The 10 Safest Cities for Female Travelers and Expats

This article discusses the ten safest cities for nomads and expats where they can live, work, or invest without worrying about their safety.

We have found that there are many misconceptions – especially among US folks – about places that are and are not safe.

Many people, for example, believe that Southeast Asia or Asian countries, in general, are not safe, even though some of the safest countries in the world can be found in the region.

That’s why it’s so important to get your facts straight before calling a city, country, or region unsafe. Doing so will only make you miss tons of opportunities.If you want to live, work, or invest in some of the safest countries in the world, get in touch with us today. We’ll help you build your life in a place where you feel safe and happy.

10. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai’s stricter laws keep crime to a minimum, creating one of the safest cities in the Middle East and one of the safest in the world for tourists. 

The public transport is clean, safe, and monitored – there are even pink taxis that are only driven by female drivers as a special service for women in the city.

In fact, despite the stereotype of how women are treated in the Middle East, the city is also quite safe for female travelers. It is safe to take taxis, stay alone in hotels, and walk around alone in much of the city. 

Women do not have to wear a burka, headscarf, or veil, but covering their shoulders, knees, and neckline is always taken as a gesture of respect toward the cultural values of the region. 

If you are worried about your safety traveling through the Middle East as a woman, it always helps to show respect for the culture and traditions of the people whose country you are visiting. If you use a little common sense, Dubai can be the perfect place for a female traveler looking to experience the culture of the Middle East without worrying about her safety.

9. Hong Kong, Hong Kong

For anyone familiar with this Asian hub for investors, it is no surprise that the city is one of the safest in the world.

Crime rates are incredibly low, the infrastructure and roadways are immaculate, and the police and medical services are well-trained and efficient.

Female travelers can use the many safe and clean transportation options to get around the city and need not feel scared while doing so, even at night.

Most of Hong Kong’s crime rate can be attributed to petty crime, so keep your common sense intact. 

If you can manage to avoid the petty criminals, Hong Kong is a fantastic place to dip your toe into Asian culture. Thanks to its British heritage, many people speak English, and all the signs are in English, too, making it an easy city to explore. There are some fantastic places to explore in Hong Kong, with something for every kind of traveler.

8. Tbilisi, Georgia

Crime in Tbilisi is extremely low. In fact, according to a Gallup poll, the citizens of Georgia feel safer than anyone else in the world, especially when it comes to walking alone at night. The Gallup poll reports that 90% of women and 93% of men feel safe walking alone after dark (compared to 62% of women in the US and the UK). Physical security, especially after dark, is a powerful indicator of the overall safety of female solo travelers.

Citizens and expats alike who have visited Tbilisi will gladly agree that the city (really, the whole country) is one of the safest out there. Compared to the rest of the world, Georgia is a fantastic place for female solo travelers.

7. Lisbon, Portugal

Practically every female solo travel blog on the internet has at least one post raving about how Lisbon is the perfect city for solo female travelers. 

72% of people report feeling safe walking alone after night compared to Georgia’s 90%. As a whole, Portugal has a homicide rate of just 1 per 100,000, adding to the factors that make the country relatively safe for travelers, especially women.

The one thing to be aware of is pick-pockets. They are not so common on the streets, but they are everywhere on the trams where tourists are plentiful. Keep your valuables close and in front of you always, as you should anywhere you travel.

Other than that, Portugal is safe and easy to get around, whether you are walking or using the public transportation system. Most people speak English, which also helps with navigation to all the great sites and destinations you want to visit in the country.

6. Prague, Czech Republic

Not only is Prague one of the most-visited cities in Eastern Europe and, from our perspective, a haven for entrepreneurs, it is also among the safest choices for first-time female solo travelers. Between its incredible architecture and its vibrant art and music scenes, the draw is understandable. 

It is also safe to walk around at night, as long as you don’t follow shady characters into back alleys. The biggest dangers to look out for are pick-pockets in the city centers and other high-traffic tourist areas, as well as hidden exchange fees when trying to exchange your cash. Keep your belongings close and in a hard-to-access place. Be vigilant, but don’t stress yourself out over it.

5. Tokyo, Japan

Japan has long been known as a place where you could leave your wallet, phone, or laptop sitting out on a park bench and have no problem getting it back. Tokyo certainly lives up to this reputation. The Asian nation has a crime rate of just 19.38 and an incredibly low homicide rate of 0.3 per 100,000 people.

