Travelling Alone as a Woman: Honest Tips & Safety Guide

Why I Started Travelling Alone (and Why You Should Too)

I remember sitting in my tiny apartment in Chicago, scrolling through Instagram and seeing all these couples at beautiful beaches. I felt jealous – but also frustrated. Why did I need someone else to go places I wanted to see? So I booked a flight to Barcelona. Alone.

That trip was messy. I got lost three times, ate pizza standing up because I didn't want to sit alone in a restaurant, and spent way too much on a taxi because I didn't know the metro. But I also had the best coffee of my life at a tiny shop in Gràcia, and I danced at a rooftop party with strangers who became friends.

Travelling alone as a woman isn't just about seeing new places. It's about proving to yourself that you can handle anything. And honestly? It's addictive.

Safety First: What I Wish I Knew Before My First Solo Trip

Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Everyone told me I'd get harassed, robbed, or worse. I won't lie – bad things can happen. But I've found that most fear comes from not knowing how to prepare.

3 Safety Systems I Swear By

1. Always share your location with someone back home. I use Google Maps location sharing and also send my friend my hostel name every day. Sounds overkill? After a guy followed me in Marrakech, my friend called me immediately and I felt safer knowing someone was watching.

2. Fake a phone call to exit awkward situations. If a stranger is too pushy, I pretend to answer a call in my native language and walk away quickly. Works every time.

3. Stay in female-only dorm rooms. They exist! Hostels like Karma Rooms or specific chains offer female dorms. Less snoring? No, but less anxiety.

I once stayed in a co-ed dorm in Lisbon and a guy came back drunk at 3 AM and tried to climb into my bed. That was the last time. Since then, female dorms have been my only choice.

How to Choose a Destination as a Solo Female Traveler

Not all places are equal when you're alone. I've compiled a list based on my own experience and feedback from other solo women.

My personal favorite for solo women? Portugal. It's safe, affordable, and has a vibrant hostel culture. I met my best travel friend in Lisbon — we cried when we parted.

Budgeting for Solo Travel: Unexpected Costs I Learned the Hard Way

You'd think being alone saves money (no need to pay for two), but solo travel has hidden expenses. Here's what no one tells you:

• Accommodation: Hostels charge per bed, but private rooms are expensive. You'll pay the single supplement on tours — I paid double for a boat trip in Vietnam because I was alone.
• Food: Eating alone means you don't split dishes. I often ordered one meal but wanted to try two. Solution: street food markets so you can sample different things cheaply.
• Transportation: Taxis are the same price whether you're one or four. But ride-sharing with other travelers helps. I used BlaBlaCar in Europe to split costs.
• Safety gadgets: I bought a door wedge alarm, a safety whistle, and a portable lock. Worth it for peace of mind.

Overall, I budget about $70–$100 per day for mid-range travel (hostels, local food, occasional splurge). For budget? $40 if I'm in Asia.

Accommodation Tips: Where to Stay for Safety and Social Connection

Picking the right place can make or break your trip. Here's my checklist:

• Look at reviews mentioning solo women. On Hostelworld, I filter by female solo traveler reviews. If there are recent ones saying "felt safe," it's greenlit.
• Location matters more than you think. Stay in well-lit areas near public transport. In Rome, I booked a hostel near Termini station — convenient but sketchy at night. Regretted it.
• Hostels with free walking tours. They attract social people. I did this in Budapest and ended up with a group of six who explored together all day.
• Female-only dorms. Already mentioned, but it's worth repeating. Even if you're confident, it's a sanctuary to recharge.

One hostel that stood out: The Yellow Premier in Lisbon. They have a female-only floor with keycard access, a community kitchen, and nightly events where I felt welcome even eating alone. Prices start around €30/night in low season. No, they didn't pay me to say this — I just had a great time.

Food Adventures: Eating Alone Without Feeling Awkward

I used to hate eating alone. Honestly, I still get a little self-conscious. But I've found ways to enjoy it:

• Go for bar seating. Restaurants with counter seats feel less formal. I ate at Bar Central in Barcelona — watched the chefs cook and chatted with the bartender.
• Food tours. Perfect for solo travelers. You join a group, taste local dishes, and have an instant conversation starter. I did one in Istanbul and loved it.
• Street food. No awkwardness. Just point and eat. My favorite solo meal? Chicken satay from a stall in Bangkok's Yaowarat Road. Cost about $2.
• Bring a book or journal. Sounds cliché, but it gives you something to do. I also downloaded podcasts on local culture.

One piece of advice: avoid fancy restaurants alone. The waiter may hover. Instead, look for places where locals eat quickly — like a ramen shop in Tokyo where everyone eats in silence. No judgment.

Making Friends on the Road: My Go-To Strategies

Loneliness is real. But I've made some of my deepest connections while solo travelling. Here's how:

• Stay in social hostels. Look for ones with common areas, not just bedrooms. I stayed at Wombats City Hostel in Vienna and met people at their bar crawl.
• Use apps designed for travelers. Join a WhatsApp group for the city you're in (search on Facebook or Girls Love Travel). Also, Bumble BFF works surprisingly well — I met a local woman in Berlin and she showed me around Kreuzberg.
• Take a class. Cooking classes, walking tours, or language exchanges. I took a pasta-making class in Florence — ended up sharing a table with two other solo women and we swapped stories.
• Say yes more often. Someone invites you to a concert? Go. I once joined strangers for a sunset picnic in Lisbon. They were from four different countries. We still chat on Instagram.

But also: it's okay to have alone time. I sometimes decline social invitations just to recharge. Balance is key.

Dealing with Loneliness and Culture Shock

It hits you in waves. For me, it usually strikes around the third day of a trip — the initial excitement fades and I miss my friends.

What helps:

• Call home, but set a limit. I let myself call my mom for 10 minutes. Any longer and I'd want to go home.
• Write in a journal. Processing feelings on paper makes them less scary.
• Find a routine. Even on the road, my morning coffee at the same café grounds me.
• Cry if you need to. I sobbed on a park bench in Prague. A local woman offered me a tissue. We didn't speak the same language, but the kindness was universal.

Culture shock is real too. In India, I felt overwhelmed by the noise and constant attention. I gave myself permission to stay in my hotel room for a full day watching Netflix. No guilt.

Health and Packing: What's Actually Useful

Forget the "packing light" advice that doesn't consider safety. Here's my real list:

For health: I always check travel clinics before leaving. In some countries, I carry a small hand sanitizer and avoid ice in drinks. And I never walk barefoot in hostel showers — I got plantar warts once. Disgusting but true.

FAQ: Common Concerns from Solo Female Travelers

This article is based on my personal experiences. I fact-checked all listed locations and prices as of my last visit.