Iron-doped titania nanobelts were prepared by a one-step alkaline hydrothermal method with use of iron(III) nitrate for in-situ Fe doping. The synthesis ensured Fe substitution for Ti in the oxide lattice and anatase growth. The Fe addition increased electronic donor density and induced a negative shift in the flat-band potential of titanium oxide. The single-crystalline Fe-titania nanobelts produced a higher photocurrent and higher voltage than pure titania nanobelts, after both were evaluated as anode materials in dye-sensitized solar cells. The improved photovoltaic efficiency is related to electron transport over photoactive shallow Fe donor traps, faster diffusion through anatase structure and suppressed charge recombination arising from Fermi level shift. Results demonstrate the feasibility of iron dopant for use to modify crystal and electronic structures in one-dimensional semiconducting oxide for efficient charge collection.