Is Indonesia Safe for Solo Female Travel? My Honest Experience

If you’re considering travelling to Indonesia alone as a woman, you might be wondering the same thing I was before going: is Indonesia actually safe for solo female travellers?

After spending around a month backpacking around Indonesia, including travelling through Bali and the islands around it, I can honestly say that I felt very safe for most of my trip.

There was never really a moment where I thought, “Okay, I genuinely don’t feel safe here.” Of course, travelling alone anywhere comes with situations where you need to use common sense, but Indonesia was not a country where I constantly felt like I had to look over my shoulder.

And honestly, the social side of travelling here made solo travel even easier.

I met so many other backpackers, especially in hostels, and it was very easy to find people to hang out with, go exploring with or go out with at night.

That said, I did have one uncomfortable experience during my month in Indonesia, so I’m not going to pretend that nothing can ever happen.

Here’s my honest experience of solo female travel in Indonesia.

So, Is Indonesia Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

Yes, based on my own experience, I would consider Indonesia a safe destination for solo female travellers.

I spent about a month travelling around Indonesia and I never had a serious situation where I felt genuinely unsafe.

The one time I felt particularly uncomfortable was during a Gojek ride. The driver kept rubbing my legs while I was on the back of the bike. I repeatedly told him “NO TOUCHING”, because obviously that was completely inappropriate and made me very uncomfortable.

It was definitely not a great moment.

But what’s also important to me is putting this experience into perspective: that was basically the only time during an entire month of travelling around Indonesia where I felt that uncomfortable.

That doesn’t mean you can completely let your guard down, but for me it says a lot about how safe I generally felt throughout the rest of my trip.

My Experience as a Solo Female Traveller in Indonesia

I travelled around Indonesia mainly as a backpacker, and I found it incredibly easy to meet people.

If you’re worried about travelling to Indonesia alone because you don’t want to be lonely, I honestly wouldn’t worry too much about that.

Especially if you stay in hostels, there are loads of other backpackers doing very similar trips. You can meet people in your dorm, at hostel events, while travelling between destinations or simply by going out for food or drinks.

This was one of my favourite parts of travelling around Indonesia.

I never really had the feeling that I was completely alone just because I was technically travelling solo.

There is a huge backpacker scene, particularly in places like Bali and the Gili Islands, so it’s very easy to find people to socialise with.

One of my favourite things about backpacking in Indonesia was discovering how easy it was to meet people, especially in places like Gili Air and Gili Trawangan.

Indonesia Is Very Social

One thing I noticed pretty quickly is that Indonesia has a very social backpacker culture.

If you’re travelling solo, this can be a massive advantage.

Hostels are often full of people travelling independently, and it’s normal to start chatting to someone and suddenly end up spending the next few days together.

I met people from all over the world during my trip, and that made travelling solo feel much easier.

So if your biggest concern is:

“But what if I travel to Indonesia alone and have nobody to talk to?”

I really don’t think that’s something you need to worry about too much.

If you stay somewhere social, you will probably meet people.

If you’re travelling solo and want to meet other backpackers without necessarily partying every night, I would especially recommend reading my Gili Air travel guide.

Friends hanging out together at a villa in Uluwatu, Bali

But… Indonesia Can Be Very Party-Focused

There is one thing I would keep in mind when choosing where to go in Indonesia: the backpacker scene can be very party-focused.

Obviously, you absolutely don’t have to party if you don’t want to. Indonesia isn’t just about drinking and going out.

But in some destinations, partying is definitely a big part of the backpacker culture.

I noticed this particularly on Gili Trawangan, usually called Gili T.

Technically, the Gili Islands are part of Lombok rather than Bali, but they are very commonly included in Bali backpacking trips.

Gili T is known for its nightlife and party atmosphere, so if that’s not your thing, you might want to consider Gili Air instead.

Gili Air still has a social backpacker atmosphere, but it felt much more relaxed to me.

So if you’re travelling solo and want to meet people but don’t necessarily want to party every night, Gili Air might be a better choice.

I’ve written a separate comparison of whether Gili Trawangan is worth visiting if you’re trying to decide which of the two Gili Islands suits your travel style.

Friends taking a mirror selfie at Old Man's in Canggu, Bali

Is Bali Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

I spent a large part of my Indonesia trip in Bali, and I personally felt very comfortable travelling around the island.

I visited different parts of Bali and found that each area had a very different atmosphere.

Some places are much busier and more touristy than others, so where you stay can definitely affect your experience.

For example, I personally loved Uluwatu, while some of the more crowded and party-oriented areas weren’t really my thing.

If you’re interested in travelling around Bali yourself, I’ve written several guides based on my own trip, including:

I would definitely recommend reading those if you’re planning a solo trip around Indonesia.

My Safety Tips for Solo Female Travel in Indonesia

Even though I felt safe, I still think there are a few things worth keeping in mind.

Use Gojek and Grab Carefully

Gojek and Grab are incredibly useful for getting around Indonesia, especially when travelling alone.

But my experience with that Gojek driver is also a reminder that using an app doesn’t automatically mean every driver is trustworthy.

If you’re on a motorbike and something feels wrong, you don’t have to stay polite just because you’re worried about offending someone.

If a driver makes you uncomfortable, say something clearly and get out somewhere safe if you can.

And if you experience inappropriate behaviour, report it through the app.

Don’t Drink and Ride a Scooter

This sounds obvious, but Indonesia is a very popular destination for backpackers, and scooters are one of the easiest ways to get around.

If you’re going out drinking, don’t get on a scooter afterwards.

Get a Grab or Gojek instead.

Your safety is much more important than saving a few euros.

