10 Things I Find Scarier Than Traveling Alone, And That Everyone Can Relate To

Traveling alone can be scary, I won’t deny it, as it can lead to uncomfortable, weird, or unpredictable situations, but let me tell you that there are many things out there far scarier than being on your own on the other side of the world.

So without further ado, here are 10 things that I actually find scarier than traveling alone, even as a woman, based on personal, real experiences only!

Save it for later!

1. Getting spiderwebs in my face while hiking

I put it at the top of this list simply because I love the outdoors and hiking, but there’s one thing I hate more than getting lost on a trail, and that’s the fear of getting spiderwebs on my face and wondering if I’m going to bring a little creature home with me (because yes, I’m arachnophobic, in case you hadn’t guessed…).

So yes, being alone in a country thousands of kilometers/miles away can be disconcerting, but it’s nothing compared to having a spider crawling on my skin.

2. Having my bag/suitcase misplaced or lost

If you’ve already had this experience, you remember how stressful it is to go to the baggage carousel to retrieve your luggage, never see it arrive, until you realize that something’s wrong.

Scared and probably a little angry, you then go to the counter to find out more about your luggage only to learn that it has simply been misplaced and that you’ll have to wait a whole day, or even a little longer, to get it back.

When I think back on it now, I tell myself “it’s just clothes”, but at the time, you can’t really think straight, and losing my luggage will probably upset me more than losing my clothes, if I’m honest. Anyway, it’s far from a nice experience, especially when you have to keep your cool and go to your hotel without your stuff, hoping for a better day to come, one that will bring your luggage, not to mention a sense of relief!

3. Putting up with an unhygienic or noisy person during a 10-hour flight

I’m pretty sure we’ve all had at least one disagreeable flight, but what’s even scarier is a flight that lasts for hours and where you have a fellow passenger who, let’s say, isn’t very concerned about hygiene, smells like they’ve drunk a whole bottle of whisky, or is simply selfish.

And what could have been a pleasant and restful moment can quickly turn into a nightmare, even more so if the plane is full and you can’t change seats.

Could we also all agree not to put our feet on the armrest or on the seat of the passenger in front of us? It’s just gross, and you’d be the first to complain if it happened to you!

Don’t want to be that passenger? Here are 25 tips on how to be a good air traveler!

4. Not being able to withdraw money abroad

It happens more times than you could imagine, and it’s one of the things I dread most when traveling, especially when I’m in a country where cash is the main mode of payment.

And having to try three or four different ATMs when I just need to grab some food or take the bus can rapidly make me hangry or even lose my patience (something I’m not necessarily known for anyway)!

Plus, suddenly having your card declined, or worse, swallowed by a machine, is what I call truly scary!

5. Having my flight delayed/canceled

I once had my flight to Perth delayed by 7 hours, 2 hours in Greece, and so many other times that I actually can’t count them. I even missed my plane once because customs decided to open only one counter during peak hours.

So, yes, traveling isn’t just about discovering beautiful places and people, and having enriching experiences, it also requires nerves of steel, as many unforeseen situations can arise, where you’ll probably have to change your hotel plans, make changes in your itinerary, or sleep at the airport.

6. Taxi scams

This is one of the experiences that really stuck with me and triggered my aversion for taxis. No, just kidding, but still I have to admit that I avoid them as much as possible and prioritize public transportation or use ride-hailing apps.

I’ll always remember how some of my friends and I were scammed in Vietnam by a taxi driver who claimed his meter was broken when we noticed it was running a little too fast, and asked to get out. He wouldn’t let us go and kept our stuff until a friendly local kindly helped us resolve the situation and later drove us to our accommodation.

Proof that, whether you’re alone or not, you’re not free to scary or unpleasant situations.

7. Jet lag

I think I’m one of the lucky ones who doesn’t really suffer from jet lag, even though it’s something I really apprehend every time, maybe because I follow these tips or, who knows.

But seeing some of my friends tired for at least 2 days after reaching their destination and forced to sleep a lot has always “scared” me a little, as the dynamic person in me can sometimes find it difficult to sit still if I don’t have something to occupy my hands, my mind or both.

So yes, jet lag? Scary but not necessarily inevitable!

8. Crossing the road in Vietnam

Still afraid of traveling alone? Try crossing the busy streets of Vietnam and tell me which is scarier!

Even though it’s fun once you get the hang of it, it’s very confusing and a little intimidating at first. The myriad of cars, scooters, horns passing in front of you as you’re just trying to get to the other side of the street overwhelms your senses, making the experience strange, stressful but quite rewarding once you succeed.

9. Bed bugs

This one actually deserves to be at the top of this list, because I think it’s one of the scariest things that can happen to you when you travel, at least for me. Bed bugs are like the nemesis of all travelers, and if you’ve experienced them, you know what I mean.

So yes, bed bugs are scarier for me than traveling alone!

10. Having an accident or food poisoning

Another reason why travel insurance isn’t overrated and is an important part of your trip. Falling off of a scooter is frequent and a common accident in Southeast Asia, as is food poisoning.

If you’ve ever heard of “Bali belly” or if you love to try street food, sometimes and even if you take the craziest precautions, you may simply be unlucky.

And having experienced this, let’s just say than being sick and getting to know your toilets more than you’d expected is one of the worst things that can happen, definitely more stressful than traveling alone.

Imagine the wasted days and bad mood during what should have been dreamy vacation.

So, what do you think? Do you still think traveling alone is scary? Is there anything that scares you more than being alone on the other side of the world? Leave it in the comments!

Taking the plunge into solo traveling as a woman? Here are 10 destinations where I felt safe!