5 Solo Travel Safety Tips For Every Single Woman With Wanderlust
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

5 Solo Travel Safety Tips For Every Single Woman With Wanderlust

Who said women can't travel solo? Let's debunk that myth with five safety tips for traveling solo.

171
5 Solo Travel Safety Tips For Every Single Woman With Wanderlust
Arushi Sachan
“If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you are always in the same place.” -Nora Roberts

Worn are my ears from hearing that women cannot travel solo. That is an absolute myth that needs to be broken. Women can and do travel alone.

There is a certain sense of empowerment that takes over while traveling on your own. Not only do you get to be on your own, but you also get to be your own person. You may do and be as you please, and live with a sense of freedom.

Last year, I got a couple of opportunities to travel alone: first, to soak the heat in Austin, Texas in the USA, and onward internationally to Nepal for a sponsored travel blog trip, and Italy through the summer to get a certificate in fashion styling. For a 21-year-old girl who had traveled to 11 countries with good company in the past, this was an utterly new dimension of experiences.

I stumbled, and learned from my mistakes, enough to come up with a solid list of five travel safety tips for women who want to travel solo:

1. Do your research

It helps to look at google maps and get familiarized with the places you are about to visit. Carrying a map can lead to unwanted attention publicly and make it more obvious that you are a tourist. It also helps to research about the culture of the country you are traveling to, in order to avoid violations and really blend in; for instance, to be in Saudi Arabia, women have to cover their heads with a scarf by law since it takes from the Islamic culture.

2. Keep it safe

It is advisable to keep your money hidden at a safe spot (like a hollowed book or an empty lotion bottle) during your travels. While going out, try not to carry too much cash or keep it on the outside pockets of your pant/bag. Pickpocketing has become more common across the globe, especially in countries with many tourists. Personally, I have practiced self-defense techniques through youtube so that I could feel safe and able while traveling on my own. Another tip is to have the country's emergency numbers memorized or on speed dial.

3. Basic language knowledge

A language is made from and makes a culture. Having basic knowledge of the native language makes it really easy to live and get around the country. For instance, knowing greetings, magic words, and numbers made it really easy for me to get around Italy, where natives prefer to speak in Italian. There are a couple of ways to practice a language through web apps like Duolingo and Rosetta stone. Google translate works too but isn't as accurate.

4. Travel minimal

The more you take with you, the more you are afraid about your safety. Hence, pack only what you need. On top of that, when you go out, take only what you need. Excess stuff not only makes you look like a tourist clearly but also attracts unwanted attention. You don't totally have to avoid carrying everything if you figure out a way to pack compactly. I generally only carry backpacks for week-month long travels since everything I need fits in them.

5. Check in regularly

Share your Itinerary with your family or a close friend while you are going to be away traveling so they can keep tabs on your journey. If you don't plan everything out and travel with more flexibility like me, you could use location sharing through iPhone. I would also check my bank statements, emails and social media just to stay on top of things.

Safe travels women!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

Michigan Rain Vs. California Rain

Michigan rain vs. California rain (at Calvin College).

2604
Michigan Rain Vs. California Rain
ifunny

SO, I've just recently had the fortunate experience to be reminded just how Michigan rains. Now, before you roll your eyes at me, I HAVE EXPERIENCED RAIN (in regards of the the popular joke that Californians haven't). However, I have to agree; after experiencing one of Michigan's thunderstorms (with my college's sirens blaring in the background), it comes to mind just how different "rain" is between the two states:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

21 EDM Songs for a Non-EDM Listener

Ever wanted to check out EDM music, but didn't know where to start? Look no further! Start here.

6998
21 EDM Songs for a Non-EDM Listener
www.wallpapersafari.com

If you have been following me for a long time, then you know I write about two main things: relateable articles and communication media based articles. Now, it is time for me to combine the two. For those of you that don't know, I am a radio DJ at IUP, and I DJ for a show called BPM (Beats Per Minute). It is an EDM, or electronic dance music, based show and I absolutely love it.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

100 Reasons to Choose Happiness

Happy Moments to Brighten Your Day!

25286
A man with a white beard and mustache wearing a hat

As any other person on this planet, it sometimes can be hard to find the good in things. However, as I have always tried my hardest to find happiness in any and every moment and just generally always try to find the best in every situation, I have realized that your own happiness is much more important than people often think. Finding the good in any situation can help you to find happiness in some of the simplest and unexpected places.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me

This one's for you, Spock.

10505
6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me
Liz Abere

Owning a pet can get difficult and expensive. Sometimes, their vet bills cost hundreds of dollars just for one visit. On top of that, pets also need food, a wee wee pad for a dog, a litter box with litter for a cat, toys, and treats. Besides having to spend hundreds of dollars on them, they provide a great companion and are almost always there when you need to talk to someone. For the past six years, I have been the proud owner of my purebred Bengal cat named Spock. Although he's only seven years and four months old, he's taught me so much. Here's a few of the things that he has taught me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Kinder Self - Eyes

You're Your Own Best Friend

12167
Kinder Self - Eyes
Pexels

It's fun to see all of the selfies on social media, they are everywhere. I see pictures with pouty lips, duck lips and pucker lips. I see smokey eyes, huge fake lashes and nicely done nose jobs, boob jobs and butt lifts. Women working out in spandex, tiny tops and flip flops. I see tight abs and firm butts, manicured nails and toes, up dos and flowing hair. "Wow", I think to myself," I could apply tons of make-up, spend an hour on my hair, pose all day and not look like that. Maybe I need a longer stick!"

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments