Solo female travellers – conquer the world!

Travelling solo for the first time might seem scary but it is actually safe and fun!

We see more and more young women heading out into the world by themselves, however, compared to their male counterparts, many women worry a lot more about their safety.

You have probably heard intimidating stories from your friends about robberies and harassment etc. Maybe you have been in a scary scenario yourself. Although it shouldn’t be like that, women often need to look out for themselves more than men. But those situations can often be prevented if some common sense is used. If you want to travel, don’t limit yourself - the risks might be similar in your hometown.

Here are some guidelines and inspiration for a safe female solo travel adventure.

Choose your destination with intent…

… and always do a lot of research. That way you can avoid unpleasant surprises, like wearing a singlet when arriving in India for example. In some countries, especially around temples and holy sights, not being covered is mostly considered rude, but more importantly, these cultural codes are safeguards and will help prevent sexual harassment.

Start small

If you live in Europe, maybe book a long weekend in Berlin or Madrid. If that goes well, you can explore more exotic destinations step by step and for longer periods of time. 

Visualise the practical aspects from departure to arrival at your accommodation. This will minimise stress and give you a feeling of having it all under control.

How to build confidence

Your posture and body language are your best bodyguard. If you carry yourself with confidence and walk in a determined way, you are less likely to attract uncomfortable situations. Don’t underestimate the power of the energy you send out. If you look scared and walk in a timid way it might invite people to take advantage. You can always fake it until you make it.

Some confidence only comes after you have done a bit of solo travelling. Ironically you will feel more comfortable once you have travelled outside your comfort zone.

Beware of your surroundings

Always stay engaged visually as to who and what is around you. 

The question “Are you by yourself?”

This is a common question and you should assess each situation individually. Trust your instincts and answer with “no” more often than "yes" just to be on the safe side. If you are not sure you can say “why do you want to know?” or “I am meeting my friend/boyfriend/brother later in town.”

 It goes without saying that you always want to protect your documents, cards and cash.

Lots of travellers in South America use two money belts. The outer one contains the cash for the day and a phone. The other one will have your passport and bank cards and should be hidden under your clothes. You can also keep the money belt and cards with you when you sleep in a dormitory without lockers. It’s also a good idea to carry a copy of your passport and keep it in a different place than the original. Losing your passport is a major hassle and can ruin your whole trip.

Never walk with your phone in your hand, especially in busy cities. It could easily be snatched by youngsters on bikes or a fast runner. You would never stand a chance. Talking about phones, it’s smart and often cheap to buy a local SIM card as well as a portable (solar) charger. That way you will never find yourself in a situation where you cannot make a call.

Caution is always recommended at night

Saving a buck by walking or taking the bus after sunset is often not worth it. Take a taxi or Uber instead and arrive safely at your accommodation.

In some European countries pepper spray is illegal but in many parts of the world it’s sold over the counter. This little can doesn’t take up much space in your daypack and comes in handy if you find yourself in shady neighbourhoods.

Plan your first night well, try to arrive by mid-afternoon. That will give you time to change your accommodation if it doesn’t feel right. You can find great deals on Booking.com without making an actual reservation.

Your accommodation is your safe haven, keep it to yourself. Just be vague when people ask or tell them you are staying with a local family. We personally prefer hostels to hotels. There is a big chance you will meet other (female) travellers and you might even end up with a travel buddy if you are on a longer trip. 

Depending on your intention you might want to avoid party hostels where there is often a pick-up vibe at night. Mixed dormitories can also be unpleasant once alcohol is available. Most hostels have a female dormitory option. If you are not sure about an area or accommodation, make sure to google the area and read lots of reviews about the accommodation before making a reservation. 

Not good with directions?

If you are worried about getting lost, download the offline map of your area via Maps.me. Start the search before leaving your Wifi zone and it will guide you just like Google maps.

Being smart on social media is important!

Don’t post your location in real-time. Either don’t tag your exact location or post it a couple of days or at least hours later. When it comes to your accommodation, better wait until you have left before you post about it. Especially if you stay in a remote place by yourself.

You don’t have to eat alone

If you feel uncomfortable going to a restaurant on your own (some men might take that as an invitation in certain countries) there is a perfect app for you. WithLocals lets you connect with trusted local people who will show you around. You might even be invited for a traditional meal. It’s a safe platform with a minimal fee per occasion.  

Maybe more important than all the above is your mindset. 

It is all about relaxing fully into yourself. Move without fear and your surroundings will respond. This newfound bravery might just heighten your existence even after your travels. You might tap into the magic of your everyday life and see endless opportunities instead of problems.

Just remember, your first instinct or gut feeling is usually right. Trust it and go and conquer the world!