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Hotels or Hostels: Safe Accommodation For Solo Female Travellers

ByNatalie Posted Updated
A woman in a flowing pink dress sits on the wall of her hotel room terrace looking out at the neighbouring cream, pink and blue buildings and hills beyond. A hotel like this has several advantages as accommodation for solo female travellers, including providing ample photo opportunities.
A female solo traveller looks out at the view from her hotel room terrace

Key Takeaway

There is no ‘one size fits all’ accommodation option for single travellers. Everyone has different needs and preferences, and, as detailed, different accommodation types offer different advantages and disadvantages. Always do your research and prioritise safety followed by your own travel style, needs and budget.

When you’re dreaming about solo adventures between work deadlines and weekend plans, choosing the right place to stay isn’t just a budget decision. It’s the foundation of your whole travel experience.

If you’re a first-time solo traveller who’s slowly building up the courage to book that ticket, figuring out the best accommodation for solo female travellers can feel overwhelming. It definitely was for me, I found it really hard to strike a balance between comfort, safety and social connection.

I’ve stayed in cosy hostels buzzing with social energy and quiet hotels that offer comfort and security. The options are as diverse as your travel goals, especially when also considering alternatives like Airbnb, pet sitting or female-only travel communities.

In this guide we’ll review the real, honest pros and cons of each choice, with your safety, comfort, connection and style in mind. Plus, I’ll share practical tips to help you pick the right place and make the most of your stay without the overwhelm, even for a short trip.

The Rise of Solo Female Travel

Solo female travel is on the rise, with more women than ever setting off on adventures without the safety net of friends or family. In fact, a recent study shows women now make up 71 percent of solo travellers.

But the travel industry is still slowly adapting to this shift in the market, especially when it comes to suitable accommodation options that cater specifically for us women.

A woman sits on a bed staring out of a window at tall pastel-coloured buildings. An Airbnb apartment like this has its advantages as accommodation for solo female travellers, but could be isolating.

That’s why it’s so important we do our research, and choose a place to stay that’s safe, comfortable and affordable while fulfilling our individual preferences for privacy and social interaction.

Understanding Your Accommodation Needs as a Solo Female Traveller

Safety first

This one is non-negotiable for any solo female traveller. Safety always comes first, so these aspects should always be considered when looking at accommodation options.

  • Safe location – choose well-lit, busy neighbourhoods close to public transport links – especially if you booked a cheaper flight that arrives late or leaves very early
  • Security features – consider if the building provides key cards, lockers/a safe and a 24-hour staffed reception
  • Local insights – check reviews and online forums and groups and search for experiences around location, safety provisions, etc

Budget and comfort

Personal spending limits may well influence your choice when it comes to travel accommodation. And it’s no secret that hostels almost always offer cheaper stays than hotels.

  • Hotels – often offer more privacy and comfort but at a greater expense
  • Hostels – can be cheaper, helping you to keep costs low and afford more trips

So first, consider what matters most to you. Hold on to that thought for now.

Travel style and experience

Also think about the type and duration of your trip. A hotel may be fine for a night or two or a long weekend away, but would you find it lonely for a week-long stay?

Or are you a full-time worker that would be quite happy taking downtime while travelling and enjoying your own company with the facilities on offer?

A blonde woman in sunglasses and a floral blouse smiles while enjoying a peaceful boat ride at sunset, with golden reflections on the water and a tall building in the background. Suggests the serene, scenic perks of solo travel with safe, tranquil accommodations near nature.

Again, think about what matters most to you, or what experience you’d be happy with for the length of your stay.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Hotel Accommodation for Solo Female Travellers

Let’s look at some real examples of the pros and cons of booking into a hotel as a female travelling alone.

Hotel advantages

  • Privacy and personal space – you get the room to yourself, and can (hopefully!) enjoy undisturbed sleep. I have a tendency to snore, and I’m really conscious about that disturbing others. If you’re a light sleeper, a hotel will provide more peace and quiet too.
  • Better security measures – you’ll have your own room, behind a locked door that only you and the hotel staff have access to. I generally feel safe leaving my personal belongings in a hotel room while I’m out sightseeing.
  • Consistent quality and service – you can expect your room to be spotlessly clean and prepared for only your arrival. No-one will have got there before you and made it untidy.

Hotel disadvantages

  • Cost – hotel rooms are almost always more expensive, even if you manage to find a single occupancy room at a lower rate. Although this is one compromise I’ve used a few times to strike a balance between privacy and cost.
  • Less chance to meet other travellers – hotels are quite lonely places. So if you’re more of a social butterfly, or you might miss interacting with others, then staying in a hotel does have that drawback.
  • Often less social atmosphere – often hotels don’t have shared spaces, so they lack that social vibe. Some do have communal areas, but in my experience they tend to be fairly deserted or occupied by guests who don’t want to interact.

