As much as I advocate for how safe and comfortable solo female travel can be, there are also downsides and unfortunate realities that sometimes come with it. While I wholeheartedly believe that solo female travel is not only doable but also incredibly rewarding, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges and risks that exist. I’ve had some truly awful experiences, situations that left me feeling shaken, frustrated, and even fearful. But despite these, I still stand by the belief that with self-awareness, extreme caution, and the right mindset, solo female travel can be both safe and fulfilling.
That being said, this is not meant to scare you or make you second-guess your decision to travel alone. In no way, shape, or form do I want this to deter you from chasing your dreams of solo adventures. Instead, I want to bring awareness to these issues so that you can be extra cautious, extra aware, and more prepared. Unfortunately, despite the progress society has made regarding women’s rights, safety, and equality, the harsh reality is that there is still a global issue when it comes to the sexualization of women and the targeting of solo female travelers—both in our home countries and abroad.
So, I want to share some of my personal experiences—situations that were uncomfortable, frightening, and even dangerous—as well as the best advice I can give to help you avoid them. My hope is that by reading this, you will go into solo female travel with a stronger sense of caution and an understanding of the precautions that are necessary, especially in certain regions of the world.
My Experiences
(Trigger Warning: The following section discusses sexual harassment and assault.)
Before diving in, I want to give a fair warning. I will be discussing sexual harassment and assault in detail. If these topics are triggering for you, I recommend reading this in a safe space, or skipping this section altogether. If you do choose to read on, I ask that you do so with an open mind and understand that my willingness to share these experiences comes from a place of wanting to bring awareness to these issues. My goal is not to instill fear but to ensure that those who choose to travel solo are as informed and prepared as possible.
Sexual Harassment & Catcalling
In several countries I’ve traveled to, catcalling has been almost unavoidable. It’s frustrating, degrading, and honestly, exhausting. I’ve noticed that in more conservative countries, this behavior tends to be even more prevalent. Walking down the street as a woman, especially a foreign woman, often means hearing things like, “Hi, you are so beautiful,” or “Hello, ma’am, where are you from?”—often followed by persistent attempts to get my attention.
Unfortunately, this is something you have to develop a thick skin for. No matter how much you ignore it, the comments, stares, and whistles are sometimes inevitable, particularly if you stand out as an outsider. In some countries, the overwhelming presence of men in public spaces, coupled with the reserved nature of local women, only amplifies the discomfort.
One of the places where I felt the most aggressive, persistent, and uncomfortable attention from men was in Turkey—specifically Istanbul. The men there were incredibly forward, constantly trying to lure me into their shops, scam me, or even touch me without consent. Many would shout compliments, ask personal questions, or attempt to guess where I was from, all as a tactic to engage me in conversation.
One particular experience stands out in my memory. I had gone into a shop—not because I was called in, but because I genuinely wanted to buy some traditional Turkish tea. I love tea, and I wanted to take some with me for my travels. As I was browsing, a worker approached me and immediately started asking personal questions—where I was from, if I was traveling alone, whether I had a boyfriend. I kept my answers short and polite, lying about my situation to create a fake sense of security. I told him my boyfriend was waiting for me at the hotel, that I was just looking for tea, and that I wasn’t interested in anything else.
Despite my clear disinterest, he kept pushing—offering me sample after sample of tea and sweets, to the point where I started to feel overwhelmed. When I tried to refuse another sample, he suddenly grabbed me by the waist, pulled me in, and kissed me on the head. I immediately pulled away and walked out of the store, no longer wanting to give this man my business. As I left, he continued calling after me, trying to get my number and asking me to go out for drinks.
This experience was infuriating, not just because of what happened in that moment, but because it made me lose trust in the people around me. When things like this happen repeatedly, it forces you to change your behavior, making you more reserved and less open to interactions—something that deeply upsets me, but I’ll get into that later.
