Malaysia is my favourite country in Southeast Asia. I spent three weeks there the first time I visited Malaysia solo and absolutely feel in love with the country.
Three weeks wasn’t enough for me, and I knew before I even left Malaysia that I would be back.
Even though my solo trip to Malaysia was amazing, there are still a few things I wish I knew before visiting Malaysia solo that would have made my trip go a little bit smoother.
I’m going to share everything I wish I knew before visiting Malaysia alone as well as some of the things I’m so glad I did on my solo trip to Malaysia.
Hopefully by the end of this article you’ll have a better idea on what to expect from your solo trip to Malaysia and that you’ll be excited to explore one of my favourite countries I’ve ever been to.
Kuala Lumpur has an Amazing Metro System
If you’ve done any travelling in Southeast Asia, you know that most cities don’t have a metro system. Some cities like Manila and Bangkok have a small metro system, but it’s not nearly developed enough to get you everywhere you want to go.
Kuala Lumpur has the best metro system in all of Southeast Asia. Yes it’s even better than the one in Singapore!
You’re able to get everywhere you need to go easily, quickly, and cheaply.
I was blown away by the metro system in Kuala Lumpur. I honestly didn’t expect it to be as good as it was. Without looking into the metro system and how robust it was, I took a Grab from the airport because I thought taking the metro would be a long, tedious process.
It wouldn’t have been, and I spent a lot of money on a Grab that I didn’t need to spend. There is a fast train that goes from the airport directly to KL Sentral and the main bus terminal.
It’s quick, affordable, and truly the best way to get from the airport to wherever you’re staying in Kuala Lumpur.
I didn’t need to take a Grab anywhere during my week in Kuala Lumpur. I got everywhere I needed to go using the metro. That doesn’t sound like a huge accomplishment, but it is in Southeast Asia where metros aren’t a common thing. You normally have to walk, take a Grab, or a public bus.
I loved being able to jump on the metro whenever I wanted and go wherever I needed to go. It was so convenient. I’m a sucker for a good metro ride.
I swear by esims. I use an esim everywhere I travel and can’t imagine travelling without one. They’re so convenient and easy to use. Plus it saves you time picking up a physical sim card at the airport.
I used an esim when in Malaysia, and it made my trip so much easier. I was able to Google the best restaurants in the area when I was hungry, use GoogleMaps, and keep in touch with my friends and family back home.
Plus it made finding my way out of the metro station to wherever I wanted to go easier. Many metro stations in Kuala Lumpur open up into a mall, and it can be tricky to figure out exactly where you want to go.
What I didn’t know at the time of my trip to Malaysia is that you can install an esim on your phone before you arrive in that country.
Installing Your Esim Before Entering Malaysia
I was pretty new to using esims at the time, so I’d find wifi at the airport and install an esim in the airport. It was quite the process, and there were times (like in Bangkok) where I couldn’t connect to wifi in the airport and wasn’t able to install an esim to call a Grab from the airport to my hotel.
If you’re using an esim for your solo trip to Malaysia (which I highly recommend you do), be sure to install it on your phone before you arrive in Malaysia.
I normally install my esim when I’m in the airport lounge before I board my flight to the new country I’m visiting. That way I’m able to use the esim for the country I’m already in for as long as possible.
Once you have the esim installed, it will automatically connect when you arrive in Malaysia and turn on your data. You’ll be able to use it while you’re in line at immigration waiting to get into the country. That’s always nice since the immigration lines can be long, and you have nobody to talk to and pass the time with when visiting Malaysia solo.
So, to recap:
An esim is the best way to get data when travelling abroad
Kuala Lumpur is the most famous city in Malaysia because of the PETRONAS Towers. They’re Malaysia’s most recognizable landmark and one of the big draws for people visiting Malaysia.
The PETRONAS Towers are absolutely breathtaking and blew me away. Same with everything else in Kuala Lumpur, but there is more to see in Malaysia than just the PETRONAS Towers and Kuala Lumpur.
What I liked most about Malaysia is that every city I visited was so different from the rest. They all had their own unique personality and offered something a bit different.
I visited four cities on my first solo trip to Malaysia, and they were all super unique.
Kuala Lumpur is a modern, bustling city that never seems to sleep
Malacca was one of the most important port cities in the region for many years and is loaded with history and charm
Ipoh is home to Malaysia’s famous cave temples. It’s a quiet city, but it packs a punch when it comes to natural attractions
Georgetown is in Northern Malaysia. It still feels highly British and same of the most interesting historical, colonial sites in Malaysia. It’s also home to some of the best street art in the world
Oftentimes when you visit multiple cities in the same country, they start to feel similar. That isn’t the case in Malaysia.
Each city feels like a completely new adventure. I only went to four cities on my first time travelling Malaysia alone, but I was able to get a taste of different sides and personalities of the country.
If you’re planning a trip to Malaysia, promise me you will get outside Kuala Lumpur and explore different parts of Malaysia. Even if it’s just a day trip to Malacca.
top tip
Get the best view of the PETRONAS Towers by taking the KL Night Bus Tour.
Consider Visiting Borneo
My biggest regret when travelling Malaysia solo the first time was not visiting Borneo. I felt like it was too complicated to get to and that it wasn’t worth the effort.
I think since I was travelling overland everywhere else in Malaysia, I felt like flying to Borneo was too out of the way and inconvenient.
In Ipoh, a met a couple at one of the cave temples, and they started telling me about their time in Borneo and how amazing it was.
I really regretted not visiting Borneo and knew that next time I was in Malaysia that I had to visit the island.
The main draw of Borneo is being able to see the orangutans. There is a reserve on Borneo that takes care of the primates, and you’re able to view the animals during their feeding times. The orangutans live freely, and it isn’t a zoo. It’s their natural habitat that has been preserved, and the feeding helps them get enough food and helps with rehabilitating injured animals.
If you’re visiting Malaysia, don’t be intimidated by having to fly to Borneo. If seeing primates in the wild is a dream of yours, it’s worth the effort. That’s the biggest thing I wish I knew before visiting Malaysia solo and my only regret from my trip to Malaysia.
Malaysia is Safe
The most common question I got when telling friends and family that I was travelling to Malaysia alone was is Malaysia safe.
Everybody seemed worried that Malaysia wasn’t a safe country. I’m not sure if it’s because they didn’t know anybody else who had visited Malaysia or because of preconceived ideas about what travelling in a Muslim-majority country as a solo female traveller is like.
I’m very happy to report that Malaysia is an incredibly safe country.
There was not a single moment I felt unsafe during my time in Malaysia. I felt completely comfortable walking alone at night and taking public transportation.
That being said, I have heard many black women say that they experienced racism while travelling in Malaysia. If you’re a person of colour, my experience as a white woman of always feeling safe may not be the same for you.
Here is a list of the most prominent and respected black travel bloggers. Hopefully you’ll find better information about whether travelling Malaysia as a black solo traveller is a safe and positive experience.
Malaysia is one of the richest and highly developed countries in Southeast Asia. I thought this would mean that Malaysia was significantly more expensive than other countries in the region.
That wasn’t the case in my experience. Malaysia was extremely affordable. Especially when you get outside Kuala Lumpur.
Food, transportation, and tourist attractions were all very affordable. I honestly found that Malaysia was way more affordable than Cambodia, which really surprised me.
If you’re thinking of maybe not visiting Malaysia solo because you’re worried about the expense, you don’t have to be. It’s very easy to travel Malaysia on a budget. I found it to be similar prices to Thailand.
The tourist attractions are what surprised me. I thought they would be super expensive, but they weren’t.
Major tourist attractions like KL Tower and the PETRONAS Towers were surprisingly affordable. Way more affordable than similar activities anywhere else in the world.
Many tourist attractions outside of Kuala Lumpur were actually free. I was shocked that there wasn’t an entry fee to visit the cave temples in Ipoh. It was one of the best experiences of my life and was completely free!
Malaysia Doesn’t Feel like a Muslim-Majority Country
Malaysia is predominately a Muslim country. I highly recommend you visit the National Museum of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur if you want to learn how Malaysia became a Muslim country. It’s a very interesting story.
Even though Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country, it doesn’t feel like one. Sometimes when you travel to a Muslim-majority country as a solo female traveller, you feel a little out of place.
That isn’t the case in Malaysia. Everybody is just going about your business, and you don’t feel like you’re intruding in any spaces you shouldn’t be.
In fact, if I didn’t know that Malaysia was a Muslim-majority country before I visited Malaysia solo, I wouldn’t have been able to guess.
If you’re worried about visiting Malaysia as a solo female traveller because you’re not Muslim and don’t know if you’ll be welcome, don’t be. There aren’t any strict unwritten cultural rules you need to be aware of.
Just be kind, respectful, and go about your normal business. Travelling Malaysia alone is like travelling anywhere else in the world alone.
Internet Safety is Important
You rely on public wifi networks when you travel. Even if you use an esim or get a physical sim, you still use public wifi at your hotel or in the airport. This puts you at high risk of having your private online data stolen.
Even if the wifi network has a password, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Anybody with access to that password can access your public information if they want to. Including your banking information.
Trust me when I tell you that you don’t want to go through the hassle of cancelling banking cards while abroad because you didn’t use a public wifi network safely.
The only way to stay safe while using public wifi networks is by installing a VPN on your devices.
A VPN essentially puts an invisible forcefield around your devices that makes using public wifi networks as safe as using your home wifi where you’re the only person who knows the password.
It is one of the easiest ways you can stay safe while travelling. I always say that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect your personal online information with a VPN.
My Favourite VPN
I’ve used a lot of different VPNs over my many years of travel. Most of them are awful to be honest.
VPNs are notorious for slowing down your internet speed, and you can really feel it with most VPNs. I used to turn off my VPN and put my online information at risk of being stolen just because the VPN was slowing down my internet speed so much.
NordVPN is the fastest VPN on the market, and you can really feel the difference between it and other VPN providers.
I’ve been using NordVPN since 2018 and have never once felt a slowdown in my internet speed. It’s been so nice to know that I can rely on NordVPN to keep my online information safe while not slowing me down when I’m trying to write blogs or edit videos.
The best part about NordVPN is how affordable it is. A two-year subscription costs less per month than a single Starbuck’s latte.
It’s a super small price to pay of piece of mind you get knowing your personal and private online information is safe and secure from prying eyes.
Malaysia is home to three ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese, and Indian. The three ethnic groups have a long history of working together.
This not only means you can find delicious authentic food from each of the three ethnic groups but also that there is amazing fusion food.
Make sure to try Malaysian food (like their national dish nasi lemak) even if you have no idea what it is and have never heard of it before. You won’t regret it!
If you want to experience Malaysian food that you know will be good, consider taking a food tour in Kuala Lumpur. They take you to all the best spots and give you a sample of the best Malaysian food.
Also, even if you don’t love Indian food, make sure to try it in Malaysia. Especially when you get outside Kuala Lumpur. It’s amazing and some of the best Indian food I’ve ever had in my life.
Conclusion
Travelling Malaysia solo was one of the best travel experiences of my life. I absolutely adore Malaysia and hope it will become a more popular tourist destination in the future.
Malaysia is one of the easiest countries to travel in. It has an amazing public transportation system, English is widely spoken, there are unique tourist attractions, and it’s affordable.
There is no reason not to travel to Malaysia alone. It’s an unforgettable experience you won’t forget.
If you were looking for a sign to pull the trigger and book your solo trip to Malaysia, this is it!
Solo travel in Thailand is one of the best experiences many solo travellers have.
Thailand is one of the best countries for new solo travellers and one of the best countries to start your trip around Southeast Asia. It’s super easy to travel through Thailand, the tourist attractions are unique, and the food is incredible.
Plus there isn’t a language barrier in major cities, so you won’t have communication issues if you only speak English and don’t speak Thai.
The only other country in Southeast Asia that I think is as easy to travel through and has the same charm is Malaysia, but it’s more expensive.
Thailand is a super popular tourist destination and has amazing tourism infrastructure. It makes solo travel in Thailand super easy.
Even though it’s easy to travel through Thailand and the country has amazing sites, there are some things I need you to know about solo travel in Thailand before you arrive in Thailand.
Some of these are mistakes I made on my first solo trip to Thailand. Some of them are things I’m so glad I did, and I want to make sure they’re on your radar too.
I don’t know anybody who has visited Thailand who regrets going there.
I never really had the urge to visit Thailand, but after I went, I started to understand why it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Falling in love with Thailand isn’t something I planned to do, but I did, and I’m already planning my next trip.
1. Install an Esim Before Arriving in Thailand
This may seem like a weird tip to start with, but it’s one of the biggest tips I can people who plan to travel solo in Thailand.
It’s so convenient and saves you a lot of time. Two things that are so important when you’re travelling alone.
A lot of people who want access to phone data while in Thailand get a physical sim at the airport. I’m here to tell you that’s not what you should do.
I highly recommend you install an esim on your phone before you arrive in Thailand.
It’s the easiest and most convenient way you can get phone data in Thailand. This is especially important for people travelling alone in Thailand.
You install the esim on your phone before you leave for Thailand then turn it off as soon as you land. This is so convenient when standing in the long immigration line. You can scroll on your phone and let your loved ones at home know you land safely.
With your esim already installed on your phone, you also don’t have to worry about finding wifi in the airport to purchase and install an esim when you land in Thailand.
I used an esim while in Thailand. It was one of my first times using an esim, and I didn’t realize I was able to install it on my phone in advance. I wasn’t able to get my computer or phone to connect to wifi in the airport for some reason, so I wasn’t able to install an esim on my phone at the airport.
This meant I couldn’t request a Grab and had to argue with a taxi driving who was trying to scam me. That could have been avoided if I had installed my esim ahead of time. I also would have saved money by using Grab instead of a taxi.
Live and learn. Now I always install my esims before I arrive in a new country.
Esims are a newer technology and not everybody knows about them just yet. I have no doubt they’ll become more and more popular as more people learn about them.
An esim is an electronic sim that you can install on your phone. It gives you access to the local network’s data without having to take out your home country’s sim card and install a sim card for the country you’re travelling in.
You get to keep your home phone number. You still receive texts, iMessages, and WhatApp messages that are sent to your home country’s phone number.
They make getting data in foreign countries so convenient. I don’t think I’ll ever travel without an esim again.
If you want to get a physical sim in Thailand, most people get their sim when you land in Bangkok.
That’s the most convenient place to get it, but it is often very busy. Everybody is trying to get their sim at the airport.
