Solo travel for female is a different deal to their male counterparts
Naturally the prospect of solo travel for a woman would be different to that of a man. Considerations have to be made for personal safety and thorough research into the possible overbearing and neanderthal patriarchal cultures of some countries.
Women Traveling Alone
Solo female travel is usually greeted with warnings and foreboding from well meaning friends and relatives. But it is an experience you’d love to have. You are planning to venture into the unknown on your own, however, maybe you have some anxiety about your safety and where to go? You are on a lookout for a destination where you can eat alone, travel at your own pace, even after dusk, party hard, or in short just be yourself. But will you be safe?
Is the thought of traveling alone stopping you from having your travel adventure?
I have many female friends who travel extensively by themselves. I have heard their tales of adventure and probably spent hours laughing along with them at the anecdotes and craziness they related.
My girlfriend has been known to up and take off someplace. I love listening to her stories of exploration too. It was with this background, I was having a conversation with a young woman named Samantha awhile back.
She was saying how fortunate I was to get to travel and see the world.
As I listened to her, I could hear the underlying tone of frustrated desire and was puzzled.
Samantha had just come out of a bad 4 year relationship and was thinking about quitting her job. She wanted more from life and I could tell that travel was something she seemed really keen on. It seemed to me that she was the ideal candidate to go exploring the world.
The pause in her wishful phrase of ‘someday I maybe will do it’ seemed so sad and I asked her why she didn’t just pack her bags and head out for a world adventure. Samantha laughed and said it would be her dream.
“So what’s stopping you?” I asked
“Oh no-,” she replied. “It’s way too dangerous and I would be lonely and probably terrified most of the time.”
It struck me at that moment that Sam, along with, most likely many women, had a warped sense of what solo female travel was. Unfortunately those scary movies, media and news stories have given solo female travel a bad rap. Sure, there are more challenges to be faced by a woman traveling alone than by a man. But is it really dangerous for a woman to travel by herself?
"Solo Female Travel is Dangerous - Everyone I speak to says that.."
From my conversations with both my girlfriend and other women who travel, it seems most of what we see in the movies and the horror stories we may read about regarding a single female tourist being raped, kidnapped, drugged or any other awful circumstance is not a common occurrence.
However, the myth of the dangers of solo travel continues, scaring so many people away from their most fervent dreams. Thousands of women travel the world alone without incident. It is like reading about a plane crash and assuming that all air travel is dangerous.
We know for a fact that air travel is very safe. The same would apply to female solo travel. If you treat anyplace the same way you look after yourself at home, your common sense would aid your safety. Obviously due diligence in any travel plan is required. Male or female.
Furthermore, you need to research and investigate the places you would like to travel. Naturally, if you see that a certain country has a high incident of attacks on tourists, men or women, you’d probably be smart to avoid it. It’s basic common sense.
I had this same conversation with Sam. She asked me a series of questions which I thought were worthy of repeating here, as I imagine many women would have the same questions.
Questions that most women planning a solo trip will have.
Q. How can I be sure I’ll be safe?
A. As I mentioned, it’s common sense. If you go to nightclubs by yourself and get trashed, of course you’re opening yourself up to possible issues. If you go out walking late at night in a deserted area of town, then you’re running a risk. But ask yourself, are these things you’d do at home? Most likely not.
In addition, just bear in mind that you do not have your friends or sidekicks next to you like at home. You are going to be looking out for yourself.
When looking for accommodation, do some real research. Look at reviews. See what other travelers are saying. Read the travel blogs…a lot are written by women who travel alone.
Q. But I’ll be lonely…..won’t I?
A. This is not a gender specific fear. Going into the unknown without a sidekick sounds a bit scary. But once you are traveling, you’ll quickly discover how fast you make friends and acquaintances. The amazing joy of travel is how fast you actually develop as a person and connect with others. Of course, there are moments you may feel isolated. My recommendation is, especially if it’s your first time going solo, choose destinations that have an element of like minded individuals doing the same. Hostels are great meeting areas, tours and activities are the same. If you head off to the remote, “I am the only tourist here” destinations, you may find that challenging.
