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CNBC TV18•20-09-2026, 09:30
Solo Adventure Awaits: 6 Safe Countries for Your First Trip
  • •Japan offers negligible violent crime, embraces solo lifestyles, and boasts efficient Shinkansen and multilingual navigation.
  • •Iceland, ranked safest for over a decade, provides unmatched safety, English fluency, and well-organized tourism for exploring the Golden Circle or Route 1.
  • •Portugal blends Western European infrastructure with affordability, warm hospitality, and easy navigation in cities like Lisbon and Porto, with social hostels and tours.
  • •Switzerland provides precision, outdoor adventure, and peace of mind with its integrated public transit via the Swiss Travel Pass, ideal for exploring alpine hamlets and hiking trails.
  • •Thailand, a backpacker gateway, offers institutional hospitality, affordability, and social networks through cooking classes, temple walks, and vibrant night markets.
  • •New Zealand is perfect for independent road-trippers and outdoor lovers, featuring legendary Kiwi warmth, pristine wilderness, and well-maintained Great Walks with ranger support.

Key Questions Answered

Iceland holds the number one spot on the Global Peace Index for over a decade and has virtually zero street crime, making it a secure option for solo travelers.

Switzerland offers the gold standard of public transit through the Swiss Travel Pass, which grants single-ticket access across an integrated network of trains, alpine cogwheels, postal buses, and lake ferries.

Japan features negligible violent crime rates, a culture that embraces solo dining and exploration, the to-the-second punctual Shinkansen bullet train network, multilingual signage, and ubiquitous convenience stores.