To avoid waiting in long lines, pre-order your Thailand sim card online. You’ll pre-pay for your sim card, so all you have to do is pick it up at the airport.
Plus you save a bit of money when you purchase your sim online in advance versus buying it directly at the airport.
Who doesn’t love more convenience and saving money?
Grab is the Uber of Southeast Asia. It’s a ride hailing service, and I recommend everybody who visits Thailand use Grab. This is even more true for people who are travelling alone in Thailand.
There are two great things about Grab:
1. It saves you money. Grab is more affordable than taxis. We love to save some money!
2. It’s safer. Especially for solo female travellers. You pay a set price, so you don’t have to worry about being scammed by taxi drivers. It also have in-app tracking. The driver knows they can’t go off course or abduct you because of the in-app tracking. You can even share you location with a third-party (like a family member back home) if you want to. If you have an esim or physical sim, and you’re not feeling safe, you can also chat with someone at Grab or report the driver in real time.
Grab also has food delivery through the app. That may not sound like something you need, but it’s nice to have in case you get in late one night or don’t have the energy to go out for dinner after resting in the hotel after an early morning.
Travelling in Southeast Asia is so much easier when you have Grab. You don’t want to travel without it.
Why You Need to Install Grab Before You Leave
Now that I’ve convinced you that you need Grab in order to solo travel in Thailand effectively, you’re probably wonder why you need to install it in advance.
And trust me when I say you need to install it in advance.
You need to be in your home country when you install Grab. If you try to install Grab when you land in Southeast Asia, you won’t be able to.
The app doesn’t accept a foreign credit card while you’re located in Southeast Asia. And changing your VPN to your home country won’t help you either.
I have no idea why the app will accept your credit card while you’re in your home country then won’t accept the exact same credit card if you’re already in Southeast Asia. But it won’t.
If you find yourself in Thailand without Grab installed on your account, you may be able to have someone at home create an account for you and add your credit card to your account. Then you just have to download the app and log into your account on your phone.
I’ve heard quite a few people have success with that, but I’ve also heard of the odd person where that didn’t work for them. Plus you have to deal with time zones and time changes and arranging a convenient time for the person back home to help you.
Now that you know about Grab, stop reading this article, install it on your phone, and then start reading the article again.
This isn’t something you want to accidentally forget about!
3. Get Outside Bangkok
Bangkok is the most popular tourist destination in the world. Over 22 million tourists visit the city every year.
Too many people go to Thailand, visit Bangkok, and then go back home. They don’t take the time to see any other part of the country.
When you take a solo trip to Thailand, you have the flexibility to plan the trip exactly as you want it. You don’t have to worry about what anybody else wants to do and see. You have complete control of what your Thailand trip looks like.
This means you have no excuse to just visit Bangkok and then leave.
Honestly, Bangkok was my least favourite part of my solo trip to Thailand.
Please don’t cancel me for saying that!
Thailand has so much more to offer than just Bangkok. There is beautiful nature, hiking, beaches, laid-back small towns, rich historical centres, and the best temples are outside Bangkok.
I know it’s tempting to spend all your time in Bangkok. Especially if you don’t have much time to solo travel in Thailand.
But trust me when I tell you it’s 100% worth it to get outside Bangkok and experience another part of Thailand.
4. Have the Right Travel Insurance
You need travel insurance. More importantly, you need the right travel insurance.
I spent far too many years travelling with the wrong travel insurance, and I want you to do better than I did.
If you’re going on a short trip to Thailand and have a job, you probably don’t have to worry about travel insurance. Most companies include short-term travel insurance in their medical benefits package.
If you fall into one of those categories, you need to think about what travel insurance to get. It’s not always an easy choice.
There are lots of things to consider including price, coverage, and reliability of the insurance you’re getting.
It’s not always best to go with the cheapest option. It’s cheap for a reason, and lots of times there are tons of exclusions or it’s nearly impossible to make a claim.
My dad got injured sand boarding in Dubai and had to go to a clinic. He tried to make a claim, was told he was able to make a claim, and then had to submit his entire medical history and fill out dozens of pages of paperwork to get reimbursed for the treatment. He ended up not completing the claims process because it was too much work and too invasive.
You’ve probably seen at least one video or picture of the streets in Thailand when planning your solo trip to Thailand.
They’re chaotic and busy. There are scooters everywhere, and they don’t always stop even when pedestrians have the right of way.
I just want to remind you to be extra safe when crossing the streets in Thailand.
A lot of streets don’t have pedestrian crossing areas, so you just walk across when you can. You need to walk quickly and keep your eyes on a swivel. In every direction.
Cars and scooters won’t run you over when you’re walking across the street. But they will honk and drive closer to you than you may feel comfortable with.
Of course, if there is a dedicated area for pedestrians to cross, use it. But even then, be aware. Keep your head on a swivel and be aware of your surroundings. Scooters have the right of way, and you need to be aware as a pedestrian.
I’m not trying to scare you. You get used to crossing the street very quickly, but it can be intimidating the first few times you try it.
You’ll have to cross the street at some point while you solo travel in Thailand. Just be careful and alert when doing it!
6. Pack Appropriate Clothing
Thailand is hot, and you’ll be tempted to pack shorts, tank tops, and dresses. Those aren’t the right clothing options when travelling to Thailand.
Thailand is a fairly conservative country, and they dress modestly. It would be very rare to see a Thai woman wearing an outfit that showed off her shoulders.
Even though you’re a tourist, it’s important to respect local customs as much as possible. I like to wear skirts that fall past my knees and t-shirts that cover my shoulders when travelling through Southeast Asia.
You’ll see a lot of tourists that aren’t dressed as modestly as that, so it’s completely your choice what you wear.
Just know that there will be places you’re not allowed to visit if you’re not dressed appropriately.
This is mainly temples but also includes other tourist attractions like the Grand Palace.
There are signs outside temples and sites that warn you that you won’t be allowed to enter if you’re not dressed appropriately.
There will also be lots of street vendors yelling at you that you’re not dressed properly and then try to sell you proper clothing.
To enter temples, you need to have your knees and shoulders covered. The rules apply to everybody no matter your gender.
Sometimes they are more lenient with men and allow them in if their shorts aren’t completely covering their knees, but they’re not lenient with women.
So, if you’re planning on doing some solo travel in Thailand, make sure you pack appropriately.
Have at least a few outfit options that follow the modesty guidelines for temples. Something that will cover your knees and shoulders. You can put a shawl around your shoulders to cover them, but it makes walking around the temple and taking photos a little more difficult.
Also be aware that you have to take you shoes off to go inside the temples. If you’re like me and hate the feeling of having your feet touch the ground, make sure you always carry around an extra pair of socks if you wear sandals.
It’s also probably better for hygiene purposes to always have socks and not walk barefoot through the temples.
7. Don’t Underestimate Northern Thailand
Northern Thailand is my favourite part of Thailand.
Chiang Mai is the most popular city to visit in Northern Thailand, but there are so many other places to see. My favourite is Chiang Rai.
I know a lot of people who visit Northern Thailand only visit Chiang Mai, but it’s worth it to visit some of the smaller towns.
There is a lot of nature in Northern Thailand. Not so much beaches like you see in Central and Southern Thailand, but lots of mountains and green nature.
It’s a nice contrast to other parts of Thailand and gives you a different taste of what the country has to offer.
Even if you just visit Chiang Mai and do a day trip to Chiang Rai or Pai, you’ll get to experience a different part of Thailand you wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.
8. Flying is Just Easier
Thailand is a huge country. It takes a lot longer to travel from one region to another than you might think.
For example, it takes almost 11 hours by train to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. That’s a long journey.
That’s a long time to sit on a train and stay entertained, but it’s even worse when you solo travel in Thailand because you don’t have anybody to talk to and pass the time.
I like to take public transportation and overland when I travel as much as possible, but I have my limits. There is never any guarantee that public transportation will run on time, and I’ve been in far too many scenarios where a bus or train ride said it would be 6 hours and ended up being 10.
I have a basic rule of thumb that if overlanding with public transportation is scheduled to take more than 6 or 7 hours, I’ll fly.
It’s so much more convenient and easier.
Flights within Thailand are very affordable and fly multiple times a day. It’s worth it in a lot of instances to fly to a different part of the country and then overland to other cities that are within a reasonable distance.
9. Be Aware of Local Scams
Just like anywhere else in the world, you need to be aware of local scams in Thailand. You’re at a higher risk of being scammed when you solo travel in Thailand.
You’re an easier target, and you’re more likely to be approached by scammers. You need to be aware of what scams to watch out for and try not to fall for any of them.
Easier said than done sometimes.
Below is a short (but not exhaustive) list of the most common scams in Thailand.
Taxi Scam
It seems like everywhere in the world some taxi drivers give the rest of taxi drivers a bad reputation because they try to scam people. Thailand is no different. Especially at the airport.
You have to take a number to get into a taxi at the airport in Bangkok, but that doesn’t mean the taxi driver won’t try to scam you. I don’t really know why they make people take a number, but they do.
The best way to avoid being scammed by taxi drivers is by taking Grab. You know the price before you get into the car, and it doesn’t change unless you go through a toll booth.
If you do take taxis, be sure that the driver turns on the meter. Most taxi drivers don’t and try to get you to pay a flat fee of their choosing.
They always charge you more with their flat fee than it would cost to use the meter. They won’t want to turn on the meter, but if you keep insisting, they will eventually turn it on.
Grande Palace Scam
There is an increasingly popular scam in Bangkok that happens around the Grande Palace.
You’ll be walking towards the palace, and someone will come up to you and tell you that the palace is closed. It’s either closed for lunch or for a local Thai prayer ceremony.
They say you won’t be able to enter the palace and that instead you should take their tour of other temples in Thailand.
Don’t listen to them. Go to the palace. If it is closed, there will be signs and officials will tell you. Most of the time it isn’t closed.
If you get in their Tuk Tuk and go on their temple tour, you’ll be driven around the city, likely never see anything, and then be told that the tour is actually three or four times more expensive than the personally originally told you it would be.
It’s a very profitable scam, and lots and lots and lots of tourists fall for it every day.
Fake Officer Scam
Sadly, there is a fairly common scam in Thailand where someone will dress up like a government official, stop tourists, ask to see their passport or ID, and then tell them they’re in the country illegally.
Not surprisingly, the charges against the tourist are dropped when the tourist gives the “officer” some cash.
It’s a scary scam for tourists. They think they’ve done something wrong and get nervous about being put into Thai jail.
You’re especially at risk for this scam when you solo travel in Thailand. You basically have a giant arrow pointing at you that you’re an easy target.
You don’t have a travel companion who can step in and suggest that something doesn’t seem right. And you’re more vulnerable as a solo traveller. Especially if you’re a solo female traveller.
If you’re stopped by someone dressed as an official, always ask to see their ID before you get too far in your engagement with them. If they refuse to show you their ID, there is a strong chance that they’re scamming you.
You also want to be cautious on who you give your ID or passport to. You don’t want to give it to just anybody. It’s important to make sure that if you give your ID or passport to someone, it’s someone who has a right to ask to see them.
If you are stopped by a legitimate police officer or government official and have to show them your ID or passport, be sure you don’t let them walk away with your ID or passport. That’s never a good idea. Your passport is one of the most important things you have, and you don’t want to let it out of your sight.
The Gemstone Scam
This is one of the most common scams in Thailand. A lot of tourists want to bring gemstones home as a souvenir from Thailand, and 99% of the time, they’re bringing home fake gemstones.
Sellers will swear that the gemstones you’re buying are authentic and real, but they likely aren’t. They’re worthless fakes the majority of the time. Especially if you purchase them in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
If you want to purchase gemstones in Thailand, make sure you do your research first. Google who sells authentic gemstones in Thailand and look at reviews. You want to make sure you’re buying an authentic gemstone, and it’s worth taking the time to research where to buy them ahead of time rather than making a purchase in the spur of the moment.
10. Pack Cash
There is a misconception that you have to use cash in Thailand. That isn’t true. A lot of places accept foreign cards, but it’s important to have cash on hand as well.
Especially if you’re travelling Thailand alone. You won’t have a friend to bum money off of if you don’t have cash and need to buy something.
You need cash to buy street food, small trinkets at markets, and entrance fees for tourist attractions.
If you eat at small, local restaurants (I highly recommend you do), you’ll also likely need cash there as well. Some of the more popular restaurants with tourists accept credit cards but lots don’t.
You also need cash to pay for public transportation or Tuk Tuk drivers if you don’t use Grab.
There are ATMs you can take cash out of, but it’s best to have some cash on hand before you arrive in Thailand. If you use an ATM, be sure it’s attached to a reputable bank and that nobody is hovering too closely to you when you make your withdrawal.
That’ll give you the best chance of not being scammed, getting a fair exchange rate, and being given legitimate cash and not counterfeit money.
Never, ever exchange your money with someone on the street. I know that sounds pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised by the number of people who do that.
11. Be Weary of Strangers who Approach You
Thai people are very friendly. When you travel solo in Thailand, it’s likely that at least a few locals will approach you and start a conversation.
Most of the time the people who approach you are kind and genuine people who just want to get to know a little bit about you.
Sometimes there is a more sinister reason they’re approaching you. Solo travel in Thailand is generally safe, but talking to strangers who randomly approach you is one way to make it less safe.
I’m not saying not to chat with people who approach you. I’m just telling you to be cautious.
Never give out personal information. Never tell them where you’re staying. And never tell them any detailed plans for the rest of your day or trip.
That’s all information that they can use to target you in the future.
You should also be weary about telling them that you’re travelling alone. This is something you can feel out during the conversation.
It’s often easy to determine who is being genuine in their conversation with you and who is just prying for infomation.
Use your gut instinct to figure out whether it’s safe to be honest and tell them you’re travelling alone or if you should lie and tell them your friend is waiting for you at a nearby cafe.
12. The Food is Better than You Think It’ll be
I love Thai food and was so excited to try it. In fact, it’s what I was most looking forward to on my solo trip to Thailand.
Let me tell you that the food did not disappoint. It blew my mind.
Every single thing I ate in Thailand was amazing. If there is something you want to try, get it. You won’t be disappointed.
And don’t skip out on street food or food at the night markets. The food at the night markets is the best street food. You know it’s made fresh because so many people are buying it, and it doesn’t have time to sit out and get a little questionable.
And please promise me you’ll try mango sticky rice.
