5 Tips to Stay Safe as a Solo Female Traveler & Mistakes I Made Traveling Solo

I encourage you to travel as much as you can. I encourage you to see the world. Gain a new perspective. Experience life instead of just reading about it. And, at least once in your life, travel by yourself.

If you decide to go on a solo adventure, here are 5 ways to stay safe as a solo female traveler (including the mistakes I made while traveling solo).

#1 Always read the reviews in advance.

As a solo female traveler, there is no one else you can rely on while traveling.
Personally, I never used to read the reviews. Why? Because no matter what, there are going to be people who enjoy something, and people who hate it.

There are always people who write reviews and mention only the positive, and others who just like to complain. So, why would I even bother reading those when I already know what I will find…

However, I learned my lesson during my trip to Frankfurt about 10 days ago.

Mistake #1 Thinking that people are just overreacting in the reviews.

I mean, if 90% of reviews are warning you that the hotel is in the Red Light District – cancel the booking!
Yes, I was traveling alone and, without even realizing it, I booked a hotel in the Red Light District in Frankfurt.

It was 10 minutes walking distance from the bus station and 15 minutes from the center. Sounds ideal, right? It also looked great in the photos and the price was fine.

A few days before my trip, I decided to check the reviews. I read that there were drug addicts around the hotel. But I’ve never seen that, not even in the movies. I was sure people were exaggerating.
Turned out, they weren’t.

There were drug addicts left and right from the entrance of the hotel. Strip clubs throughout the whole street.

Yes, I was fine. I didn’t have any negative experiences. But, reading all about the hotel and seeing all that was really unpleasant.

Fortunately, I only stayed there for two nights. On the last day, the check-out was at noon. I packed my bags and left a few hours before the check-out even though my next bus was at 5 p. m. I just wanted to get out of there. And, even though the bus station was only 10 minutes away, I still ordered Uber. Just to be safe.

There are reviews on Frankfurt’s main train station warning you about a similar situation. So it will always be one of my tips to stay safe as a solo female traveler, do your due diligence and read the reviews. Not just on accommodation, but even on the bus stations that you’ll have to spend time at. The same goes for clubs that you plan to go to.

If more than 50% of reviews are literally warning you to avoid a certain place… Avoid it.

“Don’t put off your adventures while you wait for available friends to join.”
― Francis Shenstone

Hey, if you want to hear how solo travel can change your life and help you build your confidence, listen to episode 39 of my podcast: Building Confidence while Traveling Alone & Tips for Solo Budget Travel w/ Marisa Vogiatzi

#2 Know WHERE and WHEN you can act like a tourist.

I know how tempting it can be to take out your camera and take a picture wherever you feel like it. Or start vlogging wherever and whenever you feel like it. My advice, check the situation first.

Mistake #2 Acting like a tourist late at night while traveling solo.

I visited Brasov for a few days in May this year. I absolutely loved that city and the Brasov sign (which looks like a Hollywood sign) was one of my favorite sights. As one does, I took a picture of it from every angle.

One night, as I was on my way back to a hostel I was staying at, I took out my phone and decided to take a few more pictures of it. It was around 9 p. m. and it was dark outside. As I was taking a picture, some guy approached me from behind. He didn’t say anything. He just put his hand on my bottom and kept walking. (Who does that??)

About a minute later, I continued walking to my hostel and saw him again. It was a smaller street with no one around. When I looked at him, he started sending me kisses from the other side of the street. My hostel was very close so I just started walking really fast, and after a few steps I literally ran up to my hostel.

Again, a situation that probably could have been avoided had I not acted like a tourist. As a solo female traveler, try to find ways to blend in. Walk confidently like you know where you’re going.

Tourists are considered more vulnerable because they don’t know the city well. Locals think the tourists probably have more money, since they’re traveling. So, if you’re behaving like a tourist, chances are higher that some weirdo will approach you.

Since this happened, I am much more careful and aware of situations where I can take pictures. I take out my bigger camera only in the center and other touristy spots. I don’t film or take photos at subway stations (only the main ones when there are lots of people).

Also, I don’t go out at night, unless I’m attending a concert. Which brings me to my 3rd tip to stay safe as a solo female traveler…

#3 Don’t be afraid to spend money on Uber when traveling solo.

