My 9 Harsh Truths & Realities About Life As A Solo Female Traveler

Life as a solo female traveler is amazing, liberating and a journey of self-discovery, but it’s not always all rosy, or even easy. Want to dive into the reality of what it’s like to be a woman traveling alone? Here are my 9 unfiltered truths and experiences!

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1. Periods and shaving can be a real hassle

Let’s face it: when you’re traveling solo for a little while (more than a week or two), your looks aren’t exactly at the top of your priority list. It’s easy to fall into the casual and comfy style, especially if you love to move around a lot and go on adventures.

But what can quickly turn your journey into a nightmare are periods. Because the truth is, the chances of finding your favorite brand of tampons or sanitary pads abroad quickly diminish depending on the country you’re in. So it’s back to finding the option that suits you best when you only need them for a few days.

Of course, there’s always the option of the menstrual cup, but they aren’t for everyone either. Told you, a hassle!

And I’m not even talking about shaving every two or three days because of the societal pressure we’ve been under since we were little, where we have to fit in or simply because we think it’s more attractive. Should we just forget about it or undergo permanent hair removal?

I know a few solo female travelers who have simply given it all up and how it has actually changed their lives! Something to think about, I guess!

2. Having to sleep in mixed dormitories

If you’re on a budget and sleep in hostels, you’re bound to find a few places where there are no female dorms but only mixed ones, especially in some countries. And while I’ve never had any issues with these, as I’ve actually made male friends and had a lot of fun, it can be a bit difficult at first, even more so for introverts or women who are starting to travel solo.

Although I, of course, tend to choose only female dorms when available, I’m not opposed to mixed dorms. The choice is up to you! Just know that sometimes you won’t be able to choose, or you’ll have to increase your budget!

On the other hand, I’ll never book a party hostel again, because as much as I like going out, having a few drinks and partying, booking a mix dorm in a party hostel is pretty much asking for trouble, unless you don’t mind people hooking up right next to you. One thing’s for sure, I won’t be booking one again, ever!

3. You rely more on travel safety items

Being a solo female traveler often comes with a sense of incomfort, anxiety or fear, mainly because you’re alone and in a country or place you know little or nothing about, whether you’re a seasoned traveler or beginner.

That’s why having a few items to rely on, such as a safety whistle, a door alarm, a money belt… can prove quite reassuring.

For my list of travel safety items, feel free to check out my other post here!

4. Going out at night can take courage

Sightseeing a city at night is something else, it’s magical, beautiful and just different, but it’s also more dangerous, so going out at night when you’re a solo woman abroad can be a challenge. Personally, I’ve always felt safer at night abroad than in my own country, but that’s another story.

Here are a few rules you should apply: never leave your drink out of your sight (people think women are easier prey, so putting drugs in your drinks can be pretty common in some countries), don’t accept drinks from strangers, especially if you find them shady, and don’t wander around red light districts!

And if you don’t feel like it, trust your instincts and don’t go out at night! Take the opportunity to work on your laptop, read a good book or catch up on some zzz’s! Your comfort and safety always come first!

5. You’ll meet pushy people

Whether you’re on a bus, in a restaurant quietly enjoying your meal or in a bar, you’ll sometimes come across pushy, annoying people who will hit on you when all you wanted to do was to enjoy the moment.

Don’t panic, though, getting rid of them is usually pretty easy!

You can simply tell them firmly that you’re not interested, be bold, no means no! One of my other tactics is to lie and say that I’m with my boyfriend and I’m meeting him later, or that he’s on his way to me. When you say you’re already taken, 9 times out of 10, the guy will just give up and go away.

I know a few solo female travelers who also wear a fake wedding ring, indicating that they’re already married. There are many options, the only thing to remember is to stay calm, assertive, and if there’s a problem, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

An important note: the best way to avoid these people is to respect the culture of the country you’re traveling in and dress accordingly. This helps a lot!

And don’t forget: even if you’re traveling alone, you’re never truly alone, there are always people around you ready to lend a hand!

6. You’ll hear mysoginistic reactions

I’m sorry to say that even in the modern world we live in today, some people still tend to be narrow-minded and have frustrating propos.

Among the most recurrent reactions I’ve heard over the years include: “you’re crazy, it’s dangerous to travel alone as a woman”, the whistles…

At first, I have to confess that this made me angry and confused, I mean, I’m pretty sure guys never hear these infuriating remarks, but then I learned to simply ignore such comments or, better still, to respond to them and prove that a woman is not the fragile, incapable shell that so many men still think we are.

7. Not all solo female travelers are single

It’s actually one of the most common misconceptions among solo travelers, and not always women either.

Most of the time, people who see a woman traveling alone assume she’s single but the reality, however, is quite different. I’ve met and have friends who have, in fact, boyfriends, some of them even married but still traveling alone because of their different ways of traveling or their conflicting schedules.

I even have friends who travel as a couple, but split up at some point to see or experience different things suited to their own tastes before reuniting later in another town or country.

Pretty awesome, if you ask me!

8. Accepting a dinner invitation requires extra consideration

If you like to immerse yourself in the local culture when you travel, you’ll probably meet a lot of people who’ll invite you to a stay at their place, have dinner with them or party together at the beach.

And as much as I’d love to say yes to all of these invitations, as a solo female traveler who has to be double careful at all times, I have to admit that I’ve had to turn down some invitations.

My main red flags are when a guy asks me to stay or dine at his place without anyone else, or if someone asks me to join a party in a dodgy or remote neighborhood or city, for example.

For me, as long as there’s a wife or family included, or even if the party’s right on the beach, I won’t really hesitate.

Then again, my first advice is to go for it (as long as there are no red flags of course), as there are no better memories than the ones you share with the locals. But on the other hand, if your instincs tell you that something’s not right, you’d better trust them and not push your luck. Better safe than sorry, trust me!

9. People tend to look out for you more

Whether someone thinks of you as a darling daughter, a sister or simply because they find you brave and endearing, you’ll quickly see that people tend to be very friendly and caring towards a solo female traveler.

You’ll meet more people willing to carry your luggage, give you directions, free snacks and much more, than people who ignore you. That’s when you’ll regain faith in humanity, and feel proud that you’ve stepped out of your comfort zone and embarked on an adventure that will change you forever.

So, what’s it like to travel solo as a woman? Do you have any other truths and realities you’d like to share with our fellow travelers? Leave them in the comments!

Still scared of being a solo female traveler? Read my tips for starting your journey here!

And to explore the world with more confidence, here are my 15 DON’TS when traveling abroad alone!