I waited until a few days before I left Thailand to try it. I don’t really like mango, so it wasn’t a top priority for me to try. That was a mistake. I wish I ate it every day I was in Thailand.
Bring your appetite and don’t be afraid to try something you’ve never heard of before. All my favourite dishes were dishes I hadn’t heard of or tried at my local Thai restaurant before.
13. You Don’t Have to Stay in Hostels
A lot of the information and videos you see about Thailand highlight how affordable it is and how you can get a hostel for just a few dollars a night.
That’s very true, but it also paints a picture that hostels are the best places to stay in Thailand.
As someone who has stayed in one too many hostels as a solo female traveller, I can assure you that they aren’t as glamorous and enticing as people on the internet make them seem.
I’m happy to tell you that if you’re planning to solo travel in Thailand, its completely valid to stay in a hotel if you want to.
The best part is that hotels are very affordable as well, which is great for people on a tight budget. I stayed in pretty decent (and clean) hotels all throughout Thailand. The most expensive hotel was about $45/night in Bangkok. Most of them were about $25-$30/night in the rest of Thailand.
So it’s completely possible to stay in a nice, private, hotel in Thailand without breaking the bank.
You have the flexibility to stay where you want and where you feel safest as a solo traveller because the prices are so affordable. Not every region in the world is a s affordable as Southeast Asia so take advantage of it while you can!
14. Party within Reason
Thailand is known as a party country. Especially Bangkok.
I think this is due to a combination of the younger tourists who tend to visit Thailand, how affordable it is to drink, and the amazing rooftop bars and clubs Thailand has.
I’m not telling you not to drink when you solo travel in Thailand. I’m just telling you to be responsible about it.
You’re alone in a foreign country. Alcohol never makes anybody make better decisions than when they’re sober. Being drunk and alone in a foreign country can be extremely dangerous.
You need to be able to get yourself home safe and sound at the end of your night out. I never have more than one or two drinks when I travel alone.
If I want to drink more, I buy a couple beers from a store and drink in my hotel room or on the hotel rooftop if there is one. It may not be as fun, but it is safer.
The Safe Way to Party in Bangkok
The best way to enjoy Bangkok’s famous nightlife safely as a solo traveller is by joining a bar hopping tour.
The tour takes you to three or four different bars in Bangkok including one of Asia’s most famous bars. It includes transportation and a guide. This means you can drink a little more than you normally would but still be in a safe environment.
You also get to skip any lines there are to get into the bar, which is a huge plus.
Taking a nightclub tour is also a great way to meet other people travelling through Thailand. You can make friends, get travel tips, and potentially find someone to go to a few tourist attractions with the next day.
I highly recommend a nightclub tour for anybody travelling alone in Thailand who wants to get a taste for the nightlife but also be in a very safe situation and environment.
It’s truly the best of both worlds. Being able to drink and have a good time without putting yourself at risk.
You rely on public wifi networks when you travel. Even if you have an esim or physical sim, you’ll be using the hotel wifi at a minimum.
Using public wifi puts you at higher risk of having your personal wifi information stolen. Even if the wifi network has a password, it isn’t safe. Anybody with that password can access and steal your private online information (like your banking information) if they want to,
Trust me when I tell you it’s no fun having to deal with cancelling bank cards while abroad because someone stole your credit card.
The only way to stay safe online when using public wifi networks is by installing a VPN on your devices.
A VPN essentially puts an invisible forcefield around your devices that makes it impossible for prying eyes to access your online information. It makes using public wifi networks just as safe as using your home wifi network where you’re the only person who knows the password.
I always safe that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect your online information with a VPN.
My Favourite VPN
I’ve used a lot of different VPNs over my many years of travel. Most of them are awful to be honest. VPNs are notorious for slowing down your internet speed, and you can really feel the slow down with most VPNs.
I used to get so frustrated with how slow my internet was that I’d turn off my VPN and put my private online information at risk of being stolen.
NordVPN is the fastest VPN on the market, and you can really feel the difference compared to other VPN providers.
I’ve been using NordVPN since 2018 and have never once noticed a slow down of my internet speed.
I’m able to keep my online information secure without compromising my internet needs. I put my VPN and internet through a lot of tests with blogging and video editing. It’s nice to be able to rely on NordVPN to keep me safe without sacrificing internet speed.
The best part is that NordVPN is super affordable. A two-year subscription costs less per month than a Starbuck’s latte.
It’s a super small price to pay for the peace of mind you get knowing your personal online information is safe from prying eyes, and you don’t need to worry about your personal information being stolen while you enjoy your time in Thailand.
I’m not the biggest fan of joining tours when I travel alone. I normally find them a bit awkward and oftentimes overpriced. That isn’t the case when you solo travel in Thailand.
Thailand is one of the best places to join a group tour. They’re affordable, and they take you places that are often more difficult to travel to alone.
They’re a great way to learn more about Thailand and Thai culture, see something that would be difficult to experience on your own, and learn insider secrets about the best food to try and things to buy.
Tours are also a great way to meet people and make new friends. The people who travel in Thailand tend to be laidback, younger, and eager for new experiences.
I know it can be scary to join a tour as a solo traveller, but there is really no downside to joining on in Thailand. If you don’t enjoy it, you didn’t spend too much money, and now you know for the future.
Bangkok is the most popular tourist destination in the world. I was surprised when I heard that. I always assumed it would be Paris or Italy, but it’s Bangkok.
Bangkok is a huge city, but it doesn’t have a ton of tourist attractions. Especially compared to other capital cities like London or Seoul.
This means there are a lot of tourists trying to see the same attractions every day. There aren’t enough attractions in Bangkok that people are going to different places and no single place is overly busy.
Every tourist attraction is busy in Bangkok (and Chiang Mai).
That doesn’t mean that the tourist attractions aren’t worth visiting. There is a reason Thailand is so popular.
It just means that you have to be patient and expect to deal with crowds.
If you know there will be crowds before you arrive somewhere, you can mentally prepare for it. You won’t be caught off guard.
I get anxious is crowds, so it always helps me better prepare for crowds if I know I’ll encounter them. The crowds is something I wish I was more prepared for on my first solo trip to Thailand.
Hopefully you’ll be better prepared for them than I was now that you know to expect them!
18. Enjoy the Freedom
One of the best things about solo travel in Thailand is the freedom you get. You’re alone, so you get to make every choice on what you see, do, and eat.
It can lead to some decision fatigue, but if you’re tired of making decisions, you can just go back to the hotel and rest for a few hours. Easy as that.
The reason I love travelling alone so much is the freedom you get. It’s one of the few times in life where you get to do whatever you want without considering anybody else’s preferences or needs.
It’s one of the most freeing things you can do in your life. It also helps you grow a lot as a person.
I know that travelling alone can be scary at first, but it’s so worth it.
Thailand is one of the best countries in Asia to travel alone for the first time. It’s very easy to travel in Thailand, and there are tons of other tourists around if you want to be social and meet new people.
So, enjoy the experience. Take full advantage of the freedom you get when travelling alone in Thailand.
It’ll be an experience you’ll never forget.
Conclusion
I had no idea I had so much to say about solo travel in Thailand until I started writing this article. I hope I didn’t overwhelm you too much!
Thailand is a beautiful country. It’s diverse in natural beauty, tourist attractions, and food. No two cities are too similar, and you get a new experience everywhere you go.
That’s one of the things I love about solo travel in Thailand. It’s almost like you get multiple different types of vacations and experiences by just going to one country. It has a little bit of something for everybody no matter what your interests are.
I know this article was long, but I hope it helped you plan your solo trip to Thailand and helped you understand what to expect when on your trip to Thailand.
You now know everything I wish I knew before taking a solo trip to Thailand. You’re better prepared than I was, and that’ll help you have an amazing solo travel experience in Thailand.
Be sure to eat some mango stick rice for me while you’re there!
Every single person I told my plans to visit the Philippines asked whether it was safe, so I want to answer the question is Manila safe for solo female travellers as a woman who visited Manila alone.
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It doesn’t have the beaches or waterfalls that the Philippines is known for, and a lot of people skip it. Or just use it as a jumping off point to visit the rest of the country.
I think that’s a mistake. Manila is my favourite city in the Philippines, and I wish it was more popular with travellers.
That being said, when you tell people you’re visiting Manila, they often ask is Manila safe? Especially when you’re travelling there alone as a woman.
It’s a common question because not as many people visit Manila as they do other capital cities in Southeast Asia like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
People (especially from Canada and the United States) tend to have an idea in their head that the Philippines and Manila are dangerous.
Just like anywhere in the world, there can be dangers associated with a city. There are always less safe neighbourhoods and things you shouldn’t do when you visit a city.
Manila is no exception; however, in general, Manila is safe for solo female travellers. Especially if you’re staying firmly on the tourist trail.
A lot of the time safety when travelling boils down to being aware of your surroundings, knowing local scams to watch out for, and being able to read a situation or location and assess whether it’s somewhere you should be or not.
I can honestly say that I never once felt unsafe while in Manila. Everybody I met was super kind, and I never had that gut feeling that you sometimes get when something just isn’t right.
There are definitely some Manila safety tips you should know about before arriving in Manila, and we’ll talk about those in this post.
But if you’ve always dreamt of visiting the Philippines and Manila but the one thing holding you back was the fear of it being unsafe, I’m happy to say you can book that trip and not be any more worried about your safety than you are anywhere else in the region or around the world.
I’m a bit biased because I love the city so much, but it always makes me sad when people tell me they visited Southeast Asia or the Philippines and skip Manila.
Is Manila Safe?
Just in case you skimmed the first part of this post (I don’t blame you), I want to reiterate that the answer to the question is Manila safe for solo female travellers is yes.
Manila is a safe city for tourists to visit.
There are safety things you should be aware of before visiting Manila that will make it easier to be safe in Manila, and we’ll talk about those. But as a general rule of thumb, Manila is safe.
You don’t have to worry about visiting Manila as a solo female traveller. You’ll be just as safe in the Philippines as you are in other countries in the region like Thailand and Singapore.
Is Manila Safe for Members of the LBGTQIA+ Community?
The Philippines is a very religious country. 92.5% of people in the Philippines identify as religious, which is a huge percentage.
Currently there aren’t a ton of legal protections for gay people in the Philippines. There is discrimination against gay people in some places, but there is a large movement and push towards giving members of the LBGTQIA+ community more legal rights.
Manila is the capital city and largest city in the Philippines. It’s also quite a diverse city. There are gay pride events, support from many political officials, and the Philippines is often considered one of the most LBGTQIA+ friendly countries in Southeast Asia.
There are tons of gay clubs and gay communities in Manila.
Overwhelmingly, people in Manila are accepting of the LBGTQIA+ community even if their governmental policies are lagging behind the social acceptance.
While it’s more or less socially acceptable to be gay in Manila, it’s still probably best if you refrain from any PDA if you happen to meet someone while on your solo trip to Manila.
You probably won’t face any backlash if you’re holding your partner’s hand in public, but it may not be worth the risk. Plus it’s so hot that you may not want to being holding their sweaty hand in any event.
So, I guess what I’m trying to say is that even though the laws in Manila aren’t on the side of the LBGTQIA+ community, the community overwhelmingly is, and you shouldn’t face any outward discrimination if you visit Manila as a member of the community.
Manila Safety Tips
Manila is a safe city for solo female travellers, but there are a few safety tips you should keep in mind.
None of these safety tips are too serious. As in they won’t make you not want to visit Manila. Or scare you away from visiting Manila.
They will, however, ensure that you’re safe while you’re in Manila.
Taxis are very affordable in the Philippines. They’re one of the best ways to get around. Public transportation isn’t always the most reliable or convenient. And walking can get very hot very quickly.
I used taxis all the time throughout my trips to the Philippines, but I didn’t use them in Manila.
I was planning on using them in Manila, but I changed my mind when I got there. I walked to the taxi stand at the airport in Manila, and there was a huge sign saying that I was assuming the risk of taking a taxi and that the police wouldn’t help if something happened.
That scared me off a little bit. Especially as a solo female traveller.
I hadn’t seen a sign like that anywhere else in the Philippines, and I took it seriously.
I walked back to the airport and ordered a Grab. Grab is a bit more expensive than taxis in the Philippines, but I felt like it was the best choice for me at the time.
I asked the woman who checked me in at my hotel whether it was safe for me to use taxis in Manila, and she said that she didn’t recommend it. I stayed at a hotel near the airport on my last night in Manila, and the woman who checked me in there said it was safe to use taxis.
So, the jury is still out on whether or not taxis are safe for solo female travellers in Manila, but I like to be extra cautious and use Grab instead of taxis.
That way you know you’re not going to be scammed and that you’ll get to your destination as planned without any detours or stops along the way.
An Alternative Way to Get from the Airport to Metro Manila
I know not everybody has the financial means to take a Grab or taxi from the airport. There is an alternative I wanted to share with you.
The bus is super affordable. You pre-book your ticket online in advance. You actually save a little bit of money when you buy in advance, so that’s a big plus!
You select what part of Manila you want to be dropped off at when booking your ticket. Then when you arrive in Manila, you go to the bus stop number listed on the confirmation email and get on the bus.
It’s very reliable and very safe. You know exactly where you’re going to be dropped off, and there is no way you can get on the wrong bus.
Unfortunately, at the time of writing, the metro doesn’t go all the way out to the airport. There are plans to bring to the train to the airport, but it isn’t available yet. I’m not sure when it will be available.
Once it is available, the metro is probably the best way to travel from the airport to metro Manila safely and affordably. As long as you’re staying at a hotel near the metro line. If you’re not staying near a metro station, the NAIA Premium Bus will still be your most convenient affordable way to travel to metro Manila.
Be careful when taking taxis. Be careful when walking. I bet you’re wondering how exactly you’re supposed to get around Manila.
I love walking and think Manila is a very walkable city. Excluding how hot it is.
But you do need to be careful when walking. Especially when you’re crossing the road. Scooters don’t always stop at red lights so make sure to look both ways before crossing the street even if you have a walk light.
Sometimes you’ll need to walk on the street to get where you want to go. Most of the time these are less busy side streets, but they’re still pretty busy. Have your head on a swivel. Make sure you know what’s coming up behind you and walk as close to the side of the street as possible. Don’t be that person who is walking in the middle of the street!
Finally, you’ll be walking on the sidewalks. Lots of the sidewalks are very busy. Watch out for people and carts selling food. Also be aware of what’s going on under your feet.
