5 Important Safety Tips Every Solo Female Traveler Should Know
At 24 I set off on my first solo journey to the other side of the world. Being the young naive girl I was at the time, I remember my friends and family saying to me over and over again “PLEASE BE SAFE”. Four years and nine countries later I’m happy to say I’ve had an incredible journey traveling alone and it hasn’t been as unsafe or daunting as many people believed it would be. With a little preparation, common sense, and confidence you will be well on your way to becoming an independent solo female traveler!
Here are 5 helpful safety tips I’ve learnt from traveling solo as a female:
1. Plan Transportation Before Your Arrival
When I first began traveling solo, I always got a little nervous arriving in a new city, especially at night. To avoid the stress of getting lost and to give you peace of mind, it’s a good idea to pre-arrange transportation pick up at the airport. Some hotels offer free pick up while others may charge an above-average fee. Don’t be turned off by paying a little more. It will ease your anxiety knowing your driver was arranged by your hotel and knows the exact directions.
If arranging a hotel pick up isn’t possible here’s what to do:
Take a copy of your hotel’s address (in both English and your destination’s first language), a clear map, and a contact number. This way you can be confident in knowing where you are going, and if your driver happens to get lost you can easily direct him.
Prior to my arrival in Kolkata, India, I made the mistake of simply copying down my hostel’s address in my Iphone’s notebook. Although the taxi customer service desk at the airport confirmed they knew where I was going, I later ended up getting lost in the middle of the city. To make matters worse, the driver could not speak any English. After an hour of driving around in circles, I kindly directed the driver to pull over and let me out. I walked to the nearest hotel I could find and stay there until the following morning. This was a stupid mistake on my part and could have been easily avoided if I had prepared more before arrival. Lesson Learnt.
Dishonest taxi drivers are known to prey on foreign tourists outside the arrivals terminal. You may notice that some will have no fare meter and others may say that their meter is “broken”. Usually, this means they are going to charge you ten times the average price. To avoid this, contact your hotel beforehand and ask them for an approximate estimate of the total fare in your destination’s currency.
Research which taxi companies have the best reputation at your destination. For example, before arriving in Bali, Indonesia, a friend of mine mentioned that a company named “Blue Bird Taxi” has the best rates and a great reputation. This information was handy to have because when I saw the “Blue Bird” sign waiting outside the arrivals terminal, I felt more relaxed to flag them down for a ride.
Extra tip- If you are really nervous about arriving late at night many airports have connecting hotels so you can crash there for a night and arrange transportation in the morning.
2. Research About Your Destination’s Culture
If you’re heading to a country where women play a more conservative role, it’s best to be well informed and prepared before you go. Depending on your destination, you may need to pack away your short shorts and dress more conservatively, wearing clothes that cover both your legs and shoulders. In some places, it’s considered extremely rare for a local woman to be traveling alone, so you need to take extra precaution as thieves and cons can sometimes see you as vulnerable.
Don’t let this advice turn you off from traveling to a more conservative culture. You will be fine, just be sure to do your research before you go.
3. Have Common Sense
While traveling alone, you need to take full responsibility for yourself and your safety. A little common sense can go a long way in protecting you from unsafe situations.
Try to avoid being in unknown areas alone after dark. If you find yourself in this situation, never walk home alone, especially through dark areas with minimal traffic. It’s better to stay confident and flag down a taxi.
If you’re in an area known for mugging and pickpocketing, it’s unwise to wear flashy jewelry and/or have your cell phone in sight.
When traveling outside your hotel, leave your passport in a safe place and keep a couple of photocopies on hand.
Always take a copy of your hotel’s address, a map, and contact number in case you get lost or problems arise.
While in transit NEVER leave your passport or valuables in your bags unattended. Keep them on you at all times.
A girl I met while traveling in Thailand left her passport under the bus she was traveling on. She later arrived at her destination only to find out her bag (with her passport inside) had been stolen. Having to deal with a lost passport from a stupid mistake is not fun.
If you’re going to a bar alone limit yourself to just one or two drinks. You don’t want to put yourself in a situation where you are intoxicated and make poor decisions. It’s also important to never leave your drinks unattended.
