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Solo female travel guide

The world is your oyster, and we’ve got your back, with a wide range of small group tours ideal for solo female travelers. The excitement of charting your own course is bolstered by the reassurance of safety, security, and socialization opportunities that come with a small group.

 
Our small group adventure vacations are perfect for solo female travelers, whether you’re a seasoned solo traveler or this is your first vacation alone. You’ll be in great company on any of our tours. So whether you’re looking for a walking vacation or a wildlife tour, a cycling vacation or a cultural trip, there is an adventure waiting for you.

Our trips attract people of all ages from all over the world who love to explore, discover and share their love for travel. Our average small group size is just 11 people and usually includes around half solos and the rest couples or friends traveling together. And our expert local tour leaders will help you get to the heart of your destination.

Find out more about traveling with Explore as a solo female traveler. From where to go and who you’ll be traveling with to how to stay safe and cultural differences to be aware of.

New to Explore? We’ve answered some of the most-asked questions about joining our tours as a solo traveler.

 

What are the best places to travel as a solo female?

All our tours are great for solo female travelers. To help you choose a destination, here are a few of our favorites:

For culture lovers


Europe's cultural heritage is second to none. From the medieval cathedrals of northern Europe to the renaissance art and architecture of Italy. Female solo travelers will be spoiled as every era and every civilization has left its mark on Europe’s greatest towns and cities.

If you’re looking for ancient history, discover the hand-cut caves, temples and tombs carved from the pink sandstone of the Rose City of Petra, on our Jordan Discovery tour. Or take a trip through the cultural heart of Northern India and experience the famous three cities on The Golden Triangle tour.

For wildlife lovers


If you’re a single woman traveler who loves the animal kingdom then our wildlife adventures are a great way to see your favorite animals in the wild. Venture deep in the heart of India and discover the Bengal tiger on our Indian Wildlife Adventure. Or take a trip through remote wilderness to track Africa’s greatest animals on our Botswana Wildlife Safari.  

Explore Costa Rica with its thick rainforests teeming with life from brightly colored toucans to slow-moving sloths. Or visit the famous Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary and witness the excellent rehabilitation work on our Borneo Wildlife Highlights tour.

For active types


If you’re a woman traveling alone who wants an active vacation then our walking, trekking or cycling tours are a great way to immerse yourself in your destination whilst traveling on your own speed. Explore Vietnam’s lush hilly countryside on two wheels and take an overnight cruise on the majestic Halong Bay on our Cycle Saigon to Hanoi tour.

Walk the trails of the spectacular Amalfi Coast from cliff-top hikes to woodland walks on our relaxed Amalfi Coast Walking vacation. Or challenge yourself on an iconic trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa on our Kilimanjaro – Lemosho Trek.

For foodies


Food and drink is a big part of what travel is about and we love finding authentic fare. If you’re a solo female traveler who loves exploring gastronomy, then we can take you off-the-beaten-track to sample classic and less well-known specialties.

Combine a discovery of Italy’s superb cuisine and wine with easy rambles among gently rolling landscapes on our A Taste of Italy – Walking in Puglia tour. Or take a Mexican cooking class and cook up a fiery Mexican feast using ingredients from one of the many local food markets on our Tastes of Mexico tour.


 

How to stay safe as a solo female traveler

Traveling alone as a woman can be both empowering and nerve-wracking. Safety is often a primary concern. As a single woman traveling on an Explore adventure tour, you’ll have the experience of traveling solo but with the reassurance of traveling in a group. Stay safe and confident by following these tips:

General safety
  • Protect your belongings – keep jewelry, cameras, phones and laptops safe and hidden from view.
  • Keep your bag safe – make sure it is securely fastened not slung loosely over your shoulder.
  • Never carry your travel documents unless needed – keep your passport and flight tickets with your valuables in the hotel safety box.
Meeting new people
  • Be clear you are traveling in a group
  • Don’t share your accommodation details – keep the details of where you are staying private.
Out and about
  • Stay in control – watch how much alcohol you drink and never leave your drink unattended.
  • Walk away – if at any point you feel uncomfortable, walk away.
Cultural differences
  • Consider your dress code – with a bit of research you can ensure you respect the local culture.

Cultural differences to be aware of as a female traveler

If you’re a solo female traveler looking to immerse yourself in local culture on vacation, your expert local guide will help you to understand the cultural differences of your chosen location. A bit of research before you leave goes a long way. To help get you started, there are a few key cultural differences that are good to be aware of:

Covering up – when traveling, it’s important to consider the local culture to avoid offending. We recommend taking something to cover up when visiting religious sites.

Removing shoes – many counties in Asia find it disrespectful if you don’t remove your shoes before entering a building.

Tipping – in some counties like Canada and the USA it is customary to tip waiters and bartenders. Research your destination to find out the local customs around tipping.

Communication – if possible, learn a few basic local words and phrases and remember to speak slowly and clearly.

Who will I be traveling with?

Typical age ranges for solo travelers on our tours varies from 20s or 30s up to 60s or above. We’ve found that a good range of ages adds to the group experience.

Whatever your age or vacation preferences, you’ll be in good company. Around half the travelers on our vacations are traveling solo and around 60% are women and 40% are men. Some are single, and some are not. Some simply have different vacation preferences to their partners or have more time available for travel. Either way, you’ll have all the excitement of traveling solo but with the reassurance of traveling in a group.

What can I do in any downtime?

Our trips are graded from Relaxed to Full-On, so there will be different amounts of downtime depending on the pace of vacation you prefer – it’s up to you!

As a solo female traveler, you might want to take some time to explore on your own. Alternatively, you could take part in one of the many optional excursions and activities that your local leader can help you organize.

When it comes to meal times, your local Explore leader can help point you in the right direction for where to eat and you can choose to eat with the group or find somewhere on your own.

What should I pack for my solo trip?

We provide advice on what to pack for your solo vacation on our trip pages - check the 'Budgeting and packing' section. This will include information on what items are best to pack for that particular country, as well as details of what equipment is provided, like sleeping bags if your trip involves camping.

If you're taking a walking or cycling trip with us we've also got packing tips on our blogs - how to prepare for your first walking vacation and 5 ways to prepare for your first cycling trip.

 

 

Ready for your solo adventure?

All our trips are perfect for solo travelers as you'll be joining a small group of like-minded people and be led by an expert local leader. Which extraordinary destination will you choose to visit next?
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