Last updated on July 13th, 2021 at 06:17 am

Just because solo female travel is empowering, doesn’t mean that it’s not equally frightening.

You mean, travel to another city or country by myself? Am I going to be eating at restaurants alone? Will I get bored of my own company? Are people going to bother me? How will I do this all by myself? 

These are just a few questions that come up for ladies who consider traveling solo. And some are totally against this idea.

But I’m guessing since you clicked on this post, a huge part of you is interested in trying this out. You want to see if you can really do this thing.

And I’m here to tell you—yes, you can!

Think about all the exhilarating things you’ve done that scared the heck out of you. That same desire is in you now.

Still not convinced? Let’s look at some questions you might be wondering.

Is Solo Travel For Me?

Of course I’m going to tell you, heck yeah! It’s for any and everybody that wants to do it. And this platform is about encouraging people to travel the world, even if it’s solo or on a budget.

But, I most definitely recommend solo female travel. If the following interests you, then it’s definitely for you.

• Do you want to learn more about yourself?
• Do you enjoy solitude or want to experience more of it?
• Are you tired of waiting for others to travel?
• Do you have an adventurous personality?
• Is this something that interests you?
• Do you need a break from people, work, or day-to-day life?
• Does this scare you?
• Are you itching for something new?

When you’re traveling by yourself, certain animalistic instincts kick in. You become more self reliant and find out what you do and don’t like. You channel your inner badass that was there all along.

I’m not saying it’s 100% seamless or without hiccups, there are pros and cons to it. But, the pros (in my biased opinion) always outweigh the cons.

And if you need more convincing, these are 19 reasons you should travel solo. 

It doesn’t have to be somewhere international either, you can start where you feel comfortable. Maybe taking a weekend trip a few hours away from home or doing a staycation might be more up your alley.

Is Solo Female Travel Safe?

I’d say it depends on where you’re going, even though this sounds vague. Overall, IT IS SAFE!

There are certain *parts* of some cities, states, countries that might not be the safest for anyone to go to.

When I’ve traveled solo to 7 countries, I felt safe 97% of the time. The only time I felt unsafe was being harassed on a bus in Sri Lanka but it wasn’t in every city I visited there. (I’ve also dealt with this in the US, where I’m from.)

And thankfully, not everyone has dealt with what I did.

With that being said, I recommend going where you feel most comfortable. I’m sure that destination is just as safe for female travelers as it is for male travelers.

It’s not always a matter of “is it safe for women?”, but more so, is it safe in general?

Traveling alone for women can be safe, you just have to research the places you’re going to. This breaks down the top places for women’s equality.

You’ll have all the tools you need to prepare for this adventure and the confidence to do so.

Should I believe everything I hear?

It’s up to your discretion, because everyone has different levels of awareness, come from different backgrounds/cities, and views things differently.

If you’ve lived in a major city, some might deem that as unsafe. But your experience could be totally different. It’s the same with solo female travel.

Even when traveling to the “safest” places in the world, you shouldn’t completely let your guard down. Wherever you are in the world, it’s important to have a certain level of alertness.

How Do I Prepare?

The same way you’d prepare to go on any trip:

• Make a list of all the items you’d need to bring in your luggage.
• Have copies of important documents and send them to a family member just in case. You can also keep copies on your phone as a backup.
• RESEARCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I like to share my location with my sister at all times (shout out to Google maps) and forward my itinerary/reservations to her.

If it’s your first time traveling solo, you’ll want to mentally prepare yourself. Encourage yourself and acknowledge your ability to take such a chance. It also helps to have a support system that will uplift and give you that extra push you need.

What you’re doing is nerve-wracking, but you have all the tools within you to do so.

Some things you’d want to consider are:

• What should I pack?
• Do I want to be around other people?
• Do I want to rent a room on an Airbnb or stay in a hostel? Would a resort be the best option for me? Or do I want to stay in a hotel?
• Can I take public transportation? Is Uber or the equivalent available? Do I want to rent a car?
• What are the social/culture norms of this country?
• How “safe” is it for solo travel?

Having these questions and coming up with more will help you get ready for your trip.

I’d also recommend these 9 tips for solo travel. 

Remember that every country is unique, so solo travel will differ based on the country.

What Precautions Do I Need To Take?

The best way to figure this out is when you research. You might find out your country of choice is more modest and expects people to dress a certain way. And please be respectful of other culture norms, this isn’t the time to go against the grain. You’re a visitor there. 

You’ll also see how safe it is to walk around by yourself and if wearing flashy items is a no-go. Before my trip to Vietnam, I knew petty crimes were common and even though I knew this—I still was robbed.

Traveling solo internationally is freeing, but remember you are solo, in a foreign country. Have your back at all times, which you’re more than capable of doing.

Where Should I Travel To?

Okay, so we talked about if solo travel is for you. What you need to do to prepare and what precautions you should take. But if you don’t have any places in mind, how do you decide where to go for the first time solo? 🤯

Decisions, decisions.

Well it depends on what cultural experience you’re looking for? What countries are safest for solo travel? What country you can assimilate to fairly easy as a foreigner. Simplifying can come in handy. And if you still don’t know—these are 7 destinations that are safe for solo female travel.

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Where’s somewhere you want to travel to solo? Comment below.