Travelling is everyone’s dream and can be an amazing experience. This activity can teach you a lot about yourself, make you some new friends and allows you to do what you like, whenever you want to. However, not all places are fitting for a female solo driver.
See our list of the best credit card bonuses here.
To figure out the best travel destination for you, you will want to consider travel goals and preferences, friendliness of the locals, accessibility, and of course, safety. We took these all into account, so check out our list of the best destinations for female solo travelers.
The Americas
Why: Friendly locals and fun things to do.
Everyone you meet in New Orleans will have tips on where to go, what to eat and more. Shop in the French Quarter, go on a walking tour, get your tarot cards read, explore the Bywater and listen to live music on Frenchman Street.
Why: Outdoor adventures and yummy food.
Maui is a paradise for nature lovers. Snorkel, hike to waterfalls and learn how to surf. And don’t forget to sample the delicious local fare: poke, loco moco, kaluha pork, Hawaiian-style macaroni salad, spam musubi and so much more.
Why: Nature, wellness and relaxation.
Montana locals respect and honor the nature that surrounds them. Relax and reflect with hiking, yoga, meditation and stand-up paddling. Visit art galleries, organic grocery stores and crystal shops.
Why: Attractions and architecture.
Quebec City is surprisingly compact with lots to see and do. Explore Old Town, visit Montmorency Falls, check out the museums and go on walking tours.
Why: Nature, friendly people and chill hippie vibe.
Although most of Patagonia is remote and quiet, you can enjoy both nature and meeting new people in El Chalten. Breathe in the fresh air while making friends at your hostel, camping, hiking or rock climbing.
Why: The animals and untouched beauty.
There’s pretty much only one reason why people go to the Galapagos, and it’s to get up close and personal with the animals: birds, reptiles and sea creatures galore. You’ll also get a chance to meet like-minded people on a dive trip or island cruise.
Europe
Why: Stunning landscapes and the safest country in the world.
Hostels in Reykjavik are very social, so you’ll have no problem finding adventure partners to go on road trips, chase the northern lights, hike to waterfalls, watch shooting geysers, go whale watching and more.
Why: Counterculture, creative people and delicious food.
Berlin is one of the coolest cities in Europe, and for good reason. The city is all about counterculture. Things that are frowned upon in other places are embraced here. Take it all in by strolling along the East Side Gallery, checking out the museums, admiring the graffiti, ducking into a hidden bar and so much more. Don’t forget to stuff yourself silly with Berlin’s infamous street food.
Why: Nightlife, culture, architecture and shopping.
Copenhagen is one of the most vibrant cities in the world, known for being one of the hippest city in the Nordic area. Due to how compact it is, this city is easy to navigate with a bicycle. Check out the Nyhavn among the colorful buildings, wander around the Botanical Gardens, visit Tivoli Gardens, the Blue Planet and the many museums, and check out the organic eateries and art galleries of Christiana.
Why: History, tasty food and romance.
Rome is a city that will awaken all your five senses. Visit the city’s ancient sites, get lost amidst the cobblestone lanes and piazzas, cycle the Appian Way and nosh on the city’s delicacies. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even get a marriage proposal from a dashing stranger.
Asia
Why: Culture, adventure and beautiful views.
Lombok is much like Bali with beautiful beaches and stunning waterfalls. But Lombok doesn’t have the bad traffic, litter and long lines for social media worthy spots. It’s a great alternative to Bali, and another perk is that it is cheaper.
Why: Plenty of attractions and solo dining.
In Tokyo, it’s completely normal to eat alone. In fact, there are even restaurants that specialize in “low interaction dining.” Besides that, there are plenty of fun and interesting things to do, like visiting their various parks, dining in themed cafes and visiting unique museums.
Why: Surfing and motorbike adventures.
Siargao isn’t the easiest place to get to, but once you’re there you won’t want to leave. This island in the Philippines attracts thrill-seekers all over the world for its ridable waves. But there’s much more to Siargao than just its surf. With flat and easy roads, you can rent a motorbike to go exploring. Hit up the Magpupungko rock pools, Sugba Lagoon, Maasin River and the “Secret Spot.”
Why: Gorgeous landscapes, friendly people and hiking.
