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)
I'd love to be able to travel solo. But the fact is I'm too scared to. There a lot of things that could happen to anyone. Not just a woman. Even if I were a guy, I'd still want someone to travel with. It's just nice to have a companion.
<3
I'm about to start traveling, and I'm nervous about being alone. However, I know that I will be taken care of. I will be okay. More than likely I will pay for someone to go with me.
Don't travel alone unless you're cunning and willing to accept what might happen to you if you do so. I'm not gonna walk around in Compton as a white guy and blame the other person if something happens to me. I knew what I was getting into. That's why cops will tell white guys who walk around Compton at 2 in the morning to get the hell out of there.
I have travelled solo. For a long time I would not because I was single and didn't want to go alone but being single seemed like it was around to stay and I have wanted to travel my whole life. I had waited for my children to be old enough that I could do so, and then when the time came - I was alone.
So for a couple of years I just didn't.
Then I thought, to hell with it - and off I went (sort of).
My first was to Cancun for a week. Chose a nice safe 5 star resort. I guess that is sort of cheating and not travelling but ....I had to try it and see how I would feel. Family was against it, so the first trip choice was as much for their comfort as my own.
Now, previous to this, back when I was married, I had vacationed on the other side of Mexico. Stayed in a little spot two hours north of Vallarta. I went with my ex but he refused to leave the bar and pool, so I wandered off several days on my own. I was smart though. I went to places that had people traffic and during daylight and I left valuables at home. This adventure, though, gave me the bug to explore places and see the country I am visiting rather than view it from the bus/cab on the way to some resort.
Second trip, Cuba. Was a little disappointed in the accomodation but did some exploring and I loved it. Was approached by a man in one store who tried to lure me into the back etc, so I just left immediately. If something didn't look safe, I stayed away. Was a lovely trip.
Next trip is planned for November. Belize. Adventure trip, renting a jeep, going cave exploring, exploring ruins, sailing and diving. I am very excited about this one because I have planned the whole itinerary and researched everything.
I am of the opinion that the chance of something happening to me when travelling is at least as great or less than the chance I could have a car accident on the way to work daily. If I have to meet my maker, meeting him while on a vacation is probably not a bad way to go!
Do your research on where your going and what to watch out for. There is a ton of information on every destination.
You only live once!!
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail
away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.”
- Mark Twain
In two years I will be out in the world alone, i will be 18 and a girl going solo. I will be on my Gap Year and plan on being gone until i only have enough money to get back home. My dream is to travel and see as much of the world i can. One things for sure once i am back i will be going to university.
The reason why im doing this is to get away from the everyday stress. Then i think why not do it later! But who knows what my future has to offer what if i died young? suffered from health issues (like cancer) ? And im more physical active now, still young and adventurous ! When i am older it will be harder i will have a job, bills, maybe a family, I cant just leave all that. For me this is my time to find myself...out there.
You'ree alone but not necessairly lonely. TALK to other travellers, make friends, stay in HOSTELS! Being in groups is a good idea you look less vulnerable. When on trains / bus sit beside people who look friendly... use your instincts. If your friendly to people and accept there cultures you should be fine. Dont go asking for trouble ex: avoide being out too late, dont drink to often, mind your buisness, avoid dangerous neighbourhoods.
Its more about the place you go. Since you are english then stay places you wont necessairly stand out like canada, usa, uk, australia, new zealand. People would think your a local more than likely. Do your recearsh about any other place you desire. If you think its dangerous for you go with a tour guide.
Also take a self defense class before you go. And make sure you have back up money! Its sexiest to say only guys can do this.
I love to travel and I have traveled to many different countries and states so far, but I'm afraid of traveling alone. I want to be a travel nurse so badly but I'm afraid of the possibility of getting raped, kidnapped, and killed. I guess it doesn't help that my parents were really over-protective of me while I was growing up, so I might be alittle more paranoid about that kind of stuff. I guess if I find someone who's willing to travel with me, then I'll go for it...