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What happens if I need a doctor? Will I be a victim of crime? Is it easy to get help if I need it?
These are just a few of the questions you may ask yourself before setting off on a solo travel trip.
While traveling in this way is rapidly increasing in popularity and is an amazing way to make memories, it’s definitely sensible to take a little extra care when it comes to choosing a destination.
To help with that decision, the UK’s Post Office recently scored a wide range of destinations on factors including their crime rates, quality of healthcare, number of police officers, internet connectivity, road traffic mortality rates, and food safety.
The resulting travel safety index for solo travelers produced a list of 10 of the safest destinations for solo travelers around the world right now:
Seattle, WA, United States
A fun and friendly vibe, closeness to nature, and a wide range of places to stay make Seattle a winner for solo travelers.
This West Coast city was also recently ranked as one of the most photogenic cities in the U.S. during fall and is packed with pretty parks and iconic landmarks such as the Space Needle.
Seattle has a lot to entertain solo travelers of every persuasion, including fascinating museums for quieter types and a vibrant nightlife and entertainment schedule for those who want to party and make new friends.
Tokyo, Japan
Having visited Tokyo on 5 occasions, I can tell you from my own experience that it’s one of the safest feeling places I’ve ever traveled to, despite the fact it’s one of the world’s biggest megacities.
Tokyo residents will often go out of their way to help you if you’re lost or confused. There are modern innovations such as women-only cars on the train, and English is slowly becoming more widely spoken thanks in part to the city hosting major events such as the Olympics.
Petty crime is uncommon, and it’s usually safe to walk around or use public transport at night.
Portland, OR, United States
A city of diverse communities and unique neighborhoods, Portland is another northwest destination that scores well for solo traveler safety.
Things not to miss in Portland include the bustling Saturday market from March to December, more than 2,600 animals at Oregon Zoo, the Ming Dynasty-inspired Lan Su Chinese Garden, and a book shop that covers an entire block (Powell’s).
If you are someone who’s guided by their stomach when traveling, then you’ll be happy to know Portland was recently named one of America’s best destinations for foodies.
Copenhagen, Denmark
The capital of Denmark is a captivating place to visit as a solo traveler.
From the traditional charm of Tivoli theme park to the tranquil cafés and bars of the Nyhavn district, Copenhagen is a welcoming and easy-to-navigate city.
The metro is safe, easy to use, and not as expensive as you’d think (just $8 from airport to city center), plus the city has some of the best cycling infrastructure anywhere in the world, so you can hire a bike for a couple of days and see things the way the Danes intended.
English is also incredibly widely spoken, and the residents of Copenhagen are usually warm and friendly.
Oslo, Norway
Another Nordic destination on this list is the Norwegian capital, Oslo.
Featuring a blend of classic tradition alongside striking modern architecture, such as the opera house, Oslo will capture your imagination.
Benefitting from the low crime rates and widely spoken English that you’d expect from this corner of Europe, one of the things I love most about Oslo is just how much green space and nature there is in and around the city.
Hire a bike and explore the quiet bays and leafy walkways of Ekebergparken, or head out to the quiet beaches of the Bygdøy peninsula.
Singapore
For a relatively small city-state, Singapore packs a lot in.
From the iconic Marina Bay with its glitzy hotels and fine dining establishments to the bright colors and stimulating aromas of the Little India district, there is a lot more to Singapore than first meets the eye.
Even the airport is an attraction, featuring a 130-foot waterfall at its heart among a beautiful greenspace.
The city is known for being incredibly safe, with low crime, a strong police presence, and a tough stance on drug use.
Rounding off the rest of this top 10 list are:
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Eugene Touhy
Wednesday 1st of November 2023
Dublin?!?!?
You have got to be joking! Recently an American tourist was attacked by local thugs and put into a coma. Similar thugs are frequently attacking and mugging tourists in touristy areas like Temple Bar. And that's apart from running the gauntlet of junkies on the streets and being royally ripped off by the pubs, hotels and restaurants.
Oh, and good luck finding a Garda (policeman) if you are attacked in Dublin City centre at night time. You won't see one for love nor money.
I'm a resident of the place for 37 years, so I think I can give a good insight into the place.
Patty
Saturday 4th of November 2023
@Eugene Touhy, totally agree. I did not feel safe in Dublin. I heard crashing glass bottles at night from my hotel room, I was in a fairly popular part of town. The general population looked poor. Some of the streets got too dark for my liking at night. Did not see any police. My advice, stay in large crowds.
SteffB
Wednesday 1st of November 2023
I wanted to correct a couple of typos, but cannot edit my comments. Nice.
SteffB
Wednesday 1st of November 2023
Cairo was one of the unfriendliest cities in the world I visited! Will not go back. Having once lived in the PNW, you failed to mention that those 3 cities,the weather is dark & wet nearly 8 months a year
Concerning your other commenters reply,Yes, you are right these websites are typically for white privileged millennials,similar to Peace Corps types from rich American families.
Gina Di Lorenzo
Tuesday 31st of October 2023
Portland and Seattle should absolutely not be on this list. Portland is overrun with homeless and drug users. I would never go there alone, once upon a time it was safe but since COVID no more.