Solo Female Travel in the UK: Advice from a Local

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Everything you need to know to be prepared for solo female travel in the UK – including safety tips and travel advice.

With its historic cities, rolling countryside, epic coastline, vibrant nightlife, surprising food scene, and myriad adventure activities, the UK has something to offer every kind of traveller.

I was born and raised in Southwest England, and have lived in London, Southampton, and Portsmouth before settling back home in Dorset. I’ve explored the entire UK extensively: from epic road trips in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to culture-filled city breaks in places like Liverpool, Edinburgh, York, and more. I was even an author on the most recent Lonely Planet Great Britain guidebook. So, I do like to think I’m a bit of an expert on this quirky, historic, and beautiful country!

Below, you’ll find all my travel tips for solo female travellers visiting the UK for the first time. Use the contents menu below to skip to the sections you need – and feel free to ask questions in the comments.

Best Destinations in the UK for Solo Female Travellers

London – The UK’s capital is a must-visit, with world-famous museums, historic landmarks, and a vibrant social scene. Excellent hostels, walking tours, and day trips make it easy for solo travellers to meet others.
Edinburgh – Scotland’s capital is compact, walkable, and full of history. The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and cosy pubs make Edinburgh ideal for solo exploration. It’s also a gateway to the Highlands, with plenty of day tours available.
Bath – A small, elegant city known for its Roman Baths and Georgian architecture. Safe, easy to navigate, and perfect for travellers who enjoy history, wellness, and relaxed sightseeing.
York – A charming medieval city with cobbled streets, York’s manageable size and welcoming atmosphere make it perfect for solo travellers seeking culture and history.
Lake District – Stunning landscapes, hiking trails, and welcoming towns like Keswick and Ambleside. Guided walks and boat trips make it easy to join activities and meet fellow travellers.
Devon & Cornwall – Southwest England’s rugged coastline, beautiful beaches, and picturesque fishing villages are ideal for those seeking soft adventure and seaside charm. Surf towns like Newquay, Falmouth, and Croyde are particularly good for solo travellers – surfing lessons and other watersports classes are good places to meet people.

Is the UK Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

The short answer is YES: overall, the UK is safe for solo female travellers. It is considered one of the safer countries in Europe, with relatively low levels of violent crime compared to global averages. The Global Peace Index 2025 ranks the UK 30th worldwide with a Global Peace Score of 1.63, placing it behind countries such as Austria, Portugal, and Denmark, but still firmly within the “safe” category.

However, there are a few things to be aware of, which I’ll outline below. No matter which country you’re visiting, my advice to all solo female travellers is to remain vigilant, practice common sense, and avoid dangerous situations. I’ve included some more specific UK solo travel tips later in this article to help out.

Tips for Solo Female Travellers in the UK

General safety tips for female travellers

• Take care of your valuables in city centres and at busy tourist attractions. Carry your valuables out of sight in a zipped bag (preferably cross-body). Click here for more tips.
• Avoid sharing your live location on social media: post your Instagram stories at the end of the day.
• Avoid walking alone at night, especially in unlit areas.
• Don’t meet up with anyone you don’t know.
• Never travel in an unlicensed taxi. Taxis in the UK should have official license plates and the driver’s ID badge on display. Use Uber, or get the staff at your hotel/restaurant/etc to call a taxi for you.
• Use reputable providers for tours and excursions.

Get a Local SIM or eSIM

Internet access makes travelling in the UK much easier. It’s handy for using maps to plan your journeys, calling Ubers, and using translation apps if English isn’t your first language. If you’re visiting the UK from abroad, you can buy a prepaid local SIM for tourists, or download an eSIM.

You can buy a local SIM card from most international airports in the UK, as well as in towns and cities at phone shops, supermarkets and convenience stores, petrol (gas) stations, and newsagents. The main operators offering tourist SIMs are O2, Vodafone, EE, Three, and Lyca Mobile.

Personally, I prefer eSIMs: you can download them to your phone without needing to remove your current SIM. They can be a bit more expensive, but they’re much easier and more convenient – and you can activate as soon as you land to get online straight away.

Learn the local emergency numbers

Memorise or save these in your phone, in case of an emergency.

Have good travel insurance

I cannot stress the importance of travel insurance enough! If you encounter an issue – whether it’s a cancelled flight or a medical emergency – you want that covered.