Be Careful With Your Belongings

As with pretty much any popular backpacking destination, don’t leave your phone, wallet or passport lying around.

I always recommend having:

A secure bag
A copy of your passport
Your phone somewhere you can easily access it
Emergency contacts saved
Travel insurance

None of this means Indonesia is particularly dangerous. It’s simply the kind of basic preparation I would recommend anywhere you travel.

Trust Your Gut

This is probably my biggest solo travel rule.

If something feels weird, you don’t need to convince yourself that you’re overreacting.

You can leave.

You can say no.

You can change your plans.

You can order another Gojek.

You can go back to your hostel.

You can ask another traveller for help.

You don’t owe anyone politeness if they’re making you uncomfortable.

Is Indonesia Safe to Go Out Alone at Night?

I personally didn’t have any major problems going out in Indonesia.

However, I would still use the same common sense I would use anywhere else.

If you’re going out at night, stay in areas where there are other people around, keep an eye on your belongings and don’t get excessively drunk when you’re travelling alone.

And if you’ve been drinking, use a Grab or Gojek instead of driving yourself.

Especially in very busy backpacker destinations, it’s easy to get caught up in the party atmosphere. Have fun, but remember that you’re still responsible for getting yourself home safely.

Is Indonesia Good for Solo Female Travellers Who Don’t Party?

Absolutely.

Although some backpacker destinations in Indonesia have a strong party culture, you don’t have to participate in it.

There are plenty of things to do during the day, from beaches and waterfalls to temples, rice terraces, snorkelling, hiking and exploring local villages.

And you can still meet loads of people without going out every night.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed island experience, for example, Gili Air is a better option than Gili T for me.

And even within Bali, you can choose destinations based on the atmosphere you’re looking for.

That’s one of the things I really liked about travelling around Indonesia: you can shape the trip around yourself.

What I Loved About Solo Travel in Indonesia

The biggest thing that surprised me was how easy it was to meet people.

When you’re travelling alone, it’s easy to worry beforehand that you’ll spend your entire trip eating dinner alone or having nobody to talk to.

Indonesia really didn’t feel like that to me.

The combination of hostels, backpackers, tours and social destinations makes it very easy to connect with other travellers.

And because so many people are travelling similar routes, you often meet someone in one place and then randomly bump into them again somewhere else.

It creates this little backpacker community that makes solo travel feel much less lonely.

If you’re looking for more inspiration for your own backpacking route, I’ve also shared my 7 favourite places to visit in Bali, including the destinations I personally enjoyed most.

Would I Recommend Indonesia for Solo Female Travellers?

Yes, definitely.

After spending a month travelling around Indonesia, I would absolutely consider it a good destination for solo female travellers.

I felt safe for the vast majority of my trip, I met loads of people and I never felt like being a solo traveller stopped me from doing anything I wanted to do.

Of course, no country is completely risk-free, and my experience doesn’t mean that nothing can ever happen.

I did have that one uncomfortable Gojek experience, and it was a good reminder that you should always trust your instincts and speak up when someone crosses a boundary.

But when I look back at the entire month, that’s the only moment that really stands out as making me feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

For me, that’s a pretty positive experience.

Final Thoughts: Is Indonesia Safe for Solo Female Travel?

If you’re a woman considering travelling to Indonesia alone, I wouldn’t let safety be the thing that stops you.

Take the normal precautions, trust your gut, be sensible with alcohol and transport, and choose destinations that match the kind of trip you want.

If you want a social backpacking experience, you’ll have no problem finding people.

If you want to party, there are plenty of places for that.

And if you want something more relaxed, you can absolutely find that too.

Indonesia was one of those places where I quickly stopped thinking about the fact that I was travelling alone and simply started enjoying the trip.

And honestly, that’s probably the best sign of all.

Planning a Trip to Indonesia?

I’ve written more Indonesia travel guides based on my own experiences, including destinations, stays and things I actually did during my trip.

If you’re planning your own Indonesia adventure, check out my Indonesia travel guides for more honest travel tips, places to visit and ideas for your itinerary.

→ START HERE: Indonesia travel guide

OR START BY AREA

→ BALI TRAVEL GUIDE
→ LOMBOK TRAVEL GUIDE

Is Bali Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion After Visiting Bali
How Long Do You Need in Bali? My Ideal Bali Itinerary
Best Time to Visit Bali: Weather, Rainy Season & Crowds
How to Get Around Bali: Transport Guide for First-Time Visitors
Canggu vs Uluwatu: Which Is Better in Bali?
7 Best Places to Visit in Bali: My Honest Ranking

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Indonesia safe for women travelling alone?

Yes. Based on my own month-long experience, I felt safe for the vast majority of my trip. As always, use common sense, trust your instincts and take normal precautions when travelling alone.

Is Bali safe for solo female travellers?

Yes, I personally felt very safe travelling around Bali as a solo female traveller. Different areas have very different atmospheres, so choosing the right destination for your travel style can make a big difference.

Is Indonesia good for first-time solo travellers?

I think so. Indonesia has a huge backpacker and hostel culture, which makes it particularly easy to meet other travellers. This can make solo travel feel much less intimidating.

Is Gili T safe for solo female travellers?

I felt safe on Gili T, but it’s important to know that the island is particularly known for its nightlife and party atmosphere. If you want something quieter while still meeting other travellers, Gili Air may suit you better.

Is Indonesia too touristy for solo travel?

Some destinations are definitely very touristy, particularly in Bali. However, Indonesia is huge and you can easily combine popular backpacker destinations with quieter places.

Can you travel around Indonesia without a partner?

Absolutely. Indonesia is one of the destinations where I found solo travel particularly easy because of the number of backpackers travelling around the country.