So, while Japan is an overwhelmingly safe place, don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Take the same precautions you would anywhere else, but you should be safe to walk around on your own and explore the city. If you are concerned about your safety, the trains are not the only all-female services offered in Japan. You can find everything from overnight buses to housing accommodations strictly for female customers.

4. Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei, Taiwan, is not only one of the safest cities in all of Asia it’s one of the safest cities in the world, especially for expats and tourists. The city is a melting pot of cultures with people of all religious and cultural backgrounds.

It is safe to walk around the city at night due to the well-lit streets and friendly people. As in Japan, there are waiting zones, carriages, and taxis designated for female passengers. Local law enforcement is also extremely helpful and will come to the aid of anyone, local or foreign. There is very little violent crime in the country, and gun violence is almost non-existent.

The biggest dangers in Taiwan are actually the weather and the drivers. Since it is a tropical island, the country is vulnerable to contagious diseases, unsafe water supply, and the occasional typhoon. The drivers are a more constant threat. Many people use scooters and motorcycles that they will drive on sidewalks and back alleys, so make sure to be aware of your surroundings at all times to avoid an unfortunate accident.

3. Singapore, Singapore

Crime rates in Singapore are low in almost every area. Many female expats living and traveling through the country report feeling safe walking around the city alone after midnight and much later.

While violent crimes like murder, gang violence, and theft-related violence are basically non-existent, so too are street harassment and sexual assault. The biggest crime of concern in the city-state is cybercrime and credit card fraud. Petty crime still occurs, but most long-term expats have never encountered any type of crime in the country, and those who have reported receiving prompt and efficient aid from the Singapore police.

It is no wonder that Singapore is fast gaining a reputation as one of the safest cities in the world. The real issue you should concern yourself with in Singapore is that you do not break the law yourself. Crime rates are so low largely because Singapore is very strict about crime and even more strict about law enforcement.

Offenses such as littering, chewing gum, or eating on public transportation systems can earn you large fines. You can even be jailed for failing to follow traffic rules. Drug use is an extreme offence, and even smoking in public places can land you in a world of trouble. Foreigners do not receive much leniency in this regard, so if you do plan to visit Singapore, be sure to be in full compliance with the laws.

2. Munich, Germany

Munich is not only one of the safest cities in Europe but one of the safest in the world. Approximately 75% of people report feeling safe walking alone at night in Munich, the city’s crime rate is just 16.4%, and Germany as a whole has a homicide rate of just 0.5 for every 100,000 people.

The risk of pick-pocketing in Munich is higher than other types of crime, but if you can manage to avoid the Main Station after dark, you can avert most problems.

Munich is a very safe city for tourists, expats, and locals. There are many great sites to check out in the area, making it a great place for female solo travelers who want to get a taste of Europe without much concern for their safety.

1. Doha, Qatar

One of our favorite parts of putting together these lists is the surprise we get when a country you never would have considered to make the list at all takes the number one spot.

This was the case for Doha, Qatar. With a crime rate of just 15.87, Doha won the spot as the safest city in the world.

The perfect score does not mean that Doha is free of crime or that it is the perfect place for the female traveler.

Qatar has made monumental efforts to earn its place on the world stage, from arranging the 2022 World Cup to lining up a long list of cultural and sporting events. All of this has contributed to their continued efforts to maintain a sparkly, clean reputation.

Even in the recent Soccer World Cup in Qatar, women were amazed by the safety standards of the country and the lack of verbal (or otherwise) harassment. As a Middle Eastern country, the same rules that apply in Dubai about covering your shoulders, knees, and neckline still apply. Most everyone speaks English so it is very easy to communicate and get around the city if you need directions.

While it may not be the perfect place, the fact that Qatar takes the top spot is another reason to disregard the “CNN effect” and stop believing that the Middle East automatically means violence and repression for anyone who steps foot in the region. Qatar, especially, aims to lead the Middle East in social development and change, so if you’re looking for a forward-thinking country in the Middle East where you can experience the culture, Doha could be the perfect place for your solo adventures.

Safest City in The World

Talking about safety, one should always look at the stats rather than primetime news perpetuating the idea of certain regions as unsafe.

We have bases all over the world including hidden gems like Tbilisi, Georgia. If you don’t get out there, you’ll never know that hidden gems like these exist.

Want to know about more safe havens worldwide where you can live, work, or invest without worrying? Get in touch with us today to discover all your options.