Table of Contents
Thorough Research of the destination you are willing to plan, Choosing the right accommodation , Make a note of emergency contacts and mindful about drinking. These are the four major things you should learn as a solo female traveler. Of course under each category we have covered many safety tips for woman travelers who are alone on a trip.
Research Your Destination Thoroughly :
If you are keen for a solo adventure and planning to go, it is essential for you to spend time researching your destination. Knowing about what to expect, will make you more confident and ready, cutting down on any fear that you may get with having new surroundings. When you do research about your destination, you not only make yourself ready for easier and fun trip but also do something proactive to ensure you home safe as a solo traveler, especially if you are a female solo traveler. This preparation puts you in the proper mindset and ready to move into your own adventure prepared and safe. Here’s how to thoroughly research your travel destination:
Understand the Local Culture and Peoples interest : We recommend to understand the culture and traditions of the local people and blend in and pay respect to the locals. In some countries certain types of clothing are inappropriate, and in other countries certain gestures or behaviors are misunderstood. Knowing these details will help you to behave in a culturally appropriate way.
Do Good Research About Neighborhoods : Not all parts of a city are equally safe for tourists, precisely not for solo female travelers. Find out which neighborhood’s are best to stay in and stay away from, at night. Travel forums, blogs, and social media groups allow you to read other traveler’s posts of what to expect from the destination. Reviews are also provided to check crime statistics and find out which areas to visit as well as what are the most convenient as well as the safest areas.
Learn About Common Scams and Hazards : There’s always a scam for every destination, be it fake taxi drivers, counterfeit currency or pick pocketing in the big city crowds. Researching and having good knowledge about the most common scams will help you know what to look out for and how to react if you should ever fall for one. Just like the scams, another thing to look at is natural hazards. Investigate about natural hazards like extreme weather or wildlife encounters and be prepared with the necessary precautions that you will need to take.
Stay Updated on Travel Advisories : Before you go, always have a look at travel advisories to the test, and check the government’s travel advisories for any specific warnings or alerts about your destination. These advisories offer up to date political stability, health risks and safety concerns you may need to know . Knowing about such important things will allow you to plan accordingly and if unfortunately anything goes wrong you can make the decision changes in your itinerary
Plan Your Transportation Options : Researching different transportation options before you start your journey will help you maneuver your destination safer. Check out the ways to get around or to travel locally with the city or town like a bus, Lyft, Uber, a cab, or maybe something local. Knowing about this will make you know how to get from the airport to your accommodation much simpler and safe.
Gather deep information about Local Laws and Regulations : Things vary from one country to another, especially if the thing is related to “Laws and Regulations” . It is recommended to know about local regulations, particularly as they pertain to women’s comfort, dress, and acceptable behavior. By knowing these laws you will be aware of any legal issues or misunderstandings if any happen when you are on holiday.
Avoid Isolated Places : Simple and most important safety tip for solo female travelers is to avoid isolated spots. It’s fun to go exploring new places, but there are some places that may not be safe, especially when you’re alone. It is strongly recommended not go into dark or deserted backstreets or poorly lit areas after dark.
It is better to travel in well populated and busy locations where you can see others and others can see you. If you’re in a city, choose a spot with lots of shops and cafes, especially with good security . You can be in trouble on beaches, in parks, or on nature trails if you’re alone so try to visit these places during the day when there are more people there.
Choose the Right Accommodation :
When you pick the right accommodation, then you almost safe at your stay as a solo female traveler. To ensure that you have a safe and comfortable place to rest, consider the following tips when choosing accommodation:
Check Solo Female Traveler Blogs / Vlogs : Before booking any hotel, hostel or vacation rental, we recommend to read reviews from women travelers or watch their YouTube videos. Most important things to look at is things related to concern safety like do they have secure locks, do they have well lit entrances, are they watched by 24/7 security staff etc.
Look for Hotels or Rooms where they have the few layers of security, such as key card entry, security cameras, front desk around the clock and security people. It reduces the possibility of unwanted people coming in the premises. If possible, avoid ground floor rooms, which may be prone to break in.