The sidewalks aren’t always level, and you don’t want to step on an uneven part of the sidewalk and twist an ankle.
My last day in Manila, I was walking down a busy street. People carry umbrellas everywhere in Manila to keep the sun off their skin. One of the umbrellas got caught in my hair and pulled out a chunk of it.
So, be aware of your surroundings when walking. You never know what safety concerns will pop up.
I know this may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how often people knowingly partake in illegal activities.
Like taking drugs. Don’t do that.
If you’re caught taking illegal substances, you’re most likely going to jail. And jails in the Philippines are not somewhere you want to be.
Use common sense and don’t do anything you think may be illegal. If you’re not sure whether or not it’s illegal, either don’t do it or Google whether it is legal before doing it.
Again, I know this seems obvious, but for a lot of people it isn’t.
Carry Your Passport or a Copy of It
The police in Manila have the right to stop tourists and ask to see their passport. They don’t have to have a reason to ask. They can just ask you.
You’ll get in trouble if you don’t have your passport to show them.
You can either show them your original passport or a copy of your passport. It doesn’t really matter.
The important thing is that you have some version of your passport on you at all times when you’re travelling in Manila.
It’s unlikely that the police will stop you and ask for your passport, but it isn’t unheard of. There are police officers stationed basically everywhere in Manila, and you’ll pass them multiple times every day.
Any one of them can ask to see your passport for any reason.
I personally like to carry my passport on my person instead of leaving it in the hotel, but you may prefer to carry a copy of it. Whatever works best for you.
Ignore Tuk Tuk Drivers if You Don’t Want a Ride
Just like anywhere else in the world where there are Tuk Tuk drivers, they’ll likely call out to you constantly to get you into their Tuk Tuk.
They’ll often follow you around for a block or two asking you to get in. I had one driver follow me all the way from the Old Town to the Museum of Contemporary Art. It was quite a way for him to follow me and a waste of his time.
Just keep saying no thank you or ignoring a Tuk Tuk driver if you don’t want a ride.
If you do want a ride, be sure to agree on the price before you get in. Otherwise you’ll likely be scammed at the end of the ride. The driver will demand a very high price, and you can’t really say no since you already completed your ride.
All Things Money, Money, Money
Okay. There are a few things you need to know about money in Manila. I’m going to cover them all in this section so be ready for a lot of information.
One of the ways the answer to the question is Manila safe can go from a yes to a no is how safe you are with money.
If you go on a shopping spree at one of Manila’s many markets and run out of cash, the shop owner will probably suggest you go to a money changer. This happens a lot if you’re shopping in Green Hills.
Most shops at markets don’t accept cards and only accept cash. If you run out of cash and still want to shop, you need to find a way to get more cash.
Don’t go to one of the independent money changers that are around the shopping centre.
One of three things will happen (or maybe all three if you’re unlucky):
You’ll get a terrible rate
You won’t be given the proper amount of cash you were promised
You’ll be given counterfeit money
None of those things are good.
If you need extra cash while you’re out and about, either go to an ATM or to a legitimate bank to exchange your money.
Don’t trust the independent money changers. It isn’t worth the risk.
Be Careful When Using the ATM
I think ATMs are the best way to take cash out in Manila. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some risks associated with them.
Sometimes people will hang out near ATMs and linger a bit too close. They’re either trying to get your PIN or steal your money when it comes out of the machine.
The best way to stay safe when taking money out of the ATM is by using an ATM inside a bank.
I like to take my money out at HSBC if there is one nearby. They don’t charge any fee to take money out of their ATM even if you’re not using an HSBC card.
But any bank with an inside ATM will work.
Every bank I’ve been to in the Philippines has at least one guard near the ATM, so they’re very safe to use.
Cards are Safe to Use
A lot of people tell you not to use credit cards in Southeast Asia because of credit card skimmers.
I’ve spent a lot of time in Southeast Asia and have never had a problem with skimmers. That doesn’t mean there aren’t skimmers out there, but they’re not as common as they used to be.
Most of the time you just tap to pay for your purchases, and you can even pay with Apple Pay in a lot of instances to make it even more safe.
I think I’ve only had one scenario where I had to put my card inside a machine to pay for something in Southeast Asia. The rest of the time I just tapped it.
One thing that surprised me (and a lot of other tourists) is the need to show my passport when I used my credit card in the Philippines.
Anytime I used my credit card in the Philippines, I had to show my passport. No matter how big or small the purchase was.
A lot of tourists who used their credit card in front of me weren’t aware of this and didn’t have their passport on them.
Sometimes the cashier would let them off with a warning and other times the person wasn’t allowed to pay for their items and was told to come back later with their passport.
I’ve never seen this anywhere else in the world, and I was just lucky that I always carry my passport with me and never leave it in the hotel.
If there is any chance that you’ll be using your credit card to purchase something, be sure to have your passport with you. You’ll be asked to show it. I’m not sure if a copy of your passport will be sufficient, but I’m guessing it would be since it is sufficient if the police stop and ask you for your passport.
Be Wary of Friendly Strangers
It’s very common for people to approach you in the Philippines and start chatting with you. Especially if you’re a solo female traveller.
It’s always best to be wary of these people. Most of them have good intentions, but some of them don’t.
Always be polite to the people who approach you but never give them any personal details or information.
It’s also best not to tell them you’re travelling alone. That immediately puts you at high risk if you are talking to someone with bad intentions.
Keep the conversation light and fluffy. If (when) they ask if you’re alone, tell them your friend is waiting for you at a nearby cafe or taking a nap in the hotel and meeting with your shortly.
Again, most of the time, it’s just locals being friendly. They love chatting with tourists and seeing whether or not you’re enjoying your time in Manila. It’s a great way to get some local insight into what’s good to see in the area, but don’t give out any personal information during your conversation.
Don’t feel bad about ending the conversation if you start to get a bad vibe. And don’t go anywhere with them if they invite you somewhere. That’s a red flag for them having bad intentions.
Be Careful at Night
I know I’ve said multiple times in this article that Manila is safe for solo female travellers. I stand by that, but the one time of day when things start to get a bit less safe is at night.
I’m not telling you not to go out at night. I’m just telling you to be extra cautious and have a solid plan on how you’re getting back to your hotel in the evening.
And that plan should either be walking if it’s only a few blocks away or taking a Grab. Those are your safest options for being out and about at night and needing to get from place A to place B.
You should also never get too drunk. Especially as a solo female traveller.
You need to have your wits about you and still be able to make quick, smart decisions during the evening. If you do want to get drunk, either drink at the rooftop bar at your hotel if it has one or go on a guided pub crawl.
Also please, please, please always keep an eye on your drink. There is an issue in Manila where women are having their drinks spiked at a higher rate than most other parts of the world. As a solo female traveller, you’re at an even higher risk of having your drink spiked.
There is a popular scam in the Philippines where someone will plant a bullet in your luggage and then demand a super high fee to make the charges associated with having illegal bullets dropped.
Luckily, it’s easy to avoid this scam.
Make sure you have a secure and reliable lock on your luggage that only you know the combination to. The other important thing is to make sure you don’t let strangers handle your luggage.
The only people who should be handling your luggage are you, the person helping you lift your luggage in and out of the taxi or Grab, and the person helping you check in your luggage at the airport.
Some hotels have porters who bring your luggage up to your room. If you can, insist that you take your luggage yourself. Some higher end hotels won’t let you take your own luggage, but you should at least try to insist you take your own luggage to your room.
Be Internet Safe
One of the most overlooked travel safety tips is being internet safe. You rely on public wifi when you travel. Even if you have an esim on your phone, you’ll still use public wifi at the hotel at night.
This puts you at high risk of having your online personal information stolen. Even if the public wifi has a password associated with it, you’re still at risk. Anybody who knows that password (e.g. everybody in the hotel), can access the network. All it takes is one bad person, and your personal information is stolen. This could include your banking information.
And trust me when I tell you that you don’t want to go through the hassle of dealing with canceling bank cards while you’re on holiday. It’s not a fun time.
The only way you can be internet safe when you travel is by installing a VPN on your devices.
A VPN essentially puts an invisible forcefield around your devices that makes it impossible for prying eyes to see your personal online information and data. It makes using public wifi just as safe as using your home wifi where you’re the only person who knows the password.
I know it isn’t the most obvious travel safety tip, but it’s one you want to take seriously.
I always say that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect yourself with a VPN.
My Favourite VPN
I’ve used a lot of different VPNs during my years of travel and hated most of them. VPNs are notorious for slowing down your internet speed, and you can really feel the slow down with most VPNs on the market.
I used to get so frustrated with how slow my internet was with my VPN that I’d turn off my VPN and put my information at risk of being stolen.
All that changed when I started using NordVPN. NordVPN is the fastest VPN on the market, and you can really feel the difference compared to other VPNs.
I’ve been using NordPVN since 2018 and have never once felt a lag in my internet speed. I love how fast it is and have no plans of ever switching to another VPN provider.
You can protect up to six devices with a single NordVPN subscription, so you can keep all your devices safe with one account and for one low price.
A two-year NordVPN subscription costs less per month than a single Starbuck’s latte. So you have no excuse not to protect your online information.
It’s a super small price to pay for the peace of mind you get knowing your personal online information and data is safe from prying eyes.
Conclusion
Whew. This article is way longer than I thought it would be. I was planning on answering the question is Manila safe for solo female travellers then got a little carried away sharing all the Manila safety tips I think you need to know before your trip.
Manila is a special city. I absolutely love it and can’t wait to go back.
If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines, you can’t skip Manila. It’s so different from the rest of the Philippines and well worth taking the time to explore.
There are so many good (and free) museums, historical sites, and places to shop and eat. I truly believe that no trip to the Philippines is complete without exploring Manila.
And now that you know that Manila is safe, you have no excuse not to go!
Antalya is one of the most popular cities in Turkey for tourists to visit, but is Antalya worth visiting or is your time best spent somewhere else?
Most people who visit Turkey visit Istanbul and Cappadocia and don’t explore the rest of the country. That’s a shame because Turkey has so much to offer.
If you only have a short time in Turkey and want to add a third city to your itinerary, I think Antalya is the perfect choice.
It’s very different from Istanbul and Cappadocia and gives you a taste of the beaches and water Turkey is famous for. Antalya also has a rich archeological and history you can learn about.
I also think Antalya is a great place to start if you’re doing a trip up the west coast of Turkey like I did in 2022.
So, no whether you’re only in Turkey for a short period of time or a month or two, the answer to the question is Antalya worth visiting is yes.
Okay. I’ve told you the answer to the question is Antalya worth visiting is yes, but now I should defend that answer.
Antalya is the biggest and most popular destination on the west coast of Turkey. This means you not only have access to some of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey, but it is also very friendly to tourists.
There is excellent tourist infrastructure, great public transportation, museums, and a major airport. Many tourist cities near the beaches don’t have airport access, and you need to land in Antalya and take a bus to them.
Antalya is Beautiful
Antalya is also just one of the most stunningly beautiful cities in Turkey. The old town is breathtaking, and the cities has multiple levels to it, which means the photography is unbeatable.
The main road outside the old city (near the tram station) is elevated from the old city. You walk along it for a few minutes and then get the famous view of the beach and ocean from above.
You know. The famous photos that make people add Antalya to their bucket list.
There is a Variety of Things to Do
One of my favourite things about Antalya is that there is something for everybody. There is the water and beaches, archeology sites, waterfalls, shopping, one of the most beautiful old towns in Turkey, nightlife, and a modern city to explore.
No matter what your interests are, there is something for you.
I’m not a beach girly. In fact, I hate the water and the beach, and I spent four days in Antalya exploring everything else it had to offer and wasn’t bored for a second.
I’m a museum girly and loved the Antalya Archeology Museum. It was one of the best museums I went to in Turkey. I highly recommend you take a half day and visit it!
Another of my favourite things to do in Antalya is visiting Duden Falls. I visited in October, and there wasn’t a ton of water flowing through the falls. They were still fantastic, and I can only imagine how much better they are when there is more water running through them.
top tip
Install an esim on your phone to easily access the internet while exploring Antalya.
One of the best parts of Antalya is that it is super easy to navigate. Not only is there a major airport in the city, but there is also a comprehensive tram network. Plus it’s a very walkable city.
The only time I used public transportation was from the airport, to the bus station, and to Duden Falls. The rest of the time I was easily able to walk wherever I wanted to go.
I didn’t go to the cable car. You’d have to either go on a tour or take public transportation if you wanted to experience it. It isn’t walkable from the Old Town.
Why You May Not Want to Visit Antalya
I’ve argued so far that the answer to the question is Antalya worth visiting is yes, but Antalya may not be the right fit for everybody.
There’s a lot to love about Antalya. It’s one of the best cities in Turkey for tourists for a reason.
That being said, Antalya wasn’t my favourite city in Turkey. It was about middle of the road for me. Granted, I visited some of the best places in Turkey like Ephesus, so it’s pretty much impossible to be at the top of my list.
The only downfall to Antalya in my eyes is just how touristy it is. Especially in the Old Town. Old Town are always super touristy, but the Old Town in Antalya is next level.
Don’t get my wrong. The Old Town in Antalya is stunning. It’s absolutely gorgeous, but it just loses a little bit of it’s charm when you’re walking around and seeing burger joints and pubs rather than Turkish restaurants that you’d typically see in other Old Towns in Turkey.
It definitely felt more like it was curated for the foreign tourist rather than other Old Towns that felt like they were made for Turkish tourists and foreign tourists.
I hope that makes sense.
Now, just because it’s a little more focused on foreign tourists doesn’t mean Antalya isn’t worth visiting.
I think the pros of Antalya widely outweigh the cons of Antalya.
I really recommend you spend some time outside the Old Town wandering through the modern city to get a better idea of what Antalya is really like.
You should also take the time to find a good place to eat that has good reviews and no mention of being scammed in the reviews.
Read my full article on safety in Antalya to learn about food scams in the city
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Days Should I Spend in Antalya?
I recommend 3-4 days in Antalya. That gives you enough time to see all the major tourist attractions without being rushed.
Where Should I Stay?
I recommend staying in the Old Town. You’ll pay a little bit more than staying in the modern part of the city, but it’s more convenient and walkable to stay in the Old Town.
Is Antalya Expensive?
It’s hard to say whether or not Antalya is expensive because what expensive means to me may be affordable to you and vice versa.
