In the past couple of weeks, I've received a handful of emails from women asking me all sorts of questions about traveling solo. I've also been interviewed for a couple articles about the “dangers” of traveling alone as a woman. I'm not sure why there's a sudden uptick in interest (or fear) surrounding solo female travel, but I figured that now would be as good a time as any to address the topic again on my blog. (Plus, International Women's Day is coming up on March 8!)
I've already written about the realities of solo female travel, and have made suggestions for places to go on your first solo trip.
But, when “danger” is involved, I realize some people want even more reassurance.
I've been traveling solo for a few years now — not because I dislike people or anything like that, but usually because I don't want to wait around for someone to travel with me and because I kind of LIKE to be on my own and have the freedom to do what I want when I want.
It's a common misconception — latched onto by the media — that it's inherently dangerous to travel solo if you are a woman.
Traveling solo as a woman IS a different experience than traveling solo as a man — I won't deny that fact. As a woman, you DO have to be more careful and more vigilant in some cases. You have to be more aware of how you're dressed, who you trust, and how decisions you make could affect your safety.
However, this doesn't just apply to traveling. In a world where violence against women is a growing problem, being careful and vigilant is something women just DO. It's certainly not confined to traveling.
Which brings me to my point: Traveling solo as a woman is not automatically dangerous. It's no more or less dangerous than doing things alone as a woman in your home country or town.
People ask me (quite frequently these days) if I'm ever afraid to travel solo. And my answer is always no.
And here's why:
5 reasons why I'm not afraid to travel alone
1. The world is not as dangerous as the media makes it seem
One of the articles I was quoted in recently was a post about the “most dangerous” places for women to travel. But the article quoted crime/violence statistics for countries like India, Turkey, South Africa, and Mexico, and then tried to suggest that these same DOMESTIC violence numbers automatically made those destinations dangerous for women to travel to.
Which is just silly.
The United States has some of the highest violence rates in the world, and yet I wouldn't consider it a dangerous place in which to be a tourist.
We see so many movies and read so many sensationalized headlines that we've become conditioned to assume that the world “out there” is a scary, dangerous place. But guess what? It's really not.
2. I trust my instincts
As I mentioned earlier, you DO have to travel differently when you're a woman. But my rule of thumb is this: don't do anything abroad that you wouldn't do at home. Simple.
This means that I'm not going to go wandering in an unfamiliar place on my own at night, or take rides with complete strangers, or go off without telling someone where I went, or get drunk or do drugs or do anything else that would put me in danger no matter where I am.
I also have learned to be aware of my surroundings and to trust my gut. If I find myself in a situation where I feel uncomfortable, I do what I can to remove myself from it. When you travel solo, you are your own best defense.
3. I do my homework
You should do this no matter how you're traveling, but doing your homework about a new destination is especially useful when you're traveling solo. Before every trip, I do a little Googling and read up on things like cultural norms, common scams, and how I should dress as a tourist.
When traveling to more conservative countries, I make sure to pack more modest clothing. Not only does this make me feel more comfortable since I know I won't be offending anyone with what I'm wearing, but it also tends to cut down on the catcalls and other unwanted attention.
Reading up on common scams is also a must for me — it helps me pinpoint potential scammers before they have a chance to fool me, and it also makes me more confident when going somewhere new. For example, I read about the “bracelet scammers” that hang out near Sacre Coeur in Paris, and therefore knew to keep my wrists and arms out of reach whenever I walked by them.
Doing my homework helps me fit in to new cultures better, and also makes it easier to be vigilant without being paranoid.
RELATED: 11 Tips to Help Make Your First Solo Trip Great
4. Strangers are more likely to be helpful than threatening
Even though I wouldn't advise you to wander off alone with a complete stranger, people you meet on your travels ARE, for the most part, going to be helpful rather than threatening. As a solo female traveler, I've had countless experiences where I've actually had complete strangers looking out for me on trains and subways, helping me stow my bag or making sure I knew which stop I needed to get off at.
Just as the world isn't an inherently dangerous place, people are not inherently evil. I spent a lot of time being very suspicious of anyone who would strike up a conversation with me for about the first year I was traveling alone. Until I realized that those people were just trying to be friendly.
