Single, senior women who want to travel are concerned about one thing. They say, “I love to travel but I’m afraid. Is it safe for senior women to travel alone?”. Although most singles consider safety first when planning a trip, for older women it is even more of a concern.
Is traveling alone safe for single women?
It can be safe for senior women to travel alone if, you plan ahead with safety in mind first, and get prepared. Yes, you can travel alone with confidence.
Is traveling alone scary?
Sometimes it can be scary when you’re away from the familiar, especially when you’re staying in large cities and not sure you’re in the right place or how to get back to your hotel.
It’ s not a good idea to be out after dark unless you’ve become very familiar with the area you’re visiting and you feel comfortable. Some city areas are not well lit at night so you might ask the locals where you should avoid.
Have a good map of the city you’re in with you before going out. I know we all have smart phones that can help with navigation but part of planning ahead is to be prepared if your cell phone battery runs out. You can usually get maps at travel centers or the front desk of your hotel.
Where is the safest place in the US for single women to travel?
According to a 2018 article by Trip Advisors, the top 3 safest cities to travel alone are;
- Sedona, Arizona
- Denver, Colorado
- San Diego, California.
In reality, the safest place in the US for single women to travel is the place that you have researched well, prepared ahead for what you need and you’re comfortable with your choice.
Every year the safety reports of cities in the US changes. For instance the recent rise of homeless tent cities and aggressive protesters in some areas of Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle may not be safe or enjoyable. That doesn’t mean that those states don’t offer single women beautiful adventures in travel. Check out the Lavender Festival in Sequim, Washington or if you like the beach, one of my favorites is Canon Beach, Oregon
When planning your trip, stay abreast of the local news. You can get an app for your phone to get local news easily and as frequently as you want. For instance if you’d like to travel to Arizona for some fun in the sun, or to play golf, get the ABC15 news app. It’s short, gives the weather report and has few ads.
Do a search for the state you will be traveling to and read their current report on safety. Then ask people you may know, you may meet, or connect with online who have traveled to that area or who lives there.
What do I need to get prepared for safe travel?
Important Documents
You’ll need to have the minimum ready as you start to prepare for your trip. Lay out the documents and cards you’ll need with you and take pictures of them just in case they get lost or stolen. Some ladies even have back ups hidden away.
- Passport
- Drivers license or ID Card
- Credit and Bank cards
- Cross body purse or Backpack (this may help you identify it)
- Extra money, hidden (travelers checks aren’t used much anymore)
- Medications packed in carry on luggage and extra’s in any suitcase or backpack. For some medications (narcotics) you may need to carry your doctors prescription with you as proof you’re not smuggling drugs. Take photos of the labels in case you need to get a new supply.
- Have a written record of your phone contacts in case your phone is stolen or lost.
I suggest that you upload all the valuable information and photos of them to your Google Drive that comes with all google email accounts (or cloud storage if you have it). That way if you lose your phone, passport or purse you can always get copies from any computer. You might also include any insurances or other documents that are important.
Safety First
How do I protect myself when traveling alone?
Very often a search for travel protection will result in information about travel insurance, which might be good to have. These tips are for the single, senior woman to plan for their physical safety. As packing space is usually limited, we want to have things that are small, lightweight and easy to carry with us.
There are many personal protection items for travel safety that you can choose.. Here’s a list of some of the items that won’t take up much room in a backpack or purse but very nice to have when you need them. You’ll find them reasonably priced on Amazon.
- Travel Clean Kit (masks, gloves, wipes)
- Mini First Aid Kit (when you need bandages)
- Personal Safety Alarm for Women (loud alarm if attacked)
- Red Pepper Gel Spray (goes farther and sticks, no back-spray)
Sleeping Safety
Another common concern is safety at night, while you’re sleeping. There are devices you can get that will stop potential intruders from coming into your room. Be careful, as they will also limit access to emergency staff. This is one example;
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Is there a safe travel checklist I can follow?
