’s
not surprising that the 19th arrondissement can be a dangerous place
to be. While the city does have its beautiful areas, it’s important to
be aware of the worst arrondissements in Paris and take precautions
when visiting these neighborhoods.

I walked all over the 19th last time I was Paris, way out into a bunch of subsidized housing areas. Much mean-mugging and sizing-up. It didn't have the teeth of say a bad neighborhood in Oakland, where I definitely wouldn't take a long walk just for an entertaining look at the city's underbelly, but nevertheless my point remains:

There are relatively unsafe neighborhoods in big European cities. If you have personal security concerns, don't go to them. Favor the nicer neighborhoods instead and you are fine.

Now my curiosity and interest are piqued re: the 19th.

Taking the buses and the Metro all over Paris this time , admittedly I am not familiar with the 19th, did, however, stumble daytime on to the Metro station Stalingrad, (only other place comparable) was near Est, where I boarded along with others, all locals.

I'll have to check out the 19th regardless of its dubious image by walking through some of it, when I get back there next summer.

Also revealing as to what an Arrond. is like, stand at a bus stop , watch the street life when waiting for the bus.

"However, I was very glad I knew the area stone cold. I very much disliked walking past the “young men” hangers around the metro exits - clearly looking for a mark. This is not an area I would suggest for first time solo female travelers"

ORDtraveler, I wholeheartedly agree with you! I stayed near GdN on my first trip to Europe in 1973 and stayed in that area. I stayed there again in 1976 and decided it was not for me. I might have liked Paris more if I'd been where I normally stay now, lol!!

These stories I am sure are putting stephvm9160's mind a ease.

Do a search of the forum for TexasTravelMom. She does more travel as a solo woman in one year than many do in a life time. Send her a Private Message for ideas.

Just to add a bit of balance to the 19th arrondisement discussion, it is home to the fabulous Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and the lovely rue des Mouzaia filled with interesting homes. We did not feel uncomfortable exploring this area nor when we went to the Basilica St Denis north of Paris proper. Lots of cities (including my own) have areas that while sketchy in the night are quite fine during the day. Steph, you have been given some great ideas. Good luck with your planning!

There were some nice things in the 19th. I purposely went looking for the roughest places. Stuck out like a sore thumb, these were not soft neighborhoods.

I live in the city. A couple of weeks ago on my bike commute to work near a homeless camp two men openly brandishing semi-automatic rifles shaking down what appeared to be a drug dealer drug dealer. The high school my daughter attends had a half a dozen students mugged for their phones in the two first week. Welcome to high school, here's a Glock in your face. I can easily identify what fentanyl smoke smells like. There was a gun fight recently at the dog park resulting in three shot, one dead. This is not even in a rough part of my city.

Point being I know what a rough neighborhood is, I'm not a pearl-clutching suburbanite, and there are some rough neighborhoods in European cities.

I'll still stand on the advice that if you just stick to the nicer parts and places, and keep your head up at night, you are completely fine. I feel like we should hold two things steady at once: It is both perfectly safe to travel in Europe, and Europe is part of the real world with some real world problem places. That way you go an have fun but don't tra-la-la into a bad situation.

I have traveled solo in Europe BUT I started when I was in my 40's and had significant life experiences. For example, I was in Europe for 2.5 yrs back in the 1970s having joined the Army, then spent my career as a RN. I started solo travel after having that experience under my belt. I lived in the era of Baader-Meinhoff in Germany. Also of returning vets with addiction/ PTSD issues.

I don't fault the OP for asking if Europe is safe, especially if she is a twenty something whose life experience is 9/11, school shootings, etc.. Plus, in the last few years, there has been the random acts of violence in Europe. I "get" where she is coming from but I am looking at this from the perspective of a 68 yr old female. Yes, as an "elderly" I might seem more of a potential target, but I have not felt that in Europe. But I am careful and very observant of my surroundings.

Also, "safe" for me might not be what the OP considers "safe" for her. Safe from unwanted sexual advances while certainly NOT an issue for me, it may be for her. And while I appreciate the responses from the men on the forum, there are significant differences between risk assessment for single female travelers vs single male travelers. Looking forward to hearing more from stephvm9160 about specific concerns.

