Did you know that, according to Uniworld River Cruises, there has been a 31% increase in solo guests throughout the past few years—and a 61% jump in female solo travelers specifically? Clearly, women are heading out on private excursions in larger numbers than ever before.
But what destinations are most popular, and safest, among this growing number of travelers? Scuba website DIPNDIVE set out to find out, specifically looking at weather, friendliness, safety, average cost of living and hotels and the number of free attractions that various cities offer.
Although Helsinki, the notoriously safe Finnish capital, topped the ranking of best destinations for solo women travelers, two U.S. towns also made the top 10—including Chicago at a pretty respectable No. 6.
To note: English proficiency level was one of the many factors taken into account when creating the list, so we're not too surprised about the American inclusions.
Chicago's ranking seems to be also due to the extensive range of free attractions available in town (229, to be precise).
New York also made it to the top 10, ranking ninth overall. Although boasting the highest cost of living, the city offers a staggering 630 attractions, a figure that likely helped its inclusion.
Wherever it is that you decide to go, stay safe and take all proper precautions before and during your voyage. Most importantly: enjoy yourself!
The best destinations for solo women travelers
- Helsinki
- Zagreb
- Berlin
- Singapore
- Warsaw
- Chicago
- Madrid
- Vienna
- New York
- Budapest