Study: The best female solo travel destinations

Solo travel is booming in 2026, and women are leading the charge. More than ever, women are championing the type of travel and are stepping out into new locations, exploring new cultures, and seeking truly transformative experiences. 

In fact, around 84% of solo travelers are female. Additionally, 65% of US women have taken a vacation without their partner.* While solo travel can be liberating, it can also get lonely - and who better to keep your company than a loyal companion? No, not a person, a pet!

Despite the saying ‘a man’s best friend’, research shows that dogs are actually one of the best companions for women. They help with emotional well-being, mindfulness, and can make solo adventures feel safer and more enjoyable (and don't disrupt your zen like a human travel companion might). 

That’s exactly why we’ve created this index, to highlight the best and safest solo travel destinations for women, where pet sitting a dog along the way could make your solo journey a little less daunting.

Global: The top solo travel destinations for women 

We analysed global and U.S. destinations using metrics like perceived level of crime and safety scores, broadband speeds, solo travel search trends, and public transport wait times to help women pick the perfect spot for their next adventure with a four-legged companion by their side.

Singapore is the best destination in the world for women traveling solo

Asia dominated the top five ranking, with four Asian cities placing as the top solo female travel destinations. Singapore took the number one spot, offering the best all-around travel experience for travelers: with safe streets, fast Wi-Fi, and reliable public transport.

Singapore is a vibrant country and city in Southeast Asia, known for its connectivity and safety.  It has a tropical rainforest climate, with stunning beaches on Sentosa Island and an abundance of green space. It offers not only a ton of solo activities, but also pet-friendly ones, perfect for house sitting with a furry companion. 

NYC ranks as one of the best female solo travel destinations

A bucket-list destination for many, New York City ranks as the second-best solo travel destination. This bustling metropolis not only offers countless things to do, but it’s also a safe place to explore. To make city life just a little less hectic, why not unwind in a classic New York brownstone? Curl up on the sofa and enjoy a cozy snuggle after a long day of adventures.

Dubai is applauded for safety and connection 

Known as a modern miracle in the desert, Dubai is a trending holiday destination, and for good reason. Not only does it have low crime rates, but it’s also one of the most connected cities, letting you explore freely and confidently. And it’s not just dogs who need pet sitting here. Pet parents of every kind are also looking for loving sitters to care for their furry family while they, too, discover their next favorite destination.

U.S: The best U.S. states for female solo travel

While we love uncovering destinations around the world, sometimes it’s nice to stay closer to home. And what better way to enjoy a home-from-home than with the company of a new furry friend?

To find out the best states for female solo travel, we analyzed the following factors:

• Violent crime rates
• Solo female sit percentage change over the past two years
• Average fixed broadband download speed (Mbps)
• Solo female sit popularity in 2025
• Average taxi tariff ($/km)

Pennsylvania is the best U.S. state for female solo travel

From Pittsburgh with its rivers, museums, and growing food scene to Jim Thorpe, also known as the “Switzerland of America,” with cobblestone streets and Pocono Mountain views, Pennsylvania’s charm is endless. The state has also seen the highest level of solo female sits in 2025 at 62.50%, and it's no wonder why, with its charming landscape and welcoming locals (including the ones with four legs).

Iowa has seen the fastest growth in solo female travel over the past two years

Iowa has seen the fastest growth in solo, female interest of any of the top ten states, soaring by 24.75% in the past two years, a sign of its rapidly rising reputation among female travelers.

Travelers can’t help but be impressed wherever they go in Iowa. Whether it’s the state capital, Des Moines, where visitors can enjoy urban culture and stroll safely through downtown, or Amana Colonies, with its historic villages rich in German heritage, perfect for some ‘you time’.

Maryland is the best U.S. state for female digital nomads

New York placed third in the rankings and remains the most searched-for and visited state, but it was Maryland that came in just behind. It might just be the perfect home sit for digital nomads - the state boasts the fastest internet speeds of any top ten state, making it the most remote work-friendly destination for solo female travelers.

While you relax and stay logged on at a cozy ranch or townhouse with your new, furry best friend, you can also explore the quirky neighborhoods of Baltimore, paddle or stroll along Chesapeake Bay, or visit Assateague Island to see wild ponies and its famous beaches. Maryland truly has it all.

A way to travel solo with home comforts and a loyal companion

Solo travel is an achievement in itself, and reaching that milestone isn’t always easy. From safety concerns to hotel fees, there are certainly plenty of barriers. 

But here at TrustedHousesitters, solo trips for female travelers can feel a little less taxing - especially with pets for company. 

Our sitters swap cookie-cutter hotel rooms for unique, cozy homestays, with the privacy and security of a real home to stay in. And with a furry tour guide by their side (AKA adorable pets to take care of), our solo female travelers are never truly solo.

Sources

• *Solo travel statistics - Brittany Ferries

Methodology

Global Index

We analysed 50 global destinations using Euromonitor International – Top City Destinations Index (international tourist arrivals). 

For global crime rates and safety ranks, we used numbeo.com’s survey that asks various aspects related to crime and safety in cities, including:​ perceived crime levels, safety perceptions and crime concerns.

Broadband speeds were found using https://www.speedtest.net/global-index. If the city was not listed, the country/state data was used instead. 

Search popularity - Using Google Trends and Glimpse for Worldwide searches for “solo travel [city]”.

Public transport frequency was assessed using the Moovit Global Public Transit Index, based on real commuter journeys. Where city-level data was unavailable, country-level or nearest major city Moovit data was applied. 

U.S. Index

Violent crime rate per 100,000 people - Police reporting compiled from FBI data on violent crime rates, based on publicly available data from various sources, which compile FBI UCR (Uniform Crime Reporting) data on violent crime rates by state.

Solo female sits % change 2023 v 2025, and solo female sit popularity in 2025 is from TrustedHousesitters internal data.

Broadband speeds were found using https://broadbandnow.com/research/best-states-with-internet-coverage-and-speed   

The average taxi tariff per 1km was found by calculating U.S. state-level averages using numbeo.com