That being said, Antalya is the most affordable city when comparing Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Antalya. It isn’t the cheapest city I visited during my month in Turkey.
I paid about $35USD/night for a hotel right in the heart of the Old City. You can find cheaper hotels and more expensive hotels, but, overall, I would say compared to a lot of places in the world, Antalya is very affordable.
In fact, I found Turkey to be more affordable than Southeast Asia.
The thing that is going to be more expensive in Antalya is the food. I found Antalya had some of the highest prices for food in Turkey. Antalya and Bodrum. Probably because they’re tourist resort towns right on the water.
How to Get from the Airport to the Old Town
Luckily, Antalya has a tram line directly at the airport. You have to leave the airport building and walk a little bit to the left past a parking lot, but it’s super easy to find.
You’ll take the Antray Tram line all the way to the Old Town. The tram doesn’t go into the Old Town, but it gets you very close. Within walking distance of the Old Town.
If you don’t want to bother with the tram, you can pre-book an airport shuttle to drop you off at your hotel. It’s super affordable and convenient.
The airport shuttle is honestly what I’d recommend to my friends and family who were visiting Turkey for the first time and/or weren’t confident navigating from the tram station to their hotel.
The convenience of being dropped off right at your hotel door is hard to beat. Plus you know exactly what you’re going to pay and don’t have to worry about being scammed by a taxi driver.
Plus the shuttle is super affordable and won’t break the bank.
The Importance of Internet Safety
One of the most overlooked travel safety tips is the need to be internet safe. You rely on public wifi as a traveller, and that puts you at a high risk of having your personal online information stolen.
Even if you have an esim on your phone, you still rely on public wifi at your hotel (you’d burn through your data otherwise).
Trust me when I tell you that you don’t want to have your online information stolen. Especially your banking information. You don’t want to deal with the headache of calling your bank and having your card cancelled while you’re abroad trying to enjoy a holiday.
The only way you can be internet safe when you travel is by installing a VPN on your devices.
A VPN essentially puts an invisible forcefield around your devices that makes it impossible for prying eyes to access your online information. It makes using public wifi just as safe as using your home wifi where you’re the only person who knows the password.
It’s the simplest safety measure you can take in preparation for your trip to Antalya.
My Favourite VPN
I’ve used a lot of different VPNs over my many years of travel. I hated most of them. VPNs are notorious for slowing down your internet speed, and with most VPNs you really feel a difference in speed.
I used to turn off my VPN and put my online information at risk just because the VPN I was using was so slow I couldn’t handle it.
That all changed when I discovered NordVPN. I’ve been using it since 2018 have no thoughts of ever changing.
It consistently ranks as the fastest VPN on the market, and you really feel a difference in speed compared to other VPNs. I’ve honestly never noticed a slow down in my internet with NordVPN, and my internet is just as fast as if I were using it unprotected.
You’re able to protect up to six devices with a single NordVPN account, so you don’t have to worry about having different accounts to protect your phone versus your laptop versus a tablet.
A two-year NordVPN subscription costs less per month than a single Starbuck’s latte, so you don’t have to break the bank to stay internet safe.
I always say that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect yourself with a VPN and stay safe when travelling.
I hope this article has helped answer the question is Antalya worth visiting. In my opinion, it is 100% worth visiting Antalya.
It’s the gateway to the stunning west coast beaches Turkey is famous for. Even if you only have a short time in Turkey, it’s worth adding Antalya to your itinerary.
Chances are it’ll be much different from the cities you’re already planning on visiting. It’ll gives you a different taste of Turkey and a different experience from the other most popular tourist cities.
Even though Antalya is very much a tourist city, it’s still worth visiting. Plus the tourist infrastructure makes it the perfect city for new travellers or solo travellers.
I don’t know anybody who has visited Antalya and didn’t have a good time. I hope you enjoy it if you choose to add it to your Turkey itinerary!
Lisbon is Portugal’s capital city and is quickly becoming a hot tourist destination in Europe. With it’s rising popularity, and lot of people wonder is Lisbon safe? And is Lisbon safe for solo female travellers?
I’ve been to Lisbon as a solo female traveller and have first-hand experience on what it’s like to travel Lisbon alone.
I’m very happy to report that Lisbon is a very safe city. All of Portugal is very safe.
Even though Lisbon is the capital city, it doesn’t have the same feeling as other capital cities. It feels a bit like a cozy town where you know your neighbours and go about your daily life without any worries.
That being said, there are a few safety things you should know before visiting Lisbon. We’ll get to those later on in the article.
For now, all you need to know is that the answer to the question is Lisbon safe is 100% yes. It’s a great city for new solo travellers to feel comfortable and gain confidence.
Is Lisbon Safe?
Just in case you skimmed the first part of this article (I don’t blame you), I want to reiterate that Lisbon is safe. Lisbon is safe for solo travellers, female travellers, and for members of the LBTQIA+ community.
So, if Lisbon is on your bucket list, you can book a trip there without worrying about your safety!
top tip
Install an esim on your phone for easy and affordable data when abroad!
Lisbon Safety Tips
Lisbon is safe, but there are a few minor safety tips you should know before visiting Lisbon. Most of these are generic things you should know about before you travel anywhere in the world.
There are some places where you need to be aware of certain scams before going (like Istanbul for example), but that isn’t the case with Lisbon. There isn’t any location-specific safety tips you need.
Just common sense and being aware of your surroundings.
Pick Pockets are Your Biggest Worry
Just like every other major city in the world, you have to be aware of pick pockets in Lisbon. Be careful when in the popular tourist areas and even more careful if you decide to ride Tram 28. It’s crowded and easy pickings for pick pockets.
Luckily, it’s pretty easy to discourage pick pockets from targeting you.
The best thing you can do is not store anything in your pockets. Keep your belongs in your bag if you’re carrying one. Then keep your bag on your side angled forward or in front of your body.
This makes it extremely difficult for pick pockets to get inside your bag and most won’t even try to.
You also need to be aware of your surroundings and look confident. Pick pockets want to target people who are distracted and not paying attention. If you have your head on a swivel and are visibly paying attention to where you are, pick pockets should leave you alone.
There are Lots of Hills and Steps
This may sound like a weird thing to include in an article answering the question is Lisbon safe, but hear me out.
I think most people who are thinking of going to Lisbon know that it’s hilly and there are lots of stairs. Almost every TikTok you watch about Lisbon includes this information.
But, even the internet doesn’t prepare you for just how many hills and stairs there are. This is a major problem for people with mobility issues.
It can also be dangerous for people without mobility issues. It’s so easy to accidentally twist an ankle when walking around Lisbon, and you’ll be walking a lot.
Wear supportive footwear like runners rather than flats or wedges. I know it’s not as stylish, but you don’t want to twist an ankle on the first day and not be able to walk the rest of your trip just because you were wearing the wrong shoes.
There is also lots of cobblestone streets in Lisbon. They’re absolutely beautiful, but they can also be a bit dangerous. They’re not even, so you have to watch where you step. One wrong step could end with a twisted ankle.
Just be sure to watch where you’re walking when you’re out and about in Lisbon. If you have mobility issues, you may want to rely more on public transportation than you might otherwise.
I took my older parents to Lisbon, and we used the Yellow Bus hop on hop off bus tour. It took us everywhere we need to go, was affordable, and cut down on most of the walking required. It’s a great option to look into when in Lisbon.
If you want a more unique way to see Lisbon, consider taking a tuk tuk tour!
top tip
The Hop On Hop Off bus in Lisbon is well worth the money. The Yellow Bus company has the best routes in my opinion.
Internet Safety is Key
One of the most overlooked travel safety concerns is not taking internet safety seriously. You rely on public wifi when you travel. Even if you have an esim on your phone, which I highly recommend, you still rely on public wifi at your hotel at a minimum.
Using public wifi puts you at high risk. There is a higher chance of someone stealing your personal online information because tons of people are using the same public wifi as you. Even if there is a password on the public wifi, you’re still at risk. Anyone with that password can steal your online information if they want to.
Trust me when I tell you that you don’t want to be dealing with cancelling bank cards while abroad because someone stole your banking information because you weren’t being internet safe. It’s a headache at the best of times and a nightmare when travelling abroad.
The only way you can keep your online data safe while using public wifi is by installing a VPN on your devices.
It essentially puts a virtual forcefield around your devices that prevent prying eyes from being able to access your personal information.
A VPN makes using public wifi as safe as using your home wifi where you’re the only person who knows the password.
Installing a VPN on your devices is one of the easiest safety precautions you can take. It takes five minutes to install, and you can sleep soundly knowing that your personal information is safe.
I personally use NordVPN and love it. It’s the fastest VPN on the market, and you don’t feel like your internet is slower when your VPN is turned on. That’s not the case with most VPNs. Most VPNs slow down your internet speed significantly and are frustrating to use.
A two-year NordVPN subscription costs less per month than a single Starbuck’s latte. It’s a small price to pay for all the peace of mind and security that comes with it.
I always say that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect yourself with a VPN.
Most cities in the world have scams that target tourists, and Lisbon is no exception. But does that change the answer to the question is Lisbon safe?
No really.
Just because there are a few scams in Lisbon that target tourists, that doesn’t mean that Lisbon isn’t safe.
In fact, when you compare it to a lot of other popular tourist destinations in Europe (like Italy or France), there aren’t really that many scams tourists need to be aware of.
You can read a complete article about the top tourist scams in Lisbon here, but below is a quick rundown of the most common scams you need to be aware of.
Appetizers being brought to your table automatically without telling you there is a charge for them. If something you didn’t ask for is brought to your table, be sure to ask if it is free or not.
Someone coming up and asking if you want to sign a petition. There are a couple different ways this scam operates, but all you need to know is that you politely say no thank you and walk away.
The picture scam. Someone will offer to take your picture for a couple of Euro, take a bunch of pictures, and then charge you per picture taken. It ends up costing you a lot of money.
A basic rule of thumb is what if someone comes up to you and offers to do you a favour or help you in exchange for a small amount of money, it’s likely a scam. You’ll end up paying far more than you originally thought, and once the scam has started, it’s hard to get out of it.
Just be aware of your surroundings and trust your gut. If something seems a little bit off, trust your instinct and walk away.
We already had a brief discussion on how the answer to the question is Lisbon safe can be no if you’re walking around carelessly, but we need to talk about the importance of having travel health insurance when travelling to Lisbon.
Lisbon has a great medical system, but they don’t offer free medical treatment to travellers. You’re required to pay for all your medical treatment if you end up getting hurt. Whether it’s to get an x-ray on a sprained ankle, hospital treatment, or anywhere in between, it’s your responsibility to pay for this.
That’s pretty standard in most places in the world. Even if a country has free healthcare for citizens and residents, tourists are on their own.
You may have travel medical insurance through your health insurance at work. Most work policies (at least in Canada and the United States) provide travel coverage for up to 30 days.
If you don’t have travel insurance through your work, you’ll have to purchase it on your own. I purchase my travel insurance through Safety Wing. It’s a company that specializes in travel insurance and has the best long-term travel coverage on the market.
You also look at purchasing your travel insurance through your bank, car insurance company, or company like AAA, AMA, CAA. They all offer affordable travel insurance but often make it difficult and time consuming to make a claim.
So there is definitely trade of between a dedicated travel insurance company and getting your travel insurance through a large company that doesn’t specialize in travel insurance.
I don’t really care where you get your travel insurance as long as you get travel insurance and protect yourself!
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped answer the question is Lisbon safe. More importantly, I hope it helped you better understand that Lisbon is a very safe city. There isn’t really any danger or risk in going to Lisbon.
You just need to use some common sense, and you’ll be alright.
Lisbon is a pretty laid back and relaxed city. Most people are just going about their everyday business and don’t bother tourists.
Lisbon is a beautiful city, and Portugal as a country is quickly becoming a more popular tourist destination. Be sure to get there quickly before it really blows up into a hugely popular tourist spot.
I spent a month backpacking Turkey in 2022 and LOVED it. Turkey quickly became one of my favourite countries, and I already started planning my next trip there before I even left.
Even though my solo trip to Turkey was amazing, there are still a few things I wish I knew before backpacking Turkey. Things that would have made my trip go a little bit smoother or save me time or money.
So if you’re planning a trip to Turkey (which I’m assuming you are since you’re reading this article), I hope the information in this post helps you avoid making the same mistakes I made on my first trip to Turkey.
Just because there are things I wish I knew before backpacking Turkey doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go to Turkey!
It’s hard to describe just how beautiful and friendly Turkey is. It’s the type of the place you have to see to believe. Especially places like Ephesus and Antalya.
Turkey truly is one of the most underrated countries in the world and doesn’t get as much love as it deserves.
Anyways, you’re not here to listen to me gush about Turkey. You’re here to learn how to prepare better for your trip to Turkey!
So, here are all the things I wish I knew before backpacking Turkey. Hopefully they’re of some help to you!
I relied on intercity buses to get between cities while backpacking Turkey. I quickly learned that even though they normally leave on time, they don’t seem to get to their destination on time.
I never had an intercity bus arrive at the destination anywhere near the time it was supposed to.
The most on time bus I was on was an hour late. The latest was 5 hours. It was painful. What was supposed to be a 5 hour bus ride turned into a 10 hour bus ride. People were not pleased at all.
I’m not entirely sure why the intercity buses would arrive at their destination later than scheduled. There didn’t seem to be any unscheduled stops or super long stops at bus stations along the way.
It’s not really a big deal that the buses run late as long as you’re aware of it an plan for it. Here are a few tips:
Take the first bus of the day if you’re on a long bus ride. This will ensure you have a better chance of arriving in your next city while it’s still daylight.
Don’t plan anything for right when you’re scheduled to arrive in your next city. Allow at least two to three hours of leeway before you have any plans.
Make sure you bring water, snacks, and entertainment for the bus. I have Libby and rent audiobooks from my library!
Most buses has a two by one seating arrangement. If you can get a single seat, your bus journey will be so much more comfortable.
I found the buses in Turkey to be quite comfortable. They have big, cozy seats, and you don’t feel squished.
They’re also extremely affordable and in my opinion the best way to travel around Turkey. That is, of course, you’re only in Turkey for a few days and travelling long distances. Then flying is probably the way to go.
top tip
Install an esim on your phone, so you can scroll the internet or watch YouTube during your bus rides.
Turkish People are Super Friendly, but it Could Also be a Scam
Turkish people are super friendly. Hotel workers, shop owners, restaurant servers. Everybody I met in Turkey was just the nicest.
