8 Perfect Solo Travel Destinations In the East

8 Perfect First Female Solo Travel Destinations In Eastern Countries

Looking for the perfect female solo travel destinations in Eastern countries? When it comes to Solo travel as a woman, safety is the number one factor.

This week’s solo travel vacation ideas are about countries you will find in the Eastern part of the World. There are many countries I am planning to visit, but it takes time to get to all of them.

I asked some other travel writers where they thought the best place to travel alone to was.

Below are their experiences in Eastern counties. Be sure to go back and read about all the wonderful destinations.


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So, in no specific order, here are the recommendations and experiences for the first solo travel destinations in the East.

Singapore

Shuang-Lin-Monastery
Shuang Lin Monastery

Singapore is one of the safest places in the world, with almost no crime, which makes it a great place for singles holidays.

To illustrate the level of safety, suffice to say that people sometimes use their wallet to save their space at the hawker centers, the covered areas where the street food stalls congregate because they know their wallets will not be taken.

It is also an incredibly clean city with fines given for littering and chewing gum forbidden, it is very well organized and efficient with multiple aboveground and underground transportation options, affordable taxis and Grab service, The Southeast Asia equivalent of Uber.

The city can also be easily be explored on foot and very pedestrian friendly, it’s a bit hot all year round as it lies practically on the Equator. Last but not least, English is the official language, so you can communicate with anyone living here if you speak English. All these make it a great city for solo female travelers, especially on their first trip.

Here is a complete list of Tours, Tickets, and Activities in Singapore.

While some people spend only a couple of days in Singapore, there are hundreds of things to do in this small city-state.

While you are traveling alone you can enjoy the beaches (Singapore is an island) and entertainment options of the man-made Sentosa island which even has Universal Studios (much smaller than the other studios around the world and also much more affordable).

Go for a hike through many parks and reservoirs where you can spot monitor lizards, birds, monkeys, or turtles among other wildlife. Tuck into food from all over Asia, made as if you were in the corresponding country or region and at very affordable prices.

You can also absorb the country’s rich British colonial and Asian past through the many museums and exhibition spaces. Singapore also enjoys year-round festivals and there are always lots of things happening on the cultural front.

Recommended by Mar Pages from Once in a Lifetime Journey.

Jordan

Wadi-Rum-Paradise-Jordan
Wadi Rum Paradise, Jordan

Jordan did not seem like a good idea for solo holidays to most people back home in Kosovo when I told them of my plan.

However, I decided to go solo after having read various blog posts of other female travel bloggers, both solo and not, who have been and enjoyed it or/and also had tips on how to be safe and avoid falling into tourist traps.

I spent two weeks in Jordan going around solo all the time (with the exception of a few cases when I met other travelers or friends of friends who shared some of their valuable time with me). I even drove around and had no issue.

All those who kept telling me don’t go to Jordan or to be very careful were proven wrong. Jordan is safe, and despite being in the Middle East and a Muslim country it was extremely welcome to me. 

Most people will go to Jordan just because of Petra but there is so much more than that. Just 40 minutes outside Wadi Musa (Petra) is the Wadi Araba desert which is not touristy yet and very beautiful.

In addition, you shouldn’t miss Wadi Rum (and if possible spend a night there); Jerash, Dead Sea, and Aman.

Depending on the time you have, a visit to Aqaba and swimming in the Red Sea should not be missed as well as visiting the Shobak Castle located about 40 mins from Wadi Musa.

Also, Jordan has amazing food. Not just the falafel but everything I had there was so tasty (and let me tell you I’m very picky when it comes to food). Try shawerma, mansaf, sayadiya, zarba, the Petra beer, and the Jordanian tea and cardamom coffee, and their sweets (go to Pistachio sweets if in Aqaba – just delicious).

Recommended by  Lavdi Zymberi from Kosovo Girl Travels.

 

South Korea

As a solo traveler, Seoul and the rest of South Korea is probably the best destination for a female solo trip.

The country itself has a very low crime rate, especially when it comes to petty street crime, like pick-pocketing, scamming tourists, and others. As a female solo traveler, you will seldom feel scared when walking around alone during the day or at night.