Sexual Assault
Some experiences have gone far beyond catcalling and harassment—crossing into full-blown sexual assault. Two situations in particular left me feeling deeply unsettled, vulnerable, and incredibly upset.
The first happened in Singapore. I was at Marina Bay Sands watching the water show when I started chatting with a security guard. He seemed friendly and polite, just making casual conversation about my trip. I thought nothing of it. After a while, he offered to show me the view of the show from a higher level inside the mall, saying it was a great spot that most people didn’t know about. Since he was a person of authority, I didn’t see a reason to decline.
As we walked upstairs, he asked if I was traveling alone. I lied, saying my “boyfriend” was back at the hotel resting. I even made up a whole story about where we met and how long we’d been together, just as an added layer of protection. Still, I didn’t feel anything was off—until the very end.
After the show, as I was saying goodbye, he suddenly grabbed my hand and said, “Wait, my boss is here. Can you hold my hand so it looks like I’m with you?” I immediately refused, feeling something was off. Then he pulled me in and said, “Okay, okay, at least give me a kiss goodbye.” I tried to step away, saying no, but he grabbed me and forcibly kissed me, groping me in the process. I shoved him off and ran to the nearest train station, only to realize he was following me. I jumped on the first train without looking back.
The second incident was far worse. It happened in the Philippines after a night out. I was intoxicated, and somehow ended up on the back of a motorbike with some locals who had agreed to take me home. While on the bike, two of them assaulted me as I cried and begged to be let off. They refused. Eventually, I managed to get them to bring me back to a street I recognized, and I walked home in tears. Thankfully, my hostel was filled with amazing people who welcomed me with open arms and helped me through it. If not for them, I don’t know how I would have handled that night.
Tips, Advice, and My Personal Thoughts on Them
Now, let’s move on from my personal experiences. As I mentioned before, I don’t want those stories to scare you—I want them to serve as a reminder that while bad things can happen, the most important thing is to remain cautious, stay aware of your surroundings, and be mindful of the people you interact with. My goal is not to instill fear but to equip you with the knowledge and tools to travel as safely as possible.
In this section, I’ll share practical safety tips that can help prevent uncomfortable or dangerous situations. However, I also want to be honest about how these precautions make me feel as a solo female traveler. While some of these measures are necessary, they often come at the cost of my freedom, comfort, or even the natural way I enjoy connecting with people.
Adapting Your Personality Based on the Situation
This is a tip I once resisted, but my past experiences have taught me that adapting how I present myself is sometimes necessary. Different cultures interpret friendliness, kindness, and openness in different ways. In some places, being overly chatty or warm can be misinterpreted as flirtation or an invitation for more.
As someone who genuinely loves spontaneous conversations with locals and enjoys being friendly, I’ve had to scale back on that in certain situations. Depending on where I am, who I’m with, and whether I’m alone, I no longer open up as easily as I used to. I’ve learned to adopt a more reserved, even standoffish demeanor—especially around men—just to set a clear boundary from the start.
This is something that genuinely upsets me. I hate having to change my natural personality just to avoid being harassed. But looking back at my time in Singapore, I can’t help but wonder if my openness and ability to hold conversations with strangers made me an easier target. I still struggle with this, but I’ve come to accept that sometimes, being a little more closed off—maybe even a little rude—is necessary for my own safety.
Lying for Safety
This one is much easier for me to accept. If I have to lie to protect myself, I’ll do it without hesitation. I’ll invent a boyfriend, wear a fake wedding ring, lie about where I’m staying, change details about my plans, or even pretend I’m older than I am. If a simple lie can deter unwanted attention, I’ll gladly say whatever I need to.
But despite how easy this is for me to do, it still makes me sad. It’s frustrating that instead of being able to trust people, I have to assume the worst and fabricate stories just to ensure my safety. I hate that I have to lie, but I’ll continue to do it if it means avoiding a potentially dangerous situation.
