Solo-Readiness Scores (SRS) for Top 10 Cities for Solo Female Travelers

Last Updated on 17/09/2025

Traveling solo — especially as a woman — requires balancing safety, convenience, social opportunities, and accessibility. The Solo-Readiness Score (SRS) is designed to help you assess each city’s suitability for a solo adventure. We’ve focused on key parameters such as after-dark safety, transit options, walkability, social hostels, coworking access, eSIM availability, card vs cash, scam risk, and solo-friendly dining. Scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being the best.

1. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen consistently ranks among the safest cities in Europe for solo female travelers. Its compact layout, pedestrian-friendly streets, and extensive cycling network make getting around effortless. The city offers vibrant cafés, cultural attractions, and social hostels, which create a welcoming atmosphere for solo travelers.

• After-dark safety: 9 – Very low crime rates; streets are well-lit and patrolled.

• Late-night arrival options: 8 – Metro and buses run until midnight; rideshares and taxis widely available.

• Walkability: 10 – Easy to explore on foot or by bike.

• Transit frequency: 9 – Reliable metro, bus, and train system.

• Host/hostel social vibe: 8 – Numerous hostels with communal spaces and events.

• Coworking access: 9 – Strong network of spaces for digital nomads.

• eSIM availability: 8 – Easy to purchase at the airport or online.

• Card vs cash: 9 – Cards widely accepted; cash almost unnecessary.

• Scam risk: 9 – Minimal risk; very safe city.

• Solo-friendly dining: 9 – Many cafés and casual eateries cater well to solo guests.

• Overall SRS: 85/100

Why visit solo: Copenhagen combines safety, culture, and social opportunities, making it perfect for both first-time solo travelers and experienced adventurers.

2. Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto is ideal for solo travelers seeking a peaceful, culturally immersive experience. The city is historically rich, extremely safe, and respectful to women traveling alone. While public transport ends earlier than in European cities, the city’s compact size makes walking a feasible option, especially in the scenic Higashiyama and Gion districts.

• After-dark safety: 10 – Extremely low crime rates.

• Late-night arrival options: 7 – Limited late-night transport; taxis expensive but available.

• Walkability: 9 – Safe, walkable streets through historic districts.

• Transit frequency: 8 – Reliable trains and buses, though service ends relatively early.

• Host/hostel social vibe: 7 – Quieter hostels with more focus on cultural experiences than social events.

• Coworking access: 6 – Fewer options than larger Japanese cities.

• eSIM availability: 8 – Available at airports and convenience stores.

• Card vs cash: 7 – Cash commonly used; some places do not accept cards.

• Scam risk: 10 – Very low.

• Solo-friendly dining: 8 – Many small eateries welcome solo diners.

• Overall SRS: 81/100

Why visit solo: Kyoto offers peaceful exploration, temple visits, and authentic cultural experiences, perfect for travelers who enjoy self-paced adventures.

3. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a sunny, lively city with charming neighborhoods, colorful streets, and a warm solo-travel vibe. The hostel scene is social, making it easy to meet fellow travelers, while the public transport network allows easy access to hills and viewpoints.

• After-dark safety: 8 – Generally safe; exercise caution in less touristy areas.

• Late-night arrival options: 8 – Night buses and taxis available.

• Walkability: 8 – Hilly terrain; cobblestone streets can be tricky.

• Transit frequency: 8 – Reliable metro, bus, and tram network.

• Host/hostel social vibe: 9 – Vibrant community and events.

• Coworking access: 8 – Growing number of spaces.

• eSIM availability: 7 – Easy to obtain at airport or online.

• Card vs cash: 8 – Cards widely accepted; cash useful in some areas.

• Scam risk: 7 – Moderate; watch for pickpockets in tourist-heavy areas.

• Solo-friendly dining: 8 – Many casual and café-style dining options.

• Overall SRS: 75/100

Why visit solo: Lisbon combines culture, music, and vibrant neighborhoods, ideal for travelers who enjoy social hostels and scenic city exploration.

4. Vienna, Austria

Vienna is both safe and highly accessible, with a compact center, efficient transit, and a friendly café culture. Solo travelers enjoy the mix of history, music, and modern coworking spaces, making it a practical choice for both leisure and digital nomads.

• After-dark safety: 9 – Low crime, well-lit streets.

• Late-night arrival options: 8 – Public transport until midnight; taxis and rideshares available.

• Walkability: 9 – Pedestrian-friendly city center.

• Transit frequency: 9 – Metro, trams, and buses run frequently.

• Host/hostel social vibe: 7 – Fewer social hostels; quieter atmosphere.

• Coworking access: 8 – Many coworking spaces for nomads.