Another great point is the fantastic public transport facilities! It is recommended to buy a t-money card upon arrival at the airport. This card can be used on all buses, subways, and taxis across the country.

The card can only be purchased and topped up with cash. Convenience stores all across the country sell these cards. On top of that all transport announcements, maps, and signs are both in Korean and English, for popular lines also in Chinese and Japanese.

The best places to visit are Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju, and Jeju Island. These are 4 must-see destinations. In Seoul there are two sights that are highly recommended when traveling solo, those are the National Museum of Korea and one of the 5 palaces, like Gyeongbukgung or Changdeokgung.

The National Museum is a beautiful modern looking building, focused on Korean and Central Asian art. Make sure to check out the impressive Buddhist sculpture hall when visiting. Around the museum is a small park and lake with traditional Korean features.

There are various types of accommodations the stay in. Stays in the Itaewon or Hongdae area, offer many events and pub crawls.

The best way to meet other solo travelers. Both these suburbs are well connected to the rest of Seoul and the airport.

Recommended by Marie Boes from Be Marie Korea.

Here is a complete list of Activities, Tours, and Tickets in South Korea.

Bali

Bali
Bali

Bali is a great place for your first singles vacations. There are lots of solo travelers and it’s easy to meet other people while you travel. However, it’s also easy enough to get around and see things on your own too. 

I’ve traveled to Bali solo twice now and really enjoyed both trips. There are so many things to see and do and a chance to develop new skills.

Sure, you should see travel hotspots like Ubud and Tanah Lot Temple (which is set on a spectacular black sand beach), but don’t be afraid to explore beyond that.

The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are beautiful and the perfect location for a day-long hike and smaller places like Sidemen makes for a more relaxed alternative to some of the bigger destinations.

 

One of the things I really loved about Bali was how many opportunities there were to learn new skills. It’s a big surfing and yoga destination – I’m not personally that into either.

I spent time learning about Balinese food and cooking on an organic farm. Also, I learned how to make silver jewelry with a silversmith. There’s so much more to the island than beaches and parties.

Your first solo trip can be a daunting prospect – but Bali is a really good destination. Accommodations are so affordable, you can move between destinations with ease and there’s so much to explore. I’d highly recommend it.

Recommended by Julianna Barnaby from The Discoveries Of.

Dubai

Dubai-City
Dubai City

The United Arab Emirates and Dubai, in particular, are one of the best places to travel alone. You might be wondering now why it is so, and luckily, I have the answers for you.

Dubai and the UAE are in general very safe. If you are traveling solo for the first time, safety most likely is a big issue.

Dubai is safe in terms of theft, robbery and actually any other crime I can think of (talking about travelers from all around the world). You can stay out late and don’t have to worry about security aspects (which doesn’t mean not to use common sense).

Tip: As a solo female traveler, I actually recommend NOT to stay in Dubai Deira but other than that, you will be happy to learn how safe you will feel.

Also, getting around is easy and affordable. You will be pleased to find out that you can either get public transportation or get a taxi for quite low costs. And of course, Dubai is great because there is a lot to do and see. You will not have time to get bored.

 

Discover Dubai Downtown with the crazy Dubai Mall – the biggest mall in the world.

Here you can soak in the views from Burj Khalifa (the highest building in the world) and in the evening enjoy the water fountain dancing show in front of Burj Khalifa.

Relax at La Mer Beach and take a break after all the craziness of Dubai Downtown. The beach comes with a view of Burj Khalifa, but this is the place to relax and enjoy some more laid-back time with the numerous cafes and murals. This is a great place to people-watch or to meet other people and socialize.

Of course, there is much more to see and do in Dubai.  If you have time go on a desert safari. After some crazy dune bashing, you can (depending on the tour you book) enjoy a buffet dinner in the desert.

Given its numerous visitors from all around the world, it is also easy to make friends – but if you want to stay by yourself, you will have a wonderful time in Dubai.

Recommended by Arzo Nayel From Arzo Travels

Japan

Tokyo
Tokyo

Japan is one of the best places to visit for a first female solo trip. It is one of the safest countries in the world and its crime rate is low.

I always felt safe walking around alone even at night. Its cities, especially Tokyo, have excellent metro systems and Japan has an efficient and comprehensive rail system making it easy to travel around the country on your own.

