Travelling Solo as a Woman: Our Best Tips

As passionate travelers, my colleague Aline and I have had the chance to travel the world solo many times, and we continue to do so regularly today.

These experiences have taught us that travelling alone women requires special preparation, but remains one of the most rewarding adventures of all.

Over the years, we’ve developed strategies and tricks that allow us to travel with confidence and safety. In this article, I share my personal tips and those of my colleagues to help you plan your own adventures.

The choice of destination is crucial for a first solo trip. According to the Women Peace and Security Index and our own personal experiences, some countries stand out as particularly welcoming to solo female travellers.

According to this report, Scandinavian countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland are considered the safest in the world for women. In this region, Iceland also offers an ideal environment for discovering solo hiking.

Furthermore, Japan is one of the safest countries Aline has visited. Public transport is impeccable, some carriages are reserved for women, and cities are safe even at night, thanks to the very low crime rate.

Singapore, with its legendary cleanliness and easy-to-navigate public transportation, is particularly well-suited for novice female travellers.

New Zealand, on the other hand, offers the perfect combination of safety and adventure, ideal for women who want to explore nature while remaining in a reassuring environment.

My advice for a first solo trip as a woman: choose a safe destination with well-developed tourism, where the culture shock won’t be too great.

After more than 10 years of solo travel, if I don’t limit myself to destinations considered the safest, it’s because I’ve gained confidence through each trip in my ability to stay safe, and with the help of the many tips described in this guide.

Preparing your documents is a crucial step that I cannot stress enough. In addition to a valid passport, I have developed a security system that has often saved me.

I always start by making a photocopy of my passport, which I keep in a different place from the original. I also take the time to send a digital copy to my own e-mail address, so I can access it easily from any Internet-connected device.

One practice I strongly recommend is to leave a copy of your documents with a relative back home. This person will be able to help you quickly if your papers are lost or stolen.

I have also made it a habit to travel with two additional pieces of identification, such as my driver’s license and health insurance card, kept separately for added security. These are practices shared by my colleagues.

Finally, I recommend bringing more than one credit and debit card, in case one is blocked by your bank (or swallowed up by an ATM…).

Travel insurance is not an option, it’s an absolute necessity for any solo female traveler. Personally, I’ve often opted for soNomad, an insurance policy that’s particularly well suited to the needs of female travelers.

The most important aspect, which I’ve sometimes learned the hard way, is to understand the claims process before you leave.

I always keep my insurance emergency number saved in my phone, but also written down in my wallet – you never know when your phone might give out (or disappear)!

A crucial point: always contact your insurance company before accepting medical care abroad. This simple step can save you a lot of headaches at claim time.

For example, the emergency medical insurance from the National Bank World Elite Mastercard covers trips of up to 60 days. One of my colleagues unfortunately had to test the claims system during a short hospital visit in Japan. Once back in Canada, the care and medication were reimbursed quickly.

I had a similar experience with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, which allows me to extend the insurance beyond the included 25 days to remain covered during my longer remote work trips.

Choosing accommodation is one of the most important aspects of planning a solo trip.
A golden rule I follow religiously: always read reviews and ratings in detail.

I pay particular attention to reviews from other solo travelers. I wouldn’t book at a place that didn’t have any reviews, whether on Airbnb, Booking.com or Expedia.

I enjoy accommodations like youth hostels or coliving spaces. These places are conducive to meeting people and often allow you to find travel partners!

The choice of neighborhood is also crucial. I prefer well-lit, easily accessible areas close to shops and public transport. A quick Internet search helps me identify the safest neighborhood in my destination.

If I’m on my own, I like to stay at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, not only because I can use my points or my annual one-night free certificate earned through the Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card, but also because I always feel very safe there.

Most hotels are located in tourist or safe areas, but it’s worth checking out the location.

Experience has taught me that discretion is our best ally when traveling. It is sometimes preferable to limit wearing flashy jewelry and carrying valuables, but this also depends on where you are traveling.

In certain destinations, in Asia and the Middle East for example, I have observed that modest clothing (long skirts and tops covering the shoulders) significantly reduces unwanted attention and fosters respect from locals, who appreciate this gesture of consideration for their culture.

You need to find out about the specific destination. In India, for example, it’s best to cover your shoulders and knees, but it’s okay to expose your stomach.

