Traveling with your partner or your girls can be quite riveting. If nothing else, the journey to your vacation location will usually be livelier and that much more enjoyable. But sometimes, a girl just needs her me-time. So, if you happen to have a rare free weekend on your hands, why not pack your bags and let your hair down?!
Interestingly, studies have shown that female solo travelers need to be more careful on the road compared to their male counterparts. So, beyond avoiding the most dangerous places for women travelers, I’ll be sharing some of my best tips for staying safe on the road.
Best Traveling Tips for Women – How to Stay Safe When You Travel Solo
More than just following general guidelines for STAYING SAFE ON THE ROAD, women have to be extra careful when they travel. This is because even great locations can take on a different tone when it’s just you. That said, please don’t let this sour your enthusiasm.
I’ve been on several solo trips over the years, and most of them have gone without a hitch. The most important thing for me has been to understand the subtle differences between traveling in a group and traveling on my own.
Some practices that helped me make the most of my solo trips are:
Taking Cappuccinos Over Cocktails
For me, a big part of taking any trip alone is getting away from it all and having a bit of an adventure. That’s why it can be all too easy to get sucked into the moment, get drunk, and lose control. This is okay (to an extent) if you’re in a group or with people you trust. But when you’re out by yourself, there’s no one else looking out for you.
That’s why I recommend that you always stop several shots before your limit or even stick to coffee altogether. Staying sober keeps you well aware of your surroundings so you don’t get blindsided if something happens.
Starting Small
One of the best things about solo travel is that you get to go wherever YOU want to go. But while the world might be your oyster, you still have some…restrictions. For example, you don’t want to visit any of these places by yourself. Beyond that, I’d recommend you stick to what I call “intro countries,” especially if this will be your first outing solo.
Intro countries are basically destinations that have a strong and safe infrastructure for travelers, especially women. You’ll be able to navigate these locations very easily and should run into minimal (if any) trouble. My top five picks here are:
- Singapore;
- Canada;
- Iceland;
- New Zealand;
- Portugal.
If you feel this limits your options, that’s okay, as there are plenty of other great regions you can explore. A good place to start your search would be checking the Global Peace Index. This will give you a general idea of how safe where you’re headed is.
Using Social Media Wisely
Even when traveling in a group, it’s always better not to post in real-time. This goes double for when you’re out there on your own. Sure, posting on Facebook or Instagram is a great way of letting everyone know you’re okay and having a good time. But you could also be giving people you don’t know sensitive information about you.
A better approach here is to post after you’ve had the experience and maintain a regular check-in time with your partner, family, or close friend.
Booking Accommodations Carefully
Whether you’ll be staying for a few days or a couple of weeks, your accommodation has to be safe. One of the best ways to ensure this is by researching the hotel or cabin at length. Read reviews. Find out what other tourists have to say about the place, and then use that information to make a decision.
Bottom Line
Traveling solo is one of the greatest forms of expressing your confidence and independence as a woman. Not to mention, it’s an adventure every girl should experience at least once in their lifetime. All you have to do is make sure you pick a good vacation location and stay conscious of your environment.
Happy trails!
