According to recent stats from The Gutsy Traveler, 59% of agents polled saw an increase of solo travel in the past 10 years. 73% of these agents reported more women booking solo trips than men.
No matter where you are in the world, there is always a level of risk. Add solo travel to the equation and your risk is heightened. This is especially true for solo female travelers.
Every woman has a story about a stranger brushing against her in an unwelcome manner, or a catcall that turned frightening. So, the thought of traveling alone can seem daunting.
Yet every day women do it. I have many friends who have gone abroad alone. I reached out to them to see what cautions they took while traveling.
Here's what they told me:
1. Study up.
If they speak a different language where you're going, learn the key phrases. This includes asking for food, the bathroom, and directions. The more you understand the language, the easier it is to get around.
Babbel is a good resource to learn/brush up on your language skills. It costs money, but it's easy to use and definitely worth it.
You'll also want to study the geography of wherever you're going. Before you leave, take note of the address of where you're staying. You'll also want to look up nearby landmarks and public transportation stops. Then it will be easier to get your bearings straight upon arrival.
While you're on your trip, make sure you keep a paper map on you. Highlight where you're staying and use it to map out your route for the day. You may look like a tourist, but you won't have to worry about getting lost. Even if your phone fails.
If Erika hadn't listened to her gut, who knows what would have happened to her.
If you feel like something's wrong, listen to yourself.
Of course when we get into some situations, we're afraid of seeming impolite. If your safety is at risk, it's okay to be rude. Even if you can't seem to rationalize that uneasy feeling. There's a reason your instincts are telling you to run.
Most women that reached out to me with their travel experience told me the same thing: Wear comfy shoes.
There are two reasons for this.
First off, there's a big chance that you're going to spend your trip walking. As cute as those heels look on travel bloggers, those shots are usually planned and staged. You don't want to miss out on things because you're nursing your poor blistered feet.
The second reason, believe it or not, was exactly the same among most of my travel friends – where comfortable shoes in case you need to run. I'm not kidding you when I say most of them had this reasoning. That's right, they're more concerned about having to run from danger than blisters.
Of course, this is only a precaution. None of them had had to run from anything or anyone, but they still feel it's better to err on the side of caution than risk having to run from danger in heels.
Another accessory to be smart about is your purse.
Travel agent Lauren Allard suggests either a cross-body or over the shoulder bag. It should also have a zipper so that it's easier to protect your stuff from pick pockets.
If you're lost or in danger, don't hesitate to ask a local for help. A lot of women told me they feel more comfortable talking to women, but it all depends on your gut instinct.
It also helps if you happen to know someone where you're going. This could be a long distant friend, a verified Airbnb host, or you can even hire someone from Your Local Cousin. They can give you reliable insights, and possibly even show you around.
No matter your gender, it's important to take measures to be safe while traveling. It's important to be vigilant when it comes to protecting yourself and your things. Just don't forget to have fun!