Is London Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

London was my first solo trip. At age 25, I was ready to escape for a week and decided that London was just the place to go. Because I had previously been to Europe years before on a backpacking trip with a friend, I knew it was safe. I booked my ticket, and off I went, minding the gap and all. At the time, I didn’t know that London repeatedly ranks globally as a generally safe city. I just knew I wanted to go back and see it on my own. What I did and do know as someone who does a lot of solo female travel is that neighborhood and time of day also matter in any city, so it’s good to do some research before your own trip.

There are loads of things to do in London, from walking by Big Ben and Parliament to shopping in Harrod’s. You can visit any one of the gorgeous museums like the Natural History Museum or, if you’re like me, the Churchill War Rooms. Strolling through the parks and gardens is a dream, especially in the springtime if it’s sunny and warm. Visiting the Tower of London and having a pint afterwards is a fascinating experience as well. Whatever your interest, London has it, and you can rest assured as a solo traveller you will feel safe and secure.

Compared to other major global cities, London is going to rank at the top for solo female travellers. It knows how to host its visitors, as the public transport is phenomenal and easy to navigate (albeit extremely crowded at certain times of the day). Taking a bit of time to learn about the different neighborhoods and where to stay is important if you do decide to visit London, as they are all unique and feel different. I’ve stayed in several over my own visits, and I have enjoyed each for different reasons. I can also say that I’ve felt very safe in all of them, even at night.

London is just so approachable for women traveling to it. It’s so international and tourist-friendly, and Londoners in general are quite friendly and chatty in my experience. They are always happy to help you with directions or suggestions of where to eat, what to do, and anything else you may need. To me, London feels very much like a second home. It’s a place I’ll go back to throughout my life, likely by myself, because it’s such a fun place to visit.

Because London is still very much an urban city, you do want to watch for pickpockets, phone snatching, petty theft, and typical scams. These things happen in all major cities, so watch your bag in the Tube and near tourist areas. As I would always recommend to anyone travelling to London, keep your wits about you and stay aware of your surroundings. It goes for daytime and nighttime, walking or using the public transportation.

Afternoon Tea at The Savoy

There’s just so much to do in London, and you really have so much from which to choose. I’m going to give you some suggestions that I enjoy and have enjoyed on prior trips, and I’m confident you will find your own things as well. Do not fear running out of things or getting bored in London - it won’t happen.

Visit Big Ben and Westminster Abbey

It’s utter blasphemy not to see Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, both day and night, and take hundreds of photos of both. You can’t miss them anyway, as they are located near the Thames River, centrally located, and very safe to visit on your solo trip to London. Soak up the history of these places, and enjoy them early in the morning or late at night for the least amount of people.

Explore the Tower of London

The first time I visited the Tower of London, I was hoping to meet Madame Guillotine, but I did not. I wanted to see how Henry VIII’s wives (some of them) met the end. Today, I appreciate the landmark in a different and less gruesome way. It’s a fascinating place to see, and I recommend taking your time, reading the history of it, and then afterwards having something to eat at Hung, Drawn, & Quartered - with a pint, of course.

Spend Time in Museums

I’m a huge fan of WWII so I gravitate towards anything to do with it. My last visit I went to Churchill’s War Rooms, an absolutely fascinating experience. I took hours there, reading everything and listening to the audio that came with my tour. A few others to consider, though, are the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and National Gallery. All of these are perfect solo activities and you won’t feel lonely.

Take Yourself to Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea in London is the most amazing experience, but please, learn from me and do not go in the late afternoon. You’ll be up the entire night, hyped up from caffeine, and considering a swim in the Thames to calm you down. I have many other places on my list to go to tea in my upcoming trips, but the Savoy Hotel was where I initially had my first, and it was wonderful. Truly a top-notch experience, and one I will do again.

See a West End Show

On my first visit, I saw my first Broadway show, The Lion King, and it will forever go down in my history books as one of the best performances I’ve ever seen, mostly because it’s sentimental. London’s shows are incredible, and grabbing a single ticket is no fuss at all. And guess what? It’s so much less expensive to go to a show in London than it is in the US. This is a perfect solo date activity.