Dressing Differently for Safety
In many of the countries I’ve visited, dress codes are incredibly relaxed, and tourists can wear whatever they want. However, just because you can, doesn’t always mean you should.
For example, when I had my awful experience in the Philippines, I was wearing makeup, a cute mini skirt, a stylish top, and some jewelry. I felt confident, I felt good—but maybe, just maybe, that made me stand out more as a target.
In more conservative countries, I always recommend dressing modestly. You don’t need to wear traditional clothing, but keeping things simple, covered, and low-key can help you blend in and avoid unwanted attention. Avoid bold accessories, flashy outfits, and loud colors—especially in places where women traditionally dress more conservatively. It’s not about giving up your style; it’s about being mindful of cultural norms and how you might be perceived.
Avoiding Eye Contact and Unwanted Conversations
This one honestly makes me sad, but it’s a reality I’ve had to accept. Walking with my head down, avoiding eye contact, and not acknowledging strangers can help prevent unwanted interactions—especially with men who are looking for an excuse to engage with me.
I love spontaneous conversations with locals, and I don’t want to assume that everyone who approaches me has bad intentions. So, I try to find a balance. If I sense a genuine and friendly energy—especially in certain countries or environments—I’ll engage with an open mind. But if I get even the slightest feeling of manipulation or creepiness, I immediately shut down the conversation, keep my head down, and keep walking.
My advice? Trust your instincts. Be mindful of the way someone is interacting with you. Are they being overly persistent? Are they making you uncomfortable? If so, don’t feel bad about ignoring them.
Learning Self-Defense
Something I deeply regret not doing before traveling solo is learning basic self-defense. After my assault in the Philippines, a friend taught me some essential self-defense techniques, and it completely changed the way I carry myself.
Now, I feel more confident knowing that if I ever find myself in a dangerous situation again, I at least have some tools to protect myself. If you’re planning to travel solo, I highly recommend taking a self-defense class before your trip. Even learning a few basic moves could be the difference between feeling powerless and being able to fight back.
Never Going Out Alone
This is something I stand by completely. When I say, “Don’t go out alone,” I don’t just mean don’t go home alone—I mean don’t show up alone, don’t stay alone, and don’t leave alone.
The mistake I made in the Philippines was losing my friends and making my way home solo. That’s exactly when things went wrong. When you’re in an unfamiliar place, especially at night, never allow yourself to be isolated. Stick with people you trust, don’t wander off, and don’t let yourself get separated from your group. It’s loud, it’s dark, and many people are under the influence—be smart and stay close to people you feel safe with.
Carrying a Weapon (or Something That Can Be Used as One)
This is something I’ve thought about more in recent years, but I don’t actively follow. Carrying an actual weapon while traveling can be complicated due to customs and border regulations. However, there are ways around it.
Even if you can’t carry something like pepper spray or a knife, consider carrying something heavy and solid—a stainless steel water bottle, a small pocket knife, or even something as simple as a nail file with a sharp edge. You don’t need to be armed with anything extreme, but having something in your hand when walking at night can give you an extra layer of confidence and protection.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, there are many things you can do to stay as safe as possible while traveling solo as a female. I’ve written an entire article on my safety tips, including things like avoiding posting your location in real-time, dressing modestly, and more.
But even with all these precautions, the truth is that safety is never guaranteed. My own experiences—and those of other solo travelers I’ve met—are proof that things can still go wrong. That’s why it’s so important to stay hyper-aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to who is around you, who is watching you, and who you can or can’t trust.
Don’t get lost.
Don’t get too intoxicated.
Don’t trust people too easily.
Solo female travel requires thick skin for many reasons. Catcalling, unfortunately, is common and often out of our control—but sexual assault should never be something we just accept as normal.
Take this as a reminder to be aware, cautious, and prepared. I want everyone to feel safe, and if you ever need someone to talk to about these experiences or concerns, my inbox is always open. You can reach me anytime via the Contact Me page on my website.
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