Traveling alone as a young woman can be a wonderful and enriching experience, but it's important to be aware of the potential dangers and take steps to stay safe. Some of the most common dangers for women traveling alone are theft, harassment and assault. Over time, you'll learn to develop good instincts on the road, which will really help you as a solo traveler. Travel companies report that up to 80% of people who travel alone are women, and the number of Pinterest forums related to traveling alone as a woman has more than tripled in recent years.
If you are going to travel to the Middle East, know that they dress conservatively and you should do the same. Join Facebook groups created by and for women travelers so you can contact a group if you need help while traveling. As a woman traveling alone, it's best to ask other women who travel alone about their experience visiting a country. One of the best lessons I've learned from traveling alone over the years is how to go unnoticed, and that means dressing like a local when necessary. For example, I visited nearby cities and states before deciding to take the leap and travel only internationally.
I believe that every woman should experience traveling alone at least once in her life, and I have some tips that I think will help her on her first solo trip. The atmosphere in hostels is often very social, making them the perfect place to meet other women traveling alone, find out about local events and help alleviate any loneliness you may be feeling. Luckily, I learned more about myself and how to stay safe when traveling alone on the road than I could have imagined. It seems obvious, but I have met many travelers who treated the locals as if they were just an accessory to their trip. We all love to “do it for grandpa”, from time to time, but you have to be very careful when traveling alone.
These are likely to be the questions that cross your mind as you prepare or even consider taking a solo trip as a female traveler. This is especially important for the safety of women traveling alone in cultures where clothing is a demonstration of respect and a way of earning the respect of others. I have met several people who ended up in the hospital or fainted from sheer exhaustion during their travels.