However, there is a bit of a downside to that as well.
With the Turkish people being so nice, it may lure you into a false sense of confidence that everybody is super nice and friendly and just wants to say hi.
That’s true for most people, but there are a few people who have decided to use how friendly Turkish people are and turn it into a scam.
Luckily, it’s super easy to figure out who is likely scamming you and who is just being friendly and helpful.
If someone offers to tour you around their favourite parts of the city, that’s likely a scam. They’ll end up taking you to a carpet shop and try to pressure you into purchasing an expensive carpet.
The people who do this (in my experience) are often older men who seem very friendly and helpful. When someone tried doing this to me in Selçuk, he saw me walking from the bus stop to my hotel. He asked where I was staying (I didn’t tell him) and tried to continue making conversation.
Later that day, I walked by him again on my way to dinner, and he once again tried to strike up a conversation with me. Giving me tips and information on the city and Ephesus. Then he invited me in to learn about how he makes carpets in a traditional way.
So, if a random person comes up to you on the street and starts making small talk, just assume they’re trying to sell you something.
The people you’d meet in normal circumstances like people at cafes or shops who are being friendly are just nice people!
It’s pretty easy to figure out who may be trying to scam you and who is just nice.
Almost every blog post I read before backpacking Turkey told me that I’d have to barter for any souvenirs I wanted.
I don’t like to barter. I avoid it at all costs and do everything in my power to avoid it. I thought based on what I was reading that I’d have to barter in Turkey.
That definitely wasn’t the case.
I had no trouble finding souvenirs that didn’t require any bartering. If you enjoy bartering, there are lots of places you can do that, but if you’re like me and hate it, there are also lots of places that you can just pay the sticker price.
Here are some of my best tips for finding places you don’t have to barter:
Purchase souvenirs at museum gift shops or at tourist attractions. This may sound weird because those places are normally very overpriced, but that wasn’t the case in Turkey. I found more unique souvenirs at museum gift shops than in most places in Turkey, and they didn’t break the bank.
Avoid souks and markets. You’re pretty much guaranteed to have to barter there.
Take a peak in the shop windows. If you see prices, then you likely don’t have to barter.
If you walk into a store or stall where you realize you have to barter and you don’t want to, just walk out. The store owner may call at you trying to get you to stay, but you’re under no obligation to stay.
Don’t purchase souvenirs at the airport. You won’t have to barter, but they’re significantly more expensive than outside the airport. Probably the highest markup I’ve ever seen at an airport.
The Cities are Very Walkable
Every single city I visited in Turkey was extremely walkable. This includes Istanbul. I only took public transportation twice in Istanbul. Once to get from the bus station to my hotel and to get to the Asian side of Istanbul and back to the European side.
You can get most places in Turkey with your own two feet and not have to rely on public transportation. I even walked from my hotel to Ephesus in about 30 minutes!
The only outlier to the walkability of Turkey is the bus stations. They tend to be way out of the main part of town, and you can’t walk to wherever you’re staying. I typically took a taxi rather than the bus because it was faster, more convenient, and still very affordable.
So, make sure you have your walking shoes packed when backpacking Turkey because you’ll be using them a lot.
I’m by no means complaining. I love walking and try to avoid public transit as much as possible when I travel. Turkey was a dream. It was so dreaming walking around the old streets and see all the architecture.
You always see way more by walking than when taking public transportation.
I took out enough cash for my entire trip backpacking Turkey before I left Canada, so the love of cash over cards in Turkey wasn’t an issue for me.
I did, however, see lots of tourists scrambling to find an ATM machine or bank because the merchant they were purchasing from didn’t accept credit cards.
Many stores and restaurants in major cities like Istanbul and Antalya accept credit cards. It is less common in smaller cities and in souks or markets.
I highly recommend you always have cash on you when travelling in Turkey. You don’t want to be in a situation where you can’t pay for your food or entrance ticket just because you don’t have cash.
I had about 14,000 Lira (approximately $525 USD) with me for my month backpacking Turkey in 2023. It was more than enough for restaurants, entry fees, grocery store snack runs, transportation, and taxis. I even ended up spending a lot of money on Turkish towels the day before I left because I had a lot of cash left over.
Note: This is just what I spent in 2023. Please don’t use it to base your information off of. Inflation is high in Turkey right now, and you may travel and spend differently than I do.
Moral of the story is bring some cash to Turkey. You’ll need it.
Turkish Delight is the Most Addicting Thing Ever
I never had Turkish delight before visiting Turkey. The two things I knew about it was the little boy in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was willing to betray his family for them and that Lorelei and Rory in Gilmore Girls hated them.
Two very polarizing opinions.
I had no idea what to expect when it came to Turkish delight. I was honestly a bit nervous about trying them because they seem like a love it or hate it item.
Let me be the first one to tell you that Turkish delight is incredible. You’ll become obsessed with it and want it all the time. It is so flavourful and light and just delicious. Leave room in your suitcase to bring some home!
My favourites are from Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir in Istanbul. They’re the oldest Turkish delight makers in the country, and you can’t beat the flavour of them. They’re also very affordable as well.
I would try to stay away from the ones being sold by street vendors that are six packages for a couple of dollars. They tend to be lower quality and won’t give you the best impression of Turkish delight.
But even those are way better than what you’ll likely find in your home country.
Please just promise me you won’t leave Turkey without trying Turkish delight. Unless you have an allergy of course!
You can probably tell that I’m very passionate about Turkish delight and dream about them all the time seeing as I’ve dedicated a whole section to it in this article that’s supposed to be about backpacking Turkey and not how amazing Turkish delight are.
I honestly don’t quite understand the pricing at tourist attractions in Turkey.
Some of them are extremely affordable like Ephesus (they should really be charging more for it). Some entry fees are super expensive like Troy and Dolmabahce Palace are more expensive than they should be.
I suggest you bring a fair amount of cash with you on the days you visit tourist attractions that have an entry fee. You never really know what the entrance fee will be until you get there.
You may be thinking just Google the entrance fee. That seems logical, but from my experience, what is listed online isn’t always correct. The internet said the entrance fee to Troy was one price, and when I got there, it was twice the price listed online.
Gotta love inflation!
So, be prepared to be surprised about how much some tourist attractions cost. Sometimes you’ll feel like you’re getting a good deal. Sometimes you’ll feel like you’re overpaying.
It all balances out in the end, and this is likely your only time backpacking Turkey, so you may as well do what you want and not have regrets when you get home.
I normally think that the museum or city passes are a bit of scam. You rarely get your money’s worth out of them.
That isn’t the case with the Istanbul museum pass. It is 100% worth the money, and I highly recommend everybody consider getting it on their trip to Turkey.
Heck the entrance fee to Topkapi Palace is about half the cost of the museum pass in one single attraction.
You have to be very careful when buying your museum pass though!
There are two different passes you can get in Istanbul. The museum pass that gets you entry to 10 different museums and Topkapi Palace. And the Istanbul pass that gives you access to something like 85 different attractions in Istanbul.
You want to purchase the museum pass not the Istanbul pass.
At the time of writing, the museum pass is 700 Lira (approximately $26 USD).
You used to be able to purchase the museum pass online and have it delivered to your hotel when you arrived in Istanbul, but that stopped during Covid.
Now you have to purchase the museum pass in person when you’re in Istanbul. Luckily, it’s very easy to purchase.
There are museum pass stalls all over Istanbul near the popular tourist attractions. Especially the attractions included in the museum pass.
I purchased mine right near HagiaSophia. The location was surprisingly very quiet compared to the one near Galata Tower. If you’re able to, I’d recommend purchasing your museum pass there.
Your museum pass is valid for 5 days after purchase and allows you entry to the 10 locations once.
My favourite museum included in the museum pass was Great Palace Mosaics Museum. I highly recommend you take half hour out of your day to visit it!
Taxis are Very Affordable
I’m from Canada, and taxis here are very expensive. Since that’s what I’m used to, I kind of think of taxis as a luxury and not something that should be used on a regular basis.
That’s not the case in Turkey.
Taxis are very affordable in Turkey. That’s a good thing since bus stations tend to be located quite a distance out of town, and you might not want to wait an hour or so to catch a bus.
If you need to get somewhere quickly in Turkey or don’t want to wait for a bus, you can take a taxi without breaking the bank. It’s quite nice to know you can rely on taking a taxi without stressing about how much it’s going to cost you. A nice luxury indeed.
I found the taxi drivers to be very helpful and didn’t really have an issue with being scammed, which is always a bit of a concern as a solo female traveller.
The only time I got mildly scammed was my ride to the Istanbul airport, but that was only for a couple of dollars. Not a big deal in the whole big scheme of things.
Just make sure the taxi driver turns on the meter and that the meter actually starts counting upwards.
Turkey is More Affordable than I Thought it Would be
All the blogs I read in preparation for backpacking Turkey told me that Turkey was affordable. I took that with a grain of salt because they were written before Covid, and I knew Turkey was dealing with a major inflation problem.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Turkey was a lot more affordable than I thought it would be. Even when I was in Istanbul and ate in a touristy area where the prices are always way higher, the prices were still very reasonable.
In a lot of cases, I found Turkey more affordable than some Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia and even Cambodia.
It is definitely a country you want to visit if you’re on a budget and love history. Even if you’re not on a budget, it’s always nice to have your money stretch a little more than you thought it would.
I found that if I took information from a 2019 budget guide, I could often expect to pay about 50% more for food. That was in 2022 at least. Prices have probably increased a bit since then as well.
Even though the prices have increased a fair amount in the past couple of years, it’s still very affordable in Turkey compared to other nearby countries and especially Europe.
top tip
Leaving a 10% to 15% tip at restaurants in Turkey is customary.
You Need Your Passport for More than You’d Think
In most countries you need your passport to check into hotels and into flights, and that’s pretty much it. China’s a big exception to this rule, but, in general, you don’t really need your passport all that often when you travel.
Turkey is also an exception to this rule. I found myself pulling out my passport way more than I normally have to when I travel.
You need your passport to book bus and train tickets and sometimes even to purchase entrance tickets to tourist attractions.
The most strange thing is that oftentimes my passport number was the login for the wifi. This meant I had to wait quite a while before I could access the internet in my room (that wasn’t an issue since I had an esim) and that I ended up memorizing my passport number. That is not something I ever thought would happen.
Be sure to carry your passport on you when backpacking Turkey. You never know when you might need it.
The Importance of Internet Safety
One of the most important travel safety tips that most people ignore or don’t know about. You rely on public wifi when you travel. Even if you have an esim (highly recommend!), you’ll still be using public wifi at your hotel at a minimum.
Public wifi puts you at risk of having your personal online information and data stolen. Even if it has a password on it, everybody else who knows the password is able to access the internet. Anybody who wants to and knows how can access your online data.
Trust me when I tell you that you don’t want to deal with cancelling your bank cards while abroad because someone stole your banking information. It’s a headache I don’t wish on anybody.
The only way to keep your online information safe when using public wifi is by installing a VPN on your devices.
It essentially puts a forcefield around your devices that makes it impossible for prying eyes to access your online information.
A VPN makes using public wifi networks just as safe as using your home wifi where you’re the only person who knows the password.
Its’ the easiest and quickest safety precaution you can take when travelling!
My Favourite VPN
I’ve used a lot of different VPNs over my many years of travel. VPNs are notorious for slowing down your devices and making the internet painfully slow. A lot of the time I would turn off my VPN and put my information at risk just because the VPN was slowing down the internet so much.
All that changed when I started using NordVPN. It’s the quickest VPN on the market. I’ve never noticed any internet slowdown and forget I’m using a VPN most of the time. It just feels like I’m scrolling the internet like normal.
Not only is it the fastest and most reliable VPN out there, but it’s also super affordable. You can install NordVPN on up to six devices on a single subscription, so you can protect all your devices for one price.
The price per month of a two-year subscription is less than a single Starbuck’s latte!
I always say that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect your online information with a VPN.
I really hope this article helped you decide whether backpacking Turkey is right for you or not. I love Turkey and really want to encourage more people to visit it.
It’s one of the most beautiful and historically rich countries on the planet!
Turkey is also extremely safe and a great place to start exploring as a solo traveller. It’s easy to get around, affordable, and full of bucket list experiences.
I know a lot of people just visit Istanbul and Cappadocia, but I encourage you to spend more time in Turkey and explore some of the less popular tourist areas. You won’t regret it!
Istanbul is quickly becoming a more and more popular tourist destination. Many people wonder is Istanbul safe? And is Istanbul safe for solo female travellers?
I can honestly say that I never felt unsafe in Istanbul. In fact, I felt more safe in Istanbul that I have in many other cities. And definitely more safe at night than in Paris.
But is Istanbul safe just because I found it safe? I’m an experienced white solo female traveller, so travelling alone is objectively easier and safer for me than for some other groups of people.
I’m going to take your through my experience travelling alone in Istanbul and give you some safety tips, so you can decide if Istanbul is safe for you or not.
Is Istanbul Safe?
Just in case you skimmed the intro to this post (I really can’t blame you), I was to reiterate that Istanbul, in my opinion, is very safe. It’s a huge metropolis and most people are just trying to get on with their day and make a living.
Most of the time when I told people I was going to Turkey alone for an extended period of time, people were horrified. The first question they always asked was related to safety in some way or another.
I think there is some prejudice from people about the part of the world Turkey is in. Most people will never see Turkey or a country with a majority Muslim population. People are scared of what they don’t know, and, let’s be honest, as a Canadian, there is a lot of propaganda being fed to us about Muslim majority countries.
Turkey is a secular country by the way.
In some ways I understand why people ask is Istanbul safe. Especially when you’re travelling there alone.
That’s probably why you’re Googling whether Istanbul is safe or dangerous and reading this article.
You can sleep easy knowing that Istanbul is safe for tourists. It has a great tourism infrastructure, is very walkable, and there are always tons of other tourists around in case you need to blend in and not look alone for a minute or two for any reason.
That doesn’t mean that nothing could go wrong on your solo trip to Istanbul. Of course things could go wrong, but you really only have to worry about the normal tourist traps and scams like everywhere else in the world.
Later on in this article I’m going to give you a few safety tips and tricks to make sure you’re safe while travelling Istanbul solo. First I’m going to answer a few other top safety questions that most people ask me when I talk about travelling alone in Turkey.
Is Istanbul Airport Safe?
