Top Tips for Savvy and Safe Solo Women Travellers

With more women opting to journey solo, here are a few tips and precautions to adopt when travelling abroad.

Travelling can be one of life’s most fulfilling and thrilling adventures, and many of us enjoy hitting the road alone. Women, in particular, are choosing to journey solo. Women who are travelling on their own, though, are often more vulnerable than lone men. If you are heading out alone, it’s worth reading through these tips about the few extra precautions solo women should adopt when travelling abroadto keep themselves safe.

Keep Your Travel Documents Secure

When travelling abroad, you’ll obviously need your passport and other important travel documents. Make sure you keep these in a secure and protected place. Leaving them in your accommodation’s lockable safe is an option or you can carry them around in the inside pocket of your bag with a zip. Be wary of pickpockets, though. I’d also recommend scanning a copy of your driver’s licence, insurance policy and passport, and emailing them to yourself. You could also forward them to a responsible friend or family member.

Meet and Greet the Locals

Travelling abroadis a great way of discovering new cultures and meeting a fabulously eclectic variety of new people. Offering a smile to a stranger may start a conversation and enhance your experience as the locals provide you otherwise unknown insight into their city. They may also warn you if you’re in a vulnerable situation or reach out to help you if they see that you’re in need.

Keep Details Private

You should be cautious of not being overly friendly though. Remember to keep certain details to yourself, particularly the address of where you’re staying. If someone asks, give them a vague response without seeming rude.

Stick to Your Plan

Though one of the joys of travelling abroadis being spontaneous, it’s worth dropping a text message informing someone back home of your whereabouts. Let them know where you’re heading and confirm when you’ve arrived. If something does happen, at least one person will know where to find you.

Arrive During the Day

If you’re backpacking and changing location relatively often, make sure you arrive at your new location by mid-afternoon – it’s much easier to find a hostel or hotel in daylight. You’ll also have time to assess how safe you feel in your chosen area and find somewhere else to set up camp if you are uncomfortable.

Keep Things Local

The best way of experiencing the culture and heritage of your holiday destination is to mingle with the locals and support their local economy. Eating at local bistros or food markets, purchasing local crafts and souvenirs, and staying in locally-owned hostels or hotels is the most effective way of ensuring your money goes directly into the local’s pockets. It’ll also make your experience more authentic.

Many women find immense pleasure in travelling abroadsolo, as it makes them feel stronger, more confident and independent. While exploring the wonders of the world it’s nevertheless important to always remain sensible, respectful and aware so that you keep yourself out of harm’s way wherever your adventures take you.

Ethan Bailey is an experienced adventure traveller and insurance expert with the team at Let's Go Insure. Ethan’s passion is to inspire his clients to go just that little bit further, deeper and higher on their travels and he loves to share his expert knowledge and tips for travelling abroad. If you're looking for the best travel insurance, Let's Go works with the most experienced underwriters, intermediaries and insurers to offer a range of competitive insurance without compromising on cover.

License: You have permission to republish this article in any format, even commercially, but you must keep all links intact. Attribution required.