Traveling solo can be fun, but if you’re a woman, chances are you may have been warned against taking excursions on your own. Traveling off the beaten path by walking unfamiliar streets by yourself, talking to strangers and hitchhiking can seem adventurous and exciting; but can a woman do these things and still stay safe?
Solo female travelers on a tight budget may also run into safety problems by having to stay in cheap accommodations in suspicious locations, or they may find themselves stuck in a bad situation they can’t get out of because they have little money for transportation.
I’ve comfortably taken trains and planes by myself, of course, but the only time I’ve ever really explored alone was when I let myself get lost wandering around Boston. I had a map and a cell phone, it was daytime and I lived (albeit temporarily) only a couple of miles away. I knew I wasn’t really in any danger, but the streets were pretty deserted and even then I knew I would have felt better if I’d gone roaming with a friend.
Exploring solo is something I wish I were more comfortable doing; something like, say, wandering the streets of another country with no direction in mind. I imagine adventures like this must be safer for men, but I guess that’s something you’d have to ask of the guys.
In
this Q&A published in
The New York Times, a woman gives her perspective on traveling solo. After reading, I wasn’t very convinced of anything she said; her ideas were nice but I didn’t really feel like I was given any advice of substance.
To read the Q&A, click here.What do you think about women traveling solo? What do you think about the advice in
The New York Times article? Have you ever traveled solo before?
Comments (156)
@AuCinema@xanga - Gun point?
Women should most definitely be empowered to travel on their own. Obviously don't be stupid about it! Basically what Beth Whitman was trying to convey was don't let yourself be scared out of traveling on your own and don't be a dumby about it. Trust your instincts and make sure you research the region you are going to before you get there, know a few phrases in the local language, know the exchange rate, etc.
I did a study abroad program in England when I was twenty and flew, not with the group flight out of JFK, but on my own out of Logan to Heathrow and the president of my college almost threw a fit that I was traveling on my own, implying the entire time, that it wasn't safe.
While we were there they asked us to let them know when and were we would be traveling. I was taking a trip to Sweden to visit some friends but I was going to be traveling by myself. After I told them I was traveling alone to Stockholm they sent round a notice to each of us women in the program encouraging us to travel WITH another person and to let them know who that other person was. I thought, and still do think, that was unnecessary.
Yes, travel can be dangerous, HOWEVER the likelihood of "Taken" happening to a person is pretty damn slim. I hate that films like that are made and given so much credence.
Bottom line: if someone isn't mature enough to travel on his or her own then they shouldn't be allowed to. However, women should be encouraged, not discouraged, to travel by themselves. Obviously if you as an individual don't feel safe: don't go by yourself.
I think it's ok. Sometimes, especially if your learn self-defense. Part of a happy life is being able to explore IMO. Plus, you become more aware of your surrounding if you go out more rather then just stay home.
Women should feel encouraged to travel alone. Women are strong and we can definitely take care of ourselves. We deserve to learn and experience things so why not?
@LoVeAbLeAsIaNGrL@xanga - I agree. Saying women are too vulnerable to travel alone is like saying "don't let that woman out of the kitchen; she might not be able to handle it".
Not without Mase, pepper spray, and a gun
Traveling solo is fun. It's kinda scary at first, but it makes you more independent and lets you explore new things not only about the environment you're in, but also in getting to know more about yourself. Experience is still the best teacher. And that's what i've learned. *_~
@Jack_Hawksmoor@xanga - Knife point
Because I'm oblivious, and because I couldn't beat up much with my height and lack of any karate knowledge or those other cool fighting skills, I wouldn't trust myself roaming anywhere alone.
Would i, as a female, like love to travel, even if it meant going solo? Yes.
Do i think its safe? Not really,
Would i let that keep me from possibly having the time of my life? No.
@jessacaj@xanga - not really, it's a fact woman are more likely to be raped than men.
They have slave trading in sketchy places that are more likely to take woman than men, I'm sure.
Biologically, woman are generally weaker.