While in Argentina, a group of travelers from our hostel went out to a local nightclub. One of the girls in our group went over her limit and ended up in the hospital with alcohol poisoning. To make matters even worse, her flight back to Canada was leaving the following day. She was traveling solo and did not have a photocopy of her passport on hand. Luckily we were able to contact the hostel for her details and the following morning she was released just in time to catch her flight. This story had a happy ending but could have ended much worse. This type of situation can be avoided altogether with a bit of common sense and responsibility for your safety.
4. Trust Your Gut Instinct
Trusting your gut instinct is perhaps the best piece of advice I can give any solo female traveler. It’s true what they say: your gut instinct doesn’t lie. If you’re in any situation where something just doesn’t feel right, then without any hesitation, leave. Never stay in a situation to be kind or because you don’t want to let someone down. On the contrary, be sure to trust your gut instinct when something feels right.
While in Kolkata, India I spoke with a homeless man I passed on the street every day. He was interesting to speak with and I sensed a genuine kindness within him. Eventually, he offered to show me around the Ganges river nearby and I gladly accepted. This was an incredible experience I would have otherwise missed out on if I hadn’t given this man my trust.
5. Act Confident
As I mentioned earlier, thieves and cons tend to prey upon those who look vulnerable. When traveling alone, it’s important to always act and look confident.
Back in my early days of solo traveling, I got completely lost in the middle of Shanghai, China, while trying to find a shopping market. I was basically walking around in circles, with a frustrated look on my face. Finally, a few “nice” girls approached me and asked if I needed any help. I explained to them how I was lost and asked if they could help me with directions. One of the girls mentioned that they were also planning on going to the market, but first they would like to go for some tea. They kindly asked me to join. I was so frustrated at this point and I thought it was kind of them to offer me help, so I happily agreed. We walked for about 15 minutes down the busy streets of Shanghai and as soon as we got to the tea house my gut instinct kicked in. Something didn’t feel right. I stupidly ignored my gut and continued to drink tea after tea, of every flavor you can imagine. About 45 minutes later our waiter came out smiling, handed me a $200.00 CAD bill, and thanked me. My heart sunk, I had been caught in a scam and had no choice but to pay the hefty bill. Not only did I learn that day to always trust my gut instinct, but I also learned the importance of looking and acting confident, even when you’re not. Those girls saw that I was frustrated and lost, then used that as the bait to wheel me into their horrible scam.
Have you traveled solo before? What are some safety tips you’ve learnt along the way? Comment Below!
About the Author:
Danielle is a Canadian-born travel enthusiast who set off on a one-way ticket to the other side of the world shortly after finishing University. Four years later her wanderlust has taken her on many incredible adventures, including trekking in high the Himalayas, roaming through the Borneo rain forest, bungee jumping in Nepal, and sky diving in Australia. She wishes to inspire others to step outside their comfort zone and create more “I can’t believe I just did that” kinda moments. You can find more of her adventure stories at www.wanderessadventures.com.
How to find au pair work – one of the best ways for women to travel
The Au Pair experience could prove to be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ve ever had. You can now discover more about Au Pairing in Europe and America by reading more about it below.
What Actually is an Au Pair?
More and more people are trying to capitalize on this new trend of going au pair in a foreign country. The term ‘Au Pair’ means equal or by mutual agreement. As you’ve probably realized by now, this term comes from French, because this program was first used in the French community.
An au pair is a young person (generally a woman but not limited to) with an average age of 25, unmarried and with no moral obligations towards children, who wish to travel to another country and live with a host family.
As an au pair, you move into a real family from Europe, USA, or a non-English speaking country to assist them with light housework and childcare. In return, you get to live free of charge, you enjoy great meals and you can receive pocket money, which can vary from $10 a day to up to $40.
As an au pair, your responsibility is to be the bigger sister or bigger brother. Your main responsibilities will be to look after the younger children, go shopping, wash dishes, and help with house maintenance.
Benefits of Enrolling into the au Pair Program
Going in another country as an au pair is all the rave. Living in the US or Europe offers unique benefits that are not found in most other areas of the world. Here are just 5 of the most important benefits of becoming an au pair.
