Solo Female Travel: The Cities Leading in Safety
- Dubai Named the Best City for Solo Female Travelers
- Mumbai and Delhi Deemed the Least Favorable Cities
- Two U.S Cities Feature in Bottom 10
Solo female travel is on the rise like never before, with more women embracing independence and adventure. A recent report revealed females now make up 71 percent of solo travelers. As this trend continues to grow at a rapid pace, many companies are now catching on, with a&o, the largest hostel chain in Europe, adding a significant number of female dorms.
But where are the best destinations for safety, culture, and unforgettable experiences? For the fourth consecutive year, travel insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip is revealing the best for female solo travel in 2025. To accomplish this, we standardized the latest available data for each city in categories like safety, gender equality, walkability at night, and overall tourism appeal, to help solo female travelers make informed decisions.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates reclaims the top spot in 2025 after falling to sixth in 2024, with an overall score of 7.71/10. Known as the ‘City of Gold,’ Dubai received the highest score for ‘TikTok popularity’ (35.7M hashtags), along with high scores for ‘feeling safe walking alone at night’ (83.11/100), ‘feeling safe despite gender’ (86.23/100), and ‘quality of things to do’ (4.58/5).
Dubai has a very low crime rate and is considered a safe place to travel as a woman, with the majority of public transport in Dubai offering a ‘women’s only section.’ Women in Dubai report feeling safe while traveling alone at night and the city’s luxurious yet affordable experiences make it an irresistible destination.
It should be noted that it’s essential to research Dubai’s laws and strict dress code before visiting because women must dress modestly when in public areas. The potential consequences of not following some of these established rules include one-month imprisonment followed by deportation.
Krakow, Poland (7.18) ascension to second place this year marks its highest placement, with a balanced gendered safety score and a standout tourism offering. The city excels in affordability, with a low average daily cost of $73, coupled with high ratings for hotel quality (4.37/5), and things to do (4.65/5). Its rise underscores its increasing global recognition as a premier destination for safe and budget-friendly travel.
In 2022, Krakow became part of Femcities, an international network of cities for gender equality and women’s rights. And it seems Krakow is not slowing down, declaring its ambition to become a Human Rights City where it prioritizes human rights and fundamental freedoms in its policies and daily life.
Madrid remains a model of stability, with top 10 rankings every year. Achieving a strong 7.14 overall score in 2025, Madrid excels in ‘gender equality’ (0.797/1), ‘ratings of hotels’ (4.21/5), and ‘quality of things to do’ (4.51/5), positioning it as an appealing destination for solo female travelers.
Munich, Germany and Chiang Mai, Thailand round out the top five scoring 6.89 and 6.84 respectively. One of the most exciting entries this year is Heraklion, Greece (6.26) making its debut in the top 10. Known for its stunning coastline, rich history and warm hospitality, Heraklion is increasingly recognized as a safe and welcoming destination for female solo travelers.
At the other end of the spectrum, while some cities offer an empowering travel experience, others struggle with safety concerns, poor gender equality, and low tourism appeal for women.
Two Indian cities feature in the bottom five cities for solo female travel, with Delhi (3.43) and Mumbai (3.63) deemed the two least favorable due to scoring low in ‘women peace and security index’ (0.595/1), ‘gender equality’ (0.641), and ‘TikTok popularity’ (1.4M and 2.4M hashtags).
Johannesburg, South Africa (3.86) completes the bottom three cities for solo female travel. It ranks the lowest overall for safety concerns (65.4/100) and feeling safe walking alone at night (8.7/100). It also scored low for women peace and security index (0.688/1).
Johannesburg has one of the highest crime rates in Africa and despite efforts to improve tourism infrastructure, safety remains a major deterrent solo female travelers.
Despite being vibrant global hubs, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Riyadh also fall into the bottom 10 due to security risks, lack of gender inclusivity, and limited safety for women traveling alone.
Surprisingly, two U.S. cities – Orlando and San Francisco – land in the bottom 10. Despite their popularity as travel destinations, concerns over safety (28.78/100 and 35.69/100) and walkability at night (42.21/100 and 34.19/100) have negatively impacted their rankings.
While many destinations are making strides in gender equality and female safety, others still have work to do. With the right preparation and awareness, solo female travelers can make empowered choices about where to go and how to explore the world safely.
Sara Boisvert, Director of Marketing at InsureMyTrip commented on the findings:
“As more women embrace solo travel, safety remains a top priority. While cities like Dubai and Krakow are leading the way in creating secure and inclusive experiences, it’s crucial for travelers to stay informed and prepared. With the right planning, solo female travelers can explore the world with confidence and empowerment.”
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