The Annapurna Circuit is a 128-mile trek that circles Nepal’s glorious Annapurna mountain range. You’ll get to experience a wide range of jaw-dropping landscapes with each day. And because the trail is so popular, you’ll meet plenty of like-minded travelers along the way.
Why: Tasty food and plenty to do.
Taipei is a city that has everything. World-renown cuisine, friendly locals, gorgeous temples, nearby national parks, hot springs, endless shopping, lively nightlife and much more.
Africa & Middle East
Why: Breathtaking views, fresh seafood and beaches.
Forget everything you heard about South Africa, because it doesn’t apply to Coffee Bay. This small community on the Wild Coast has some of the best surf and the freshest seafood in the country. Experience the rich Xhosa culture, lounge on the beach with local cows, wander around the verdant hills and much more.
Why: Desert landscapes, safaris and stargazing.
Sossusvlei is famous for its reddish-orange sand dunes and white salt pans. Of course, you’ll want to admire the dunes, but there’s also the Naukluft Mountains and wild safaris to explore, relax and reconnect with your inner child.
Why: Paradise beaches and delicious food.
Zanzibar is an archipelago nicknamed Spice Island, because it was once a hub for spice merchants. Not surprisingly, you’ll notice a blend of cultures in the local cuisine. Take a spice tour, go diving, snorkeling or sailing, and wander around Stone Town, Zanzibar’s historical capital.
Why: Green mountains, treehouses and free-spirited vibe.
Famous amongst backpackers and hippies, Olympos sits on a protected area where no permanent structures are allowed. So you’ll see a lot of wooden structures – some treehouses – and most accommodations are simple bungalows. If you like primitive, gorgeous nature, you’ll love Olympos.
Why: Food, art and parties.
Tel Aviv is a glitzy modern city that oozes personality and character. Each neighborhood has its own distinct personality. Head to Neve Tzedek for boutique shopping and trendy brunch cafes. Venture to Florentin for some street art. And for upscale restaurants and chic bars, get yourself to Rothschild’s Boulevard.
Credit Cards To Bring With You
When you are doing a solo adventure, you will need to carry the right credit cards with you. Look for perks that can help you in a pinch such as emergency medical and dental benefits, travel insurance purchase protection, and more. Here are some cards we suggest you take with you on your solo vacation.
You may also want to take a look at our more comprehensive list of the best credit card bonuses here.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is by far the best overall travel credit card and the best card for travel credits. If you’re a female solo traveler, then you will benefit from excellent travel protections and generous earning structures.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase TravelSM. You'll earn • 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. • 3x points on other travel and dining • 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel. This card does carry a $550 annual fee and there are no foreign transaction fees. However, you're able to earn a $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year & up to $120 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®. Member FDIC |
Although the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great all around card, its an even better travel card for beginners and has the best welcome bonus. Just like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, it also has similar travel protection. Both cards reward female solo travelers with Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM • 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries • 2x on all other travel purchases • 1x on all other purchases • $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027. Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase TravelSM This card carries a $95 annual fee. |
The Platinum Card® from American Express is the best travel credit card with luxury perks. While its hefty annual fee may turn off some solo travelers, you will find it makes up for it with tremendous benefits.
The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. • 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card(R). The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required. • The American Express Global Lounge Collection can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023. • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month. • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card. • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit. • $199 CLEAR Plus Credit: CLEAR Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues. • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required. This card comes with a $695 annual fee.¤ (See Rates & Fees), but you cardholders can enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member and Additional Centurion Cards only. Terms Apply. Terms Apply. |
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card is the best card for international travel. For the solo traveler who is a fan of the Marriott portfolio of hotels, you will gain access to the second-largest hotel chain in the world with over 7,000 properties across 131 countries and territories. The brand’s wide reach means Boundless can help fund your trip no matter where you travel.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card offers 3 Free Night Awards up to a 150,000 Total Point Value (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • Up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy • 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. • 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchase • 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend. You gain an automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year. Path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year. You'll receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year & an additional Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary. This card does carry a $95 fee; there are no foreign transaction fees. |
Bottom Line
If you’re a woman who wants to travel the world, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best destinations to start. This list is especially good for beginners too because these locations are very popular among all travelers. On top of that, we’ve included a list of the best travel credit cards that offer travel protections to make your trip smooth and memorable.