Personal experience

  • I stayed at City Box in Tallinn, which had great facilities including a shared kitchen and various social spaces for eating, working, relaxing or playing games. It was nice to be able to sit in a more open, well-lit location to write, but opportunities to socialise with strangers were few and far between as most other travellers chose to stay in their rooms.
  • On the other hand, having my own room meant I could retreat to sit in my pyjamas while eating my takeaway pizza and scrolling social media after an early start and long day. And I didn’t need to make small talk or feel pressured into activities.
A chic, modern lounge area at Citybox Tallinn with mid-century style chairs in soft pink and tan tones, set against minimalist decor and large windows. Ideal for solo female travellers seeking stylish, well-lit communal spaces in upscale accommodations.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Hostel Accommodation for Solo Female Travellers

Hostel advantages

  • Budget-friendly – hostels are definitely the way to go if price is an important factor, as a bed in a shared room will always be cheaper than a private hotel room. That’s not rocket science! A hostel could make a big difference if you’re not visiting one of Europe’s more affordable countries.
  • Easy to meet other travellers – if you’re experiencing loneliness while solo travelling, or just don’t want to eat alone, hostels are great for refilling your social battery. Whenever I’ve stayed in hostels, everyone staying there has been friendly and happy to chat.
  • Organised tours and activities – many hostels offer organised activities and even tours. And these offer the chance to bond over shared interests and even make life-long friendships.

Hostel disadvantages

  • Shared facilities – I’m not gonna lie, I don’t love sharing a bathroom with strangers. Will the toilet be free if I need it? Will I wake others if I use the bathroom in the night, and should I flush or not? Will there be enough hot water left to shower? These are real concerns for me.
  • Less privacy – I’m not always confident at undressing in front of people I don’t know, and I worry that if I snore I might keep people awake and receive negativity. I’m sure I’m not alone in these fears, I’m probably over-thinking it because actually my experience of hostels hasn’t been like this at all. Everyone is usually really kind and understanding. But that’s the polite British mannerisms and neurodiverse traits in me!
  • Varying safety standards – you do need to be a bit more safety-conscious in hostels, especially around your personal belongings and any valuables. Some hostels are really pro-active on safety and ensure guests and their bags are protected, and others not so much. So there’s definitely an element of mutual trust.
A well-lit dorm room with metal bunk beds, crisp white bedding, and a large window overlooking the street. Reflects a typical hostel setup, often budget-friendly and sociable, though shared sleeping arrangements may be less ideal for solo female travellers prioritising privacy.

Personal experience

  • I stayed in a female-only hostel in Amsterdam called Hostelle, and found it a really enjoyable experience. The safety measures were excellent, with privacy curtains on the beds, lockers and an outdoor seating area.
  • Although I struggled to fully relax due to the shared sleeping arrangement, I did really enjoy chatting to other travellers and enjoying the company of others in the communal spaces.

Alternative Accommodation Options

Hotels and hostels aren’t the only options for accommodation for solo female travellers. And there are probably some options you haven’t considered, or maybe didn’t even know about.

Airbnb/Vrbo

You may find a private residence or shared property option at a reasonable price on Airbnb or Vrbo.

When I stayed in Krakow, an apartment on Vrbo actually worked out cheaper than a hotel room, and it was really modern, spacious, clean and comfortable. So it’s always worth a quick look.

A clean, modern Airbnb bathroom with white subway tiles, a glass shower enclosure, and geometric patterned floor tiles. Highlights the importance of private, well-maintained facilities when choosing accommodation for solo female travellers.
  • Pros: This could be a cheaper option than a hotel, while still offering privacy and some home comforts too.
  • Cons: Often there’s a cleaning fee added to the booking price, and if there’s an issue you have to rely on messaging the host or Airbnb customer service. Staying in a host’s home with them also does come with risks.

Social hub hotels

Some hotels are specifically designed around providing private hotel rooms but shared social spaces. And some, such as the Social Hub, actively encourage interactions amongst guests by hosting activities such as games and rooftop drinks.

Capsule/pod hotels

These are a relatively new concept, but more are popping up. They usually offer a hostel-like facilities, but with a private small pod or capsule for sleeping. CityHub in Copenhagen is a great example of a capsule hotel, which gets rave reviews.

A sleek row of glowing capsule pods stacked two high in a dimly lit room, each with a neatly made bed and ambient lighting. Capsule hotels offer a futuristic, compact option for solo female travellers who value privacy, security, and affordability in urban stays.
  • Pros: They’re usually cheaper than a hotel, and centrally-located in major cities. And often they offer the perks of both a hotel and a hostel with shared social spaces.
  • Cons: Not many cities have them – yet!

Hostel/guesthouses with private rooms

Some hostels or guesthouses offer private rooms, often with a shared bathroom but sometimes with a private bathroom.

A small, modest single room with a wooden bed, polka dot bedding, a red-lit nightstand, and basic toiletries on the bed. Represents no-frills, budget guesthouse accommodation — a common choice for solo female travellers seeking affordability, but with potential trade-offs in comfort and safety.

I had a private single room when I stayed at Guest House Marija in Dubrovnik, plus my own private toilet and shower – although I did have to step across the corridor to access it. But it was clean, comfortable, conveniently-located and the owner was so friendly and helpful, even when I arrived very late due to a flight delay.