Walk Through Notting Hill/Portobello Road Market

You don’t need to be a Julia Roberts fan to enjoy a walk through the beautiful Notting Hill area. With its colorful houses and lively vendors, it’s the perfect place to lose yourself for hours. I was on the hunt for a scarf and found the perfect one when I was there, and I enjoyed looking at all the antiques and other things people were selling. The houses and shops are a sight for sore eyes, and I’m confident this area will appeal to you.

Classic!

There are many neighborhoods that are appropriate to stay in when visiting London as a solo female traveler. It’s not a super hard decision, as many will fit the bill of charming and safe, so here are a few to consider.

South Kensington

This is where I stayed when I first visited London by myself. I knew that the Kensington area was safe and easy to navigate, so I booked myself there. It’s a polished area, elegant and relatively residential. It’s easy to get around to anything from South Kensington.

You’re close to museums, restaurants, walkable streets, and (shocking) Kensington Gardens. It’s a calmer area than Soho or Covent Garden, so it’s perfect for the non-party goer traveler.

Consider staying at the Number Sixteen Hotel.

Notting Hill

Truly one of the best areas of London to stay as a solo female traveler is Notting Hill. You’re going to get a bit of a quieter experience, there are cafés and restaurants, boutique shopping, and very photographable colorful houses.

It’s a very walkable area, and whether you’re walking at night or in the day, you’ll likely feel very secure. Spend hours browsing the shops and vendors on Portobello Road (I have to sing the song from Mary Poppins when I see this), or have a bite to eat in one of the local spots nearby. It’s a fantastic area of London.

Consider staying at the Portobello Hotel.

Mayfair

Mayfair is definitely a major contender as to where to stay in London. You’re adjacent to Hyde Park and near fine dining and designer shopping. This is an excellent neighborhood to stay in while visiting London.

It’s an area that, for solo travellers, feels safe and clean. Accommodations may be more expensive here because of the location, but if you’re up for spoiling yourself, this might be the right spot for you.

Consider staying at The Chesterfield Mayfair.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is a great spot as a solo female traveler because it’s close to so much. Like many of the other neighborhoods I mention, it’s walkable, has many pubs, cafés, The Savoy for the “covent-ed” afternoon tea (please tell me you get my joke). Gordon’s Wine Bar is also near, a popping place to grab some wine. You may have to wait in line, but it moves pretty quickly.

You won’t have a problem walking alone, especially coming back from the West End theater district after a show. The whole area is fantastic if you’re by yourself, and you’ll be surrounded by people walking, day and night. I have walked from here back to Soho and felt extremely safe, and it was later in the night.

Consider staying at The Savoy.

Soho

I chose to stay in Soho on my last visit because I wanted to stay in a particular hotel, and it was a smashing hit for me. Soho is energetic and lively, and there are bars, restaurants, and lots of opportunities to sit back and people-watch.

Being alone in Soho does not feel weird at all, and I never once felt like I was out of place. You can bounce around the area without a second thought, going to packed pubs or late-night restaurants. To me, this is one of the better places to stay if you like a little bit of action.

Consider staying at Hazlitt’s Hotel.

Notting Hill Area

Overall, in my opinion, London is a hell yes for a solo escapade. All of my trips, solo and not, have been above and beyond what I would expect. Twice I’ve done London for ABBA shows, which are my obsession, and I will continue to go back for other events, or just because I love it so much. London is a city where you can feel safe and secure as a solo traveler, and you will always have something to do. You’ll not feel out of place being alone, and you won’t have to worry about your safety nonstop. It’s a perfect place to go, and I highly recommend it in my first-time solo female destination guide. Book that trip to London, mate. Time’s a-ticking.

If you liked this guide, you may also like to know more about how to travel solo and what it entails. While you’re in London, you may pop over to Paris, where you can find my 3 day Paris itinerary as well.

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