I know, public transport is a much cheaper option. As a solo female traveler, I developed a habit of taking Uber on the first day in a new city when I’m going from the bus station to my accommodation. (I should have done that in Frankfurt on the first day, as well…)

When you’re in a new city, you have to learn everything from the start. Yes, you can Google everything beforehand. However, it’s not the same as actually being in the city and having no idea where to go.

 

Mistake #3 Thinking that I have only a few minutes to my accommodation so there’s NO WAY I could get lost – avoid this to stay safe as a solo female traveler.

In April last year, I went to see one of my favorite bands in Vienna. I stayed there just for one night because the only reason I went there was a concert. Therefore, I booked a hostel near the venue. It was less than 5 minutes walking distance from the venue, and, from what I’ve seen when I arrived, it was in… not so safe area.

I hung out near the venue for a while after the concert, and when my friend asked me if I wanted him to walk me to my hostel, I said that it’s not necessary, since the hostel was so close.

Oh, one more thing – my phone battery was dying. And, by the time I really got lost, it died. So, there I was. In Vienna, after midnight, trying to find a way to my hostel by myself, feeling like I was in a labyrinth.

Luckily, I saw a taxi and it drove me back to my hostel. And fortunately, I had enough money to pay him in cash even though I tend to use my card while traveling. Therefore, I don’t bring a lot of money in cash.

Here’s another tip while traveling solo, always have some cash with you. Even if you prefer to rely on your cards.

SAVE FOR LATER 🙂

 

 

#4 Always make sure your phone is charged while traveling.

Not just as a solo female traveler, but as any type of traveler. You always need to use google maps or order Uber while traveling. Or even if you need to call someone, you need to have your phone charged. At all times.

If your battery dies constantly, buy two portable chargers if needed. I only recently bought my first portable charger and it’s a life-changer.

That was the only thing I needed that night in Vienna when I got lost. I spent the whole day in the city and didn’t have time to charge my phone. So… Lesson learned there.

“If you tell yourself that you need more riding experience, more mechanical prowess, more tools, a better bike, and try to cover every single contingency you might face before setting out for a weekend on the bike by yourself, you’ll likely never take a solo trip.”
― Tamela Rich

 

#5 Know WHAT and WHEN to share when traveling alone.

Nowadays when social media is stronger than ever, a lot of us feel the need to share where we are and all the beautiful sights we see while traveling. I’m usually a very private person, so I didn’t really have any mistakes in this area.

However, this tip is something that always came naturally to me and something that is important to do when you’re prioritizing safety as a solo female traveler.

Wherever you’re staying, if you really want to share a picture of it, share it only after you’ve checked out. The same goes for restaurants and cafes. I always share pictures of places I’ve been to AFTER I leave them.
For instance, when I was traveling alone in Paris, one day I went to Cafe de Flore, and only when I came back to my hotel I shared a picture of that cafe on my Instagram story.

Another example, I checked out of a hotel in Amsterdam and on a bus to the next city I shared a picture of the interior of a hotel.

One more benefit of doing this is that you can be more present while you’re traveling. I enjoyed the sights from the cafe instead of looking at my screen, choosing the best photo, editing it, asking the waiter for a wi-fi password, etc.

Personally, I’ve never had any negative experiences during my travels. Yes, there were some learning experiences but I was always safe and everything always turned out fine.

However, after the experience in Frankfurt, I just felt the urge to share some of the mistakes I’ve made as a solo female traveler in hopes it can be helpful to someone.

Hey, want to learn how traveling can transform your life? And get some amazing tips to manifest your dream trip? Then listen to episode 38 of my podcast: Transformative Travel & Manifesting Travel Using Visualization w/ Maritza Chavez.

I highly recommend traveling alone at least once in your life. You’ll get to know yourself better, you’ll have complete freedom over your schedule and who knows… Maybe you’ll start enjoying it so much that you won’t even ask anyone to join you on your future adventures. (Which is what happened to me…)

However, there are some things you can do to stay safe as a solo female traveler. So even if it’s just investing in a portable charger, make sure you do what you can to enjoy your solo travels to the fullest.

Share this post with your girlfriends who love traveling and if you have some tips to share with others on how to stay safe as a solo female traveler – feel free to leave them in the comments below 🙂

SAVE FOR LATER 🙂

Until the next time,

Ivana

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