Yes, it's important to be careful and to always trust your gut. But there's no need to immediately look at every unknown face as a threat. Your travels will be enriched when you open yourself up to new conversations and meeting new people.
And, when you do, you'll learn that, at the end of the day, people are more similar than different, no matter where they live, what they look like, or what they believe in.
5. I know I can surround myself with people
Lastly, if I ever DO find myself in a destination where I don't feel completely comfortable on my own, I know that there are always ways to ensure that I'm NOT alone.
I often book small group tours in places that I don't feel confident about visiting solo. I go on day trips with other tourists. I stay in hostels or guest houses where it's easy to meet other travelers and join in on group activities.
There's no need for me to be afraid, because I've learned that traveling solo doesn't necessarily have to mean being alone all the time.
I realize that solo travel will always be one of those things with a mysterious, often-misrepresented air about it. But hopefully this has helped reassure you at least a little bit!
READ NEXT: Top 9 Questions About Solo Travel Answered
What's your take on solo female travel? What steps do you take to make yourself feel safe?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
[…] you wouldn’t at home. More on safety coming soon but for now I really like this blog post by A Dangerous Business about how she views safety as a solo female traveller. Actually she has a lot of great tips for a first timer, so I recommend having a […]
What’s your take on traveling solo in India as a blonde twenty-something y/o female? Especially New Delhi has high rape rates and violance against women. I’m fascinated by the culture and spirit, am a experienced traveler in western countries but I doubt that my parents will ever approve that location and to be honest the destination scares me a bit.
I haven’t personally been to India, so I really don’t have a take on it or any advice. I would get in touch with Mariellen of Breathe Dream Go for India questions – it’s her speciality and she would probably have some great tips for you!
I’ve been to India over 10 times but I am male but can offer some perspective. Violent crime in India is not actually that common given it’s population and density… India is mostly known for petty theft and scams. However, one still needs to exercise common sense caution.
New Delhi is not somehow worse than other major cities with crime. Stay in the populated areas and don’t go wandering off into some dark lit alleys and you will be fine. One thing you will notice in India is that there are a gazillion people everywhere and it’s really difficult to commit crime unless you venture off the beaten track.
In Paharjung for instance (which is the backpackers area in Delhi) it is a madhouse and there are tons of travelers on the streets everywhere… it’s easy to feel safe. If you are staying in a hostel you will meet others as well, engage with that group when going out anywhere in the nighttime 🙂
Hey Amanda ,
I am always Afraid to travel alone but after reading your blog i am inspire from you…I planned a trip …if it is successful i will definitely tell you…!!
Good luck, Sia! Embrace the alone-ness! 🙂
I love this post, thank you. I’m trying to work up the courage to go solo in Asia this year. Actually, just anywhere to get over the initial nerves. You are so right, between worrying moms and an overhyped media, one would think you are walking into danger if you decide to travel solo! I’m sure that’s not the case. Good luck on your adventures 🙂
It’s definitely not the case, Anita! I think you should go for that solo trip in Asia – I don’t think you’ll regret it!
YES go for it I used a Japanese train pass for 6 weeks of solo travel and did great. Later at age 70 I spent 6 weeks solo in Ecuador/ 2 weeks in Belize / then most recently 8 weeks solo in Eastern Europe! I stayed at airbnb rentals and some hostels. seldom chain hotels! People were helpful + respectful. If not NOW then when? is my motto.
It’s a great motto!
I don’t like to talk to people at my job about where I am going (they think I spend a lot of time laying on my couch relaxing, they probably think I am suicidal) because I cannot stand the whole “aren’t you scared?” crap. If I were scared, I would not be going? Duh? My friends include many independent women who also travel solo and we don’t even think anything of it.
I never really gave much thought to the female part. I always felt that any woman traveling solo would have the same fears as a man traveling solo. But the world has proved me wrong.
It’s great that you have friends who totally “get it” and can support you in your adventures!
Solo travel is just amazing and sometimes I thought I was safer while I travel that when I come back home in Paris. You just need to be careful and not put yourself in danger.
Definitely, Laura!
