Solo travel is something every woman should give a try at least once in her life. Solo travel is an amazing way to explore new places on your terms, as it offers you freedom. A freedom you just might have been craving. Choosing to travel solo as a woman provides the opportunity for personal growth, self-discovery, and empowerment. Many female travellers have fallen in love with it and it allows you to know yourself better as an individual.
Solo travel for female travellers has increasingly become popular recently and the charm of it is what reels many in. But there are also concerns for females when travelling solo.
For women, solo travel can be particularly empowering, challenging traditional gender norms and encouraging independence. However, it also comes with unique safety concerns that need to be addressed.
Safety Concerns
Safety is a primary concern for solo female travellers. This article will provide basic tips and advice to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable journey.
Planning Your Trip
1. Researching Destinations
Before embarking on a solo trip as a woman, it's essential to thoroughly research potential destinations. Look for information on safety, cultural norms, and areas to avoid.
Depending on the destination you're travelling to, you can find helpful details on the tourism website of the country that has travel advice and reviews on travel forums and blogs. They provide valuable insights into where you're travelling to and what you might need to look out for.
It's common knowledge that some countries aren't friendly to women, especially women of colour, so you might want to avoid places like these, especially if you're a woman of colour.
2. Choosing Safe Accommodations
It is important to consider your accommodations as a solo female traveller. You need to make sure wherever you're booking is a well-reviewed place and a safe neighbourhood for women. If you're staying in a hotel, ensure it has 24-hour security and has a good reputation and reviews from other female solo travellers.
Websites like TripAdvisor and Booking.com can help you get detailed reviews and safety ratings.
3. Booking Transportation
As a solo female traveller, there are times you might have to prioritise your safety over cost. A bit uncomfortable if you're on budget travel but know it's all based on the location. You need to prioritise choosing reputable airlines, trains, and bus companies or observe this transportation before using them.
4. Planning Itinerary
Your itinerary should be your best friend and when curating it, always have your safety in mind. The importance can never be overemphasised. After you've carefully curated your travel itinerary, it's always a good idea to share your travel plans with friends or family and try as much as possible to avoid spontaneous changes to your planned itinerary that might put you at risk.
Having a backup plan is always a good idea because you never know what could happen and having a backup plan is a good option.
(How to create a travel itinerary)
5. Health and Travel Insurance
Health and travel insurance is something you need to consider as a female solo traveller. It is crucial for emergencies like trip cancellations, health emergencies, and theft. Research health and travel insurance that would benefit you as a solo traveller. Don't forget to read the fine print of the insurance terms and understand all that it covers.
Packing Essentials
1. Safety Gadgets
Always make sure you have essential safety gadgets with you when travelling. Even if not all, have safety gadgets like portable door locks and a personal alarm. Safety gadgets will provide you with the extra security you might need for a female solo traveler and it never hurts to be safe.
2. Clothing Tips
Some countries are conservative and big on modest dressing for women. Depending on where you're travelling, read on customs for women in that location and stay within the guidelines. You should dress modestly to blend in with the local culture and, most importantly, avoid unwanted attention. You can choose practical and comfortable clothing that is still stylish to your taste and does not restrict your movement as you tour the destination.
Safety Precautions
1. Staying Connected
Staying connected to your friends and family at all times is a no-brainer. Make sure you have a reliable internet connection or cell service to always stay connected. Before leaving your accommodation to explore the area, your mobile phone should be fully charged and also have your phone charger at hand and backup like a portable power bank. Emergency contacts should also be saved on your phone in case of emergencies.
2. Local Laws and Customs
To be safe regardless of where you're visiting, learning and familiarising yourself with the local laws and customs is a good option. Female travellers need to be aware of local laws and customs, especially towards women, and respect the cultural norms to prevent misunderstandings and potential conflicts.
3. Night Safety
Even in your home country, walking alone at night is not an ideal thing for women and this should be the same when travelling solo. No matter how safe the city seems, avoid walking alone at night, stick to well-lit, populated areas, and use trusted transportation options like licensed taxis or rideshare services.
Accommodation Safety
1. Hotel Safety Tips
No one can make you feel safe as much as you take caution. There have been many stories of hotel rooms breaking and as much as you'd feel it can never happen to you, you won't lose from being too careful. Choose hotels with good security measures such as CCTV, security personnel, and secure locks. Always lock your door, take extra precautions to keep your valuables safe and use the peephole before opening it.
2. Hostels and Guesthouses
There are common prejudices against hostels and guesthouses due to security reasons for a solo female traveller. Yes, they can be safe but only if you choose wisely. Research well on the hostel or guesthouse you have in mind and confirm good reviews. Make sure the hostel is secured and in a safe location.
3. Vacation Rentals
God forbid a peeping Tom ruins your vacation. Renting a vacation home as a solo female traveller is a step that should be taken cautiously.
When booking vacation rentals, read reviews carefully and communicate with the host. Inspect the property well, ensure nothing is off, and all seems well. Ensure the property has secure locks and a reliable way to contact the host in case of emergencies.
Exploring Safely
1. Daytime Exploration
Always explore new places in the daytime because it's safer and try out any new activity during the day. You should also stick to well-populated areas or have people around for your safety and do not wander into unknown territories alone like Alice in Wonderland.
2. Group Tours
Group tours are a nice option, especially for solo female travellers, and you like being around people. Joining group tours gives a sense of safety as the number is large and you also get the opportunity to meet other travellers. This allows you to make new friends and also network with fellow travellers. Make sure the group tour service is a reputable one and has good reviews.
3. Avoiding dangerous areas
Every destination has its bad sides and these areas should be avoided like a plague. Always research areas that you need to avoid and listen to local advice from locals or other travellers. Stick to safe, tourist-friendly locations and avoid isolated places.
4. Trusting Your Instincts
Women's intuition is one of the strongest things out there and it is going to be your best guide, especially when travelling solo.
If something feels off, trust your gut and remove yourself from the situation ASAP.
Solo travel is a wonderful experience and although some safety concerns might seem over the top, it is something you should experience and have a beautiful time while doing it. What trip is next on your bucket list?