• eSIM availability: 8 – Easy access at airports and online.

• Card vs cash: 8 – Cards widely accepted.

• Scam risk: 8 – Low; occasional tourist scams.

• Solo-friendly dining: 8 – Cafés and casual restaurants welcome solo diners.

• Overall SRS: 80/100

Why visit solo: Vienna’s blend of music, history, and reliable transport ensures a comfortable solo experience.

5. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is highly regarded for its walkability, bike-friendliness, and safe streets, which makes it ideal for solo female travelers. Its vibrant hostel scene, coworking opportunities, and extensive canal-side cafés also make it socially friendly.

• After-dark safety: 8 – Safe overall; avoid certain red-light districts late at night.

• Late-night arrival options: 9 – Public transport operates late; taxis and rideshares available.

• Walkability: 9 – Flat city with pedestrian-friendly streets.

• Transit frequency: 9 – Efficient trams, buses, and metro.

• Host/hostel social vibe: 8 – Social hostels and events for solo travelers.

• Coworking access: 9 – Numerous modern coworking spaces.

• eSIM availability: 8 – Available at the airport and online.

• Card vs cash: 9 – Card payments widely accepted.

• Scam risk: 7 – Moderate; pickpockets common in tourist areas.

• Solo-friendly dining: 8 – Plenty of cafés and casual restaurants.

• Overall SRS: 83/100

Why visit solo: Amsterdam is great for first-time solo travelers, offering a mix of culture, nightlife, and social hostel opportunities.

6. Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik is one of the safest cities in the world, perfect for solo female travelers who enjoy nature, unique landscapes, and small-city charm. The main limitation is public transport, so most excursions beyond the city require a tour or car rental.

• After-dark safety: 10 – Very low crime rates.

• Late-night arrival options: 7 – Limited public transport; taxis available.

• Walkability: 9 – Compact city center.

• Transit frequency: 7 – Buses infrequent; tours often necessary.

• Host/hostel social vibe: 7 – Quiet, cultural hostels.

• Coworking access: 6 – Few spaces in the city.

• eSIM availability: 8 – Available at airport and online.

• Card vs cash: 9 – Cards widely accepted; cash rarely needed.

• Scam risk: 10 – Minimal.

• Solo-friendly dining: 8 – Small restaurants welcome solo diners.

• Overall SRS: 74/100

Why visit solo: Iceland is ideal for nature-focused adventures and travelers who value safety above nightlife or socializing.

7. Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is a walkable city with a mix of cultural attractions and coworking opportunities. While generally safe, some neighborhoods require caution at night. Solo travelers benefit from friendly cafés and manageable distances between key sights.

• After-dark safety: 7 – Exercise caution in some districts.

• Late-night arrival options: 8 – Metro and buses run late; rideshares available.

• Walkability: 8 – Compact center suitable for walking.

• Transit frequency: 8 – Reliable trams, metro, and buses.

• Host/hostel social vibe: 7 – Mostly quiet hostels.

• Coworking access: 8 – Growing number of coworking spaces.

• eSIM availability: 7 – Available at airports and online.

• Card vs cash: 8 – Cards widely accepted.

• Scam risk: 7 – Moderate; pickpockets present in tourist areas.

• Solo-friendly dining: 8 – Cafés and casual restaurants welcome solo diners.

• Overall SRS: 75/100

Why visit solo: Brussels is good for history, chocolate, and cultural exploration without crowds overwhelming the solo traveler.

8. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona blends Mediterranean charm, nightlife, and social hostels, making it popular for solo female travelers. Pickpocketing can be an issue in tourist-heavy areas, but careful planning ensures a safe experience.

• After-dark safety: 7 – Caution needed in busy tourist spots.

• Late-night arrival options: 8 – Night buses and metro available; taxis widely available.

• Walkability: 8 – Good walking districts; some streets crowded.

• Transit frequency: 8 – Reliable metro, buses, and trams.

• Host/hostel social vibe: 8 – Active backpacker and social hostel scene.

• Coworking access: 8 – Plenty of coworking spaces.

• eSIM availability: 7 – Available at airport and online.

• Card vs cash: 8 – Cards widely accepted.

• Scam risk: 6 – Watch for pickpockets.

• Solo-friendly dining: 8 – Tapas bars and cafés are solo-friendly.

• Overall SRS: 75/100

Why visit solo: Ideal for travelers seeking vibrant culture, tapas, and nightlife, but stay alert to avoid petty theft.

9. Berlin, Germany

Berlin offers a mix of history, culture, and modern nightlife, along with excellent public transit, making it ideal for solo exploration. Its social hostels and coworking spaces also appeal to digital nomads.

