Why Female Solo Travelers May Not Want To Budget Too Hard When Planning Trips

Despite the past few decades of progress made on the subject of female empowerment, women traveling alone can still raise a few eyebrows. Even the success of "Eat, Pray, Love" did not shift perspectives, as many still view traveling alone as a dangerous feat for women. However, travel network Virtuoso reported that women make up 71% of solo travelers in 2025 (via Forbes). Therefore, women who have already taken solo trips can attest to the joys, challenges, and rewards of traveling alone. Unsurprisingly, a common theme is safety. While traveling on a budget is a great way to make your money go further, it still may be worth spending a little more money in order to remain safe.

Cheap flights sound great for your budget, but sometimes they are cheap because you will be boarding extremely early in the morning or arriving late at night. Being alone in an unfamiliar location at night can make you vulnerable. Ground transportation is another aspect of travel that includes a safety component. While even taxi drivers from reputable companies might try to scam tourists, unlicensed taxis add an extra layer of unease. Their cheaper rates might not be worth the potential danger.

Given that solo travel means you won't be able to split hotel costs with anyone, it may be tempting to book one of those $20 per night hostels where you'll be sleeping in a room with sets of bunkbeds occupied by strangers. These are definitely not inherently dangerous and can be a great way to meet people when traveling solo, but make sure the hostel you book is not in a sketchy part of town. While tourists shouldn't blindly trust travel review sites, women traveling alone have found Hostelworld to be a reliable site for vetting budget accommodation options. Additionally, many hostels offer female only dorms or even private rooms. These options are safer and may cost more, but are often still cheaper than a hotel. If you ever feel like the accommodation, activity, or transportation you booked is unsafe, it's worth it to leave your budget behind for a safer alternative.

There are a few important products that women traveling alone should invest in as well. Crossbody bags with strong straps that thieves cannot easily slash through might be more expensive, but keeping your stuff safe — especially your phone and credit cards — is all the more important when you are solo traveling. Perhaps buy a phone strap too so that your phone is always attached to your wrist. Here's the ultimate guide to traveling by yourself and loving it.