Updated: May 2020
Traveling solo as a woman can seem to be an intimidating way to explore the world for many people. But, the reality is that thousands of women travel solo and are more independent and confident because of it.
Myself included.
It isn’t always possible to find friends or relatives who are able to travel with you and this certainly shouldn’t stop you from going where you want and exploring the parts of the world that you’ve dreamt of.
I firmly believe that solo travel for women is one of the best ways to learn about yourself and the world. Taking a solo trip is a fantastic way to grow.
Here are ten tips that will prepare you for solo female travel!
Fake It Until You Make It
Nobody starts out as a wonderfully confident solo traveler. This is something that comes over time as you become more comfortable finding your way by yourself and making your own choices.
However, solo women who look lost or confused can often attract the wrong kind of attention. Try to look confident and walk as though you know where you’re going until you develop your own natural confidence. If you ever do feel uncomfortable, use your best judgment, and seek help.
Confidence is not to be confused with cockiness or carelessness in a sketchy situation.
Travel During the Day When Possible
It is a fact that more incidents happen at night than during the day so, if you are going to be embarking on long journeys, try and travel during the day.
If you do have to take very long journeys, try using trusted transportation and looking for a private cabin or couchette that can be locked. It’s always helpful to plan on arriving at a destination during the daytime.
Try To Blend In
One of the easiest ways to attract the wrong type of attention is to wear clothing and to carry yourself in a very different way than the local women. Avoiding outfits that scream “TOURIST!” is some pretty obvious advice.
If the country you are visiting has women that dress conservatively, do the same, as this will help you to avoid being singled out as a potentially vulnerable target.
Stay in Touch via Social Media
Letting people know where and when you will be traveling is a very good safety blanket. While friends or family at home may be limited in what they can do, leaving a breadcrumb trail of your travels on Facebook or a blog is a great way to reassure everyone that you’re safe and enjoying yourself.
As you meet fellow travelers, becoming friends on Facebook is a great way to keep in touch. I’ve met so many people throughout my travels that I still talk to regularly because of it.
It’s Nothing Like Cast Away
One of the biggest hurdles for those who are thinking about traveling solo to overcome is that it will be lonely. I promise you won’t be painting a face on a volleyball and crying over your friends back home. There may be times when a bump in the road makes you a bit homesick, but remember that travel is a journey.
It’s not exciting because it’s easy.
In fact, traveling solo is one of the BEST ways to meet people abroad. It’s much easier to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger when you don’t have a travel partner. You’ll be more open to meeting new people and you’ll be more approachable.
Be Cautious With Your Possessions
Most people these days travel with a camera, a smartphone, and a tablet or laptop. These will all be very attractive items for thieves.
Try and avoid flashing these around and only take them out of your pack when necessary. It is also smart to keep these possessions within your reach at all times, along with key documents such as your passport, visa, and wallet.
You’re Never Alone
I mean this both figuratively and literally. As I mentioned before, you will meet SO many people while traveling solo that, at times, you may seek solitude. It’s weird. Sometimes I find it harder to find alone time when I’m traveling alone than when I’m with friends.
As for the “figuratively” part, never let the first words out of your mouth be that you are alone. It’s always best to use caution and to not make yourself seem vulnerable.
This isn’t to say that you should be paranoid but, if you ever feel uncomfortable, remember “you are never alone.” If you are getting strange questions or want to get out of a conversation, it’s easy to say something along the lines of, “My boyfriend just went to use the restroom and I’ve got to run to meet him. Great to meet you! Bye!” Or, “I’m meeting my parents here. They’ll be here any minute. Nice to meet you. BYE!”
Drink To Enjoy, Not To Get Drunk
Alcohol is, in many ways, both a friend and enemy to the solo traveler. Enjoying a drink with someone you’ve met on your travels is a great way to enjoy yourself but too much and it can quickly make you vulnerable.
If I’m traveling alone I never get drunk.
Even in a party situation. It’s one of the riskiest situations you can put yourself in as a solo female traveler. Drink in moderation and always be aware of your surroundings.
If there is someone you feel is acting suspicious or making you uncomfortable, then inform someone or cautiously go somewhere you feel safe. The bartender can be a great person to get help from if you’re in a bar or nightclub. They’re used to dealing with all types of personalities and can get security involved or they may be able to escort you to safety.
Learn Basics of the Local Language
Not being able to communicate is something that puts travelers at a distinct disadvantage in many situations, so having the basic words in the local language for basic needs, directions, and how to ask for help is very important.