I actually prefer to travel alone because I meet more people this way. And yes, the media totally overhypes dangers in other countries. You just have to be aware of your surroundings and read up on what to watch out for in the places you are visiting, and replace fear with an appetite for adventure which you do well!
I couldn’t have said it any better myself! 🙂
I’ve been loving all of these International Women’s Day-related travel posts…they’re seriously so uplifting. I completely agree that there is unnecessary fear surrounding solo female travel. When I was little, it was my dream to travel the world by myself, but EVERY single person in my life has always told me it would be too dangerous and therefore not possible. Even now that I’m an adult, people who have no business telling me how to travel (co-workers, friends of friends, etc.) comment on how I should never travel to certain countries alone, i.e. Mexico, Brazil, India, etc. But, in many cities I’ve felt much safer than I do in my hometown of Houston!
I totally know what you mean! I’ve seen plenty of raised eyebrows, too, when telling certain people about my travels. And I don’t usually even go to the places most people view as “dangerous”! They just assume that because I’m traveling alone, something bad is bound to happen. Which isn’t true at all. In fact, sometimes I feel like I’m probably SAFER traveling alone, since I know I’m always alert and paying attention.
Great article – and so true! But ESPECIALLY Amen to #1 and 4. I have consistently travelled solo, and it really annoys me how the media portrays certain places.
As ane spat now living in Athens, Greece – I am especially angered at how the foreign media portrays my adopted country, hence why I started my blog.
And yes, strangers are more apt to wanting to help you – ESPECIALLY in Greece, and especially the elderly. I am always being spoken to by old ladies on the bus…who usually want to know where I get my lovely clothes from and struggle with the concept of ebay ;0)
Awww now I have visions of adorable old Greek ladies!
I definitely agree. While Athens is not my favorite city I’ve been to, I never felt in danger there. And, like you mentioned, people were really helpful! I had an old man tell me I had a nice smile, and then helped me navigate a metro stop and find the exit I needed to get to my hotel.
It makes me sad when I hear women say that they’d love to visit ______, but they have nobody to go with them. Seriously? I love traveling alone. I do what I want when I want. Plus, I get to meet people I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise. Traveling alone opens us up to a different sort of experience. Every woman should try it at least once.
I’m totally with you, Leah. I love the freedom I have when traveling alone, and I DO definitely think you have a completely different experience than if you were traveling with friends or a significant other. I, too, think every woman should try it at least once!
So true – it all comes down to common sense in the end and taking the same precautions you would at home, plus maybe a few more dependant on where you are travelling too – a little research goes a long way
So true, Katie! I always make sure to look up the important things before I travel – common scams, how women are expected to dress, etc. It’s not difficult at all, and so far I’ve have no issues anywhere!
I love traveling solo. (Don’t tell my family! 🙂 ) I feel totally free and relaxed to do or not do whatever’s I want. I probably foolishly always feel safe. I should be more cautious at times, but I do feel like I stay aware and alert. I am comfortable relying on my own resources. And I don’t view other places as any more dangerous than at home. But I know a lot of women do, and I can appreciate that, too.
If you’re being smart and you are a confident traveler, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t feel safe most of the time! The world definitely isn’t as scary as many people assume. I very rarely feel anything other than safe when I’m traveling!
Agreed. Though there are many places I haven’t been yet that I feel worried to travel to alone, but I know with a little research, I’ll be fine 🙂
That’s fair! There are certain places that I might feel more comfortable traveling on a group tour than on my own – but there’s nothing wrong with that, either!
Hey! As a female traveller my self, I often get confronted with thsi issue. However if I say I want to travel to Brazil for example everyone will tell me to be careful, but if I say I am travelling to the US, its like good on ya mate have fun. But with all the school shooting and the criminal rate I honestly wonder if it is cheeper. i just wanted to say thanx for pointing that out. It nice to know that someone things the same.
I treat every country the same – I am still careful and pay attention to what’s going on around me, whether I’m in Italy or Vietnam.
Great post! I completely agree. Point 4 is especially important because you can miss out on making new friends if you are always suspecting them to be a threat. It’s kind of inconsistent with your blog name though as “Dangerous Business” does imply a bit of danger haha 🙂
The name of my blog has nothing to do with danger – it’s from a quote from “Lord of the Rings.” 🙂