The author emphasizes planning and sharing itineraries with loved ones using apps like TripIt and Life360 to ensure safety. She advises against oversharing on social media, suggesting delayed posts or avoiding precise location details. Using reputable transportation like Uber is preferred for tracked journeys.
While embracing the joy of meeting new people, the author cautions against revealing excessive personal information to strangers. She suggests using dating app-like platforms (Tourlina, Bumble BFF, NomadHer) to connect with other female travelers in various destinations for support and shared experiences. The importance of choosing safe meeting places and informing others of plans is stressed.
The author advises against arriving at destinations after dark and recommends pre-booking transportation or staying near airports for late arrivals. Joining women-only tours with companies like Intrepid, Trafalgar, and The Adventure People is suggested for added safety and unique experiences. She highlights the value of using female guides for a different perspective and gender equality support.
The author concludes by stressing the importance of trusting intuition and removing oneself from uncomfortable situations, emphasizing that a supportive network, even online, is crucial for solo travelers.
Spontaneous decisions have shaped some of my most memorable travel adventures, but I never leave home without a bit of careful planning. In a new city, I scour the internet for information about different neighbourhoods and work out which places to avoid.
The comment sections on platforms like Booking.com are also helpful. When were the most recent comments posted? Does the hotelier respond quickly? Have many people left positive feedback? These are all good indications of a safe and reliable space.
Sharing my whereabouts not only allows my mum to live vicariously through my travels – it also keeps me safe. Apps like TripIt can amalgamate confirmation emails into a detailed plan to be shared with friends and family, while TrackMyTour creates an interactive map of waypoints.
If mobile roaming isn’t an issue, switch on location services and share details with a select circle through the Life360 app or Find My on the iPhone. Where possible (and affordable), I always take an Uber rather than a taxi or local bus – largely because journeys are tracked and the trip status can easily be shared.
Tempting as it might be to shout about adventures, avoid posting any geo-located material on social media in real time. Unless shared within a private group, never make public any information about travel plans and places where you intend to sleep. Either be vague about specific locations or post material a few days later.
Making new friends is one of the great joys of travel, but I’m always hesitant to reveal too much personal information with strangers.
If ever in doubt, it’s fine to tell a few white lies and pretend you are travelling with somebody else or have plans to catch up with friends. When arranging to meet up with new acquaintances, always choose a busy place and share your plans with others at home.
Arriving anywhere after dark can be daunting – especially if you’ve never been there before. I always try to travel during daylight hours and avoid arriving at a hotel too late. If there’s no other option – especially in the case of international flights – I pre-book transport through a reputable company or arrange to stay somewhere close to the airport.
Sharing experiences with other female solo travellers can be both reassuring and helpful. Similar to a dating app, platforms like Tourlina, Bumble BFF and NomadHer can be used to find like-minded matches in different destinations. Users can create profiles, share ideas and even arrange meet-ups.
On several occasions, I’ve also requested a female guide – partly to support greater gender equality but also to get a female perspective and inside knowledge.
Another option is to join a specialist escorted tour. Companies like Intrepid, Trafalgar and The Adventure People arrange women-only tours – often providing access to activities that wouldn’t be possible in a mixed gender group.
A lot of my travels are in developing countries so I’m always cognisant of the yawning inequality between (relatively) wealthy foreigners and local workers on a low wage. Unfortunately, I’ve occasionally had cash go missing – even in five-star hotels.
To avoid any issues, I carry a padlock to put on my suitcase and keep any valuables inside – although I tend to leave any jewellery at home and prefer to travel light.
I use a door latch, if there’s one available, and stuff any visible peepholes with a piece of tissue. When entering a room, I check windows are lockable along with any interconnecting doors.
I’m a big believer in clothes as a form of self-expression, but sometimes it’s better not to shout about your presence too loudly. Preferring to blend into the background, I avoid wearing anything showy and opt for conservative clothing where culturally appropriate.
In Muslim countries like Oman, for example, I would never bathe in a wadi wearing a skimpy bikini and would always opt for long skirts, trousers and T-shirts rather than hot pants and crop tops.
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If a situation feels uncomfortable, there’s no shame in walking away. Whether it’s a guide, fellow traveller, bus driver or waiter – nobody has the right to invade your personal space. Either politely deflect any unwanted attention, or – in more serious cases – alert others to what is going on.
Even if you’re travelling solo, having a network of friends nearby or connected online means you will never be alone.
The Telegraph, London
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