Yes. I recommend the Travel Checklist Journal. It will help you stay organized before your trip, keep information you may need handy and you can write a journal of your travels. It’s currently only $7.95 on Amazon.
Where do single, senior women like to travel safely in the US?
As a senior woman who is single and wanting to travel alone, first decide, what do you enjoy most about any trip? What do you enjoy doing when on vacation? Here are a few ideas women have shared.
| What do you like? | Liked by many | Check these out |
| Hiking/Walking Trips | Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Utah | Walking Adventures, Planet Ware |
| Sunshine/Golf | California, Arizona, Florida | Trip Advisors |
| History/Old Town Atmosphere/Museums | Arizona, Colorado, | Burlington, Colorado; AZ Historical Society |
| Cruises | Caribbean out of Florida, Alaska | 1.Celebrity Cruise Line, 2. Royal Caribbean 3. Norwegian, |
| Camping/RVing | National Forest, US Campgrounds, Boon-docking on BLM Land | Escapees, RVillage, 50+ Single RV’ers on FaceBook, |
| Van Travel | 72 yr old SOLO Female Van Traveler | Tour of this Golfers Van |
| Riverboat Tours | Portland to Clarkston | USA River Cruises |
How do I find the best places for solo female travel in 2021
Having gone through a pandemic in 2020, which has adversely affected the travel industry, as a solo senior traveler you will have to decide what is best for you. It has been recommended that we focus our travel here in the United States. Be aware that you will need to check with your intended destination to find out if there are any restrictions in place.
I have traveled to many foreign places in my life but have always felt that there was so much of America that I haven’t seen and experienced. This book will help you to decide where the next adventure will be. It’s a great resource to have.
Should I use a Travel Company to plan my safe, solo travel in 2021
Many women traveling alone may want to visit places with a group. Travel Companies who specialize in solo travel are a great way to get started. They offer safety in numbers which may give you a little more secure way to travel.
What Does a Travel Company provide for Singles?
Travel tours for singles usually have a guide who goes with the group. This gives you security in knowing that you have someone to go to for whatever you need.
How Is a Travel Company for Singles Different From a Regular Travel Company?
They design their trips around a specific group type and the destination. For instance an International Travel Company might cater to single, retired women who want to learn how to make pasta on a trip to Italy. Sounds yummy to me and don’t forget the wine!
What is the best singles travel company?
I’m not sure who or how they are voted as the best, but these are coming up at the top of the list.
Solo-Traveler
Singles International
Silversea
Should I join a Solo Women’s Travel Group?
The number one reason we join groups is for the support we get. Having leaders and other travelers to ask questions of, get directions or find a travel buddy is a great feeling.
Other reasons are power in numbers, meaning when there are more people signing up for a trip, the price may go down. Sometimes they offer trips that you may not have thought would be fun or interesting and when you have someone else to share it with…you get adventure.
Is it safer to travel alone or with a group?
There is safety in numbers, so I would say yes, it is safer to travel in a group. If you’re just getting started as a solo traveler this might be a way to get going. If you find that you don’t like group travel, your experience might result in connecting with someone who has your same interests resulting in becoming good travel buddies for future trips.
Will it be safe to travel in summer 2021?
During this first quarter of 2021, the CDC experts and the travel industry are telling us that the safety risks are still high for any travel, due to the Covid Virus. Many modes of travel that we normally use are providing limited services and many are still closed.
If you’re traveling within the United States your opportunities are beginning to open up after the pandemic. Be sure to check the safety guidelines often as you plan. They seem to change daily.
The US State Department has recommended that US citizens do not travel abroad due to the global spread of COVID-19. Foreign travel is much more risky. If you get sick while traveling in another country, you might not receive the care you need over a local citizen and it may become difficult for you to get back home.
Safe travel for senior, single women requires that you be diligent in your planning. Check the news, research all government websites, ask your travel agent and consider what the CDC is telling us about when, how and where to travel in 2021.
Join our new Travel Club and connect with other single, senior women who like to travel…