Come to think of it, I went to Europe the first time also in the era of Baader-Meinhof as my trip (solo) was in 1971.

"Safe" is a relative notion, depends on the individual's perception and psychological sense of security.

In 1984 I had this serious talk with a French woman who grew up in Paris and whose English was fluent, told her some " concerns" I had about traveling solo in France, not just on safety but more pertaining to navigating the "system" and so on. It was my 4th trip in Europe, the 3rd in France (just Paris)

Basically, she dismissed my concerns after listening to them, exclaiming , "what are you afraid of?" She was right.

In Berlin this time no concerns at all. I focused on the eastern sites, Jannowitzbrücke, Alexanderplatz, Koepenick, Karlshorst, Warschauer Strasse, Ostkreuz,

The concept of "safe" has always been a perplexing one to me because it's so subjective. It's a concern that I never even thought about until I met people from really big cities. I must admit that I've rarely felt unsafe or scared anywhere I've traveled for work or fun. As many solo female travelers will say, other people sometimes think we're crazy or ignorant of all the possible "dangers" out there. I think we are more aware of them than those who never travel alone and better prepared to avoid them.

I did my 1st trip to Europe at the age of 31. It was for roughly 4 months, late September 1977 to mid-January 1978. And it was solo. I started in Great Britain (England and Scotland) like many have recommended. I made my way to Greece, hitting parts of Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Austria, France, Spain and Italy along the way. My transportation was primarily by train, ferry and local bus as well as the "Magic Bus" I took from Athens back to Amsterdam.
My lodgings were mostly hostels with some pensions or rooms shared with others I met along the way. They also included staying with locals at their homes, like the London one of a woman I met at a restaurant in Spain and the vacant Copenhagen apartment of the parents (who were on holiday) of a Danish woman I met at a pub in London. I never felt unsafe in any of those countries or situations. I learned a lot along the way and feel that traveling solo in Europe, especially at a time when it wasn't as easy as it is now, prepared me for all the trips I've done since then as well as for living in Nuremberg as a US Army civilian employee in the early 1980s.

I include all that detail because I agree that traveling solo can be daunting at first. In my case, it was either go alone or not go at all. I chose the former. My husband and went on trips together to Europe 2009 through 2014. After that he decided he'd had enough and I was back in solo mode. I've done totally self-planned trips like a 6-week England and Scotland one in 2016 and Rick Steves tours sandwiched between self-planned time before the tours started and after they ended.

I do recommend that if you haven't done so already, you can learn a lot of the basics about European travel from the Travel Tips here on the Rick Steves website: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips

Knowledge builds confidence, so thoroughly delve into all the parts there.

Also, you can learn basics about any countries of interest to you in the Explore Europe section: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe Based on my personal experience over 45 years ago, I agree that Great Britain is a good place to start. But it's your trip and if Paris calls, the Eurostar is a fast, fun and cheap way to get there:
https://www.eurostar.com/rw-en

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mister É. 🤣 I am afraid I use the unscientific method of going wherever catches my attention for various reasons - and then assuming people are good and helpful (except for the pickpockets in a few cities) and have yet to be proved wrong on that.

The advice to start with an English speaking location is good - but truly, I think it’s better to start with somewhere you really want to go. Don’t choose the destination based on “safety”. Choose it based on your interest and then research/prepare. There are probably less safe neighborhoods anywhere you could choose. But your trip will be all the more wonderful if it is somewhere you want to see and experience. I feel like the places most people on the forum choose are all “safe”.

Traveling solo is a skill, just like any other kind of travel. I started navigating the flying portion of solo travel, mostly to east Asia, fairly young; but for my first completely solo trip, I chose something simple - a 10 day train trip across Canada, without a long list of moving parts (except the train, of course - it moved a lot 🤣). Making a trip less complex may help with your feeling of “safety”.

The original poster has never returned to give more info…..

I’ve been following this post since I’m a solo female traveler. Also noticed we haven’t heard from OP stephvm9160. Hope we’ve helped, please let us know!

Hello,
Can you tell me if you completed your trip and which countries you travelled to?
What age bracket are you in?
I am planning a solo travel trip this fall.

Cheers,
M