Is solo traveling safe for women? How can women stay safe when traveling solo?

The world we live in is a very scary place. When it comes to our safety it’s something we can never be certain about, no matter where we are or who we are. But we need to be honest, it’s worse for women.

Traveling is exploring the unknown and as female travelers, we face more risks when traveling alone. Already in our home towns, we are not safe, how much more for a foreign country where you are all alone and got no one to protect you.

Men think of being robbed when it comes to safety but with women, it goes beyond just robbery. Female tourists being raped are all over the media.

As we are all unique individuals, we define safety differently. It’s not a one size fits all type of thing. What you might regard as normal can be seen as dangerous or unsafe to the other individual. That’s why you need to identify what is safe for you and what makes you feel unsafe. No one can determine this for you but yourself.

You should always remember that there’s no safe destination in this world and that you are never guaranteed the same experience as someone else. Both your friend and you can go to the same place but have different experiences. So avoid having the sense of false security of a place being safe because of someone’s experience.

Traveling is a gamble but it’s rewarding in the end. You just have to be always aware and don’t ever think because some place is rated safe that it actually is and you put your gut down. Always remember it can be unsafe anywhere at any time, even in your very own home.

Here are some tips on how to travel as a solo female traveler just to reduce the risk of getting into trouble.

• AIways respect the traditions, norms, and culture of the country.
• Stay in a busy, touristy area.
• If something feels wrong, assume it is wrong.
• Never stay out after dark
• Always get a local sim or international Data Plan.
• Never tell anyone you are alone.
• Send your family or friends your itinerary and check in frequently.
• Blend in and don’t look flashy.
• Always carry a well-charged power bank when leaving your room.
• Never post on social media where you are or where you are going.
• Female clothing usually doesn’t include pockets and if whatever you’re wearing has pockets they’re either too small or too loose. So be careful when you put things in your pockets like a phone or credit card.
• Never assume you’re safe just because there are people around.
• Always be aware of your surroundings, try to never look lost, and act like you know what you are doing.
• Don’t get intoxicated.
• Stay aware of your surroundings.
• Write down a list of clothes or outfits you take with you so that if you do go missing or get lost or stranded, at least people have a general idea of what you might be wearing.
• Carry backup chargers for your phone.
• Book hotels in advance so that you have a known destination.

These are just but a few things you can do to keep safe while traveling solo as a female.