Safety tips for traveling alone as a woman

Journalist Anna Cullen shares her prime ideas for ladies touring the world solo.

When you’re a girl who intends to journey solo within the close to future, it’s straightforward to get caught up within the what-ifs and the troubles. The place must you go? Will or not it’s secure? Can or not it’s finished alone?

This second-guessing and concern is sufficient to discuss your self out of getting a tremendous expertise touring
solo and creating recollections you’ll cherish perpetually.

I’ve at all times been fairly an unbiased person who likes my very own house so touring alone could be very interesting to me as I can management the place I’m going, what I see, and what I do. I don’t need to depend on or please others.

I began touring solo as a result of my life was beginning to turn out to be very repetitive and I wished to introduce thrilling change. I additionally wished to discover totally different locations and cultures, and meet new individuals.

Enjoyable in Finland 🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/wRvrppDbNa

— Anna Cullen (@AnnaCullen19) November 10, 2022

I’ve traveled solo for shut to 2 months now, and whereas this would possibly seem to be a brief interval of
time, I’ve encountered many various individuals and conditions throughout the USA, Canada, and far of Europe.

Touring alone is schooling in itself, pushing you exterior your consolation zone. You turn out to be self-aware, whereas open to totally different cultures, new experiences and new individuals, together with turning into very unbiased.

Throughout my travels, I’ve encountered conditions which have pushed me exterior of my consolation zone. So, for those who’re a hopeful solo feminine vacationer like me, listed here are some security ideas which have supported me on my adventures thus far.

Keep secure at your lodging

Previous to touring, examine the opinions of your lodging to make sure there aren’t any points with
security.

I endeavour to schedule my flights for the morning or early afternoon, with the intention to arrive at my
lodging in the course of the day. This fashion, I may get a really feel of the realm I’m staying in. Arriving in the course of the day additionally offers you the choice to rearrange different lodging if want be.

Upon checking in, ask reception in regards to the space, its security, and a few restaurant and bar suggestions. If you get to your room, lock your beneficial belongings in a secure if doable. When you really feel unsafe or uncomfortable once you return within the evenings, ask reception if somebody can escort you to your room. As soon as inside, lock your door correctly.

Share your location and be vigilant

When you’re planning on heading out for the evening, let a pal or member of the family know the place you’re
going (even when they’re in a unique nation). That method somebody is aware of the place you might be, and might check-in.

It’s at all times a good suggestion to share your real-time location through your smartphone. I commonly examine in with my
household to allow them to know my plans for the day and the place I can be.

I’m not an enormous fan of staying out late, and as a precaution have a tendency to not drink lots of alcohol. If you’re consuming – whether or not or not it’s alcoholic or different – by no means go away a drink unattended.

Being well-rested and retaining your wits about you might be key to being alert and exercising common sense, each of that are key to your security.

Keep secure when utilizing taxis or different transportation apps

When you’re going out otherwise you want transport to the airport, then you have to to make sure you are secure
attending to and out of your vacation spot. Most international locations have ridesharing apps, reminiscent of Uber.

Utilizing an app like Uber is a good concept because it permits your location to be tracked and they’re typically set
at a set fare. You’ll be able to see your driver’s opinions, and your cellphone means that you can monitor the route you
are travelling on to ensure you’re not off course.

Earlier than you get into the automobile, ensure you examine that the license plate matches the one on the app.
I have a tendency to make use of public transport when touring, however typically this isn’t doable. If that is so,
attempt to use these apps somewhat than hailing a taxi on the road.

If these apps aren’t accessible, use authorised taxis from the airport or get your resort to rearrange a taxi
for you, which is what I did in Brussels, Belgium.

Look assured when strolling round

Earlier than you allow for the day, at all times have a plan as to the place you’re going. Put your route into Google Maps and guarantee your cellphone has sufficient battery so you may comply with these instructions.

All the time convey an influence financial institution and charger with you in your bag and ensure it zips up once you shut it. By no means go away your bag unattended. It’s additionally an ideal concept to hold a bodily map round with you in your bag – a lot of accommodations can present this for you.

Whereas some locations are safer than others, it’s essential to not let your self stand out as a simple
goal. When you’re strolling round, particularly within the evenings or at evening, then seem like you understand the place you’re going, even for those who really feel a bit misplaced!

If you’re misplaced, step inside a store or a café and examine the instructions in your cellphone. One other nice
tip is to have the nation’s police and hospital numbers at hand if required.

Thoughts your belongings
When exploring for the day, make sure you carry a small bag with a zipper and if doable, just a little pouch for
your cellphone and cash. These pouches can match inside your jumper or pants. If it’s essential to take out your cellphone or cash, step inside a store, and don’t linger on the road.

Whereas it may well really feel good to decorate up once you’re overseas and put on some good jewelry or carry your
designer bag, this could entice undesirable consideration. Try to avoid this when travelling solo, it’ll make sure you look much less like a goal.

I maintain my passport on me always, together with my aircraft ticket/boarding go on my cellphone, plus paper copies in my bag. I maintain extra cash in other places and I’ve two debit playing cards as a precaution.

Purchase a neighborhood SIM card

Once I went to the USA, I bought a neighborhood SIM card to make sure I had cell information and will make calls. This made me really feel safer as I used to be related and will use Google Maps when out and about. This can be a nice concept when travelling internationally as having the ability to keep in contact with family and friends helps alleviate their issues about your solo travels.

Be conscious of tradition and traditions

When you’re touring to a conservative nation, be conscious of the tradition and traditions. Deliver clothes that can will let you mix in and that can cowl your knees and shoulders so that you just really feel comfy exploring.

Travelling solo is superb and is nice for constructing confidence. Holding these security ideas in thoughts, if and once you do determine to journey alone, you’ll have the time of your life. Get pleasure from!