Improve your Level of English
In most families, you choose to go to, except some from Italy, Spain, Germany and France, the common language is English. Even in Europe, many families talk in English, because they are either international or they want to help their children to become more proficient in this language. If you’re looking into how to become an Au Pair, you better have good English skills.
You normally attend a free language course during the period of your stay and you also get to perfect your English skills like never before.
Make New Friends
Many families live in friendly neighborhoods and have plenty of connections. When living with a new family, you get to connect with many people and you even get to make some very good friends. Some people even meet their soul mate. The possibilities are endless when going as an au pair.
Free Travel Time
At the end of each au-pair program, you get to enjoy a free 30-days travel period to travel across the country through the Bed and Breakfast program. This is a major benefit for au pairs in the US. In Europe, you might need to get informed, because each country offers unique benefits.
Make Good Money
Overall, you get an average of $140 a week, sometimes, even more, depending on your program of choice. Knowing that you pay nothing for accommodation and you get to eat for free, that means over $6000 a year, sometimes even more. Some people who have spent one year as au pairs for families in London got home with more than 8000, which is huge money in every country in the world.
Education
As part of an au pair program, you are required to take classes by an accredited University. The great thing here is that you can choose any subject that’s of interest to you.
How to Become an au pair
There are a lot of au pair opportunities, both in the US and in Europe. Here’s what you need to do in order to become an au pair.
Create your own resume: make sure you list your experience with children.
Write a compelling autobiographical essay: this is optional, but it can greatly improve your chance of success.
Create your own free WordPress photoblog and upload photos of you and other children. Upload some great photos with you and your family.
Find an au pair agency in the country you want to travel to and join an au pair community.
Start to apply for those families you are interested in. The process is easy. Send them your resume, essay, and site address via email, and tell them more about you. You need to ensure that you make a great first impression.
After you receive replies from several families, try to find out the best one for you by asking intimidating questions and by ensuring they will provide as much as possible for you.
After finding the right family for you, pack your stuff and hop in the plane for the greatest journey of your life.
Thanks for checking out this article on “How to Become an au pair”, if you’d like more content like “How to Become an au pair” and other topics, start here.
You can save a lot of money by visiting some of the cheapest places to fly in the world.
Especially if you live right next (an hour and a half) to the LAX as I do.
America is full of opportunity when it comes to travel, we have two of the largest international airports in the world, and with the right conditions, tickets can be dirt cheap. Unfortunately, we are also stuck between the Atlantic and Pacific ocean, which makes it a lot more expensive to get around. But don’t worry, there’s hope! Here is a list of my top 10 Cheapest Places to Fly. The fares are estimated based on the best season to travel to that particular country, if you are looking for the best airfare deals, a good start would be Skiplagged. All of these flights are estimated through LAX, because, that is the closest large airport to me. Don’t be surprised if prices have changed, the listed prices should be seen a general reference. Buy them while they’re cheap!
1. Hawaii
Price: 303 – Round Trip Lowest Accommodation Price: $78 Best Time: February
People forget about the Oceana, they gloss over it. They were believing that the Oceana is simply the trash can for tourists, itching to get to Jimmy Buffet for a 16 dollar Margherita.
This is my warning, don’t sleep on Hawaii. Sleep IN Hawaii, this state is great but not for its association with the motherland but because it stands on its own, as what was once the crown of the ocean. A place where kings rested their heads on the white sandy beaches of Hawaii.
P.S. Hawaii might be one of the cheapest places to fly, but it can cost you an arm and a leg if you don’t plan right once you get there.
Something about Russia keeps drawing my eyes. It is the rival of the U.S. but shares many similarities with the U.S as well. Just a lot more Slavic. Is that a bad thing? No, not at all. What’s wrong with it? Well, for me, I have been told Russians aren’t the warmest to black people. I am giving them the benefit of the doubt unless it is proved to be true when I finally get the opportunity to visit the Russian Federation.
I think I am drawn to Russia’s ability to survive anything; the people are hit with impossible weather regularly and still thrive. The country has a history of some of the most powerful men, attempting to conquer them, just to turn around in defeat. You have to see a place like that at least once.