  • Pros: You get to combine privacy with socialising, as and when you want to.
  • Cons: They’re not as cheap as a shared dorm, and sometimes can be the same or more expensive than a budget hotel room.

Pet sitting stays

For the animal lovers, websites like TrustedHouseSitters are a great way of finding free accommodation in return for taking care of a pet. I haven’t done this myself yet, but I know women who travel the world this way.

A tabby and white cat naps curled up on a person's lap, resting peacefully against denim jeans on a grey sofa. Reflects the comfort and companionship of pet sitting stays or staying with locals when travelling solo as a woman.
  • Pros: It’s a great way of discovering new locations and your accommodation is usually provided for free in return for your services.
  • Cons: The downside is that choice of location and dates will be limited, and you’ll need to be available at agreed times for pet care duties. There’s also a membership fee to pay.

Home exchanges

Websites like HomeExchange allow trusted users to swap homes for free accommodation, which is a great way of reducing the cost of a trip abroad.

  • Pros: The swap can take place at the same time, or on different dates if agreed. You’ll get to stay for free somewhere with all the home comforts you’re used to. This can be a great way to discover new locations, and local neighbourhood living as well as city life.
  • Cons: You will also have to advertise and open your own home to strangers, which isn’t for everyone. Preparation beforehand is required including cleaning, preparing fresh bedding and putting away any valuables or prized personal items. The site charges a membership fee, and you’d need to check with your home insurer to check if your policy covers this.

Volunteering opportunities

You can also volunteer in return for accommodation via providers like Worldpackers. Opportunities that provide accommodation for solo female travellers include teaching, farm work, gardening, cleaning, maintenance and repairs and more.

Two women wearing gloves and holding shovels smile while volunteering on a sunny day, surrounded by trees and garden beds. This image illustrates the rewarding experience of volunteering accommodations, offering community and purpose for solo female travellers.
  • Pros: This is also a great way to meet other travellers and immerse yourself in a destination’s culture and way of life. It could also be rewarding to help others achieve a worthy goal.
  • Cons: You’ll be limited by the locations and stay duration on offer, and you’ll have to commit to working the hours agreed, leaving less time for sightseeing and socialising. It also doesn’t always represent great value for money, depending on how much you value your time and the cost of accommodation in the area.

Communities like Host a Sister

Facebook groups like Host a Sister are a great way of finding a place to stay with another female while travelling, especially if you’re on a budget or find yourself in need.

You simply post with your location and date requirements, and hopefully you get an offer of shelter from another group member.

  • Pros: This is a great way to meet other people, but on a much smaller scale, and learn about local family life, cultures and traditions. Accommodation is provided for free on the basis you’d be happy to offer it to another traveller in return, if and when you’re able to.
  • Cons: You won’t get to choose where you sleep – this could be a sofa or a shared bedroom. You’ll likely be staying as a house guest, living closely with your host, so you’ll have less privacy and freedom. It’s also harder to check the person is who they say they are beforehand.

Tips for Choosing the Best Accommodation

Research and reviews

Once you’ve narrowed down your accommodation choices, I recommend running through a few final checks before you book.

  • Check reviews on trusted sites like Google, Trip Advisor and even Facebook groups – these are all great sources for reading honest feedback.
  • Look for female-only dorms and security measures to prevent access to anyone not staying in the same room or on the same floor. Always consider the safety aspect of any potential stay.

Safety tips

Making the most of your stay

Whether you choose to stay in a hotel, hostel or somewhere else, I recommend connecting with other travellers if travelling solo. Even if you enjoy your own company, it can still feel isolating to go too long without a friendly chat.

Three smiling women pose in front of the ancient stone ruins of an amphitheater, likely in Europe, enjoying a sunny sightseeing day. A joyful moment highlighting the social perks of travelling solo as a woman and connecting with fellow explorers.
  • Use social apps like Pangea to find local meet-ups or other people to connect with
  • Facebook groups like Gals Who Travel or Host a Sister are great ways of meeting up with other women to sightsee or socialise with
  • Read travel blogs for local spots and activities geared towards solo travellers

There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach when booking travel accommodation for single travellers. We are all individuals with different needs and preferences, and that’s OK!

Each accommodation type offers unique benefits for solo female travellers, as well as advantages and disadvantages.

Always prioritise safety above everything else, followed by your own travel style, needs and budget. And if you’re unsure about a place, don’t book it or leave and find something better. Don’t be afraid to trust your instinct and advocate for yourself.

But honestly, with a little careful planning, you can find the perfect place to stay and make solo travel safe, fun and rewarding. The world is waiting and you are more than capable, don’t miss out on living life the way you want to because you didn’t believe in yourself!

Find accommodation for solo female travellers using my quick search bar below

Travel Blogger & Content Creator

A UK-based travel blogger, content creator and full time digital platform manager. Shares her own experiences of combining travel adventures with a career and home life to help make travel more accessible and enjoyable for others, using only annual leave and weekends.
From tight itineraries to budget travel hacks, Natalie focuses on giving readers the tools they need to see more of the world on their own terms.

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