I’m always surprised by the number of people who question whether the Istanbul airport is safe. It’s such an odd question to me. It’s a huge hub airport. Of course it’s safe!
In fact, it’s one of my favourite airports in the world.
They did an incredible job designing it and making it feel like a high-end experience rather than a typical airport experience. It’s bright, open, and has tons of shopping.
If you can get into the business class lounge, I highly recommend it. Even if you can only get into the “normal” lounge, it’s still a great experience.
If your credit card doesn’t give you lounge access, consider whether or not getting a Priority Pass is worth it for you based on how often you travel.
If you’re worried about getting from the airport to your accommodation, consider hiring a private transfer. It’s not much more expensive than getting a taxi, but this way you know exactly how much you’re paying and don’t run the risk of being scammed.
The One Odd Thing About Istanbul Airport
There is one really odd thing about Istanbul airport you should be aware of though. At least it’s odd to me and not something I’ve seen anywhere else in the world.
Most international flights (especially going to Canada, the US, or Europe) require you to go through lots of additional security screening in addition to the normal airport screening.
Your passport will be scanned before you check in, but that’s only the start.
Once you get to the gate, you have to have your passport scanned normally two more times, empty your carry on bags and have them searched and tested for bomb residue, and be patted down by a security agent.
It’s definitely overkill, and people tend to get annoyed really quick because it takes a long time to get through the line.
I recommend you go to your gate as soon as it says “go to gate”. That is when the security line will be the shortest.
The downside to being at the gate right when it opens is I’ve never been in a gate area that has a bathroom in it. You can’t leave the secure area either unless you want to go through the entire additional security screening process again.
It’s a hassle and an annoyance for sure. But now that you’re aware of it, you can make sure you get to your gate early, go to the washroom before arriving at the gate, and know what to expect when you get to the gate.
I’m not a fan of the process either, but you have to go through it, so just be nice and patient with the people who are doing the additional screening.
top tip
Install an esim on your phone, so you don’t have expensive roaming charges on your phone while accessing the internet while in Instanbul.
Is it Safe to Walk in Istanbul at Night?
Yes. It is safe to walk around Istanbul at night. Even as a solo traveller.
You just need to take reasonable safety precautions. Don’t go down any dark and mysterious roads, try to stick to a main route you know, and be aware of your surroundings.
For example, if you’re walking home from your Bosphorus Dinner Cruise, know what route you’re going to take in advance and stick to the main streets. Don’t try taking any shortcuts. The good thing is the Google Maps normally takes you on main streets anyways, so it should be a problem.
You should have no problem walking around Istanbul at night and should feel safe the entire time. I never felt the need to watch my back or like I needed to walk quicker to get home.
Is Istanbul Safe from Terrorism?
No city is ever guaranteed to be safe from terrorism. But it isn’t something you need to be actively worried about terrorism, and it shouldn’t be something that stops you from visiting Istanbul.
I’m writing this in mid-2023, and there has only been one terrorism event in the past five years. Statistically, there is more than one mass shooting every day in the USA, so if you’re comfortable and confident being in the US, then Istanbul won’t be an issue for you.
You don’t normally consider terrorism attacks when planning a trip to, say, Italy or the UK, and it doesn’t need to be a consideration when planning a trip to Istanbul either.
Is Istanbul Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Yes. Absolutely. 100%.
Istanbul is a very safe city, and being a woman doesn’t make it any less safe. Everybody in Istanbul is incredibly kind and helpful. It’s an extremely safe city, and a very easy city to travel around.
I actually think it’s a great city to visit if you’re new to travelling alone. Most attractions are within walking distance to one another, the city is super safe, the food is delicious, and it’s a great place to build up your solo travel confidence.
Now that I’ve hopefully answered most of the questions you have about safety in Istanbul for tourists, let’s move on to some of the safety tips you should know when visiting Istanbul.
Since Istanbul is such a safe city, most of these tips are generic safety tips you should use whenever you travel.
Watch Out for Pick Pockets
Pick pockets are probably the biggest thing you need to worry about while in Istanbul.
The city is busy, the streets are crowded, and there are tourists everywhere. This makes for the perfect combination for pick pockets to thrive.
Luckily, it’s super easy to not be a victim of a pick pocket.
Keep an eye on your belongings, wear your bag on the side close to the front of you not so it is slipping backwards, keep items out of your pocket, and don’t carry valuable in your hand unless you have a firm grasp on them.
It’s shocking how many times I see people carelessly whipping out their phone to take a picture or video and don’t have a tight grip on it. Definitely not the best safety practice out there.
The other thing you need to do is be aware when people bump into you. Because they will. There are a lot of bottle necks in Istanbul because there are too many people walking on narrow sidewalks or through underground passages.
Most people who bump into you are just normal people trying to make it to their destination. The odd one may be a pick pocket. Follow basic safety rules, keep your head on a swivel, and look aware.
Those simple steps will make you a far less likely target for a pick pocket. They want someone who is mindless and not aware of their surroundings. Look confident, and you shouldn’t have an issue.
Beware of the Trams
This probably sounds like a really weird thing to bring up in an article asking the question is Istanbul safe but hear me out.
As I mentioned, the sidewalks in Istanbul are very narrow, and there are a lot of people using them. This means you’ll often spill out onto the street. At a minimum just when you want to pass someone.
On some of the main streets that people walk, there aren’t cars. Only trams allowed. These streets often see the most people walking on the streets and not the sidewalk. Makes sense since there are no cars.
That’s all fine and good until a tram comes along.
The trams will ring their bell to let you know they’re coming, and then it’s up to you to get out of their way. The hard part sometimes is finding a place on the sidewalk to go.
Sometimes it’s difficult to hear the tram’s bell because it’s so loud.
The moral of the story is that you need to be really aware of your surroundings and be prepared to get off the street at any given moment.
Even after reading this, you probably think this is a weird tip, but you’ll understand better when you’re in Istanbul.
Be Internet Safe
One of the most important safety precautions you can take as a traveller is being internet safe. Unfortunately, not enough people know the risks of being online while abroad (or even out and about in their own city), so it’s not something most people think about.
You rely on public wifi when you travel. Even if you have an esim and are using data while out exploring Istanbul, you’ll still be relying on public wifi at your hotel and the airport.
Public wifi networks aren’t secure. Pretty much anybody can get into them. Even if they have a password associated with them. This means that your personal online information and data is at risk of being stolen.
Trust me when I say you do not want to have to deal with canceling bank cards while you’re abroad because prying eyes stolen your bank information while you were using a public wifi network.
The only way to keep your private online information safe and secure while you travel is by install a VPN on your devices.
A VPN essentially puts an invisible forcefield around your devices that makes it impossible for prying eyes to access your information. It makes using public wifi networks just as safe as using your home wifi network where you’re the only person who knows the password.
Installing a VPN is truly one of the easiest things you can do to protect yourself while you’re abroad.
I always say that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect your online information.
My Favourite VPN
VPNs are notorious for slowing down your internet speed. I’ve used tons of different VPN providers over my many years of travel, and I’m embarrassed to admit that I often turned my VPN off and put my information at risk just because the VPN I was using slowed my internet down so much.
It’s the fastest VPN on the market, and you can really tell the difference between it and other VPNs. I’ve never noticed a difference in my internet speed when using NordVPN.
Another great feature of VPNs is the ability to cloak your location. You can set your location to any country in the world, and the internet thinks you’re actually in that country.
This gives you access to that country’s Netflix, sporting events, and can sometimes save you lots of money when searching for flights.
The very best part is that VPNs are affordable and won’t break the bank. The cost per month for a two-year NordVPN subscription is less than a single latte at Starbuck’s.
It’s an extremely small price to pay for the peace of mind you get knowing that all your personal online information and data is safe from prying eyes.
Seriously. We have so much of our personal information online nowadays that it’s too much of a risk to use public wifi without a VPN.
Protect your online information while travelling with the world’s fastest VPN!
Get the Best Price
Know Local Scams
Just like any city, there are a few scams you should know about in Istanbul. Most of them are pretty standard scams, but there is one you may not know about.
The Taxi Scam
The most common scam is the taxi scam. This happens in a couple of ways.
Often the taxi driver insists on not starting the meter and agreeing on a price before you leave. You never get a good price when this happens. If a driver starts doing this, just say no and walk away. There are plenty of drivers in Istanbul that won’t do this.
The next two scams are harder to get away from because you’re already in the car when they happen.
The first is the scenic drive. This happens in nearly every city in the world. The taxi driver gets a tourist in their car, and they start taking the longest way possible to increase their fare. You don’t really know the proper way to go as a tourist, and you may not ever realize you’ve been scammed if this happens to you.
The second is the most common taxi scam in Istanbul. Especially when going to or from the airport. That’s the toll fee scam.
Taxi drivers will say they went through tolls, and you have to pay for them. That’s fair enough, but they always tell you the toll costs way more than it actually did. The first time this happened to me, the taxi driver said the toll fee was 50 Lira (about $2 USD). I Googled it, and the toll was actually only 8 Lira (about $0.30 USD).
It isn’t a huge amount of money you’re being scammed out of, and it’s often better just to pay it rather than argue about it.
The way to avoid these scams is by using Uber. You’ll still get a taxi when using Uber, but using the app gives you the rider the safety of knowing what the price should be and not getting scammed. And if you think you have been scammed, you can deal with Uber not the taxi driver.
The Carpet Scam
This is the scam you’re probably not aware of. It’s very common in most countries that are famous for selling carpets, and it’s something you should be aware of.
This happens where a nice older man starts chatting with you and then offers to show you around the city or to his favourite tourist spot. Then as you’re walking to wherever he’s going to show you, he stops at a relative’s carpet shop and wants to show you around.
You’re greeted kindly, given a cup of Turkish tea, and shown around the store.
Then you’re trapped.
They go on trying to sell you the carpets including shipping them back home for you. You’re probably not in the market for a carpet, but they keep pushing, and you can’t leave.
When you do eventually leave, they get really angry with you. But don’t give in, you don’t have to purchase anything from them. If they ask you to pay for the tea, don’t. Just leave.
It may sound like a silly scam. Why would anybody take a stranger up on their offer to tour them around? The person doing the offering is always very nice and chatty, and you always don’t want to be rude and just walk away.
But that’s exactly what you should do. Walk away. Never go with the stranger. That’s just unsafe no matter where in the world you are.
Now I don’t want you to get the idea that all carpet sellers are scammers.
Most aren’t.
If you want to purchase a carpet while you’re in Istanbul, do some research online ahead of time and find a reputable store with good reviews.
The Shoe Shining Scam
Ah. This is a classic. It happens in many countries around the world.
Someone comes up to you and just starts shining your shoes without asking or saying anything.
If this happens to you, pull your shoe away while they’re bending down. Don’t let me make contact with your shoe. Say no and walk away.
If they make contact with your shoe, you’re going to have to pay them way more money than you should.
It’s an unfortunate scam, but it’s an oldie and a goodie and happens all over the world.
The Child Begger
The final scam I’m going to tell you about makes me seem a bit mean. And that is the child beggar scam.
This is where a small child begs on the street for money. In most cases, the child and their family is indeed poor, but you shouldn’t give any money to a child begger.
It just encourages the parents to continue to keep their kid out of school or other child activities, so they can make money for the family. It’s not fair to the child.
Just like the shoe shine scam, this scam happens all over the world. It’s hard to say no to a begging child, but it’s in their best interest. If they stop making money, hopefully their parent will stop making them go out and beg.
Be Aware of Tour Groups
This is another one where it’s going to sounds weird to you before arriving in Istanbul. Tour groups in Istanbul are wild. I’ve never seen so many tour groups anywhere else I’ve travelled.
They’re everywhere, they’re huge, and they’ll run you over. They have mob mentality, and they just keep walking without being aware of their surroundings.
The group leaders stop wherever they want with no regard for other people. I had a tour leader stop right at the exit of a ticket booth where there was only a single door to get out. Blocked the entire door and wouldn’t leave. I had to push my way out.
The tour leader will stop right where you’re standing if that’s where they want to stop, and they don’t make their tour group stand off to the side to make room for other people to get through.
It’s very chaotic at big tourist attractions like Topkapi Palace.
I know this information isn’t really an Istanbul safety tip, but it’s important information to know. It helps you know what to expect and stay calm when you’re being overrun by the tour groups.
And in places like Basilica Cistern it actually is a very important safety tip to know. It’s extremely crowded in the Basilica because of all the tour groups. There is pushing and lots of crowds.
There are even a few places where there aren’t guard rails. I saw a small child almost fall into the water because their adult wasn’t watching them closely enough.
So, please be prepared to navigate your way through tour groups and be extra careful when touring the Basilica Cistern, which is 100% a tourist attraction that is worth doing while in Istanbul!
Tap Water is Safe to Drink
A lot of people just assume that tap water in Istanbul isn’t safe to drink, but it is. Tap water isn’t safe to drink in every city in Turkey, but major cities like Istanbul have safe tap water.
That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll want to drink it though. I tend to stick to bottled water while in Istanbul. It’s very affordable, and you normally get a couple bottles per day from your hotel for free.
So, if you’re in a pinch, feel free to drink the tap water, but bottled water will taste better.
You also don’t have to worry about brushing your teeth. I know a lot of people like to use bottled water to brush their teeth when the tap water isn’t safe to drink, but you don’t have to worry about that when you’re in Istanbul. Brush away!
I really hope this article helped answer the question is Istanbul safe?
For me and everybody else I know who has gone to Istanbul, the answer is YES! Istanbul is a very safe city even for solo female travellers.
Turkey as a whole is a very safe country, and it’s one of my favourite countries in the world. It’s such a special place, and if you get the chance to visit, I highly recommend you do.
Japan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Most people dream of going to Japan, but there are a few important things you need to know before planning a solo trip to Japan.
Compared to lots of other Asian countries, Japan is super easy to travel in and great for people who are new to travelling alone.
Don’t get too confident yet though because there are tons and tons and tons of mistakes I made when I was in Japan solo, and I’ve been travelling alone since 2015.
Japan is unique. Things that typically hold true for travel in other parts of the world don’t always hold true in Japan. Even things that work in Japan’s neighbour South Korea don’t necessarily work in Japan.
So, I’m going to share everything I learned on my solo trip to Japan with you to hopefully save you some mistakes.
Actually, at this point, I’ve been to Japan three times and feel like I definitely know what mistakes not to make. I’ve made nearly every mistake you can.
