I fell in love with solo travel in Asia, and am here to share all you need to know to make it happen for yourself.
I’m insanely passionate about solo travel as a woman. I took my very first solo trip to Norway when I was 20 years old and fell in love with the sense of empowerment, independence, and freedom I felt navigating a new country on my own.
Since then, I’ve traveled solo in 10 different countries, 7 of which were in Asia. Needless to say, I’m just a smidge obsessed with talking about solo female travel in Asia.
Motivated by all the people who’ve made annoying comments about my solo travels (“YOU went there alone!? Isn’t it dangerous?), and the countless times women have told me they aren’t capable, I’ve grown into the advocate I am today.
Mix that in with the two years I spent traveling and teaching English in South Korea – I’ve fallen in love with everything related to solo female travel in Asia.
So if you’ve ever considered traveling alone as a woman, but you have some doubts, I’m here with an ultimate guide to solo female travel in Asia. You can rest assured that you can have a safe, exciting, and fun adventure abroad – even on your lonesome. And if you don’t want to take my word for it, maybe some inspiring quotes about solo female travel will 😉
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
Solo Female Travel in Asia Guide Overview
Best Solo Female Travel Destinations in Asia
Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers in Asia
General Asia Visa Tips
Making Friends When Traveling Alone
What to Wear as a Woman in Asia
Tips to Beat Homesickness or Loneliness
My Favorite Travel Gear
The Best Apps for Smooth Travel
How to Take Photos When Traveling Alone
Best Solo Female Travel Destinations in Asia
For women on the hunt for the best destinations for flying solo, I’ve rounded up the ten countries I feel are perfect for solo female travel in Asia, even for first-timers. There are so many dream destinations in Asia that people tend to overlook.
And I do truly believe that almost every country in Asia is a suitable travel destination for solo female travel! A few honorable mentions that would also be great for solo female travel include backpacking in China, visiting a local island in the Maldives, bikepacking in Southeast Asia, spending a couple of weeks in Sri Lanka (which I did solo myself!), and even venturing to the parts less explored such as the stans, Nepal and Myanmar!
Anyways, here are my top ten countries for solo travel in Asia!
Thailand
Thailand is a backpackers paradise and is a great introduction to travel in Asia. Nearly everything in Thailand is set up for tourism because of how popular it’s become for travelers.
It’s a gorgeous country with stunning beaches, notorious parties, epic nature, and a killer food scene. Because it’s so popular with backpackers, it’s also a great place to meet people while traveling alone.
Vietnam
I instantly fell in love with the charm and vibrant culture while traveling in Vietnam. An insanely popular tourist destination in Asia for good reason, solo female travel in Vietnam is a breeze.
Come and enjoy the beautiful clash of colonial and Vietnamese traditional architecture, the world-famous street food, the beautiful nature, and the gritty but beautiful way of life in Vietnam.
Laos
In comparison to the hustle and bustle of most of SE Asia, the pace in Laos is calm. While the tourism infrastructure isn’t as developed in Laos making travel slow, it’s still a great place for solo travel.
I spent two weeks in Laos solo and had a fabulous time scootering around the countryside. I met so many people and really enjoyed the fantastic culture of the area. It’s the greenest and lushest place I’ve ever seen.
South Korea
South Korea will always hold a special place in my heart. I called Korea home for two years as an English teacher. It’s one of the absolute safest places I’ve ever had the pleasure of living and traveling, making solo travel for women ideal.
There are so many amazing things to do in South Korea and beautiful places to see! The public transportation in Korea is insanely easy to navigate and well connected throughout the entire country. While not as affordable as other options on this list, I can’t recommend South Korea enough!
Japan
One of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Asia, Japan attracts nearly 30 million visitors each year. The culture and rich traditional history and culture is truly something special.
Japanese food is always a win, and there is no shortage of wonderful things to do in Japan. Although it’s mega safe and a great place for solo female travel, Japan is not as social of a travel destination as other parts of Asia. All that aside, a trip to Japan is great for solo women adventurers.
Indonesia / Bali
Indonesia was my very first solo trip in Asia. The memories I made scootering around the stunning landscape, exploring the beach scene, and learning about the beautiful culture in Bali and Jakarta was incredible.
There is no shortage of trendy smoothie bowls, aromatic coffee, and picturesque spa treatments here. Bali is an Instagram feed’s dream! Indonesia and Bali is a great place in Asia for first-time solo travelers because of how social and busy it is – I never felt uncomfortable once. It also happens to be one of the best tropical islands for solo female travel too!
