{"id":20913,"date":"2018-01-04T13:07:04","date_gmt":"2018-01-04T21:07:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=20913"},"modified":"2025-08-27T09:43:50","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T16:43:50","slug":"solo-female-travel-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/solo-female-travel-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"A GUIDE FOR SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL SAFETY"},"content":{"rendered":"

An increasing number of people are traveling solo, and women are leading the trend. I\u2019m not talking about the food-tripping, barhopping kind of travels; it\u2019s the type that involve lots of climbing, walking, and trekking. <\/p>\n

Just type in \u201csolo female travel\u201d on Google Trends, and you\u2019ll see that the trend really is becoming even more popular. In the beginning of 2017, the numbers hit 100 million searches.<\/p>\n

In another study, a research group found that one in five women have traveled solo<\/a>, with millennials taking the biggest slice of the pie. There\u2019s a significant increase in women pinning solo travel ideas<\/a> on Pinterest as well. Businesses are riding the wave, too; women-only travel companies are appearing here and there. Obviously, this trend is no lie.<\/p>\n

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Adventurous Women – Social Media As The Fuel<\/h2>\n

Why are women suddenly interested to travel alone? For one, modern women are more adventurous and independent than ever before; they have higher positions at work and earn more money than they use to. Many are also forgoing spa holidays and staycations in exchange of more adventurous travel.<\/p>\n

Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest particularly fueled this trend. Open Instagram and you\u2019ll see thousands of #solotravel posts. Check out Pinterest and you\u2019ll see countless female solo travel boards.<\/p>\n

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The Pros Far Outweigh The Cons<\/h2>\n

All my life I\u2019ve spent my travels with someone close to my heart\u2014friends, a significant other, or family. And after going through a bad breakup in 2016, I decided I wanted to go on a solo trip somewhere in Asia or Europe. So I did.<\/p>\n

I was very used to having people with me on all my trips, and I was pretty scared of the thought of flying out to a different continent all by myself. I was scared of eating alone and not having anyone to talk to. Plus, I wasn\u2019t sure about the dangers out there. There is strength in numbers, after all, and being alone means I\u2019m more vulnerable and a probable target of persons with ill intent. <\/p>\n

But when I went on a solo trip<\/a> in Italy, I realized that solo travelling allows you to truly take in a different culture. You get to go out of your comfort zone, you improve your focus, and your discovery of things leaves you so much more fulfilled. More importantly, you can truly relax.<\/p>\n

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The Risks And Challenges Of Solo Female Travel<\/h2>\n

Safety, however, is one of the biggest concerns for female solo travelers. In a recent survey, the results showed that 60% of all solo travelers<\/a> have safety concerns. In another survey, 60% of women<\/a> said they desire to travel on their own, but fears of personal safety and vulnerability are holding them back. <\/p>\n

When I first posted about my plans to go on a trip alone on Facebook, friends and family bombarded me with comments about my safety and how dangerous the world is for a lone woman. They thought I was insane. And they told me stories about kidnap, rape, and human trafficking – but my burning love for travel was stronger.<\/p>\n

Of course, I know that it\u2019s still important for me to be aware and to know how to protect myself. I make sure not to stroll alone in the more dangerous part of town. I take off my noise-cancelling earphones when I walk on unlit streets, and I don\u2019t tell random strangers the specific hotel where I\u2019m staying.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s normal to associate solo travel with the dangers that might be lurking around<\/a> every corner. But you can help keep yourself safe with these 9 safety tips – they worked for me, and I\u2019m positive they will help you too.<\/p>\n

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Advice For Female Travellers<\/h2>\n

1) Register With The Embassy Or Consulate<\/h3>\n

Make sure to register with the embassy or consulate especially if you\u2019re going out of the country for a week or so. The embassy will help you if an emergency or a natural disaster strikes. In addition, the embassy may also allow you to access a number of services (depending on the country you\u2019re from), such as information like travel alerts, travel warnings and faster passport issuance.<\/p>\n

2) Know The Customs And Traditions<\/h3>\n

In some countries, being a woman means you are subjected to certain rules. In some countries, for instance, you cannot sit beside monks. In Hindu countries, you cannot go inside a temple if you have your menstrual period; according to traditions, a woman is ritually unclean during this time.<\/p>\n