Q. Maybe I am too shy. I am an introvert…
A. Here’s the big plus in travel. Solo female travel will not leave you bored and lonely. Just the opposite, really. Making friends will not be hard. You are already out of your comfort zone with your solo travels, so extend a bit further. Many shy people travel. People on their own crave company. They’ll speak to you if you don’t speak first. You’ll meet travelers in the hostels, on the beach, at the bar….everywhere. Even if you are socially challenged, you’ll be surprised how quickly conversations come up with friendly strangers. In many cases,your personal growth after an extended time abroad allows you to become less shy and more extroverted. Consequently, travel is a game changer in personal development.
Travel is a game changer in personal development..
Q: I am afraid of unwanted attention. How do I avoid it?
A. You don’t. Do you get it at home? Most likely you do. Yes, you’ll get the come-on’s and the catcalls. No different from home. Whilst annoying, it probably is something that you are used to. Us males species do tend to be primitive at times. Point is, in my conversations with my girlfriend, she’d tell me she got hit on here and there but it really was not as common as you’d think. Most people, according to the solo female travelers I know, treat them with respect and kindness. Neanderthals exist but you have probably been dealing with them since you hit puberty.
Q. What if I get into a relationship again? I cannot go off and travel alone
A. Seems like this is totally subjective. I personally think, and many relationship experts agree, that couples should have me-time.
Travel is a massive learning curve about yourself and the health of your relationship. If you have a well balanced, trusting relationship, travel by yourself can only make it better. You will find that your appreciation of what you have in your love life is magnified and grows when you’re apart.
Of course, if you have an unhealthy relationship without trust and poisoned with possessiveness, travel will probably end it. But I would argue that was a far better outcome than being trapped in a controlling relationship.
Q. I’m not sure I can be that brave to just go off someplace by myself.
A. There’s nothing brave about solo female travel. It is your God given right to actualize your potential and it would be a perfectly natural thing to do.
When you actually get over the initial anxiety of leaving your comfort zone, you quickly discover that all your fears were totally unfounded.
It’ll become easier everyday and then you’ll realize that it is not bravery that is required. Simply a conviction to do what you really want to do and live your truth. Most of all, you will be far more fulfilled achieving a long held dream.
I'm too old for the single travel route?
Age is another factor that many would put up as an obstacle, the belief being that solo travel for a man or a woman is age dependent and only a young persons pursuit. First of all, this is absolute nonsense! Secondly, it is one of the most prevalent and misdirected myths of social evolution.
Age should never be an issue, I have met many women on solo travels over the age of fifty. As long as you are healthy and mobile, an adventurous trip has no limits. Go watch the movie Shirley Valentine for inspiration.
The Happy Result of a solo trip overseas
When I left the conversation with Samantha, months passed by. Over a year had gone past when I received an email last week from Samantha and it was that email that prompted me to write this article.
Samantha was in Queensland, Australia after spending 5 months traveling through Europe and parts of Southeast Asia.
I was blown away. Sam was a very quiet girl and not very confident. The young woman who wrote to me with such fervor and joy was not the same woman I had spoken to so many months before,
Her world had expanded. Her personality had blossomed. Her vision and plans were far beyond the confines of suburbia. Her Facebook page was breeding friends. It was an incredible transformation.
She had adventures. She had mishaps and a few close calls. But she was and is happy. She was totally up for the solo female travel that she had once feared so much and that had paralyzed all her desires.
In Samantha’s words “Rob, I truly feel like an accomplished woman now. The sense of freedom and choice and total power I feel is incredible – thank you!!!!!!”
I did nothing. It was all her but I was smiling from ear to ear for days at her self discovery.