As well as being useful for dealing with everyday activities, it can also help you to avoid being ripped off. Many locals show more respect to visitors who make the effort to learn some of their native language.
Research Your Destination
Understanding your destination is vital when it comes to planning what to do if something goes wrong. It is always worth checking to see if men in the area are particularly forward or have a tendency to approach female travelers. Knowing the typical tourist scams of a particular destination is also important to look into.
Most importantly, traveling solo is not scary. The world is full of amazing and wonderful people so don’t let fear keep you from experiencing the world.
Travel, for some, will play just as important a role in your life as education, family, marriage, and children. Solo travel doesn’t have to be about holding off on things like establishing a career, starting a family, or getting married. Many married women, mothers, and older women travel solo too.
It doesn’t have a time frame and it doesn’t have an expiration date. Give yourself the gift of independence, an opportunity to experience new cultures and the time to learn about yourself and what’s best for you.
You will be a much more confident and independent person because of it.
The Ultimate Solo Female Travel Guide
Solo travel for women can be challenging — I’ve learned so much over the years (and I’m continually learning!). I put together this comprehensive guide to solo travel destinations and taking solo trips so you can better prepare for your next trip!
Read More
I think perhaps it is NOT such a good idea to post about your travels while you are gone. This is a simple way for thieves to say “Oh well her house is empty, easy to rob.” If you want to keep in touch with loved ones, call them or text them; just don’t put it out on social media! Tell about it afterward, when you are safely homr.
Personal safety and self defense is so important for us women travelers and we should all be prepared to fight back effectively if the need ever arises.
I have been teaching Krav Maga to women and girls for over 5 years now and we teach a very effective technique which should be in every woman and girls arsenal. We are a women only event, run by women, for women, and this is what we teach to women of all ages.
This is the “groin grab” self defense technique to be used against a male attacker which is taught in many womens self defense classes, and there is actually a little trick to it…
You’re going to take your hand and grasp between the attackers thighs underhand. Its going to feel like you’re “cradling” the testicles. Dig your fingertips into the fragile skin BEHIND the scrotum. Then, once you have a good grip, you turn your hand into a vice, with your fingers digging inwards, around the back and over the top of the testicles. If you do it right, you should feel the testes INSIDE your hand which is holding the scrotum. You want, whenever possible, to hook your fingers over and around at least one testicle. One of them is enough.
Then, with your hands in a claw and your fingertips latched around the testes, you turn your hand sharply, as though you were turning a doorknob. Simultaneously, squeeze hard and pull the testicles away from his body as fast and as hard as you can. Do not let go of them, but continue to squeeze them with all of your strength. This is important. What happens then, is that your assailant usually screams out in pain and then tries to grab the wrist of your hand holding him in a futile attempt to try to get you to release him. Don’t. He then quickly loses one of the natural advantages he usually has over us (his strength) within a matter of seconds. Vomiting, curling over, collapsing and convulsing is common. Shock and unconsciousness can set in within 8 seconds. When he collapses, which he will, you get away to safety as quickly as possible and call for help.
It’s never too late to perform this technique at any stage of an attack, and that even includes the option of reaching down if he’s on top of you, but it is easiest to do when the testicles are exposed and closest to you where you can grab hold of them. I’ve actually met several women in my life who have fought off their attackers in this way and one did it when her attacker was on top of her and raping her at the point he lost control. Don’t ever hold back. Some women scream while they are doing this, and some women think of a loved one being harmed to help overcome any bad feelings of hurting someone else even if they are being hurt themselves. Do whatever you have to do if you feel it helps.
If done properly, and done with enough force, this technique can even lead to the testicles rupturing. It’s actually easier to do than most women believe, and just about all of us have the capability to injure an attackers testicles in this way – whether we are young girls still of school age, or whether we are great grandmothers. After all, if you think about it testicles are just small objects of extreme vulnerability to pain squishiness wrapped in a delicate layer of skin which offers them no protection at all from this kind of counterattack. Most importantly, this fact holds true no matter what size your attacker is, nor how strong he is. And no matter how angry he is, and how much he’s threatened what he’s going to do to you, he’s going to drop. Don’t let anyone (usually men) try to convince you otherwise.
I know that this advice would have been a difficult read for many women, but our lives are worth far more than a rapists testicles and we should be prepared to do whatever it takes to get away to safety. Please help to share this advice with as many other women and girls in any way you can. It could one day be a life saver.
H-A-B, I wish I could share this comment! Great tip! Do you have a website, or somewhere that this would be posted? The traveling solo tips on this article, deffinetly increased my confidence for the solo trip I am planning.