Singapore
Singapore is actually the only place on this list that I haven’t had the chance to visit myself, but I’ve heard wonderful things from friends. It’s a huge city nation home to some beautiful attractions such as the Gardens by the Bay, Macau, Little India, Chinatown, and more.
It’s been on my list for so long! It’s a safe destination that is clean and super diverse so you don’t have to worry about traveling alone as a woman in Singapore. You probably only need a short visit here, and a solid 4 day Singapore itinerary should help you get to travel planning!
Malaysia
When I visited Malaysia alone in the summer of 2019, I took it upon myself to turn it into a glorified food tour of the country – I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so many delicious and unique dishes before!
Much how I imagine Singapore to be, Kuala Lumpur is a very modern city that oozes traditional charm from the diverse mix of people who call the city home. It‘s full to the brim with excellent photography opportunities, and I found Malaysia an easy place to travel solo and on a budget!
The Philippines
If you’re a beach lover looking for a fun social scene, the Philippines is for you. This budget and solo female travel-friendly country attracts travelers who know how to have a good time, and with an endless supply of very cheap rum, it’s always easy to find a party.
The landscape in The Philippines is made up of turquoise waters, limestone cliffs, stunning lagoons that are perfect for snorkeling, and more. While I must admit I didn’t love the food, the nature there and ocean activities were incredible. Check out my 2 weeks in the Philippines Itinerary for beach lovers!
Taiwan
While I only got to spend seven days in Taiwan, half of which was solo and the other half with a friend, I really enjoyed my short time there. Taipei has so many things to do and countless street markets to eat your way through. It’s not only a safe and easy place to navigate and get around but has the best of both worlds when it comes to city adventures and beautiful nature.
Solo Female Safety Tips for Asia
1. Come Prepared with Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is so important regardless of if you’re traveling solo or not. You don’t want to be caught without it if god forbid anything were to happen – especially when you’re in a different country!
2. Do Your Research
Coming to a new place prepared and armed with everything you should know about the local norms will help you feel more comfortable and safe during your solo travels. There’s power in knowledge.
3. Get a SIM Card
Sometimes it’s nice to disconnect while traveling, but when I travel solo, I always get a local SIM card for peace of mind. It helps me stay connected with loved ones and access maps if I get lost. It’s super easy and affordable to get a SIM card in most Asian countries.
If you’re looking to truly disconnect, here are some tips for traveling without a SIM card, because it is totally possible.
4. Do as the Local Women Do
When in doubt, look to the local women to see how they’re dressing, behaving and handling certain things. As frustrating as it is having to act differently because of our gender, it’s sadly the way of the world, especially in conservative Asia.
5. Let Someone Know Your Plans
Always let someone know of your travel plans before you depart for your solo travels in Asia! Whether you just tell them your dates or where you’ll be or a total blow by blow itinerary of exactly where, what, when, why, and how you’ll be traveling, it’ll help keep you safe and feeling looked after.
6. Be Careful When Drinking and Partying
Always keep your eyes on your drink and don’t accept drinks from strangers unless you saw it made behind the bar, you’ll want to keep your wits about you. But don’t stress too much and enjoy yourself!
7. Make Friends
Besides the fact that there’s strength in numbers, meeting friends is one of the best parts of traveling solo! You meet people from all over the world and learn a new perspective. You also have someone to share the memories with and a potential place to stay in a new country around the world 😉
8. Act Confident
And if you’re not feeling confident – fake it til you make it baby! Even just confidence and assuredness, a direct voice, a bit of authority can deter any funny business. You got this girl!
These are just a few of the best travel tips for solo female travelers in Asia. As women, we always need to think about safety, and traveling alone in Asia is really no different. There have been places I’ve visited in Asia, where I felt safer than in the US. Sadly crime happens everywhere, but we shouldn’t let that hinder our dreams to travel and see the world!
General Visa Requirements for Asia
Most places in Asia require a special tourist visa you’ll have to apply for either before arriving or when you arrive at the airport (visa on arrival or a landing visa). However, every country is different, and it especially depends on where you’re from.
A great tool for checking visa requirements for Asia is iVisa.com, which allows you to enter your home country and choose which country you’re traveling to. They’ll tell you what kind of visa you need and how to get it.
iVisa also offers services of getting tourist visas if needed. While I recommend them for checking what you need, they do charge a hefty fee for their services. You’re better off securing the visa yourself if you’re on a tight budget.
Always check the requirements directly on the government website for final verification. And watch out for potential scam websites! Some countries have funny visa processes where they don’t have an actual government website (like Vietnam until recently), or there are tons of scam websites pretending to be the correct visa website (looking at you India). Crazy right?