It's much more risky, and it's up to the individual woman's judgment of what knowledge she has in defense, her sense of direction, and the basic common sense she has, really.
It doesn't make a woman any weaker or inferior if she is too afraid to go off on her own because she feels vulnerable based on the facts above.
Though, I totally agree that woman shouldn't be afraid to travel abroad alone if they're up for it, like any other man.
@AuCinema@xanga - That bastard.
I would LOVE to travel alone. Whether I would do it or not is a whole different issue. In this world, you never, ever know. You might be one of those lucky girls that never have any problems traveling alone, and you end up having a great time. But then again, you might be one of the OTHER girls. The not-so-lucky ones.
I grew up in South America, and I learned that friendly strangers are
the most dangerous ones. I've learned to protect myself and use my
sixth sense and common sense, but I STILL wouldn't recommend traveling
alone as a woman. I mean, at least take another gal with you.
I didn't really enjoy that Q&A, it didn't address many of this issues I thought it should have. I travel extensively, and though I sometimes travel only with other girls, I rarely go alone. In some places, especially in America and most of Europe, it's perfectly acceptable and safe for a woman to walk around by herself and travel alone.
However, In some places it's dangerous, inappropriate, or even illegal (especially in Muslim nations). I have no trouble finding my own way around safely in say, London or Zurich, but the one time I found myself without a male escort and truly regretted it was in Morocco. It was a big city and not a great part of town, and EVERYONE was staring at me. It was fairly terrifying and I rushed back to find my group. One local butcher glared at me, gesturing with his knife as if to cut my throat. He hadn't done so earlier when I was walking with one of my male friends.
When in doubt, it's more fun and always much safer to be in a group, especially when the group includes males.
i would like traveling solo. i think some people just don't feel so comfortable about it.
@a12906@xanga - It didn't work much for me...I guess the shock didnt' help and I was nowhere near a black belt. I like the idea of using the buddy system when traveling.
With it being a fact that women are vulnerable in many ways, and with this vulnerability heightened by being in the unfamiliar surroundings then i would strongly suggest not travelling solo.
It is a sad fact that women are often the prey of attackers with them being the weaker gender.
But I'm not going to tell anyone what to do.
@that_anonymous_one@xanga - I think that it happends mainly in muslim nations is because only dishonorable woman walk with out an escourt.
I think...Women can travel alone...But that would be taking your own risk. If you feel you can handle traveling alone, Then I say go for it! =) But in MY view; I dont think I could handle traveling alone...From the thought of being attacked and not having anyone with me...
I'm a female, and I don't have a problem going unknown places on my own but I'm definitely more comfortable being with someone else. There are also some things that I have done that I would definitely not have done if I was alone. I've gotten rides from San Francisco to Pittsburgh off of Craigslist, and if I hadn't been with a male friend, I wouldn't have done that. It would have been a little risky. Even though all the rides I've taken turned out to be with awesome people and free of trouble, it's just a risk I wouldn't want to take solo.
women should be able to see the world!!! but at times they shouldn't travel solo. just hear wat goes on, on the news. seriously
I Think Traveling alone as a girl is very exciting and adventurous if it ever comes to a boyfriend dragging u down on every exciting thing since males and females have different nterests like how guys would less likely walk into a make up shop, but it is always dangerous for a girl to go alone, and since the worlds is full of rapists ._O and stuff, i wouldnt travel alone, more like travel with my group of friends, and armed with weapons
I've tried backpacking before, but with some of my friends. Now I'm planning to go on a trip again but all by myself this time. Feel kinda worry about the accommodations, but in general I feel okay about it. We'll see when I'm done :D
i travel alone a lot, including going through parts of towns with high crime rate. i do agree with what beth mentioned -- you have to trust your gut instinct. if something doesn't feel right, don't do it. take some self defense classes. do some research before you go to an unknown country or city. be prepared. travel smart. our safety is important, but we shouldn't let that stand in our way in enjoying life and exploring.