In Muslim countries, your entire body should be covered in clothes, or at least cover your shoulders and knees. Knowing the customs and traditions of the country you are visiting will help you avoid getting unwanted, negative attention.<\/p>\n

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3) Check Into A Women-Only Accommodation<\/h3>\n

With the rise of female solo travel has come the rise of women-only hotels, hostels, and capsule rooms. I personally think this is a brilliant idea, because it provides a safe environment for women traveling solo, whether it\u2019s for business or pleasure.<\/p>\n

These places often have women-only staff and extra security. In addition, you get to enjoy yoga mats, satin-padded hangers, curling irons, glossy magazines, and fresh flowers in some places; in others, you get a quiet corner table in your room, perfect for dining in when you don\u2019t want to eat out alone.<\/p>\n

4) Dress Modestly \u2014 Or Like The Locals<\/h3>\n

I don\u2019t want to get into the, \u201cTeach men how to control themselves; don\u2019t teach women how to dress.\u201d debate, because the truth is, when you\u2019re traveling alone out of your home turf, you\u2019re always more vulnerable.<\/p>\n

This is especially challenging when you\u2019re somewhere hot and humid but it\u2019s still necessary. Plus, wearing revealing or tight-fitting clothes is a no-no and can be seen as rude in some cultures. And that\u2019s not the first impression you want to give if you want to connect with the locals.<\/p>\n

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5) Choose Your Bag Carefully<\/h3>\n

Sure, a shoulder bag designed with security features may look cute, but if you want safety and convenience, rolled into one, choose a bag that you can wear across your shoulders. When I went to Italy, I was the victim of bandits on a scooter. The two men charged through a cross walk against the light and tried to grab my purse, but all they got was the strap.<\/p>\n

6) Carry A \u201cWeapon\u201d<\/h3>\n

Sometimes bad things can happen to us, and when they do, it\u2019s best to have something to protect yourself. Carry a pepper spray with you if you can. Remember, however, that some countries outlaw pepper spray products and chances are, you won\u2019t even be able to go past airport security without taking it out of your bag. So always check the regulations on traveling with pepper spray.<\/p>\n

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7) Always Leave A Message<\/h3>\n

Always keep your friends or family back home, or the hotel front desk, informed with your plan for the day. Let them know when you\u2019re back so they know you\u2019re safe. In my case, my mom and my best friend appreciated my messages along with some photos of my travels.<\/p>\n

8) Pretend You Know Where You Are & What You’re Doing<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s great to do extensive research on a place before visiting, but I really love figuring things out as I go. So what do I do when I arrive and I don\u2019t know the place in any way? I act like a live there. As a solo female traveler, the worst thing that you can do when you\u2019re lost, alone, and scared, is to act like you\u2019re lost, alone, and scared.<\/p>\n

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9) Know Your Alcohol Limits<\/h3>\n

Make sure you\u2019re always on your toes, and be aware of your surroundings. That means you have to avoid getting drunk or testing your alcohol threshold, especially when you\u2019re out alone somewhere unfamiliar.<\/p>\n

Drinking wisely means you can keep your wits when walking back to your hotel or taking a cab by yourself. Don\u2019t accept drinks from strangers, too, or leave your glass unattended. I don\u2019t mean to burst your bubble, but it\u2019s important to know that the number one used substance in drug-assisted rape is alcohol.<\/p>\n

Phone the local police, hospital, or the nearest embassy when you start to feel drunk, strange, or nauseated after only a couple of drinks.<\/p>\n

No \u2018One Size Fits All\u2019 Rule For Solo Female Travelers<\/h2>\n

Not all of these tips would apply to you, I know. Just remember that traveling smart is all about making smart observations and decisions. What I wrote here is based on my experience and it will vary from person to person. The trick here is to use your common sense.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let the \u201cYou can\u2019t go travelling solo. It\u2019s not safe for women,\u201d mentality deter you from doing what you want, because you can<\/em>. The world is an amazing place, and I promise, once you take that leap, you won\u2019t regret it. The rewards of being a solo traveler far outweigh the bad things that come with the idea of solo female travel. Good luck!<\/p>\n

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We hope that this article has inspired you to take a solo adventure! If you have any questions about the destination please leave these in the comments below.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Do you want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Please visit our <\/i><\/b>Contribute<\/i><\/b><\/a> page for guidelines and to submit your article.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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