3. Turkey
Price: 754 – Round Trip Lowest Accommodation Price: $39 Best Time: February
Many people are not aware of this, but Turkey is the future; it is the potential outcome of a great nation. Having given birth to the Ottoman Empire in 1229, just to lay it to rest in the early 1900s. Every first world country should look at Turkey to reflect on what may be their future.
Albeit the Ottoman Empire is an enormous chunk of Human History, it isn’t the end of the legacy and life of Turkey, still well known as the Europes Eastern rim and home of the Golden Gate. Turkey is still great, beautiful, and vast. I don’t know where to start, but I know you should finish when you’ve seen it all.
Indonesia, Philippines, and Japan create what I like to call the Gateway to Asia, you’ll probably end up at one of the three. If you somehow accidentally skip them, turn around. The Philippines is a substantial chunk of that beautiful gate.
Albeit it is smudged with crime and drugs, those problems are dwarfed by its soul. It’s still a stable country, and its strength stems from its people and its unique landscape.
Indonesia is on the list of countries, torn in two by black gold. Oil blood runs deep in the countries roots, someday with the right government, the wealth of that oil can be given to the people. Eventually, the natural beauty will be preserved properly as well. We can all hope.
In the meantime, I suggest you see it for yourself, it’s a vast stretch of some of the most diverse culture, cuisine, religion, and people you may ever come across. It’s to be expected in a country made of islands.
Let me begin by saying, I did Japan wrong. I came in as a tourist, and I was treated as such. Next time will be different; next time will hopefully be soon because I miss those bleeding red Maples. Japan has a lot of two things, Mountains and culture. Because of its voluntary isolation and strict moral code.
It’s is a world within itself, surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery known to the world. You need to experience Japan, at least once in your life, and it would be wise to experience it with plenty of Shochu.
You can’t spend a day bored in India if you achieved that, it’s because your body couldn’t move; exhausted from the night before. India is popping in every single one of the 29 states.
I can’t begin to describe how vast and beautiful India is. Nor can I tell you what you’d love the most, the love and adoration of the Punjab people or the rich, gorgeous terrain they live on. The country isn’t just limited to one beautiful place either; it’s full of surprises.
Sometimes, food can be your first impression of a country. For me, my first impression of Malaysia was a large bowl of Assam Laksa (Rice Noodles in Fishy Soup). After I had tasted that first spoon full of greatness, I sighed in assurance, knowing that Malaysia is one of my favorites. After the food, the journey ahead was equally delicious. Don’t forget Malaysia is right next to Indonesia and the Philipines. There will be no shortage of adventure.
So if there were one thing I could say about Malaysia, it would be “be ready for Durian.”
Albeit Malasia is one of the cheapest places to fly, it can be an expensive place to visit.
I’ve never put feet on Kenyan soil, because of that fact. I, like many others, are missing freshly ground Kenyan coffee, caves, entertainment, and big smiles. I am also missing out on the thick wood that entangles the entire country.
Who would complain about a day in the bush? Only someone who’s given up on their heritage and wanderlust. I mean, Toto loved Kenya.
South Africa is a melting pot, a color-rich fondue, right after freedom sprang from the ashes of apartheid. People came pouring in. People forget the horrible reality of Racism; that is, it has only been a little more than a decade or two since racism was LAW. South Africa just so happens to be one of those nations that fit the category. That was the past, though, and now they are making a comeback, as equals. Expect to find the tastiest hole in the wall home/restaurants and some electric nightlife. This might not be on the top of the list of the cheapest places to fly, but it is worth the price tag.
Don’t miss out on the life off the beaten trails of South Africa. The wildlife is everywhere; you need to experience it.
EXTRA places to fly
Iran?
