Where to travel alone but still be very safe?

[Chuckanut]

I felt very safe in Turkey. Overall the Turks were very friendly and scrupulously honest.

Just make sure you ignore the scam artists. Fortunately, they are easy to identify.

 

[DJRR]

I haven't traveled internationally (Mainly Europe and Asia Pacific) since I retired over a decade ago but I never really felt safe anywhere. Except "maybe" Singapore. The US is no better and maybe worse in many/most big cities. I still travel a lot in the US and I'm armed no matter where I go.

The only time I felt unsafe in Singapore was with the cab driver from the airport. I knew I would have a hard time surviving the accident he was trying to get into Otherwise very safe and modern.

Going somewhere where the driving is fast and first come first served is probably the largest risk around the world. Pickpockets have gotten things out of my front pocket on subway systems, so it is either a money belt type arrangement or a money belt combined with a low value accessible currency if you want to be sure.

 

[Car-Guy]

Small town USA is much much better. I feel like I could walk around here at 2am with $100 taped to my jeans and be totally fine.

Pretty much the same here "for the most part", but I still won't do things like stop at the empty local car wash at 2am, even armed. Only one car wash in town and it's very well lighted, but I'm still not comfortable. Common sense or paranoia?

 

[RetiredHappy]

I used to travel alone for work and as I woman, I had never felt unsafe in most cities. For work, I frequently flew in to Narita (Tokyo), Sydney, Hong Kong, Seoul (S. Korea), Taipei (Taiwan), London, Beijing, Shanghai... Fortunately I travelled with my colleagues to India (Bangalore) twice as I would have felt unsafe. I am from Singapore and it is very safe there.

 

[SecondAttempt]

As many have said, a lot depends on your behavior. If you act like a victim or look like an easy mark you might have trouble. I have traveled a lot and have gotten myself into a few sketchy situations usually when I let down my guard and was not paying attention. I have always felt very safe everywhere I have been in Europe. I have been to Japan numerous times both for work and tourism. The work trips took me to places tourists rarely go but I always felt very safe. But I'm a man and in work situations I personally witnessed a great deal of "misogyny" in Japan although that may have had to do more with rank than gender. I never saw any actual threats to women there.

Most US cities have had much higher crime rates than most of the rest of the world for decades. You are probably objectively safer is many other countries than you are in a US city. But if you are American you likely know how to behave in a US city and you can easily pick up on the subtle clues around you and protect yourself. That can be more challenging in a culture that you are not used to. It does not mean you are in danger but it can be unnerving.

Any tourist area is going to have its share of scams, even in the US. There are a lot of good youtube videos describing these so you can be aware. Generally they are trying to get a few dollars from you and have no interest in harming you.

Until you gain enough confidence to be comfortable in an area on your own, I suggest what others have said - take an organized tour where you will be with others including a local tour leader.

Good luck to you and happy travels!

 

[SecondAttempt]

This. As far as US airports, I've been through WAY more than the average tourist because I traveled on business and still travel for pleasure. The only real perils there, as far as I know, are the people who offer "limo rides" but aren't licensed, may not have insurance and may overcharge you. Stick to the established businesses and Uber and that won't happen. I did, by the way, violate this rule when I was trying to get a taxi from Belgrade to Novi Sad, Serbia, and a young man approached me in the taxi line (probably because I didn't look like the type who would rob him at gunpoint). He quoted me a rate that was a bit higher than market but I accepted. On the hour-long drive we had a delightful conversation about the differences in words in various languages. I gave him a tip on top of that. It was worth it.

I've done "gypsy cabs" a few times and those are among the diciest experiences I have had anywhere in the world. Both turned out fine but could have easily turned into a robbery. For th elast 25 years I try to book transfers ahead of time, even in the US. And even if I have to pay more. That's not just a safety thing. I don't like the stress of not knowing how I am getting from the airport to my hotel! I even do that when I fly from my Hawaiian island to Honolulu!

 

[SecondAttempt]

I going to take a big turn here and suggest you (OP) consider visiting some national parks and historic cities in the US South. Although I have never been there, some places that come to mind are Savannah Georgia and Richmond Virginia. These are likely safer than big cities in the US and are closer if you are in the EU. You may also consider a road trip across the US like Route 66 where you will mostly be in small towns. There are also some rail trips in Canada and the US (Amtrac).

 

[oiseux]

snip Switzerland is a good suggestion, maybe I go with that, thank you.

