When a woman travels alone, she could end up with some of the best experiences she’ll ever have in life or some of the worst.
Traveling solo can be a liberating and enriching–especially for women who are often reminded by various cultures and societies of their limitations and perceived weaknesses. To journey off alone is a great opportunity to explore new cultures and locations at one’s own pace. The pursuit provides more freedom than one might have when traveling with other people.
Emma Sparks from the Lonely Planet said this about venturing off alone: “A solo female traveler is nurturing no one but herself. She’s at the top of her own list of priorities, which is subversive even in today’s Western society.”
Furthermore, when a woman travels on her own, she doesn’t just get a chance to know something new about the world; she also gets the chance to learn more about herself. This is something that solo travel advocates tend to agree with. Janice Waugh, for example, wrote for Solo Traveler and in her piece, she explained that this pursuit can boost one’s self-confidence, break one’s routine and put one in situations that bring to light their strengths and weaknesses. Thus, her verdict: solo travel can be “life-changing.”
The change, however, isn’t always positive.
Over the years, the internet and various publications have been filled with horror stories from women who went off on their own—from those who got robbed, to those who got harassed, to those who got attacked. And these have been affected statistics.
In 2021, a survey done by JourneyWoman revealed that 88 percent of 350 women say that they have felt “somewhat threatened” or “unsafe” while traveling. Meanwhile, a global survey commissioned by World Travel Protection last year also revealed that more than seven in 10 women feel less safe when traveling for work. Studies about solo female travelers also show that 65% of respondents expressed worries about their personal safety.
That being said however, these weren’t enough to deter solo travels completely. After all, while one may seek to travel alone, one doesn’t have to prepare alone.
For years, many women have journeyed on their own; they dared, succeeded and the experiences they’ve shared have outlined the number of things women can do to make solo travels safe and worth taking.
Research about your destination
Before booking that flight, research the destination’s safety reputation, local laws, and cultural norms. Understanding potential risks allows you to plan accordingly and make informed decisions about where to stay, areas to avoid, and the safest modes of transportation.
Rose, solo female traveler and blogger of Where Goes Rose? blog says that it is essential to read about people’s accounts about the destination, giving you a good feel of what to expect. From our end, we recommend also checking multiple sources. One must remember that while travel publications and influencers can give authentic experiences about certain destinations, it is healthy to remember that some write ups can be deliberately positive due to advertising considerations. It is possible for a travel magazine, for example, to give rave reviews about a certain destination because they have tie ups with airlines that fly to that destination.
Rose also added that it is essential to know the cost of traveling to a new place to prepare you for money matters.
When researching, it also helps to use what you’ve learned to establish emergency protocols.
Have a clear plan for emergencies. Save local emergency numbers, know the location of the nearest embassy or consulate, and keep a copy of essential documents, such as your passport and travel insurance, in a separate, secure location. Being prepared ensures a swift response in critical situations.
Stay connected
Being away doesn’t mean no communication with people you left home. Maintain regular communication with friends or family back home. Check-in regularly, and consider using location-sharing apps. This not only provides a sense of security for you but also ensures that someone is aware of your whereabouts in case of an emergency, especially if you are in far-flung areas.
Aleah Taboclaon of Solitary Wanderer advises you to share a copy of your itinerary with a loved one or leave a copy of it at home for reference.
Choose accommodations wisely
Carefully select the hotel or resort where you’ll stay. Go for reputable accommodations with positive reviews, focusing on safety features such as well-lit entrances and secure locks. Consider staying in well-traveled areas, and if possible, choose accommodations with female-only dorms or sections for an added layer of security.
When researching, again, make sure to check multiple sources. We cannot stress enough that while honest reviews can come from your source, they are also capable of giving unwarranted positive reviews to satisfy advertisers.
Nidhi Kadere of Outlook Traveller also suggests using a reliable agency for booking.
She said that solo travelers should search for platforms that provide secure payment methods, clear cancellation policies, verified reviews, and customer support.
Blend in
Dressing in a way that aligns with local customs can help you avoid unnecessary attention. Research the local dress code and try to blend into the extent possible. This not only shows respect for the culture of the place you’re visiting but it also reduces the likelihood of standing out and becoming a potential target for people looking to take advantage of tourists.
To do this, Tracey Nesbitt of Solo Traveler has a few tips: watch how the locals behave, walk with confidence, develop an understanding of the local currency and be selective about when you pull out a map (doing so in the middle of a busy crowd as opposed to an obscure space, can out you as an obvious outsider.) If it’s your first day, she also suggested taking a tour first to have a safe space to learn local customs firsthand.
Aside from these tips, it also helps to learn common phrases spoken in the area you’re traveling in.
Trust Your Instincts
Listen to your intuition. If a situation or person makes you uncomfortable, remove yourself from it however rude that may come across. Trusting your instincts is a powerful act of self-preservation, and it’s okay to be assertive or say no if something doesn’t feel right.
According to Gemma Sheehan, the founder of Girls Who Fight, “many women who were attacked say they had a bad feeling beforehand but ignored it. In order to not appear rude or paranoid we so often interrogate and deny our own survival instincts. But that gut feeling that something isn’t right is the most important warning sign that you are not safe. Instincts work faster than intellect when it comes to your safety and require no further validation.”
This is why she suggests that women should always listen to their gut feeling about a person, place or situation.
Secure Your Belongings and Digital Assets
Keep your belongings secure to prevent theft. Invest in anti-theft backpacks, use hotel safes, and be mindful of pickpockets in crowded areas. Minimizing the risk of losing important items contributes to your safety and peace of mind.
Buy a local SIM card. Access to mobile data facilitates the efficient use of travel apps, language translation tools, and real-time navigation. Importantly, using a local SIM card safeguards against the security risks associated with public Wi-Fi networks.
Be Cautious with Social Media Sharing
Limit the information you share on social media about your solo travels in real time. Avoid posting your exact location or detailed plans unless you communicate it via a personal message to your loved ones.
This is echoed by Jonita Davis of the Charlotte Observer; Davis wrote travel tips for the digital age and had this to say: “Travel influencers and cyber security firms alike warn travelers against posting about their trip while they are still at that location. They urge people to post pictures of specific locations at least a day or more after they’ve left. Otherwise, someone could just come to that location and try to connect with you or worse.”
Davis then cited the death of rapper PnB Rock. There was a post that apparently tagged his location and this ultimately led to his murder.
Keep a Clear Head
Limit the consumption of substances that can greatly affect your self-control (like alcohol.) If you choose to drink, do so responsibly and in moderation. Do not drink to the point that you are left vulnerable.
This isn’t just a tip for the sake of safety though. This is also recommended to maximize one’s journey.
Enjoy Your Trip
Women travel alone for various reasons. Some do it simply because life demands it of them while others do it because others did; they learned of the journeys other women have taken and hoped to replicate the experience.
Many of such inspiring testimonies, however, were only realized by those who were present enough for the journey. They were taking their experiences in. They weren’t too stressed or too addled so they got to fully understand their experiences and come home safe—with vivid stories that are now getting other women to travel on their own in spite of the risks involved.