For your safety you have to find an accommodation with a record of consistently good feedback in regards of safety, cleanliness and responsiveness of staff.
Look for Accommodations with in the heart of City : Booking and staying in a hotel in a well populated and centrally located area minimizes the risk of encountering unexpected situations. For solo travelers it is not safe to stay in the remote neighborhood or a place away from major attractions. Another thing to keep in mind is public transportation hub. If you are staying in a remote place then you may find difficulty in getting public transport because these areas are less safe at night. Apart from the safety issue, if you staying at centrally located hotel, it would be easy to explore your destination without having to travel long distances alone.
Consider Female-Only Accommodations : After going the blogs or vlogs of top female travelers you may encounter Female only hostels, guest houses, hotel floors within the city you are going to travel. This additional step can enhance you safety and comfort . In many of these options, you also get additional security measures and the environment is welcoming for female travelers. These might be a great option if you’re not comfortable staying in mixed accommodations, like shared dorm.
Use Trusted Booking Platforms For Booking : Reserving accommodation should always be at reliable and reputable booking platforms. Developers of some well-known platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com etc. have added safety measures and also ratings about the properties to be provided. Further, you have a customer support system in the case that you experience some pitfalls while you are occupying. In our earlier blog post we have covered info on travel apps for USA which includes hotel bookings etc. Just go through it once.
If you have any particular concerns or requirements don’t be afraid to contact the host or hotel staff directly to ask their advice before booking. Secondly, ask about the security measures they are taking in their premises like security personnel, video surveillance of the area, secure parking areas etc.
However keen you are at your research, when you reach your accommodation, you need to trust your gut. If there’s something about the accommodation that doesn’t feel right , may be because of unprofessional staff or because of poor security it’s not worth staying there.
Stay in Touch with friends or family : So when you’re traveling solo, as a female traveler you need to stay connected with your loved ones. Before heading off on your trip, tell a friend or family member your travel itinerary; this should contain accommodation name, address and contact number, trip details including the mode of transport used.
Use the apps like WhatsApp, Google Maps or emergency apps designed specifically for the travelers to share your current live location .Several of your booking platforms also give you the option to share your booking detail directly, which is another level of protection.
Even if you have any change in your trip like booking a new hotel, as soon as you settle into your accommodation, let someone at home know your location and contact details. Compel or Request them to regularly check in about your stay.
There is a post on reddit regarding solo female travel in India. Many have shared their experiences. Here is the link to the subreddit. You may gain some knowledge about the advantages and disadvantages of solo female travelling.
Emergency Contacts and Alternative Plans:
It’s advisable to have a list of emergency contact and contingency plans before going on a solo trip. Also, keep all your important contacts at hand like local authorities, embassy numbers and telephone number of your accommodation. In addition, share this information with a trusted friend or family member that lives away from you, just in case.
Carry a small card with important, useful contact information, and addresses in English and local language. Having that hard copy will be lifesaver if your phone dies or gets lost. Also, make yourself familiar with the nearest hospitals, police stations or safe area around accommodation.
Most important thing to consider is you should have a backup plan for unforeseen situations like a sudden illness, or loss of your important documents, or even the theft. With emergency funds, insurance, and document backup copies, you would be ready and confident in a bad situation.
You’ll be safer and give your loved ones that peace of mind, knowing that if something does go wrong, they can react quickly.
Cautious Drinking :
As a solo woman traveler it’s always best to be cautious about alcohol. Don’t take drinks from strangers and put yourself at risk.
If you do drink, try to drink in hotels or lounges so established that they are licensed and make sure you drink in plain sight to guard against tampering.
If you’re a female traveler, have a look at your surroundings and gauge how much alcohol you can drink based on the situation. When in doubt, its better to avoid drinking and focus on your safety.
Conclusion : As a solo female traveler if you follow the above mentioned tips, you will be safe at your stay and can enjoy your vacation. Hope we have covered all the information on solo travelers safety. If we have missed out any other important thing, please do let me know in the comments section.
