I love solo travel. I’ve done it for years, and I’m not about to stop anytime soon. But it’s not without its challenges and drawbacks, especially if you’re a woman who travels alone. So here are some tips that have helped me stay safe when traveling abroad:
Talk to other travelers.
Talking with other travelers is often one of the most rewarding parts of traveling solo, and it can help you make the most of your trip by giving tips on where to go and what to do (and what not to do). Talking with fellow travelers also usually gives you a better picture of an area because they’ve been there longer than you, so they’ll know if an area is safe.
Research the place you’re visiting.
You need to know a country’s culture, language, people, and laws before you go. For example:
- What’s their political situation? Are they in a war or unstable? How do locals feel about westerners traveling there?
- What’s their climate like? This can help determine what activities you want to do while there or how much time of year is best for travel.
- How expensive will it be? Will it be cheap enough to afford to stay for three weeks without breaking? Or should I stay only two days because everything else costs too much money (this happened in Argentina)?
- Can I use my credit card there without having money stolen from me by scammers posing as hotel employees who say my card has been declined but then somehow still allow them access into my room where they steal all my belongings?
Know your limits.
Know your limits, and don’t push them too far. If a situation doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and get out of there immediately.
If you’re not comfortable with something, don’t do it.
If you’re unsure about something, ask someone else for advice so that you can make an informed decision before moving. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a situation because of misinformation or lack of information on your part! So if anyone asks for help finding their lost pet lizard (yes, this happened to me), say no thanks and walk away quickly!
Solo travel can bring out the best in us – but it also brings out some less than desirable things, like getting lost or feeling unsafe during our travels. But honestly. when was the last time everything went according to plan? We need to embrace these moments because they are often where we learn more about ourselves: who we are under pressure in situations such as these!
Know what to do in case of an emergency.
You should also know what to do in case of an emergency. For example, to stay safe, you should make a list of the nearest hospitals and police stations that are located near where you’ll be staying.
If there is a fire, earthquake, or another natural disaster while traveling solo, someone must know your location so they can pick you up if necessary. The easiest way to let people know where you’re staying is using a smartphone app called “Google Maps.” This app gives users turn-by-turn directions on how to get from point A (your current location) through point B (your destination). It also allows users to add places along the route so friends and family can keep tabs on where exactly they are at any given time. You can even add places along the way, such as hotels or restaurants, so if anything happens, someone will know exactly where those locations are also located!
Bring the right gadgets with you.
- Carry a cell phone. This is obvious, but it’s worth mentioning because you should always carry your cell phone on your travels. What if something happens to your bag and all the stuff in it? You’ll want to be able to call someone or use Google Maps, so you don’t get lost.
- Bring a portable battery pack. Have you ever been on a long train ride where there was free WiFi but not enough outlets? Or maybe your flight got delayed, and now everyone’s phones are running low on juice? If so, then I highly recommend getting yourself one of these things before heading off into the world alone: They’re cheap (around $10-20), easy to use (plug one end into an outlet or USB port), and have saved me many times when I’ve forgotten my charger at home!
Keep essential documents digitally and physically safe and secure.
- Keep an offline copy of your passport, other travel documents, and important personal information on your phone.
- Back up all the photos and videos you take while traveling digitally and physically.
- Use a password manager to store passwords and sensitive data like bank account details or credit card numbers. This can save you from having to remember them all by heart, which is especially helpful if you’re prone to forgetting things! Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, though – make sure you don’t leave your phone unattended for too long as sometimes people may be tempted to steal it (this happened once when I was traveling alone).
Stay at hostels, guest houses, or, if you can afford it, Air BnBs rather than hotels.
Hostels are the cheapest option for accommodation, and they’re great for meeting fellow travellers. The hostel staff can be helpful if you get into trouble or have a problem, and you’ll also have access to other people’s travel knowledge and their advice on what to do next.
Make friends with people from the place you’re visiting by joining social activities or taking a class while you’re there.
While meeting other solo travellers is a great way to meet people, it’s also possible to make friends with locals.
We met some of our best friends during our travels by joining a language class in Italy, participating in a volunteer project in New Zealand, and participating in social activities at hostels and cafes.
It’s important to consider whether you want to focus on meeting local people or ex-pats, as one may be better suited than the other, depending on your goals. For example, suppose you’re interested in making friends who have experienced similar things as yourself (e.g., being abroad for the first time). In that case, it might be best to stick with the ex-pat community, who will likely have similar interests and lifestyles and cultural norms regarding socializing within their new environment.
Don’t be afraid to use your intuition and trust your instincts if a particular place makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
If something feels wrong, it probably is. If you feel unsafe, leave. If you feel threatened, leave. If you feel uncomfortable in any way: get out of there! Trust yourself!
Don’t be afraid to make eye contact with people, even men, when you’re out and about in public places so that no one thinks you might be an easy target for something like robbery or assault.
Don’t be afraid to make eye contact with people, even men, when you’re out and about in public places so that no one thinks you might be an easy target for something like robbery or assault.
Some women look down when they walk, whether consciously or not. This can make it easier for someone to take advantage of them, especially if they are attacked from behind on the street. While this isn’t always true (for example, it’s possible that looking down could protect your face from an attacker who might want to punch you), it’s best not to take any chances by keeping your head up high at all times!
There’s no reason for women to avoid traveling alone if they want to do it, but there are some things they should keep in mind before setting out on their own.
If you’re female and traveling alone, safety is a concern. It’s essential to be careful and aware of your surroundings at all times. If you’re staying in hotels, look for places with security cameras or guards, or even ask if the hotel has an alarm system. If you’re staying at someone’s house or apartment, make sure there’s a door that locks from the inside and that windows have bars on them (if possible). When walking around town, please bring a money belt for your passport and other valuables. Keep them out of sight as much as possible. Women are generally less likely than men to be targeted by criminals; however, this doesn’t mean they should let their guard down entirely.
If it makes you feel more comfortable traveling with friends or family members who can offer support (whether in person or via phone), go for it! Just remember that too many people can make it seem like there is too much going on or not enough privacy at specific points during your trip.
Conclusion
All in all, it’s pretty simple to travel alone as a woman. You need to be smart about it and take some precautions. For example, don’t go out alone at night if you can avoid it, and stay in touch with people at home so that they know where you are if something happens while abroad (like being robbed). Also, always carry your passport around with you, so there’s no chance of losing it when travelling abroad!