For my American friends, you can check out some general visa requirements for Asia in this well-summarized roundup. Be sure to verify!
Making Friends While Traveling Solo in Asia
Just because you’re traveling alone, doesn’t mean you actually are alone! One of my favorite parts of solo travel is all of the lovely people you inevitably meet. People are much more likely to approach you and start a conversation with you when you’re not surrounded by friends.
But how do you make friends while traveling solo in Asia? It’s actually not too difficult once you have some handy dandy solo travel tips!
1. Stay in Hostels
Staying in hostels and booking a bed in a shared dormitory is hands-down the best way to meet other travelers. Hostels tend to be way more social than hotels or private rooms, and they put you face to face with other like-minded travelers. Choosing a very social hostel or a party hostel will also help you meet new people!
Hostels can sometimes be a nightmare, but if you arm yourself with some of the best hostel tips and you read the reviews carefully, you should be able to find the best hostel for your travel style. The best place to book hostels is either at Booking.com or Hostel World.
2. Hang Out in Public Places
Putting yourself out there in public and social places is another great way to meet other people. Whether that’s chilling in your hotel’s lounge, or grabbing a drink at a cafe or bar, you’re very approachable when you’re alone – and I don’t mean for this to sound scary! I’ve even met cool people just by wandering around cities exploring on my own.
You’d be surprised how friendly people actually are, and that there are a lot more solo travelers out there doing the same thing you are. Just be sure you always trust your gut and follow some essential safety tips – but you’ll be fine!
3. Join Local Events Or Tours
As a solo traveler, taking part in local events or tours is a great way to meet new people outside of your hostel as well as just to enjoy the local sights and attractions with other travelers. If you don’t enjoy spending the entire day on your own, booking an organized tour is a great way to fix that.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Say Hi
There is definitely a different social norm when traveling solo, and people are much more open to saying hi and starting conversations with complete strangers than they probably would be at home.
Take advantage of this freedom and say hi! It’s such a pleasant experience making friends in this environment where the usual dose of social anxiety of meeting new people is pretty much nonexistent because everyone is feeling free without the normal self-consciousness you feel in your natural habitat.
5. Join Facebook Groups
There are so many travel communities on Facebook that offer travel tips, support, insights, and more for all things travel. These groups are also a great place to connect with other travelers, whether online or in-person in a new destination. A few Facebook groups I love are The Solo Female Traveler Network (literally perfect for any woman who travels solo), Girls Love Travel, and Ultimate Travel Group.
There are also a lot of local expat Facebook groups for any given city, so if you’re moving abroad or looking for expert advice straight from other travelers already in your next destination, they are a great help! I’ve connected with Fexpats Ho Chi Minh City as well as Women of Daegu while living and teaching English in Asia, and they were very helpful.
What to Wear in Asia as a Woman
Sadly we still live in a world where women need to think about what they wear while traveling for the sake of safety. Coming prepared with the knowledge of how to dress as a woman in Asia can help keep you feeling safe and comfortable on your travels while also maintaining a respectful presence in your host country.
While I can’t give you an exact standard for what to pack for travels in Asia because everywhere is different (research is key!), a few rules of thumb that usually apply are these:
Quick Tips for How to Dress in Asia
- Cover your shoulders, avoid too much cleavage, and cover your knees. In some countries, it’s recommended you do all three, while others may just be one or the other.
- I recommend bringing a lightweight scarf with you. It’s come in clutch for me when entering temples, or if I felt I was suddenly getting unwanted attention because of what I was wearing. It’s also helpful having it while traveling as a cover-up or pillow.
- Consider your swimsuit and where you’re going.
- Very touristy places are much more relaxed, and you can get away with wearing your regular clothes (most tourist beaches, pretty much all of Thailand, etc.).
- Temples require special consideration and usually request no skin showing and sometimes hair covered if you’re in a Muslim country.
Overall, while an important thing to consider, I don’t think extreme stress or anxiety is necessary when planning how to dress as a woman in Asia. Just be sure to do your research, read the room, and be respectful when it’s necessary. We live in a time where travel is widespread, and many people understand that we all come from different cultures with different expectations.
But as a solo female traveler in Asia, minimizing unwanted attention by dressing accordingly, can help ease the stress of traveling alone.
How To Beat Loneliness/Homesickness When Traveling Solo
One of the most common questions I get asked about solo travel is, “Isn’t it lonely?”. Honestly, I’d be lying if I said there weren’t any moments of loneliness while traveling solo. It’s just part of the territory. And while solo travel is insanely fulfilling, empowering, and confidence-boosting, there are moments where you wish you had another person with you.
