Home Online Business Solo Travel as a Woman: Is it Safe? My Honest Thoughts

Solo Travel as a Woman: Is it Safe? My Honest Thoughts

Solo Travel as a Woman: Is it Safe? My Honest Thoughts

My Initial Hesitations About Solo Female Travel

Okay, so, solo travel. The idea always sounded so incredibly freeing, right? Like, Eat, Pray, Love kind of freeing. But honestly, the reality of it? It scared me silly for the longest time. I’d see these Instagram pictures of women backpacking through Southeast Asia or hiking in the Andes, and I’d think, “Wow, that’s amazing… but also, absolutely not.”

I mean, safety was always my number one concern. Is it really safe to travel alone as a woman? I’d Google things like “dangers of solo female travel” and instantly regret it. The internet, as you probably know, is full of horror stories. It’s like, one minute you’re dreaming of cobblestone streets and gelato, and the next you’re reading about worst-case scenarios that leave you wanting to hide under the covers.

There were also the practical concerns. Who would watch my stuff while I went to the bathroom? Who would take my picture in front of that iconic landmark? Silly things, maybe, but they still factored into my hesitation. Plus, let’s be honest, there’s a certain comfort in having someone else around, someone to share the experience with, someone to help navigate the inevitable travel hiccups. You know, someone to blame when you miss the train. I’m kidding! Mostly.

Taking the Plunge: My First Solo Trip

So, what changed? Well, honestly, it was a combination of things. I was feeling stuck in a rut at work, and my relationship had just ended. It was one of those moments where I felt like I needed a serious change, a shake-up of my routine, something… more. And the thought of relying on someone else to make that happen? It just didn’t sit right. I wanted to be in control.

I decided to start small. A long weekend in Montreal. It’s close to home (I’m based in Boston), English and French are both spoken (so, you know, a little adventurous but not *too* adventurous), and I’d heard amazing things about the food scene. Baby steps, right?

I booked my flight and a cute little Airbnb in the Plateau neighborhood. I spent weeks researching restaurants, museums, and things to do. I even downloaded a French phrasebook, although, spoiler alert, I mostly just ended up saying “Bonjour” and “Merci.”

And then the day arrived. I remember feeling a mix of excitement and pure terror at the airport. Was I making a huge mistake? Was I going to be completely alone and miserable the entire time? Ugh, what a mess!

Was Montreal Safe? Navigating the City Solo

Honestly, Montreal surprised me. It was vibrant, friendly, and felt incredibly safe, even walking around at night (within reason, of course – I wasn’t wandering down dark alleys at 2 AM). I think the key was being aware of my surroundings, not flashing expensive jewelry or tech, and trusting my gut. That instinct is real, and it’s there for a reason. If a situation feels off, get out of there. Period.

One thing I did before I left was share my itinerary with a friend back home. I sent her my flight details, the address of my Airbnb, and a rough outline of my daily plans. We also agreed to check in with each other every evening. It was a small thing, but it gave me a huge sense of security.

I also made sure to have local currency on hand, just in case. And I downloaded offline maps of the city so I wouldn’t be completely lost if I didn’t have Wi-Fi. Little things like that made a big difference in my overall comfort level.

I even tried to blend in a little. Nothing drastic, but just being mindful of not looking like a clueless tourist definitely helped me feel less vulnerable.

That Time I Almost Got Scammed (And How I Avoided It)

So, here’s a funny story. One afternoon, I was walking through Old Montreal when a guy approached me with a clipboard. He was asking people to sign a petition to “save the dolphins.” Now, I’m all for saving the dolphins, but something about him felt off. He was overly friendly, and his questions seemed designed to get me to reveal personal information.

He kept asking where I was from, where I was staying, and how long I was in town. Alarm bells started ringing in my head. I politely declined to sign the petition, mumbled something about being late for a meeting, and quickly walked away. Looking back, I’m pretty sure it was a scam of some kind. Maybe he was trying to sell me something, or maybe he was trying to case me as a potential target. Who even knows what’s next?

The point is, trusting my gut paid off. That situation really reinforced the importance of being vigilant and not letting my guard down, even in a seemingly safe environment. It was a good reminder that not everyone has good intentions, and it’s okay to be wary of strangers, especially when you’re traveling alone.

Would I Do It Again? The Verdict on Solo Female Travel

Absolutely, yes! My weekend in Montreal was a game-changer. It wasn’t always easy, and there were definitely moments of feeling lonely or uncertain. But overall, it was an incredibly empowering experience. I proved to myself that I could navigate a new city on my own, that I could handle unexpected situations, and that I was capable of so much more than I thought.

Since then, I’ve taken a few other solo trips – to Charleston, South Carolina, and to Oaxaca, Mexico. Each trip has been different, with its own set of challenges and rewards. But the one thing that’s remained consistent is the feeling of independence and self-discovery. It’s kind of like, you’re not just seeing a new place, you’re seeing a new version of yourself. And that’s pretty amazing.

If you’re thinking about taking a solo trip, I say go for it! Do your research, be prepared, and trust your instincts. It might be scary at first, but I promise you, it’s worth it. And hey, if I can do it, anyone can. You got this!

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If you’re as curious as I was and thinking about the safety of specific destinations, you might want to dig into resources dedicated to women’s travel and safety ratings. Knowing before you go is half the battle.

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