As for your passport, I think it’s best not to carry it with you at all times. It’s better to leave it at your accommodation, in a safe if possible. The same goes for credit cards and cash; it’s better to keep them in different places in case of a problem. A bag or purse is so easy to forget or steal!

A useful tip: always hide a $20 bill (or the equivalent in local currency) under the insole of your shoe. This little trick ensures you always have a plan B for a taxi if your bag or wallet were to disappear.

Finally, using AirTags to locate valuables and suitcases can be a good way of ensuring that nothing gets lost.

Finally, having a good supply of rewards points for travel, whether with Marriott Bonvoy or another program, allows me to change accommodations if I feel only moderately safe with my first option, without having to fork out extra nights in cash.

The question of transportation is central for any solo traveler. I’ve learned that apps like Uber, Grab, Didi or other ride-sharing services are generally safer than cabs picked up off the street.

These services offer the advantage of tracing the route and identifying the driver. If these options are not available, I always ask my accommodation to arrange transport for me with a trusted driver.

Before every trip, I do some research on transport. Are buses safe? What do the locals think are the safest options? This information often varies from place to place, and is invaluable for making the right choices once you’re there.

I also make sure I know the normal rates for a trip from the airport to the city center, so I don’t get ripped off when negotiating with cab drivers.

It’s also a good idea to have a little local currency on hand when you arrive at your destination, so you can pay for transport to the city center if credit cards aren’t accepted.

As a solo female traveler, protecting your data is just as important as your physical security. Public Wi-Fi networks in hotels, airports and cafés are rarely secure, making them vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure tunnel for your data, protecting your banking information and personal accounts even over unsecured connections. This type of service also makes it possible to access your favorite programs from abroad. Personally, I use and really like NordVPN.

The travel company G Adventures offers “Solo-ish,” a range of tours dedicated to individual travellers. These trips exclusively bring together participants who are travelling alone, creating a great group dynamic. The program starts with three days of activities designed to facilitate interactions among participants.

Supervised by female guides, the tours alternate between group activities and free time. The package includes arrival transfers and offers a discounted single room option.

Take a look at off-the-beaten-path destinations, such as the Galapagos Islands, Uzbekistan, Sicily, and many others!

Participating in group activities is one of the best ways to meet like-minded people.

Whether it’s salsa classes, yoga sessions, lessons or conversations in the local language, or simply an aperitif organized by your accommodation – these are the perfect moments to break the ice and meet other travelers.

GetYourGuide has become my favorite tool for finding quality guided tours and interesting local activities. These small-group excursions offer an excellent balance between discovery and socialization in a safe environment.

I’ve lost count of the number of fellow travelers I’ve met on a guided walking tour or day trip, with whom I’ve shared other moments (a meal or other excursions).

One can take all the necessary precautions while traveling, but the fact remains that one of the best protections is to follow your female intuition and instinct.

If a situation makes us uncomfortable, it is better to withdraw from it, even if it means inventing an excuse; such as saying that friends are joining us soon or that our boyfriend or husband is on his way to pick us up.

From my own experience, I know that when I walk confidently and decisively, and am firm and direct in my interactions, I’m more assertive and less vulnerable.

Even if I don’t necessarily feel this way, I pretend to and instantly notice a change in the way I’m approached. It’s not always obvious, but looking like you know where you’re going makes all the difference.

After years of solo travel and many experiences shared with my Milesopedia colleagues, I can say that travelling alone as a woman is a unique experience worth having. Although it may seem daunting at first, proper preparation and the right tools make all the difference.

What I’ve learned is that the key is to strike a balance between caution and openness. Yes, you have to be vigilant and well-prepared, but you mustn’t let fear stop you from living enriching experiences. The encounters I’ve made, the challenges I’ve met and the moments of pure freedom I’ve experienced while travelling alone have always been worthwhile.

I urge you to take that first step. Perhaps start with a reputedly safe destination, join online communities of women travellers, and let your instincts guide you while you remain cautious. The resources and tools mentioned in this article are there to guide you, but remember that every traveller also develops her own tricks as her experiences unfold.

And above all, don’t forget that you’re never really alone. The community of women travellers is vast, supportive and always ready to help each other. Whether it’s via the Facebook groups mentioned, travel apps or on-site meetings, you’ll always find support when you need it.