Best Affordable Destinations for Solo, Female Travellers in 2026

December 20, 2025
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Travelling solo while staying safe doesn’t have to break the bank – I have been doing it for four years now. Here are all my favourite affordable solo, female travel destinations that you should add to your 20265 bucketlist!

This marks the second year of my list of top affordable destinations I would recommend to my fellow solo, female travellers. Check out my 2025 list here for more travel inspo (all those countries still apply, but special shoutout to Peru and Albania!).

In 2026, we are going to branch out a little and discover affordable destinations in all corners of the world, all safe to solo, female travel (within common sense and reason).

So, here is a collection of all my up-and-coming affordable destinations for solo, female travellers, to prove once again that safe solo travel does not mean it has to be expensive.

Leave a comment with your favourite destinations to solo travel 🙂

Table of Contents

Best Affordable Solo, Female Travel Destinations

Whether you’re an experienced traveller or this is your first solo excursion, this list is for you. In each of these countries have I felt safe while making the most incredible memories all without breaking the bank.

1. Vietnam

Vietnam is back for another year and tops my list as the country I would HIGHLY recommend for all solo, female travellers. It’s the ideal destination: super safe, even more affordable and absolutely stunning.

I spent three weeks exploring the country this year and would go back in a heartbeat. I met the most amazing people here, both travellers and locals, and made even more amazing memories.

Some of my top recommendations to do are the Ha Giang Loop, a Sapa Trekking tour and Ninh Binh. Also make sure to grab as many Bahn Mi and Coconut Coffees as you can, because you will miss them more than anything (speaking from experience).

It’s also easily one of the most affordable countries I have travelled recently. Hostels cost around $5 per night, food is less than $10 per day and most activities are budget-friendly.

Check out my Vietnam guides here.

Some of my favourite affordable activities in Vietnam:

2. Morocco

Morocco has been on my travel bucket list for years now and is firmly on my radar for 2026. While I have not been there myself, countless of my other solo, female travel friends have been and have had the best time.

From surfing to the desert to exploring beautiful towns, there is something here for everyone. You will also meet lots of other travellers, especially in the coastal towns like Agadir and Essaouira or the bigger cities like Marrakech. Places like Chefchaouen are repeatedly mentioned as some of the safest and most peaceful places to travel.

While Morocco is considered fairly safe for solo female travellers, street harassment and men following you is something you do unfortunately still hear about regularly. Try to engage as little as possible, wear modest clothing and hire a local guide if you start to feel overwhelmed.

I’d recommend this country to more experienced travellers. Staying in hostels where you can meet fellow travellers can help you navigate the streets more peacefully, as there is safety in numbers.

3. Greece

Contrary to popular belief, Greece can actually be a very affordable destination and I felt very safe there travelling solo. The Greek are known for their hospitality and kindness, especially on the smaller islands – which are also the more affordable destinations.

I visited Rhodes during early August, what would often be considered peak season, and managed to have a very affordable holiday. It honestly surprised me a little just how well it worked as an affordable solo travel destination, but would highly recommend. You can check out my Rhodes guides here.

Other affordable Greek Islands are Lefkada, Ios, Serifos and Naxos, especially in the shoulder season (April, May, September, October). Check out some accommodation options now.

4. Laos

Most of the travellers I met in Vietnam had either come from Laos or were planning to go there, including many female, solo travellers. Laos is a beautiful country, super affordable with lots of interesting things to do.

Some areas to visit would be Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Nong Khiaw and Vientiane, though there are many more must-visit places. Laos is considered pretty safe for solo, female travellers with respectful locals and many fellow travellers around.

One word of caution is surrounding alcohol, this applies for most countries in this region. Vang Vieng in Laos had the deathly methanol poisoning in 2024 in a hostel, which was a very scary situation. Be very careful with homemade alcohol and opened bottles.

5. Japan (but off-the-beaten path)

Japan is probably one of the most popular destinations right now, but did you know it can actually be travelled on a budget? Once you leave the touristy cities like Kyoto and Tokyo and head to some of the more hidden gems, you will find cheap hotels, amazing food at great places and fun budget activities.

