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I’ll start by saying that I love travelling solo. It’s convenient first of all because usually it’s difficult to find someone who wants to travel to the same places as you, at the same time, for the same length of time. It’s also convenient because when you are on your own, there is nothing to discuss before doing it.
“Do you want to eat here?”
“You cool with staying here?”
“Jesus, hang on. I gotta find a bathroom.”
When you are travelling with other people, it means taking into consideration everyone else that’s with you. It also means sometimes negotiating on what things you get to see and do.
My solution to keep life simple: go solo! Travelling solo brings so many excellent opportunities for growth and lets you experience the world in a totally different way.
The reality is though, travelling as a woman alone is much different than how it is for a man. Some of my male friends will do things like sleep on the side of the road. But for me, probably not a good idea.
Having spent the majority of my travels alone, a lot of people ask me how I feel being solo.
“Aren’t you nervous?”
“Wow you are really brave!”
I understand their concern of course. I’ve heard my fair share of horror stories about girls alone abroad. But truthfully, there are a lot of things you can control to keep yourself out of trouble, giving you a better shot at staying safe!
Today I’ll be describing some basic safety tips and advice for women exploring solo. If you prefer to watch—check out my Youtube video where I talk about these points!
Trust Your Gut
Always, always, always, always.
I can’t stress enough how important this point is, which is why I’m listing it first. This is the most useful and effective thing you can do for yourself to keep yourself safe and out of trouble.
It may sound overly simple, or cliché, but sometimes it can be easy to dismiss your gut feelings. Which is why I’m reminding you of it now. The few times that I’ve gone against my gut feeling and convinced myself that “I’m just overthinking it”, are the times when things have not gone so smoothly for me.
Some people call it a vibe, an energy, an aura. Whatever it is you want to call it, often we can sense the intentions of someone before it is revealed. It is crucial not to ignore your intuition, and if you are feeling unsure, veer on the safe side. Removing yourself from situations before they potentially escalate is an important thing to keep in mind at all times.
We all get a sense of people within a few minutes of meeting them. We notice their tone, body language, and energy. Watch closely, learn how to read these signs, and take them seriously.
Try to Arrive During the Day
Keep Some Hardcopies and a Notebook Handy
Ah, the logistical struggles of travelling…Though I do not do this ritually, I really should. We rely heavily on our phones, and when they fail on us, we can find ourselves in a bit of a pickle.
It’s good to keep some hardcopies of important documents (like flight itineraries, visa information) just in case. Because when the customs or authorities are asking for it, you don’t want to be solely dependent on your phone.
Writing down important information, and having a note pad with you in general is pretty handy. Important phone numbers, address of a guesthouse, or simple directions is a crucial back up for when your map app fails on you, or you lose internet connection. If you’re anything like me, and consistently aim to go as far off the grid into the wilderness as possible, then this becomes an even more crucial safety measure.
Another reason I suggest this is that sometimes, I may not be comfortable having my phone out in the open. In a lot of places, I prefer to keep all my electronic devices hidden away if it’s rare for the locals of the area to have these types of possessions (I’ll talk more about this later). In these instances I may write my notes of directions on a small piece of paper and keep that in my pocket to check while I’m on my way.
Don't Tell Everyone Where You're Going
This is a continuation to trusting to your gut. It’s seems somewhat strange when I consider who I’ve shared my information with, who I’ve chosen not to, and who I’ve blatantly lied to.
Lying is not always a bad thing, in this case I consider it a simple safety measure. There have been times when asked about my next destination, I’ve responded, “I’m not sure yet”, or simply given false information. My motive for this? My instincts.
Within seconds of meeting someone, you can get an idea of what type of person they are, or how they may act. So generally, do not share your travels plans with every person you pass by or meet.
Of course, you might make friends along the way who would make a great travel buddy, but be cautious with whom you choose to do that with. Think twice before you reveal where you are staying, what you plan on doing, or where you plan on going next.
Tell Someone back Home Where You Are
Contrary to the above tip, it’s always good to share your whereabouts with people back home. This of course, has the added benefit of giving your friends and family back home peace of mind.
If you’re the type of person who likes to venture into isolated locations, make sure you let someone know the address or location (even a town name is helpful) of where you’ll be staying. A few times, I’ve simply shared my location using either Facebook or Whats-app, that way they can literally pin point my exact location on a map. It’s also good to keep in mind when you will have reception/internet available. If you’re going to be off the grid, let your people know ahead of time (I’ve made this mistake a few times and caused my parents and friends several panic attacks—don’t do the same please).
God forbid, if something horrible was to happen to me, they would be able to note the last place I was staying and search from there. This can help ease your mind, and equally as important, the minds of your family and friends.
Blend In
Blend in as much as possible. How you dress, how you act, what you say, and however else you can think of. Of course I don’t suggest that you go out in disguise, but this is a helpful tip to keep yourself a little under the radar in terms of being singled out as a possible target.
For example, if it is odd for women to be wearing shorts or short skirts out in public, avoid it. If everyone smiles to each other when passing in the street, do the same. Like I mentioned in one of the above tips, if no one has a mobile device out in their hands, keep yours out of sight also.
When I’m on public transit for the first time in a place, I won’t pull out my phone until I see someone else doing the same. Generally on first arrival somewhere, I choose to wear something conservative and not so flashy, just to be on the safe side.
Not only does this keep you from standing out like an obvious clueless tourist, it also helps you internalize a lot of the cultural differences. I would say this is an added bonus really. And chances are, the locals will be more pleased with you trying to fit in. It gives the impression you respect their culture (hopefully you do anyway). Also, do your best to learn a few phrases in the local language. Making friends with the locals is always interesting. Guaranteed fun.
Walk Confidently (Even If You're Lost!)
It can seem very arbitrary, but our body language has such a huge influence on how we are perceived. When travelling alone this can leave you either looking like an easy target, or a force to be reckoned with.
Even if you’re actually lost, never panic. Spot a good place to stop (coffee shop, library, bus stop, park bench, anywhere people are waiting around will do), and walk towards it…with purpose of course! Once you’re stopped now is the time to fiddle with your phone or notes, or ask someone for directions.
What to take from this: keep your head up, look where you’re going, and don’t look like you’re lost, even when you have no idea where you are!
Don't Go Out at Night Alone
There you have it! My basic safety rule book for exploring foreign places solo!
I hope that you find these tips useful and that it helps you feel confident when travelling alone. I know a lot of women who don’t feel comfortable going out to explore the world because they feel afraid to do it on their own. In my opinion, this is a shame, because for me travelling solo is such a great experience. Sometimes, I prefer to go alone than have a buddy with me anyway. With that being said, I want to finish on this note:
Don’t let fear hold you back, forcing your thirst for adventure to dry up. We can never 100% prevent bad things from happening to us, even in the comfort of our own city.
You can however take some preventive measures to keep you safer, and make you feel more comfortable in foreign places. If you dream of exploring exotic jungles and scaling mountains, don’t let fear hold you back from materializing those dreams.
Gear up, prepare yourself, and travel smart. Follow your thirst, and drink up every moment of your adventure. Don’t worry about thanking me, you can do that later once you’re back home.
Bye for now!
