Everyone’s tolerance for risk, friction and discomfort when traveling will differ. Some folks just need adrenaline and to charge off the beaten path, while others prefer a nice, comfortable resort. No matter your preferences, traveling alone will bring some more difficulties, so it can be helpful to hear how others have fared in the past.
Female solo travelers from across the internet shared the locations they felt were unsafe. Some were the usual fare, but others included the kinds of destinations most would think were perfectly fine. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments down below.
#41
Paris. Approached and followed by numerous single men and groups of men. It was made worse by the distinct sense that no one around [cares]. I felt unconvinced that if I really needed it, people would help.
SnowyMuscles:
I was only in Paris for 10 hours and felt very vulnerable.
SnowyMuscles:
I was only in Paris for 10 hours and felt very vulnerable.
3points
#42
When I was in Iceland (supposedly one of the safest countries in the world) another solo female traveller was attacked and punched on the street for no reason. Was a bit more on edge walking around after that. But goes to show bad things happen in every country.
3points
#43
Lisbon! The sexual harassment there was unlike any other European city.
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3points
#44
A hot springs in Colorado. I was there for three weeks for therapy. (I’ve solo traveled my whole life and had very few problems.) Some local guy that I had chatted with asked me to go out for ice cream with him but only if stayed in my bathing suit and I didn’t bring my phone or wallet or towel or anything. (I can’t eat ice cream. Allergies. Which I had told him the day before.) I said no because it sounds like how women are [ended]. He grabbed my arm and tried to drag me away. Luckily, I was able to hold my ground and my voice got louder and I again said no. He had grabbed my arm hard enough that he actually took one of those silicone bracelets off my wrist. Freaked me out, though. And I’m not going back there alone.
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3points
#45
River walk in San Antonio… I had seen pics and it looked amazing. Our reality was the opposite … it was around 8pm on a week night in March about ten years ago. Place was deserted and it just felt really sketchy and unsafe … I was with my hubby so would have felt even more at risk had I been alone.
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3points
#46
Nice, France. I expected it to be beautiful but found it really sketchy, actually find this a lot with France. Have had some very scary Paris experiences as well.. particularly with an Uber driver that wanted to follow me into my hotel when he found out I was solo.
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2points
#47
I got robbed (well my car did) in Bern Switzerland which I think was unusual. But that was the most unsafe I’ve felt in Western Europe because of that. Real bummer. They stole a lot of high end items out of my trunk.
2points
#48
I lived in the UK for 5 years. I can't count how many times I had gotten harassed there by men compared to the rest of my life living in Metro Manila. But also compared to all my travels throughout the rest of southeast Asia. I think because westerners are just so much more confrontational, [stuff] like that happens. In Southeast Asia, we tend to keep to ourselves and have a much more hospitable and friendly approach towards foreigners.
BUT although there was much harassment, I also have not experienced so many people standing up for me. For more than half those harassment in the UK, a stranger stepped in to call them out and make sure I was okay. So I guess the that confrontational character goes both ways ❤️.
BUT although there was much harassment, I also have not experienced so many people standing up for me. For more than half those harassment in the UK, a stranger stepped in to call them out and make sure I was okay. So I guess the that confrontational character goes both ways ❤️.
1point
#49
As a woman I would go with option 2 in those places. I hear North Africa is the most unsafe destination for women. I don't speak the language and I am a distracted person, I live in one of safest country of the world so I don't think I developed street smart skills, also I am afraid to get food poisoning and not knowing what to do, so I would prefer not to go alone there.
1point
#50
Birmingham, England. I just had to stay there one night for my flight the next day. As I was walking to my hostel (like a 10 min walk) I was harassed 3 times, two guys literally put their car to the side of the road to catcall me and drive slowly behind me. Did not like those vibes.
0points