Japan has plenty to offer any traveler including tasty food, the hospitality of its people, and its fascinating culture – which is a mix of modern and traditional. There are so many amazing places to visit in Japan that you will never run out of interesting things to see and do while you are there.

If your time is short and you only have one week in Japan, I suggest visiting Tokyo. It’s capital city and is ultra modern and traditional at the same time.

Kyoto, a historical city, known for being home to over 1600 Buddhist temples, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines, beautiful gardens, traditional wooden houses, and geishas.

If you have more time to stay longer to explore more of this incredible country, I recommend you do so.  Try to stay at least one night at a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan) for a more authentic cultural experience.

While Japan is most well known for its incredible cities, the country is also full of natural beauty especially if you can catch the beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring or colorful autumn leaves in the fall.

Recommended by Matilda from The Travel Sisters.

Sri Lanka

Sri-Lanka
Sri Lanka

If you’re looking for a great destination for your first female solo trip, then look no further!

Sri Lanka should be number one on your list! It’s the perfect starting point for any solo adventure because it’s small and super easy to navigate thanks to buses, trains, taxis, and tuk-tuks.

I think it’s a perfect choice for female solo travelers due to the friendliness of the locals.

Everyone is willing to help and there is a strong backpacking community in Sri Lanka meaning you’ll find it easy to meet new people along the way.

It is a super diverse country too and there are so many things to see and do in Sri Lanka, regardless of what your interests are. If you like world heritage sites, history and culture then Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura will not disappoint. 

If you love beautiful waterfalls and amazing hikes then the “Hill Country” of Sri Lanka will delight you.

Not only that, Sri Lanka is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and the best surf is at Arugam Bay. There are many opportunities for relaxing, partying, and meeting new people in Sri Lanka.

It’s truly a country that has it all, which makes it one of the best places to travel solo. You could easily spend a month or more in Sri Lanka, or if you want to start smaller, it’s easy to see highlights of the country in 2-3 weeks.

This means it’s the perfect place to dip your feet into the world of solo travel.

Recommended by Cazzy Magennis from Dream Big, Travel Far.

Here is a complete list of Tours, Activities, and Tickets in Sri Lanka.

Bangkok, Thailand

Wat-Benchamabophit-Temple-Bangkok
Wat Benchamabophit Temple Bangkok

Southeast Asia is one of the easiest regions in the world for solo female travel. It’s safe, cheap, and very easy to meet fellow travelers.

Most people start their trip from Bangkok, home to one of the biggest international airports in the region. It is, in my opinion, the best place to get the first feel of Asia without the culture shock being too strong.

Bangkok is home to various accommodations from hostels to luxury hotels. It has all the street food you can dream of (a plate will cost you $1.50 – $2) as well as fine dining experiences.

 

Bangkok offers so much to see and do! Let’s see in detail what shouldn’t be missing in your Bangkok itinerary:

  • Visiting temples is a must. Start from Wat Pho and its reclining Buddha, go up the Golden Mount, and don’t miss the stunning Wat Arun.
  • Partying in Khao San Road is a classic among backpackers. In this street, you’ll find clubs and bars, street food, and the infamous buckets of cocktails for very cheap.
  • If you’re looking for a fancier atmosphere, check out one of the many rooftop bars such as the Sky Bar at Lebua, where you can have a drink with incredible views.
  • You also shouldn’t miss a day trip to the temples of Ayutthaya, or the Damnoen Saduak floating market.

Bangkok is really the perfect place to start your trip. With such an array of choices of things to do and so many other solo travelers around, there won’t be a chance for homesickness to creep in!

Recommended by Stefania Guglielmi from Every Steph.

 


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2 Comments

  1. Hi Sally, Awesome blog and awesome piece of information. Loved it. Bangkok and Dubai are my most famous places to travel alone. I love to travel and visit historical places, but not had a chance to visit London. Now again, I am planning to visit UAE for 2 weeks, If you have something related to UAE specifically please share with me.

    1. Sally Pederson says:

      Hi Gertrude, Thanks for reading the blog, I’m glad you enjoy it. Unfortunately, I do not have anything about the UAE because I have not been there yet. Hopefully soon.

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