Best Time: March
Iran is beautiful; it’s caked with terrain that could only be captured by the hands of the truly gifted artist that reside behind its borders. The cake that covers the entirety of the country is dressed in greenery, something no one expects, but everyone appreciates it. You honestly should see why this is Persia we’re talking about. Persia wasn’t just some empire; it was THE empire. Without Persia, the world would not be the same. I wish I could have the opportunity to visit it one day, and it is booming with a culture that is relatively unknown in America. Because of the countries, different views on religion, money, and politics America and Iran have not been good in the past few decades. That may change soon, Iran is important to the U.S., it’s the only defense we have against ISIS in the middle east, and they need us too, this means the borders might go down, and if that’s the case, that means travel may become more comfortable between the two countries. Plus, it’s already one of the cheapest places to fly.
Nothing summarises the beauty of Iran better than Anthony Bourdain’s Episode in the country. Also, I was relieved to find out the couple detained from that episode is now free.
Pakistan (Dangerous)If John Wayne and Gary Cooper could lay their eyes on the dusty plains of the Sindh desert, they’d pack their stallions and hit the dusty trail to embrace the great unknown. Pakistan is the first taste of the Middle East, bordering South Asia and suffering as a melting pot of two groups of people with a turbulent past. It maintains its allure through its architecture; that is both natural and man-made. Don’t give up on this beautiful place, it’s still very accessible, for now. ISIS hasn’t taken it, but the pot is boiling, and the future is unclear. If you want to go, you better go now.
Yemen (Dangerous)Yemen is in crisis; it isn’t safe. Yemen has lost; it’s walls. What Yemen hasn’t lost is its glee, once known as the “Happy’ country, Yemen is still a landmark in history. Yemen is known for its Qat as much as its Coffee, take a sip when the clouds clear up in this beautiful country.
In case, you were wondering how much it would be to get simply an RTW (Round the World Ticket)
Heres’ a bit of info.
– Trip Around the world cost – British Airways round the world ticket
Due to legal restrictions, no guide is available to determine how much an RTW ticket costs, you can expect to spend at least 6,000 USD but no more than 15,000. Possibly a lot less if you strategically pick your flights and use other means of travel as well.
Thanks for reading, stay tuned for more! Will I be posting a ton of content this month? And, at least, one article per week on travel. I’m compiling a list of the cheapest places to LIVE; it’ll be here soon! in the meantime, I’d use Skiplagged for hotel discounts.
America is full of opportunity when it comes to travel, we have two of the largest international airports in the world and with the right conditions, tickets can be dirt cheap. Unfortunately, we are also stuck between the Atlantic and Pacific ocean, which makes it a lot more expensive to get around. But don’t worry, there’s hope! Here is a list of my top 10 Cheapest Places to Fly. The fares are estimated based on the best season to travel to that particular country, if you are looking for the best airfare deals, a good start would be.
People forget about the Oceana, they gloss over it. Believing that the Oceana is simply the trash can for tourists, itching to get to Jimmy Buffet for a 16 dollar Margherita.
This is my warning, don’t sleep on Hawaii. Sleep IN Hawaii, this state is great but not for its association with the motherland but because it stands on its own, as what was once the crown of the ocean. A place where kings rested their heads on the
Something about Russia keeps drawing my eyes. It is the rival of the U.S. but shares many similarities with the U.S as well. Just a lot more Slavic. Is that a bad thing? No, not at all. What’s wrong with it? Well for me, I have been told Russians aren’t the warmest to black people. I am giving them the benefit of the doubt unless it is proved to be true when I finally get the opportunity to visit the Russian Federation.
I think I am drawn to Russia’s ability to survive anything, the people are hit with impossible weather regularly and still thrive. The country has a history of some of the most powerful men, attempting to conquer them, just to turn around in defeat. You have to see a place like that at least once.
Many people are not aware of this, but Turkey is the future, it is the potential outcome of a great nation. Having given birth to the Ottoman Empire in 1229, just to lay it to rest in the early 1900s. Every first world country should look at Turkey, to reflect on what may be their future.
Albeit the Ottoman Empire is an enormous chunk of Human History, it isn’t the end of the legacy and life of Turkey, still well known as the Europes Eastern rim and home of the Golden Gate. Turkey is still great, beautiful, and vast. I don’t know where to start, but I know you should finish when you’ve seen it all.
