Travelling by yourself can be extremely liberating, yet also incredibly daunting. Getting lost in an unfamiliar city on your own feels significantly worse than if you had a buddy at your side. But that’s the beauty of solo travelling – it’s a challenging experience that can change a person’s life. Through solo travel, you’re forced to rely on yourself to get by. From flying alone to dining solo, there will be plenty of moments where your thoughts will be the only thing keeping you company.
If safety has ever been a concern for you when thinking about travelling alone, data compiled by travel website wegoplaces.me might just put you at ease. In order to find the safest solo travel destinations for 2019, they’ve examined advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, crime data, and established how peaceful or hostile a country is, and the result is a helpful ranking. According to their index, these are the safest places to travel alone.
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Iceland
This relatively remote country has a small population, making it a solid choice for a solo travel break if you’re concerned about safety. Cheap flights abound to the capital Reykjavik, and beyond there is a unique landscape of dramatic waterfalls, a craggy coastline, and amazing black lava fields. Don’t forget about the incredible hot pools and lagoons ideal for soaking in…
Singapore
A cosmopolitan city with plenty to offer, this hotspot is the world’s safest solo travel destination. With several luxury hotels, Singapore is synonymous with epic retail therapy. It’s a fantastic shopping city with perpetually great weather and some beautiful, inventive attractions.
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Uzbekistan
Not a country on many bucket lists, but Uzbekistan is a definitively safe nation for travellers. This central Asian location offers a rich historical background thanks to its position on the Silk Road, as well as some stunning natural landscapes. The locals are exceptionally friendly, so if you’re travelling alone and want a warm welcome wherever you go, this is the place to keep in mind.
Norway
All fjords and craggy mountains, Norway is simply breathtaking – and it’s the second safest place to travel alone.
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Denmark
Home of hygge, Denmark is a brilliant solo travel destination and a super safe option. Capital Copenhagen is a stop on many European cruises, but stay a little longer and you’ll find cute eateries and plenty of delightful boutiques for perusing. Tivoli Gardens is a fun day out, and beyond the capital is Aarhus – former European Capital of Culture and now an artsy hub.
Canada
Renowned as one of the friendliest countries in the world, Canada is unsurprisingly a great, safe destination for solo travellers. The country has it all, too. Magnificent mountains (the Rockies stretch across the country), incredible wine regions (the Okanagan is a favourite) and cosmopolitan cities. The only bad thing about a trip here is that you have to leave at the end!
Indonesia
You’ve probably heard of Bali – famous as an Eat, Pray, Love location, and for being the yoga and wellness capital of Asia. But there’s so much more to Indonesia than smoothies and chakras (though the yoga is great). As a pretty safe country, solo travel here is rewarding. Explore the country’s idyllic islands, from the monkey forests of Ubud to the beaches of the Gilis.
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Hong Kong
This sprawling city in China is a mesmerising place. Bright lights, tall skyscrapers and more escalators than you can shake a stick at – Hong Kong is truly epic. Luxury hotels abound here – ideal for escaping the hot Hong Kong days – and a gorgeous, 500-metre-high hill makes for a lovely day trip out of the chaos with views back to the city. Views from the water are equally special, so don’t miss a harbour cruise.
Switzerland
If mountain scenery is your thing, book a solo trip to Switzerland. There’s so much to love here, from scenic railway routes (the Bernina Express is bucket list-worthy stuff) to rural valleys where life has hardly changed for hundreds of years. Plus, small historic cities like Bern and river cruises on the Rhine are delightful.