But travel always has its challenges and learning how to overcome them is vital to healthy and happy adventures.
Quick Tips To Beat Loneliness / Homesickness
- Join a tour or activity you hadn’t planned for. Spontaneity and a group activity with other people may be just the ticket to boost your morale. I have a feeling it’ll help you have a good time.
- Call your friends or family. Seek comfort in your loved ones and share everything you’re doing to feel connected with other people.
- Don’t push yourself. There’s no shame in taking a break and spending a night in while traveling. If you want to lay in bed and watch Netflix because you’re just not feeling it, do it!
- Surround yourself with home comforts. Immersing yourself in everything new and different can be overwhelming! So surrounding yourself with some home comforts once in a while may help you rebalance.
- Remind yourself that you’re strong, capable and that this is only temporary. Sometimes we go somewhere and it just doesn’t vibe with us, and that’s ok. You don’t have to love everywhere you travel. Just remember that you’re experiencing something not many people get the chance to experience and that you’ll be home soon enough!
Travel Gear for Solo Female Travel in Asia
There have been many moments where I thought – wow, I wish I had packed this that and the other thing. While I still haven’t nailed the perfect packing list for Asia, my years backpacking around have taught me what the best backpacking essentials are for comfy travels.
Menstrual Cup
I’m obsessed with my menstrual cup and the freedom it’s given me while traveling! It’s only one thing to carry around, it’s eco-friendly, and it lasts me the entire day without having to think about it! I cannot recommend traveling with a menstrual cup enough.
Osprey Porter 46L
No backpacking adventure is complete without a trusty backpack! I love my Osprey Porter 46L for many reasons. It’s not too big, not too small, is carry on size for most airlines (sadly not budget airlines though), and is super durable. Not only that, Osprey has a lifetime warranty on all of their products. So even if years later, your backpack needs a repair, they’ll fix it or replace it for you for free!
Packing Cubes
These are a must to make packing up and making the most of limited backpack space! They help me cram so much more into my back and keep everything organized as well. This is nonnegotiable – get packing cubes, my friend!
A Quality Tripod
As a solo traveler, you don’t have anyone to take your picture! But of course, you still want to document your adventures and snap some shots of you while you’re traveling. Invest in a lightweight tripod for your phone or a tripod for your camera to get awesome shots!
Reliable Battery Pack
Keeping my phone charged while traveling solo is a big thing for me. I rely on it for navigation, taking photos, finding great places to eat, and just staying connected to the world. For that reason, I love bringing my Xiaomi rechargeable battery pack with my everywhere. It’s honestly been the longest-lasting battery pack I’ve ever owned. I highly recommend it.
More Travel Essentials for Solo Travel in Asia:
- Earplugs and eye mask – essential for hostel stays!
- A lightweight scarf – also a cool souvenir abroad depending on where you’re going
- Reusable water bottle and a portable water filter
- A quality day pack or small backpack
- A universal travel outlet adapter
For even more tips for backpacking essentials and the best travel gear for solo travel, check out my guide!
The Best Apps For Solo Female Travel
These days travel apps are as useful as the physical things you bring with you while traveling! Here are some of my favorite apps for solo travel and just travel in general.
Navigation: Google Maps / Maps.me
Both apps allow you to download an area of maps that you can use even while you’re offline. I love Google Maps because I save everywhere I want to see as pins for quick and easy access. Maps.me is great because their offline functionality is super helpful, and sometimes their maps have been more accurate than Google’s!
Getting around: Grab App
Move over Uber, because the Grab App is the leading taxi or ride share app throughout many countries in Asia. If you wish to call private taxis while visiting large cities like Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Saigon, etc., having the Grab App handy is a very convenient way to get around.
I recommend downloading it before leaving, and reading up on how to use Grab to ensure you’re all set once you touch down.
Finance: Trail Wallet / Splitwise
Not everyone is a budget traveler, but I am, so having an app that lets me keep track of my spending and what’s costing me the most money has been super helpful on my travels.
I love Trail Wallet because it allows you to keep a record of everything you pay for in different categories. See how much you’re spending on food, accommodation, shopping, whatever it is.
Splitwise has also come in clutch for keeping track of who paid for what and who owes who money. When traveling with other people, it’s sometimes a hassle splitting the bill every single time. Splitwise lets you mark who paid for what, and keeps track of the totals for each person. It’s great!
Accommodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld.com
Obviously, when you travel somewhere, you have to find a place to sleep! Often in Asia, it’s best to book your accommodation once you arrive and on the go.