Indonesia, Philippines, and Japan create what I like to call the Gateway to Asia, you’ll probably end up at one of the three. If you somehow accidentally skip them, turn around. The Philippines is a substantial chunk of that beautiful gate.
Albeit it is smudged with crime and drugs, those problems are dwarfed by its soul. It’s still a strong country, and its strength stems from its people and its unique landscape.
Indonesia is on the list of countries, torn in two by black gold. Oil blood runs deep in the countries roots, someday with the right government, the wealth of that oil can be given to the people. Eventually, the natural beauty will be preserved properly as well. We can all hope.
In the meantime, I suggest you see it for yourself, it’s a vast stretch of some of the most diverse culture, cuisine, religion, and people you may ever come across. It’s to be expected in a country made of islands.
Let me begin by saying, I did Japan wrong. I came in as a tourist, and I was treated as such. Next time will be different; next time will hopefully be soon because I miss those bleeding red Maples. Japan has a lot of two things, Mountains and culture. Because of its voluntary isolation and strict moral code.
It’s is a world within itself, surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery known to the world. You need to experience Japan, at least once in your life, and it would be wise to experience it with plenty of Shochu.
You can’t spend a day bored in India if you achieved that, it’s because your body couldn’t move; exhausted from the night before. India is popping in every single one of the 29 states.
I can’t begin to describe how vast and beautiful India is. Nor can I tell you what you’d love the most, the love and adoration of the Punjab people, or the rich, gorgeous terrain they live on. The country isn’t just limited to one beautiful place either; it’s full of surprises.
Sometimes, food can be your first impression of a country. For me, my first impression of Malaysia was a large bowl of Assam Laksa (Rice Noodles in Fishy Soup). After I had tasted that first spoon full of greatness, I sighed in assurance knowing that Malaysia is one of my favorites. After the food, the journey ahead was equally delicious. Don’t forget Malaysia is right next to Indonesia and the Philipines. There will be no shortage of adventure.
So if there were one thing I could say about Malaysia, it would be
I’ve never put feet on Kenyan soil, because of that fact. I, like many others, are missing freshly ground Kenyan coffee, caves, entertainment, and big smiles. I am also missing out on the thick wood that entangles the entire country.
Who would complain about a day in the bush? Only someone who’s given up on their heritage and wanderlust. I mean, .
South Africa is a melting pot, a color-rich fondue; right after freedom sprang from the ashes of apartheid. People came pouring in. People forget the horrible reality of Racism, that is it has only been a little more than a decade or two since racism was LAW. South Africa just so happens to be one of those nations that fit the category. That was the past, though, and now they are making a comeback, as equals. Expect to find the tastiest hole in the wall home/restaurants and some electric nightlife. This might not be on the top of the list of the cheapest places to fly, but it is worth the price tag.
Iran is beautiful; it’s caked with terrain that could only be captured by the hands of the truly gifted artist that reside behind its borders. The cake that covers the entirety of the country is dressed in greenery, something no one expects but everyone appreciates. You honestly should see why this is Persia we’re talking about. Persia wasn’t just some empire; it was THE empire. Without Persia, the world would not be the same. I wish I could have the opportunity to visit it one day, it is booming with a culture that is relatively unknown in America. Because of the countries, different views on religion, money, and politics America and Iran have not been good for the past few decades. That may change soon, Iran is important to the U.S., it’s the only defense we have against ISIS in the middle east, and they need us too, this means the borders might go down, and if that’s the case, that means travel may become easier between the two countries. Plus it’s already one of the cheapest places to fly.
Nothing summarises the beauty of Iran better than. Also, I was relieved to find out the couple detained from that episode is now free.
In case, you were wondering how much it would be to get simply an RTW (Round the World Ticket)
Heres’ a bit of info.
– –
Due to legal restrictions, no guide is available to determine how much an RTW ticket costs, you can expect to spend at least 6,000 USD but no more than 15,000. Possibly a lot less if you strategically pick your flights and use other means of travel as well.
Thanks for reading, stay tuned for more! I will be posting a ton of content this month and, at least, one article per week on travel. I’m compiling a list of the cheapest places to LIVE, it’ll be here soon! in the meantime, I’d use for hotel discounts.