I recommend Safety Wing Travel Insurance – they have policies specifically for long-term travellers, digital nomads, and backpackers, and offer good cover for more adventurous types of travel.

Book Tours

If you’re nervous about visiting the UK as a solo female traveller, booking a few tours can make exploring easier. Tours are also a great way to meet fellow travellers and make friends!

Check recent reviews and make sure you’re booking a tour company with a good reputation. I prefer to use Get Your Guide and Klook to search, as they both have a great review system, which makes it easy to find the best tour companies.

KLOOK PROMO CODE: Use code EMLUXTRAVEL when you book with Klook to get 10% discount for new customers and 3% discount for existing customers.

Tips for Getting Around

Public Transport

The UK’s public transport is safe, extensive, and generally reliable, although it’s certainly nowhere near as affordable or reliable as other countries in Europe. Trains and coaches connect cities, towns, and even rural areas, so you rarely need to rent a car unless exploring very remote countryside.

Trains: The UK has one of Europe’s most comprehensive rail networks. However, it’s quite expensive, especially for long journeys, and some lines are famously unreliable. Major operators include Avanti West Coast, LNER, GWR, and Northern Rail, with frequent services between cities such as London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bath, and York. Trains are usually modern, with comfortable seating, toilets, and WiFi (although it’s not great). Solo travellers will find trains safe and straightforward to use, even at night. However, guards patrol less frequently at night, so it’s a good idea to sit in the same carriage as the guard if you can.

Top Tip: Buy a Railcard (eg 16–25, 26–30, or Two Together) to save up to 1/3 on fares. Advance tickets can be much cheaper: book tickets as far in advance as you can via Trainline, National Rail, or directly with operators. Read more tips here.

Buses: Long-distance coaches are usually much cheaper than trains and reach destinations that aren’t served by rail – but they’re also slower than trains. National Express and Megabus are the main operators in the UK. Their coaches are generally clean, safe, and ideal for solo travellers.

In Towns and Cities: London has the iconic Underground (Tube), as well as buses and Overground trains. Other cities like Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow have excellent bus and tram networks. Day passes or contactless cards make travel easy and cost-effective. Night buses run in major cities. In smaller towns and rural areas, bus services can be slower and less frequent, but still a decent way to get around.

Is there Uber in the UK?

Uber is available in most cities and larger towns – but it’s rare in smaller towns and rural areas. I live in Southwest England, and even most of the larger towns here don’t have Uber.

In London and some other large UK cities, you can also use Bolt (which is often cheaper) or Freenow (which you can use to call metered taxis). If you’re in a town where Uber isn’t available, ask your accommodation for the number of a local taxi company.

Top Tip: Set up Uber’s Safety features in advance. You can set up a PIN verification, switch on safety check-ins, and add a trusted contact with whom you can quickly share your location and trip status if you’re concerned.

Is it safe to travel at night?

It’s generally safe to travel at night in the UK, particularly in larger cities where public transport runs late. Violent crime against tourists is rare, but petty theft and harassment can occur, especially in busy nightlife districts or on public transport.

Public transport is reliable and reasonably well-patrolled, with night buses in London and other major cities, as well as late-running trains and trams. Licensed taxis and ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt, Freenow) are widely available and considered safer than hailing cabs on the street.

You should still use common sense, however. Avoid walking alone in poorly lit or deserted areas, keep valuables secure, and be cautious around strangers. On public transport, try to sit near other passengers and avoid empty carriages late at night.

Top Tip: In smaller towns and rural areas, it’s a good idea to pre-book taxis if you plan on staying out late.

Outside of major cities, late-night public transport is rare. In my town, the last bus is at 10pm! There are a few long-distance overnight buses. These are budget-friendly and safe, but not that comfortable. There are also two overnight sleeper trains in the UK (the Night Riviera from London to Penzance and the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Scotland) – these are pricier and offer a more luxurious experience.

