Travelling solo can be an enriching and empowering experience for women — but it also comes with unique safety concerns. The fear of sexual harassment and other security risks often makes solo travel feel more daunting for women than for men.
Many of these concerns stem from the reality that being alone can make women appear more vulnerable to opportunistic individuals. However, with the right precautions, solo travel can be both safe and enjoyable.
Below are some safety tips women need to adhere to when travelling without companions.
1. Research destinations thoroughly before travelling
For many travellers, planning and researching are almost as fun as travelling.
In between scoping out the most beautiful beaches and coolest cities, take some time to look up safety information for where you are headed.
2. Check about the best neighbourhoods and the ones to avoid.
Are there some kinds of taxis you should take? Is there a medical centre in the area in case of an emergency? Before deciding to visit a place outside your known area, you should find out all the related information about the place as well as ask other travellers for information on the culture, religion, the country’s situation and so on.
3. Share Your Itinerary with Trusted Contacts
Before setting out, provide a trusted friend or family member with your full itinerary — including flight details, accommodation, and expected check-in times. Regular check-ins via phone, email, or location-sharing apps can provide an added layer of security.
4. Trust Your Instincts
Intuition is a powerful safety tool. If something feels off — a situation, person, or place — don’t ignore the feeling. Remove yourself and seek help or move to a safer location.
Many women report having a gut feeling before something went wrong. Always listen to that voice.
5. Communicate Your Travel Plans to Your Host
It is important to contact the person you are visiting and feed them with your itinerary. Let them know if there’s traffic and when you will be there.
If you are unable to get across to the person you are visiting before you leave home, it is better you don’t make the journey.
Once you contact the person you are going to meet, send the details of the vehicle you are in to the person. If you are travelling by air, send details of your flight to the person and let him or her confirm that they will be available to pick you up at the bus stop, train station or airport.
It is the most secure way. Give your host the vehicle number and mobile of the firm that owns the vehicle. Open communication with the person you are going to meet. By doing so, you will be in safe hands.
However, if you get to your destination and can’t reach your contact person, the best thing you can do is to go to a police station. If the person is genuine, he or she will pick you up from there. If not, return to your destination immediately. If you have someone else in that location, it is better to reach out to them.
6. Avoid Oversharing on Social Media
While it’s tempting to share real-time updates, broadcasting your location online can expose you to unwanted attention or even stalking..Wait until you’ve left a location before posting about it.
7. Don’t flaunt valuables
Women should not show off their possessions while travelling in order not to give themselves undue exposure.
Don’t dress too loud. Some arrested robbers said it was the outward looks of some of their victims that made them attack them..It is what they see that they profile.
Learn not to dress too loudly when you are travelling alone. Even if you have gold, trinkets and other valuables, you shouldn’t use them when you are travelling alone.
8. Never walk alone
When you are travelling, plan not to walk alone even though you are travelling alone. When you get to a new place, don’t walk alone, and don’t walk in lonely places.
When you get to a new place, try not to move around at odd hours and if you must, move in groups.
When you get to a new place, find out the places vulnerable to attacks. If you must go to those areas because of work, make an arrangement to get a trusted escort that can help you when you get there.
9. Learn the culture of where you are travelling to
It is important to know what rules guide the place you are travelling to. Know their culture, traditions, and beliefs.
For instance, if you are travelling to a place where women cover-up their body, don’t go there and start acting like a rebel by wearing revealing dresses. Dress as they do.
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Also, in a culture where they don’t kill certain animals like snake, don’t go there trying to form a heroine. It is needless.
Dressing appropriately can save you a lot of trouble, research about appropriate clothing for women wherever you go.
Areas that are hot and humid are normally more comfortable in shorts and sleeveless tops, but it may not be suitable for certain traditions, cultures, and locations.
10. Arm yourself against attacks
It is important to arm yourself with a little gadget not necessarily sharp objects whenever you are travelling alone as a woman.
Women should carry self-defence objects like pepper spray in their bags to defend themselves in case of attacks in a danger zone.
First Daily senior correspondent stated, “When you are travelling, you should have pepper spray in your handbag. Pepper sprays don’t kill.
“Tasers are found in advanced countries, we don’t really have them in Nigeria and in most African countries.
“If you use tasers on someone who has high blood pressure, the person may pass out. But if you use pepper spray, the person will be knocked out and you will be able to call for help within that period.”
11. Avoid physical tussle with men
Women should avoid anything that would make them have physical confrontation with men while travelling alone.
People often say women are the weaker sex, but I believe women have inner strength even greater than most men. Society believes that women are not as strong as men so anything that will put a woman in a physical challenge with men puts her in a vulnerable situation.
A woman should avoid anything that will bring security threats between her and a man.