10 Key Things To Consider For Solo Female Travel
- Research the country you’re going to in detail
- Make sure you will be wearing the correct attire (especially in a Muslim country – pay good attention to this!)
- Stay in touch on Social Media. You can even have Google maps track you and have a friend or loved one be able to see where you are when you go online.
- Have a realistic sum of money at your disposal. Enough cash to get around and plenty to draw from cash machines
- Make sure your flight will arrive in the daylight hours with a few hours of daytime to spare. A scary start would be dragging your luggage around dark foreign streets to find your accommodation
- Carry a phone charger at all times. Make sure you have enough data on your sim-card or that your account back home is financed adequately.
- Make a copy of your passport and essential documents and carry them separately from the originals
- Pack as light as you can. Remember, it is just you traveling.
- Don’t be afraid to say no/not interested.
- Behave the same way you would at home when it comes to personal safety, making sure that you have done some research on the customs of the city you are traveling in.
Single Traveler Toolbox
Here are some great apps you should have on your phone when you get traveling…
A fantastic tool for finding your way around the various metro and subway systems of the world. No internet connection required to view maps…
ALLSUBWAY (iOS devices)
aMetro (Android)
Similar to the Apple app above.
HotelTonight ( IOS and Android)
Awesome App! Find a hotel for the night and the same day booking factor will afford you some really great discounts, even on 4/5 star hotels.
Find out the going rate of currency exchange fast. (Also available in offline mode)
Easy Currency Converter (Android)
The Android app for currency conversion
Great little app that can save you money on airfares (and hotels). The app actually will advise you when prices for your destination are at their lowest and predict when they should be.
Also, be sure to download offline maps of the city you’re going to. Google now offers that facility with many cities or you can find some really good offline map apps at GooglePlay store or Apple.
5 Great Cities (of many) that are considered safe for women
Copenhagen, Denmark
One of the most tourist friendly cities in the world, Copenhagen does not discriminate between men and women. The Danes are very amicable people who speak English and believe in the freedom of expression of every individual. The crime in the city is low making Copenhagen an outstanding city for women to travel.
Vancouver, Canada
Every city in Canada is women and tourist friendly as Canadians do not have a knack for interfering in other’s business. Vancouver is one of the safest cities in Canada as long as you do not go out in a secluded alley flashing your expensive Victorian-cut diamond neckpiece.
Lisbon, Portugal
Undoubtedly one of the most women-friendly cities in the Mediterranean, Lisbon offers innumerable opportunities to a woman traveler to explore the renaissance architecture, monolithic statues and museums and art galleries. Although some neighborhoods can be a little unsafe to travel after dark because of pickpockets and other petty thefts, Lisbon is a perfectly safe city to travel even if you are traveling alone.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
If you are a party girl, then there is no better place to be than Rio de Janeiro. And if you are lucky to be in this colorful city during the carnival time, you will find plenty of events to join and be a part of the action packed dancing in the streets.
There are some simple precautions to take, as with any tourist in Rio. Mugging and purse snatching can be a problem and obviously you need to stay in the tourist areas or be accompanied if going further afield.
Paris, France
Apart from being the most visited city in the world, the city of love welcomes single ladies with both of its arms wide open. From splendid history, iconic museums and theatres to cosmopolitan bazaars, Paris has got it all to charm a lady. In addition, the respect for women from the French never makes any woman traveler feel vulnerable, weak or alone.
Pickpockets and petty thieves are everywhere. It goes beyond saying that by being a little more vigilant, you can save yourself from a lot of trouble. So all the single ladies, go ahead, let your hair down and enjoy the pleasures of solo traveling.
More cities that are considered safe for solo women travelers
- New York City, United States
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Bali, Indonesia
- British Virgin Islands
- Havana, Cuba
- Rajasthan, India
- Tapei, Taiwan
- Portland, Oregon, USA
- Melbourne, Australia
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Tulum, Mexico
- Kyoto, Japan
- Palawan, Philippines
- Valletta, Malta