How to Dress & Tips on What to Pack

Layers are essential – The weather in the UK is famously unpredictable at any time of year. It’s not uncommon to experience all four seasons in one day here! Pack light layers which you can add or remove easily.
Waterproof jacket – Rain is common all year round, so a good waterproof coat and/or a compact umbrella is a must.
Comfortable shoes – Cities like London and Edinburgh are best explored on foot. Choose sturdy, comfortable footwear.
Smart‑casual clothing – Works well for pubs, restaurants, and everyday sightseeing. Most places don’t have a strict dress code, but avoid overly casual wear in higher-end venues.
In Winter: Hat, gloves, and a warm coat.
In Summer: Wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses (yes, the sun does shine sometimes!).

Food & Drink

Pub Culture – Pubs are at the heart of British social life and are very welcoming to solo travellers. You usually order food at the bar, and many pubs serve hearty classics like fish & chips, Sunday roasts, and pies. They’re great places to relax, people-watch, or strike up a conversation.

Cafés & Coffee Shops – There are both independent cafés and large-scale chains like Pret or Costa everywhere, offering affordable meals, snacks, and WiFi. Perfect for solo travellers who want a casual bite or a place to recharge.

Markets & Food Courts – Cities like London, Manchester, and Bristol have vibrant food markets (like Borough Market & Camden Market in London). These are ideal for solo travellers who want to avoid the awkwardness or formality of a sit-down meal alone. Some cities have indoor food courts (for example, Cutlery Works in Sheffield), which are also great spots to grab a casual meal.

Restaurants – Dining alone is widely accepted in the UK. Many restaurants offer set menus or casual dining options, making solo meals easy. Look for smaller bistros or chain restaurants (like Wagamama or Pizza Express), which are friendly to solo diners and often have communal seating.

READ MORE: Tips for Dining Alone when you Travel Solo

Cultural Etiquette in the UK

Queuing – The British are famously serious about queuing! Always wait your turn in line, whether at bus stops, shops, or attractions. Cutting in is considered very rude.
Tipping – Tipping is not mandatory, but it’s customary to leave around 10–12% in restaurants if a service charge isn’t already included. In pubs and bars, you don’t usually tip for drinks, though rounding up is appreciated. Tipping isn’t expected in taxis, but it is appreciated – you can round up to the nearest pound, or add 10% for exceptional service or a long journey.
Politeness – Most Brits value politeness (especially the older generations). A simple “please,” “thank you,” or “sorry” goes a long way. That said, us Brits also love to use passive-aggressive politeness as a weapon – so if someone mutters “you’re welcome”, they may be being sarcastic!!

Money & Budgeting

Currency – The UK uses the British Pound (£). Coins come in denominations of £1, £2, and pence (1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p). Notes include £5, £10, £20, and £50.
Contactless Payments – Debit and credit cards with contactless functionality are widely accepted, even for small purchases. Mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are also common. You rarely need cash, though it’s useful for small shops, markets, and car parks – especially in rural areas.
ATMs & Currency Exchange – ATMs are easy to find and generally safe to use. Avoid airport exchange desks, which often have poor rates – reputable exchange services like the Post Office or Marks & Spencer are usually better.

Top Tip: Consider getting a prepaid travel card (like Revolut or Monzo) to avoid foreign transaction fees and track spending easily.

Quick Summary: UK Solo Female Travel

• The UK is a very safe country for solo female travellers – but you should still take the same safety precautions you would take anywhere else.
• Public transport is generally safe – even after dark.
• Petty theft and pickpocketing can be a problem, especially in big cities and popular tourist attractions. Always be careful with your valuables!
• Get a local prepaid SIM or eSIM (use my referral codes above for a discount).
• Pack for all weathers (layers are key) and pay attention to any weather warnings – severe rain and flooding are increasing issues.
• Markets and food courts are an ideal casual dining solution for solo travellers!
• Get out of London! The capital might be the most famous destination, but be sure to escape the Big Smoke and see some of the coast, countryside, and scenic villages that make the UK so special.
• The emergency number is 999.

I’ve tried to make this post as thorough as possible – but written down all in one place, all this advice can seem a bit overwhelming! Please don’t let the warnings above make you too nervous or put you off visiting the UK. This is a beautiful country with so much to discover – from beautiful countryside to historic cities and picturesque villages.

On the whole, the UK is safe for solo female travellers – as long as you use common sense, stay vigilant, take care, and avoid dangerous situations!

Is there anything else you’d like to know about visiting the UK as a solo female traveller? Let me know in the comments below, and I’ll get back to you!