On the second Wednesday of each month, Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse contributes a guest column filled with insightful tips and advice on solo female travel. Since this topic is beyond my own experience and with so many women embarking on solo journeys, I knew it was crucial to bring in an expert voice. This month, Kristin shares her personal experiences to highlight how solo travel differs for women compared to men or groups.
At first glance, solo male and female travelers might seem to have similar experiences. My male friends and I have been welcomed into local homes for meals, exchanged the same kinds of far-fetched stories, and faced many of the same challenges. We both carry backpacks of similar sizes, and like me, they have family and friends back home worrying about their safety. We all navigate the ups and downs of travel with a shared spirit of adventure. In many ways, our experiences overlap.
So why is solo female travel treated as such a distinct topic?
The answer lies in the undeniable reality that women and men have different considerations, especially when it comes to safety and autonomy while traveling alone. While male travelers may enjoy certain freedoms, women often encounter unique obstacles tied to cultural norms and safety concerns that shape their journey in ways men don’t always face.
For instance, in many parts of the world, a woman traveling alone can be seen as unusual or even troubling. In cultures where women typically don’t have the same level of independence as in the West, being a solo female traveler can invite confusion or concern. At 28, I’ve had countless encounters where locals are perplexed by my solo status. In Borneo, while a man kindly fixed my motorbike, his wife approached me and asked, “Sister, you’re alone? No brother? No husband?” Her genuine concern was touching, but it’s a question I’ve heard many times before. It seems unfathomable that I don’t have a husband, a boyfriend, or even children at my age. The notion of a woman choosing to travel solo by choice can sometimes be met with bewilderment—or worse, judgment.
Even when I explain that I find being single liberating or that I’m not particularly interested in having children, these statements often provoke more shocked reactions. To avoid further questions or awkward situations, I’ve learned to fabricate stories—telling people that my husband is “at home” or “on his way”—just to simplify conversations.
Beyond cultural expectations, safety is a far greater concern for solo female travelers. While all travelers, regardless of gender, need to be aware of personal safety, women often face specific dangers that men may not. Take, for example, an unsettling experience I had in Nepal. I was walking along a dirt road just after sunset in an area considered safe when I was groped by a stranger. The encounter was so quick that I didn’t see his face, and even if I’d been carrying pepper spray, it wouldn’t have mattered. When I reported the incident to a local police officer, his first response was to ask, “What were you doing alone?”
This experience reminded me of the harsh reality: As a woman, I can’t afford to be complacent about my safety. The fear of sexual assault is ever-present, and I’m constantly aware of it, particularly when walking alone at night, whether at home or abroad.
Another challenge for solo female travelers is dressing appropriately. In some parts of the world, what may be considered acceptable attire at home can lead to unwanted attention abroad. I vividly remember an incident in Sumatra, Indonesia, where I stepped out of my hotel without enough coverage on my arms. Almost immediately, the men on the street began to shout and gesture at me. The experience was so unnerving that I retreated to my hotel and stayed inside for three days. As a female traveler, you must be mindful of how you present yourself, which can be mentally exhausting over time.
These are just a few of the extra precautions women must consider when traveling alone. In certain countries, we can’t dress as freely, be seen unaccompanied, or venture out at night without raising eyebrows—or worse, risking our safety. Does this mean women shouldn’t travel solo? Absolutely not! It simply means we have to be more vigilant and take additional steps to protect ourselves.
One of the greatest tools a solo female traveler has is her intuition. Modern psychologists often emphasize that women possess a heightened ability to read nonverbal cues and rely on gut instincts, which are often accurate. Trusting your instincts is essential when traveling alone.
It’s also worth noting that solo travel isn’t inherently more dangerous than staying at home. In fact, many places around the world are much safer than major cities in the West. I grew up in Los Angeles, where gun violence and robberies are common, and I wouldn’t walk alone at night there. While we need to be cautious, it’s important not to view the world as a dangerous place based on stereotypes or fear.
That said, men who travel solo also face challenges, but as women, we have to be more concerned about safety, defend our lifestyle choices more rigorously, and often assert ourselves in cultures where women are expected to be more passive. This is why solo female travel deserves special attention, and why I write this column: to help women navigate these challenges and enjoy the incredible rewards of solo travel.
With the right preparation, awareness of local customs, and trust in your instincts, solo travel can be a transformative and empowering experience. In future posts, I’ll explore more of the positive aspects of solo female travel, including the confidence it builds, the fearlessness it fosters, and the personal growth it inspires.
Solo travel doesn’t have to be dangerous or frightening; it simply requires a little extra preparation and mindfulness.
Kristin Addis is a solo female travel expert who encourages women to explore the world with authenticity and adventure. A former investment banker, she sold all her belongings and left California in 2012 to travel the world solo. Over the past four years, she’s explored every continent except Antarctica (though it’s on her list!) and continues to inspire women to embark on their own adventures without limits. There’s almost nowhere she won’t explore and nothing she won’t try.
