Travelling solo as a woman can be the best experience you can gift to yourself, but it also comes with some challenges and risks. One of the most common concerns for solo female travellers is travelling safely, especially when it comes to choosing and staying in hostels. Hostels are a great option for budget-friendly and social accommodation, while helping you feel less lonely, but they also expose you to strangers and potential dangers.
How can you stay safe and enjoy your hostel experience as a solo woman traveller? Here are some tips and advice from experts and fellow travellers.
The first step to staying safe in hostels is choosing a quality hostel that meets your needs and expectations. You can use websites like Hostelworld or Hostelgeeks to find and compare hostels based on ratings, reviews, facilities, prices, and location. Look for hostels that have high ratings for security, cleanliness, staff, and atmosphere. Read the reviews from other travellers, especially women, to get a sense of the hostel’s vibe, culture, and safety. Pay attention to any red flags or negative experiences that might indicate a problem with the hostel.
Another important factor to consider is the location of the hostel. Ideally, you want to stay in a hostel that is close to the main attractions, public transportation, and amenities. This way, you can avoid walking long distances or taking taxis at night, which can be risky and expensive. You also want to stay in a hostel that is in a safe and well-lit area, where you can feel comfortable and confident walking around. Avoid hostels that are in sketchy or isolated areas, where you might encounter crime or harassment.
One of the biggest decisions you have to make when staying in hostels is whether to stay in a mixed dorm, a female-only dorm, or a private room. There is no right or wrong answer, as it depends on your personal preference, comfort level, and budget. However, if you are concerned about safety and privacy, you might want to opt for a female-only dorm or a private room.
Female-only dorms are dorm rooms that are exclusively for women. They are designed to provide a safe and comfortable space for female travellers, where they can relax and socialisze without worrying about unwanted attention from male guests, noise, or theft from male guests. Female-only dorms often have extra features, such as curtains, lockers, mirrors, hairdryers, and feminine products.
They are also usually cheaper than private rooms, but more expensive than mixed dorms. Private rooms are rooms that are only for you, or for you and your travel partner. They offer the maximum amount of most privacy and security, as you have your own space, door, and key. You don’t have to share the room or the bathroom with anyone else, and you can lock your belongings in the room.
Private rooms are the best option if you want to have a quiet and peaceful sleep, or if you need some solitudepersonal time. PHowever, private rooms’ however, are also the most expensive option, and they might limit your opportunities to socialise opportunities with other travellers.
One of the most common safety issues in hostels is theft. Hostels are usually safe and trustworthy places, but you never know who you might encounter or who might have access to your room. Therefore, it is essential to secure your belongings and valuables, especially when you are not in the room or when you are sleeping.
The best way to secure your belongings is to use the lockers provided by the hostel. Most hostels have lockers in the dorm rooms or in a common area, where you can store your backpack, suitcase, or smaller items. You might need to bring ayour own padlock, or rent one from the reception. Make sure youto lock your locker every time you leave the room, and don’t leave anything valuable or important outside the locker.
If the hostel doesn’t have lockers, or if you need extra security, you can use other methods to secure your belongings. For example, you can use a cable lock to attach your backpack or suitcase to your bed frame, or to a fixed object in the room. You can also use a money belt or a hidden pocket to carry your cash, cards, passport, and phone on your body. You can also use a backpack cover or a luggage lock to prevent anyone from opening your bag.
The most important safety tip for staying in hostels as a solo woman traveller is to trust your gut and use your head. Your intuition and common sense are your best allies when it comes to avoiding and dealing with dangerous or uncomfortable situations. If you feel like something is off, it probably is. If you feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or harassed, don’t hesitate to leave, report, or seek help.
Some examples of trusting your gut and using your head are: Don’t go to the hostel with someone you just met, unless you trust them and know where you are going. Don’t accept drinks, food, or drugs from strangers, as they might be spiked or laced. Don’t leave your drink unattended, or drink from an open container.
Don’t share your personal information, such as your full name, address, phone number, or travel plans, with anyone you don’t know well. Don’t walk alone at night, or in unfamiliar or dark areas. Use public transportation, taxis, or ride-sharing apps, and make sure they are licensed and reliable.
Don’t flash your valuables, such as your phone, camera, or jewelleryjewelry, as they might attract thieves or scammers. Don’t be afraid to say no, or to be rude, if someone is bothering you or making you uncomfortable. You don’t owe anyone anything, and you have the right to set your boundaries and protect yourself.
Another safety tip for staying in hostels as a solo woman traveller is to ask the staff for security advice and assistance. The staff are usually friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable, and they can provide you with useful information and tips on how to stay safe and enjoy your stay.
You can ask them questions such as:
What are the best and worst areas to visit in the city?
What are the safest and cheapest ways to get around?
What are the common scams or dangers to watch out for?
What are the emergency numbers and contacts in case of trouble?
What are the hostel rules and policies regarding security, guests, noise, and curfew?
What are the best activities, tours, or events to join as a solo traveller?
You can also ask the staff for assistance if you have any problems or issues during your stay, such as: If you need to change your room or bed, because you are unhappy or uncomfortable with your current situation. If you need to report or complain about another guest, who is being rude, noisy, or inappropriate.
If you need to request or borrow something, such as a padlock, a towel, or a hairdryer. If you need to book or cancel something, such as a taxi, a tour, or a flight. The staff are there to help you and make your stay as pleasant and safe as possible, so don’t be shy or afraid to ask them for anything you need.
One of the best things about staying in hostels as a solo woman traveller is the opportunity to be social and make friends with other travellers. Hostels are usually fun and lively places, where you can meet people from all over the world, who share your passion for travel and adventure. You can chat with them in the common areas, join them for activities, or even travel with them for a while.
You can learn from their experiences, exchange tips and stories, and have a great time together. However, being social and making friends in hostels also requires some caution and discretion. Not everyone you meet in hostels is trustworthy or genuine, and some might have ulterior motives or bad intentions. You should be careful about who you trust, who you hang out with, and who you share your information with.
You should also be respectful of other people’s privacy, space, and belongings, and expect the same from them. Some examples of being social and making friends, but being careful, are: Be friendly and open, but don’t be naive or gullible. Don’t believe everything you hear, or everything you see on social media.
Don’t let anyone pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do, or that might put you in danger. Be adventurous and spontaneous, but don’t be reckless or irresponsible. Don’t go to places or do things that are illegal, unsafe, or unethical. Don’t put yourself or others in harm’s way, or compromise your health or well-being.