Areas to look into are Hokkaido (e.g. Otaru), Sendai, Aomori, Niigata, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Shikoku and so on. Check for budget hotels here.

As for safety, Japan is easily the safest place I have ever visited. I was able to walk around at night with no issues and the locals are SO respectful! I also met some of the loveliest solo travel girls while travelling here, would highly recommend.

6. Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a seriously underrated travel destination, with historic towns, quaint seaside escapes and stunning nature. The country is pretty well connected via trains and buses and there’s lots of amazing tours to go on, all at very affordable prices.

It’s considered safe for female travellers and is one of those destinations that isn’t overrun yet, making it the perfect place to visit in 2026.

7. Panama

Panama is considered one of the safest countries to visit in Central America, and a budget-friendly one at that. You can find anything from modern cities to idyllic islands to vibrant nature here.

For solo, female travellers, it is generally safe to visit but you do need to know which cities and areas to avoid. Within the bigger cities, your hostel/hotel will always be able to advise on this too. I would also advise against solo hikes and always buddy up and look for local guides with reviews.

FAQ about Solo, Female Travel

What are the best safety precautions to take in unfamiliar places?

There are a few important safety precautions to take when travelling somewhere new as a solo, female traveller.

First of all you need to research your destination – is it safe to travel to (check government websites), do other people travel there, how much information about it is out there, where are the safe areas to stay in, what are some things you need to keep in mind when there.

Once you have determined this and made a rough itinerary, make sure to share this with family/friends. When I solo travel, I always text someone exactly where I am staying when including addresses. We also agree that I text daily unless I am on tours etc. This isn’t to be obsessive but so someone knows exactly where you are and can alert authorities in case of an emergency. This is a precaution so don’t let it scare you.

When I solo travel I also trust my gut and put my safety above all else. If a situation feels unsafe, I get out of it no matter the cost. Money can come back, your life doesn’t.

In general, I’d say avoid being out alone at night, know which areas are safe and which to avoid (your accommodation can usually give you advice on this) and drink only when with friends or in a safe location.

How do I choose affordable but safe accommodations?

The first thing I do when choosing accommodations in a new destination is research the area. Which areas are safe for tourists, especially solo travellers. There are usually lots of resources about these things. If you are unsure, you could also reach out to accommodations for advice.

Second, I usually stay in hostels or hotels that are rated well amongst solo-travellers. This is so I can meet other travellers but also so I know that the location is good etc. Hostel dorms are usually your cheapest option though some countries also have affordable AirBnBs – for those I always make sure it is a female host.

Reviews are crucial!! Check several sites such as booking, Google, Tripadvisor, etc. Some red flags are people talking about stuff being stolen, no women leaving reviews, bedbugs and any negative comments about staff. A huge red flag for me is also when a hotel responds rudely to complaints – it’s unprofessional and will probably affect you if something goes wrong.

How do I deal with loneliness while traveling alone?

When I first started solo travelling, meeting people felt super difficult. Even in hostels, everyone already seemed to be in their little groups and I was struggling. I remember being on week 3 of my Australian East Coast trip and calling my mum sobbing because I felt so lonely.

The more I solo travel, the more I have learned about loneliness and making friends. First of all, I am much more comfortable being with myself now. If I don’t find anyone to hang out with, that is okay. FOMO is sometimes still there, but I always remind myself that I am doing my best.

I usually do meet other people though. A good way is booking hostels with activities as it is SO easy to meet others during say a trivia night or a city tour. Another great way is choosing a female dorm – I often find myself bonding quicker with the girls in there. I also use Bumble BFF. That may sound awkward but I have met some of my now closest friends on there and it has been so great while travelling, especially if I am longer in one place. Finally, Facebook Groups – there are hundreds of travel groups out there and so many other solo travellers just waiting to meet you!

Sometimes though, loneliness prevails. Over the years I have learned that when the feeling refuses to leave, it is my time to go home. It’s a sign from my body that I need a break from travelling and constantly meeting new people. I need familiarity and my family. And that’s okay! Trust me, it took me a while to learn this but stopping a trip early is not failure, especially if it has already been a few months.