What to Know About Solo Female Travel Safety
One of the most common questions I get asked about traveling is, "Is it safe for a woman to travel there?" Travel safety, especially for solo female travelers, is an important topic to address.
Here’s a glimpse into my experience so far traveling to two destinations—Morocco and Finland.
"The most empowering thing a woman can do is to embark on a solo journey and discover how capable, resilient, and strong she truly is."
-Unknown
Traveling Around Morocco as a Solo Female Traveler
Exploring Morocco, as one of two single females, was a dream come true, and I can genuinely say that we never felt unsafe at any time. Inspired by The Alchemist, Morocco has been at the top of my travel list for ages, and the experience there exceeded my expectations—from the bustling markets and historic medinas to the breathtaking deserts and vibrant coastal cities.
The friendly locals were eager to share their culture with us, and yes, the colorful doors were even more enchanting in person! Morocco truly was more magical than I had ever imagined.
While there, we opted for an organized tour, which helped to add an extra layer of security and convenience to our experience. This choice was particularly beneficial given the extensive driving that we’d be doing, and having a local guide provided us with invaluable insights that we wouldn't have had otherwise.
This is an approach that I highly recommend for its ease and the expertise it offers—two things that we greatly value at SOUL/O Travel.
And when it comes to solo female travel safety, the locals were incredibly warm and hospitable in Morocco. While some shopkeepers did invite us into their stores, a simple "no" was respected without any issues. In larger cities, like Marrakech, there was some catcalling, but it was far less intrusive than real-life experiences I've had in U.S. cities like New York City.
With any destination, it’s important to stay mindful above all else:
Avoid flaunting valuables
Keep your purse close in busy markets
Stay aware of your surroundings
Always trust your instincts
Research your destination to help understand local customs and safe areas
Give your itinerary and location to people you trust - such as a parent or close friend
These travel safety precautions are as relevant in Morocco as they are anywhere you travel.
Finding Empowerment Behind the Wheel in Finland
My trip to Finland, while different from Morocco, was still extraordinary. I was one of twenty-eight women from nine different countries to solo travel to Finland for a groundbreaking event.
All of us gathered in Finland for the first all-women’s Porsche Ice Experience!
Traveling to a new country alone might seem daunting, but going for a singular purpose and knowing that you will meet other inspiring women along the way is so worth it.
This event shattered stereotypes and showcased the prowess of female drivers in a sport that’s often associated with men.
Driving on ice was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to hone our skills and embrace the thrill of racing. As a young girl who loved fast cars, my dream was to one day become a race car driver, so this experience was everything, and the little kid in me had the time of her life! I can’t remember laughing and smiling that much—I literally had a permanent smile on my face.
And myself and the other women weren’t alone; we were under the guidance and supervision of two experienced women instructors, who were former race car drivers themselves. From them, we learned the art of drifting and rallying on challenging courses. Initially an intimidating experience, it soon became empowering as I gained confidence, pushing the cars to their limits with expert guidance. We were paired with one car per two women, taking turns behind the wheel of these high-performance vehicles, listening to our instructors yell, “MORE POWER!”
There is something special about women gathering together for a shared goal, even if it’s in a new country where everything feels different; you can still come together and find shared commonalities and camaraderie, which is what I’ve always found in each of my travels.
Similar to my Morocco trip, I found myself leaving Finland with so many memories and a newfound group of solo female travelers, but even more importantly, new lifelong friends.