I was an expat in Switzerland and have a place in the South of France. Switzerland probably is an excellent choice, but the same normal cautions apply at night in certain sections of the major cities. But those are easy enough to avoid and nothing like Paris, Milan, Naples, Barcelona, etc. I think Scandinavia, especially Sweden and Norway are potential choices as well.

 

[LateToFIRE]

I going to take a big turn here and suggest you (OP) consider visiting some national parks and historic cities in the US South. Although I have never been there, some places that come to mind are Savannah Georgia and Richmond Virginia. These are likely safer than big cities in the US and are closer if you are in the EU. You may also consider a road trip across the US like Route 66 where you will mostly be in small towns. There are also some rail trips in Canada and the US (Amtrac).

Whoa! I have lived in some of these Southern cities and have to tell you that violent crime is a huge problem, especially if you don't know your way around. They might look pretty and historic and all, but there's an underbelly of deep, multi-generational poverty driving this issue. Just google the crime stats for yourself, and check out the crime blotters of the local papers. In fact, I feel a lot safer walking around in most of Manhattan at night. If personal safety is the biggest priority for OP, I would vote a hard "no" on this idea.

P.S. My comments were in reference to solo travel; a tour group with an experienced guide would be a different matter.

 

[athena53]

For the last 25 years I try to book transfers ahead of time, even in the US. And even if I have to pay more.

I LOVE the tour company I use regularly but out of 5 trips I've taken with them, pre-arranged trips have failed for 3 of them. (I always make my own flight reservations and come in a day early so it's not included in the tour cost.)

India- paid extra to the tour company for a taxi to hotel. No-show. I landed there around midnight. Exactly what I was trying to avoid and I wasted time wandering up and down the row of drivers multiple times looking for my name. Booked at an airport kiosk.

E. Europe 1: Arranged with hotel in Albania to send driver (did not pay in advance). No-show but at least it was early evening. Booked at airport kiosk.

South America: asked guide beforehand what service to use, she gave me the name of one that did business from the airport. I showed them the address, dispatcher collected less than I anticipated, driver said it was in a suburb further away and dispatcher had to come out and collect more money(closer to what I'd been told). They didn't speak English, which was fun. Fortunately I knew a little Spanish.

E. Europe 2 with the gypsy driver: I'd just decided it would be easier to find my way rather than waste time hunting for another no-show.

We'll see how it goes when I land in El Salvador next month.

ETA: I see that Viator, owned by the same company as TripAdvisor, offers car service from the airport to my hotel in San Salvador. I can book in advance and pay when I get there. That may be a good option.

And I second Iceland as being very safe. They have ONE prison in a country of 300,000 people. I've been there twice, once as a solo, and hope to go again. On my solo travels I use TripAdvisor or places that put brochures in hotels to get in a few guided tours; it gives me a chance to interact with other humans and learn more about the place I'm visiitng.

 

[OldConch]

I LOVE the tour company I use regularly but out of 5 trips I've taken with them, pre-arranged trips have failed for 3 of them. (I always make my own flight reservations and come in a day early so it's not included in the tour cost.)

Sorry if I've asked this before but what company do you use? We just booked another tour (Sri Lanka) with Intrepid and have always felt safe on tour. We usually fly in early so we book transfers on our own.

 

[harllee]

Regarding the United States--most places seem OK to me in the daytime but at night I would hesitate to go out alone, especially in the big cities. If I were single I would probably do an organized tour in the US. A National Park tour in the US is a good idea.

 

[Sojourner]

I think the safest states in the U.S. are typically in the northeast, e.g. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont. I would start there if I were a solo female traveler from the EU.

 

[Teacher Terry]

When I book with a tour company I let them handle my flights because if anything goes wrong and the tour has left they get you to where the tour is. Plus they have someone waiting at the airport with a sign to pick you up.

 

[athena53]

Sorry if I've asked this before but what company do you use? We just booked another tour (Sri Lanka) with Intrepid and have always felt safe on tour. We usually fly in early so we book transfers on our own.

Overseas Adventure Travel.

When I book with a tour company I let them handle my flights because if anything goes wrong and the tour has left they get you to where the tour is. Plus they have someone waiting at the airport with a sign to pick you up.

As I said, I'm a control freak about airports and layovers. OAT will do that but most of the people I met on the India trip were routed through the Middle East while I spent a comfortable overnight both ways near Heathrow. If (God willing) I can go to Africa a year from now it will be in Delta through Amsterdam rather than one of the airlines going through the Middle East. I do know that also means the tour company's insurance won't cover my flights so I need to buy separate coverage.