You’ll meet other travelers who will have the best recommendations for you, and plans often change once you hear about the hidden gems of a place. Having the Booking and HostelWorld apps on your phone lets you book freely on the fly.
Photography + Videography: VSCO / 1 Second Everyday
I’m sure you’re already well acquainted with VSCO, but I love the additional editing features it has in comparison to my phone and Instagram. I also use VSCO for some editing tweaks before uploading them to Instagram.
1 Second Everyday is a really cool video diary concept where you record one second every day during your travels. At the end of your adventures, the little clips are strung together into one long video diary. It’s such a cool concept for long term backpacking adventures.
Making Friends: Rendezwho
I can’t personally vouch for this app because I’ve never actually used it myself, but it’s a pretty cool idea! Especially for solo female travelers in Asia and beyond. Think of it as Tinder for friends. Based on your location, the app connects you with other solo travelers and allows you to chat and meet up if it’s a good fit.
Documenting Your Travels: How to Take Photos When Traveling Solo
Another thing people often ask me about my solo adventures abroad is – how in the world do you capture your photos? Let me tell ya, it takes a few vital travel accessories, zero shame, and a lot of trial and error!
First things first, when documenting my solo travels, I always have with me these items:
Next, you need a don’t-care attitude and patience for setting up your shot and snapping photos in beautiful places. I’ve been laughed at a few times for my solo photoshoots, all in good fun (I think) but I know I’ll never see them again and that in a few years, I’ll be glad I have these beautiful photos to look back on.
When in doubt, I also rely on strangers to help me if my tripods just aren’t cutting it. The self-timer feature on both my phone and camera have also come in clutch.
Voila! That’s all there is to it! Taking photos while traveling solo comes down to having a tripod and no shame ;p Have fun!
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
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There you have it – my super-duper, handy dandy ultimate guide for solo female travel in Asia and beyond. Everything you could possibly need to know in one convenient place!
It is so important to practice safety when in other countries. This can be applied to travel in general! I love this as it could potentially save lives 🙂 Thank you for the tips!
Awe thank you so much!! Sad we have to worry and constantly think about our safety all the time but it’s a necessity!!!
These are all great ideas and awesome advice! I had trips planned to half of these spots at the beginning of the year but they were all cancelled, ugh! Can’t wait to be able to travel again and visit more of these places 😁 great post!
Thanks so much Jen!! I’m sorry your trips were cancelled :(( i totally know the disappointment!! I have a feeling you’re gonna love Asia 🥰
wow I love this detailed guide, I agree with all these tips as a fellow female solo traveler! Saved this for when I visit Asia next year and I can’t wait!
Yay thanks so much! It’s always nice to feel validated by someone who’s also experienced it!!❤️ Thanks girlie!! Safe travels!!
Love your guide! I have travelled solo in Cambodia and Thailand but would love do more solo trips to Asia in the future 🙂
Asia is such a wonderful place! Truly has my heart ❤️ But I never made it to Cambodia sadly! Ran out of time and money 😂 One day 😉
Wow, that’s one comprehensive article! I’ve been traveling for a long time, but always with friends or with a partner and I’m finally starting to think it’s time for a solo adventure or two. And I’d definitely choose Asia since I love it there – so this is really useful article, thank you! 🙂
Yesssss do itttt!! It’s such a unique experience and I’ve fallen in love with it!! And Asia is filled with backpackers so a great place to start ❤️❤️ Hope we can get back to normal traveling soon!
This guide is very thorough, well done! I managed to get some great info like this app connecting solo travelers. I traveled solo in Japan and I can tell indeed that it’s not dangerous at all!
Thank you so much!!! ❤️❤️ Japan is so lovely!
This is a great guide! I have been to Asia numerous times, but haven’t done it solo yet. That is going to change though! 🙂 I’m hoping to get to South Korea next.
Asia is seriously a dream!!! 🥰 If you ever need any solo tips or anything please shoot me a message ☺️☺️
Great article, after a very-close mugging in Bangkok I’m a little nervous to go back to SEA as a solo female tourist, but I’m doing all the reading I can to try and reassure me that it will be OK when I bite the bullet and eventually get over there.
One thing though, I don’t know how good iVisa is – I just searched UK>Malaysia and it told me I need to pay 200 euros for a ‘nomad visa’, however I did a quick google and there’s no visa required to visit Malaysia. So double check what they are attempting to ‘help’ you with since they might be trying to make a quick buck!
Hi Alice!! I’m so sorry to hear that happened to you! I hope you’re doing better, I can only imagine how scary that would’ve been. And thank you for the heads up about iVisa! I’ll have to update to change my recommendation. Wish you safe travels on your next adventure!!