• After-dark safety: 8 – Generally safe; avoid some districts at night.

• Late-night arrival options: 9 – 24/7 public transport available.

• Walkability: 8 – Walkable, but some areas spread out.

• Transit frequency: 9 – Efficient trains, metro, trams, and buses.

• Host/hostel social vibe: 8 – Social hostels and events.

• Coworking access: 9 – Numerous coworking spaces.

• eSIM availability: 8 – Available at airports and online.

• Card vs cash: 8 – Cards widely accepted.

• Scam risk: 7 – Moderate; pickpockets in tourist areas.

• Solo-friendly dining: 8 – Many cafés, bars, and street-food markets.

• Overall SRS: 81/100

Why visit solo: Berlin is energetic, diverse, and solo-friendly, combining culture, nightlife, and reliable transport.

10. Singapore

Singapore is renowned for being exceptionally safe, clean, and efficient, making it ideal for solo female travelers. The city-state combines modern infrastructure with multicultural neighborhoods, excellent dining, and abundant social activities.

• After-dark safety: 10 – Extremely low crime; streets are well-lit.

• Late-night arrival options: 9 – MRT runs until midnight; taxis and Grab rides widely available.

• Walkability: 9 – Compact districts like Marina Bay, Chinatown, and Little India are pedestrian-friendly.

• Transit frequency: 10 – MRT and bus services are frequent and reliable.

• Host/hostel social vibe: 8 – Many hostels and guesthouses cater to solo travelers; social events common.

• Coworking access: 9 – Numerous coworking spaces across the city.

• eSIM availability: 9 – Easy to get at the airport or online.

• Card vs cash: 9 – Cards widely accepted; cash rarely needed.

• Scam risk: 10 – Very low; Singapore has strict laws and high safety standards.

• Solo-friendly dining: 9 – Hawker centers and cafés are welcoming for solo diners.

• Overall SRS: 92/100

Why visit solo: Singapore is perfect for first-time solo female travelers, offering safety, convenience, and diverse cultural experiences, all in a compact, easy-to-navigate city.

✅ Summary Table of Overall SRS

Solo-Readiness Score (SRS) Chart for Top 10 Cities

City	Safety	Late-night arrival	Walkability	Transit	Hostel social vibe	Coworking	eSIM	Card vs Cash	Scam risk	Solo dining	Overall SRS
Singapore	10	9	9	10	8	9	9	9	10	9	92
Copenhagen	9	8	10	9	8	9	8	9	9	9	85
Amsterdam	8	9	9	9	8	9	8	9	7	8	83
Kyoto	10	7	9	8	7	6	8	7	10	8	81
Berlin	8	9	8	9	8	9	8	8	7	8	81
Vienna	9	8	9	9	7	8	8	8	8	8	80
Lisbon	8	8	8	8	9	8	7	8	7	8	75
Brussels	7	8	8	8	7	8	7	8	7	8	75
Barcelona	7	8	8	8	8	8	7	8	6	8	75
Reykjavik	10	7	9	7	7	6	8	9	10	8	74

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Visual Insights

• Highest overall score: Singapore (92) — top for safety, transit, and solo-friendly facilities.

• Best for safety: Kyoto, Reykjavik, Singapore — almost crime-free cities.

• Best social hostels: Lisbon, Amsterdam, Barcelona — strong community vibes.

• Best transit & walkability: Copenhagen, Singapore, Vienna, Amsterdam — easy to navigate solo.

• Scam hotspots: Barcelona and Brussels require some vigilance; Copenhagen and Singapore are safest.

✨ Closing Thoughts

Traveling solo—especially as a woman—can feel both empowering and daunting. The Solo-Readiness Scores (SRS) aren’t meant to dictate where you should go, but rather to highlight how cities differ in safety, accessibility, social opportunities, and ease of navigation. What shines through is that each destination offers its own balance: Singapore excels in security and infrastructure, Copenhagen blends walkability with cultural ease, Lisbon thrives on warmth and community, while Kyoto offers serenity and near-perfect safety.

For solo female travelers, these insights can be a compass rather than a checklist. A city with high social-vibe scores might be perfect for those seeking connections, while others may prefer destinations where safety and tranquility are the priorities. In the end, your comfort zone, curiosity, and travel style matter just as much as the numbers.

So, whether you’re wandering Vienna’s grand coffee houses, cycling through Amsterdam’s canals, or chasing northern lights in Reykjavik, remember this: the world is increasingly opening up for solo adventurers. Equipped with knowledge, awareness, and confidence, you’re not just visiting new places—you’re creating your own story of independence. And that, more than any score, is what makes solo travel truly unforgettable.