 

[Sunset]

OP - We normally even when traveling only go out in the daytime, when evening rolls around we head to home/hotel.
I think in most places night-time is when the dangerous criminals operate the most.

I was going to joke, don't come to Chicago, but now knowing you live in EU, I'll have to say Chicago is a nice city but has dangers. When we fly in/out we make sure to use a real cab driver to avoid the cab scams. We hardly visit the actual City as we've seen it and at night it can be scary.

Feel free to visit Canada, large cities like Toronto and some others will have some crime, but visiting smaller places is very safe.

Overall, traveling safely is mostly being aware, and asking/researching before going about dangerous/violent areas, and knowing as a tourist you are a target mostly for your $$$.

Traveling via a group travel tour is often extremely safe, my elderly mother visited all over the world with her travel group(s). Organized via University/Church.

 

[OldConch]

Overseas Adventure Travel.

Thanks! OAT looks like an excellent option for the OP.

BTW, we spent a month in Africa last year and the experience exceeded our already high expectations. I would not, however, recommend Nairobi or Johannesburg to the OP.

 

[braumeister]

There are several tour companies that cater to single travelers. Here is one in the UK for example:
Singles Holidays & Solo Holidays

 

[SecondAttempt]

Whoa! I have lived in some of these Southern cities and have to tell you that violent crime is a huge problem, especially if you don't know your way around. They might look pretty and historic and all, but there's an underbelly of deep, multi-generational poverty driving this issue. Just google the crime stats for yourself, and check out the crime blotters of the local papers. In fact, I feel a lot safer walking around in most of Manhattan at night. If personal safety is the biggest priority for OP, I would vote a hard "no" on this idea.

P.S. My comments were in reference to solo travel; a tour group with an experienced guide would be a different matter.

I stand corrected!

 

[Reese]

Japan. Amazing, really. The only place I could leave my laptop, phone and personal items on a restaurant table and come back an hour later and they're still there.

 

[Global Wizzo]

Safe travel

As others have said, the Viking Ocean cruises are very nice, don’t feel crowded and you have enough space to eat on your own or with others.

We travel a good bit. I concur with Singapore, Japan, and would add UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Bucharest, Portugal, Germany and most of the EU, UAE, Jordan, Greece, Oman, and I think Bangkok and Chang Mai are fine. Been a few years since I’ve been to China and heading back there this fall. We have wandered on foot at night in the UAE, Jordan and Oman and never felt uncomfortable.

Just stay aware of your surroundings. Michael Lynn is about to release a book on travel security due out soon. . That will be a good reference. Here is a link to his current book. https://www.amazon.com/Travel-Etiquette-Airports-Airplanes-About/dp/B09T37X5DF

If you are really concerned, a MedJet Horizon membership can increase your comfort level.

 

[Murph]

China

In spite of its many political flaws, I never felt unsafe while living in China for five years. Even while walking the big city streets alone at night.

 

[indiajust]

They will make change for you, just give them the money. They will drive you home. They will help you navigate the subway and transit system.

 

[imnontrad]

I have traveled alone a lot, including walking around by myself and I have not had a problem. I take reasonable precautions. I do not wear jewelry or expensive clothes. The purse Icaarry is closed with zippers and is a crossbody type with a wide strap. I also wear a windbreaker with interior pockets -- and that is where my money, credit cards, and ID are.

 

[MrsHaloFIRE]

How is it in the US, what would you consider a safe airport with safe cabs to take to a hotel from there, especially on the east side? Sorry if my english is bad

I can think of alot of east coast US cities that are safe. In fact almost EVERY east coast US city is safe if you stay out of rough areas and move around during daylight hours in a safe way. I found Manhattan (New York city, NY) very safe in daylight. I even recall a police officer hailing a taxi for us at Grand Central Train station. We took the train in from Washington DC (also quite safe, if you see women running alone its a good sign its safe). Uber and Lyft ride services have always felt safe although I do turn on my lcoation tracking and call (or pretend to call) my husband while Im on the ride and make sure the driver knows it "Hi honey. Im in the uber, I sent you the specifics and pictures and I have my location tracking on. I will be to you in X minutes" CHarleston, SC is a beautiful city and also quite safe if you stick to histroic downtown. Just keep a small purse slung on your body and a sweater cardiagn or shirt over it. Keep your hands free and your head up. If you stop to look at your phone back up against a building or better yet do so at a restaurant. If a street looks to deserted or quiet, turn around and go back from where you came.