Let’s get into the nitty gritty of solo travel in Japan! Hopefully by the end of this article you’ll feel confident and prepared and be able to travel in Japan solo like a pro.
Stay Near the Main Train Station
The biggest mistake I made on my first solo trip to Japan was not staying near a major train station.
I know when you travel to most countries around the world, you don’t really have to stay near a major train station. As long as you’re near some sort of public transportation, you’re good to go.
That isn’t the case in Japan.
If there is only one thing you take away from this post, it is that you need to stay near a major train station. Ideally, about a ten minute walk away. That way you’ll be super close to the train station but far enough away that it’s quiet.
Most Japanese cities have one major train station. It’ll typically be the name of the city followed by the word station. Like Osaka Station or Kyoto Station of Fukushima Station. You get the point.
Tokyo is a huge city. Huge doesn’t even describe it. Since it’s so large, there are many major train stations.
The two I recommend staying near are either Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station. They’re pretty central and have access to lots of different metro and JR lines.
Why is it Important to Stay Near a Major Train Station?
There are two main reasons it’s important to stay near a major train station:
Access to lots of different metro and JR lines so getting around is quick and easy
Lugging luggage around on Japanese metros is a hassle. Even if you only have a carryon bag, the trains are often crowded and have lots of stairs. Staying near a major train station means you can just leave the train station and easily walk to your hotel or Aibnb and avoid having to transfer to the metro, JR, or bus to get to your hotel.
Trust me. It’s 100% worth it to stay near a major train station even if it means you have to pay a little bit more for your accommodation.
It is the one tip I give everybody when they’re planning a trip to Japan. Whether it’s a solo trip to Japan or a group trip to Japan.
On my first solo trip to Japan, I only went to Tokyo, and that was a big mistake. Tokyo is nothing like anywhere else in Japan. It’s extremely busy, hectic, and overwhelming.
Kyoto is the next most popular city in Japan for tourists, and I honestly found it a big overrated. Please don’t crucify me for that!
I think that one of the best things you can do when in Japan solo is get outside these two major tourists hubs and see a little bit more of what Japan has to offer.
Osaka is super close to Kyoto, and it has a totally different vibe to Tokyo and Kyoto. It is way more relaxed and laid back and has a lot of interesting tourist attractions. Including Universal Studios Japan!
The food in Osaka is also top notch, and it’s known as the foodie capital of Japan.
If you visiting Kyoto is your dream because it looks beautiful and full of ancient temples and things to do, I recommend visiting Kanazawa.
It’s everything I thought Kyoto would be and more. Kanazawa is my favourite city in Japan and one I wish more tourists visited. Plus it’s way more affordable than Kyoto, which is a huge plus for solo travellers on a budget.
I don’t really care where you go, but I do highly encourage you to get outside of Tokyo and Kyoto and see a little bit more of Japan.
You won’t regret it. There are so many interesting things to do in Japan that most tourists don’t know about because most people only go to Tokyo.
And trust me when I say that I don’t know a single traveller who says Tokyo is their favourite city in Japan.
Install an Esim on Your Phone
Having access to the internet with data on your phone is an essential part of your solo trip to Japan. It’ll make your life so much easier.
To easily travel around Japan, you need access to the internet. To get around, to figure out what train to take, find tourist attractions, and make sure you pick the perfect place to eat.
Luckily, there is an easy solution on how you can have data on your phone everywhere in Japan.
That’s by installing an esim on your phone. An esim allows you to purchase local data for whatever country you’re visiting. In this case, Japan. You buy an esim, and you can use your phone’s data just like you do at home but without any high roaming fees.
All you have to do is purchase an esim either online or through the app, install it on your phone, and make your esim your main source of data. The entire process takes less than five minutes and is very intuitive and easy. You can even install an esim on your phone before you arrive in Japan, and it’ll automatically activate when you turn on your data in Japan, and you phone connects to a Japanese network.
I like to purchase my esim online because it gives you a QR code. You just scan the QR code on your phone, and your esim is set up in a few easy clicks.
Esims allow you easy access to phone data without having to rent a wifi egg, purchase a local sim card, or incur high roaming fees with your local carrier.
I recommend esims to all my friends and family when they travel, and they all love it as much as I do.
top tip
Install an esim on your phone to make getting around Japan easier and stress free.
My Favourite Esim
Since esims are a relatively new technology, there aren’t a lot of reliable companies offering them yet. And you do not want to purchase an esim from an unreliable company and be stuck stranded without phone data.
I love Airalo. It’s my go-to esim provider, and I purchase all my esims through them.
They have the most esims available for the most countries compared to competitors. They also offer incredibly good prices and always have reliable data. You purchase a certain amount of data up front. If you’re close to running out of data, you can purchase more data to be added to your esim with one quick click in the app.
Another option you can look into is Drimsim. Unlike Airalo, Drimsim charges you per MB used rather than charging you for a certain amount of data up front.
If you don’t plan on using much data, Drimsim may be the better option. I highly recommend if you choose Drimsim to turn off your data whenever you’re not using it. This will prevent data accidentally being used in the background and running up your bill.
I tend to use a fair amount of data when I travel between Google Maps, texting, and scrolling social media while eating alone, so Airalo is my esim of choice.
I’m normally in a country for three to four weeks at a time and purchase the 5GB plan. I’ve never gone over before, but there have been a few times when I’ve been close. If you’re only in Japan for a week or two, you should be fine purchasing a 1GB or 3GB plan.
The 3GB plan is probably your best choice. It’s only a dollar or two more than the 1GB plan and gives you the peace of mind that you won’t accidentally run out of data while out and about exploring one day.
Plus it’s likely more expensive to purchase a 1GB top up if you run out of your pre-purchased 1GB data than it is to purchase a 3GB plan.
Anyways, whatever amount of data you choose to purchase is up to you. The important thing is that you install an esim on your phone, so you can easily access the internet when out exploring. This is especially important as a solo traveller!
Google Maps is Your Best Friend
You’re probably already acquainted with Google Maps, but it’s going to become your best friend when you’re travelling Japan solo.
Google Maps in Japan has some of the most comprehensive information of any country I’ve visited.
Especially when it comes to public transportation, which some people find overwhelming and confusing the first time they come to Japan.
Here is some of the information Google Maps tells you when riding the metro in Japan:
What entrance to take to get to the metro
What exit to take when leaving the metro. This is veryimportant information. Please don’t ignore it!
The exact train car number you should get on for the quickest transfer or exit
What platform your train is departing from. This is very helpful in major train stations where there can be over 20 platforms
How busy the train is, is the train has AC or not, and whether or not there are delays on the route
Google Maps can also navigate indoors in Japan. This is super useful when trying to find a store in a massive shopping mall. It’ll guide you to the nearest escalator to the store you’re looking for and take you right to the entrance.
It’s fabulous. Google Maps may be your most used app while on your solo trip to Japan!
Major Train Stations are Difficult to Manage
Major train stations are extremely difficult to manage. You 100% need to use Google Maps if you’re trying to find what exit to use or something inside a train station.
Before you start thinking I’m dramatic and how hard could a train station possibly be, Shinjuku Station has 200 different exits.
So, yeah, complicated. You can easily get lost and spend an hour or two wandering around trying to find what you’re looking for.
Trust me. I once spent half an hour looking for a tempura restaurant in Tokyo Station and ended up giving up and leaving.
Whenever you have to exit a major train station, be sure you know what exit you want and watch the signs carefully.
Some major train stations like Kyoto Station and Kanazawa Station are easier to manage. Some like Tokyo Station and Osaka Station are more complicated.
Be prepared. Be patient. And if all else fails, find your way to an information booth, and someone will be happy to help you find what you’re looking for.
Be Prepared to Queue
I hate waiting in lines and avoid waiting in them at all costs. The Japanese don’t seem to have the same aversion to lines that I do. There are lines everywhere, and people don’t mind waiting for them.
There are lines for food (these are often the longest lines at popular restaurants). Lines for tourist attractions. Lines for no apparent reason.
It’s just something that comes with a solo trip to Japan.
Hopefully you don’t have to wait in too many lines but bring your patience just in case. If you know you’ll be waiting in a line on a particular day, consider bringing a book (or audiobook) or something to entertain yourself with.
Avoid Golden Week at All Costs
Golden Week is a national holiday in Japan where people get an entire week off of work. Japanese people use this as an opportunity to travel, and a lot of people travel within Japan rather than going abroad.
This means three things:
The most popular cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto are very, very, very busy
If you’re visiting a less popular tourist destination, things like restaurants may be closed
It will be difficult to find an affordable hotel even if you’re booking months in advance. I wanted to go be in Sendai durning Golden Week and couldn’t find an affordable hotel even though I was looking 5 months in advance.
I was in Japan during Golden Week in 2023 and experienced both those things. I spent the majority of Golden Week in Fukushima. Not the most popular tourist destination. A lot and I mean a lot of the restaurants were closed. Some were open until 2pm, but many were closed all day. Not great.
Then I was in Tokyo for the last two days of Golden Week. It was madness. I’ve never seen a city so busy in my entire life. I cannot imagine how busy it was during the height of Golden Week because I assume some people already went home to get ready for work in a couple of days.
Moral of the story is to avoid Japan during Golden Week at all costs. Don’t think to yourself that it won’t be too bad because it will be. Trust me.
On the flip side, going to Japan right after Golden Week is probably the best time of the entire year to be in Japan. I was at Tokyo Disney Resort the four days following the end of Golden Week, and I’ve never seen it so quiet before. It was magical.
Golden Week changes dates every year and is sometime in either April or May. Just do a quick Google search before planning your solo trip to Japan and make sure you aren’t planning it during Golden Week.
major tip
Avoid Golden Week at all costs. Ideally visit Japan right after Golden Week for the lowest crowds.
The JR Pass Probably Isn’t Worth it
You’ve probably heard a lot about the JR Pass and how it is essential when travelling in Japan. How you’ll save so much money with the JR Pass.
But, honestly, that isn’t the case for most people.
If you’re only travelling between Tokyo and Kyoto, you likely won’t get your money’s worth out of the JR Pass.
If you’re in Japan for two or three weeks and spending more than a day or two in each city, you probably won’t get much value out of the JR Pass.
You need to be using the JR a lot in a short period of time to get value out of the JR Pass. Especially now that the price is increasing by about double!
I spent 3 weeks in Japan in 2023 and took the JR or Shinkansen between each city I visited. I used JR trains to travel within each city. Even though I would have used the JR Pass a lot, it still didn’t make financial sense for me to get one.
That’s because I wasn’t using the JR enough or on expensive enough lines that purchasing a JR Pass made sense.
Be sure to do the math and use a JR fare calculator before purchasing a JR Pass to make sure you’re getting enough bang for your buck by buying the pass.
The benefit of the JR Pass is that you can pre-reserve seats on the train, which is a huge plus if you have luggage and have to reserve luggage space.
Although, when I was in Japan, I never had to reserve luggage because you only have to reserve it on the most popular and busiest routes like Tokyo to Kyoto or Tokyo to Osaka.
You don’t have to reserve luggage space on most Shinkansen trains.
And if you’re going from Osaka to Kyoto without a JR Pass, just get on the slower JR train rather than the Shinkansen. It’s a third of the price and only takes 10 or so minutes longer if you get on a super rapid train.
Even if you get an esim for your phone, you’ll still be relying on public wifi during your solo trip to Japan. Even if it’s only while at your hotel.
Please don’t waste your esim data and use it at the hotel rather than the complimentary hotel wifi!
And since you’re going to be using public wifi at least part of your trip, I’m going to lecture you about the importance of using public wifi safely.
Public wifi networks are just that. Public. That means anybody with the code can access the wifi. From my experience, a lot of hotels in Japan don’t have a password on their wifi. Anybody can access the wifi even if they aren’t staying at the hotel.
This means that there are countless people using the same unprotected wifi network as you. That puts you personal online information (like you’re banking information) at risk of being stolen.
All it takes is one person with bad intentions, and you’re dealing with the headache of cancelling bank cards while abroad. Trust me when I say that’s no fun.
The only way to protect yourself when using public wifi networks is by installing a VPN on your devices. A VPN essentially puts an invisible forcefield around your devices that makes it impossible for prying eyes to access your personal online information.
A VPN makes using public wifi networks just as safe as using your home wifi where you’re the only person who knows the password.
One of the most important things you should so when preparing for your Japan solo trip is install a VPN. It’s the simplest safety precaution you can take.
The cost per month for a VPN subscription on a two-year plan costs less than a latte and cake pop at Starbucks. You have no excuse not to protect your online information.
I always say that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect your online information with a VPN.
My Favourite VPN
I’ve used a lot of VPNs over my many years of travel. Most of them, frankly, suck. VPNs are notorious for slowing your devices down, and you really feel the different in internet speed when using a VPN.
That’s not the case for NordVPN. It’s consistently ranked the fasted VPN on the market and the only VPN I’ve ever consistently used. You don’t feel like your internet speed is slowed down at all when using NordVPN.
You can install a single NordVPN subscription on up to six devices. That makes it super easy to protect all your devices for one low price.
One of my favourite feature of VPNs is being able to cloak my location. That allows me to watch Netflix from different countries and watch Canadian sporting events while abroad.
There are really no downsides to installing a VPN on your devices. It’s an extremely small price to pay for the peace of mind you get by knowing your private information is safe and sound while you’re abroad.
One of the first things you’ll notice on your solo trip to Japan is how quiet it is. In terms of volume. Not in terms of people. There are always tons of people in Japan.
It’s a widely known rule that people are quiet and respectful while out in public. This means no talking on the metro and no loud conversations at restaurants.
And please, please never answer a phone call while on public transit. It’s considered quite rude to speak on the phone in nearly every indoor public setting in Japan. But if you talk on the phone on the metro, you will definitely be getting dirty looks.
Just be sure to be quiet, reserved, and respectful while in public in Japan. I know you’re on a solo trip to Japan, but I also know a lot of you like to make friends while travelling alone. So, if you go out with a group (or while you’re alone), please be quiet.
There is a time and place for loud conversations, and in public is not it.
Oh, and small talk isn’t really a thing in Japan. I know my American friends love starting small talk with strangers, but you’ll be getting weird looks if you try that in Japan.
Taxis are Extremely Expensive
Taxis are never the most affordable way to get around, but in a lot of places they’ve not super expensive. They’re affordable enough that you can justify taking a taxi if it’s going to be super convenient or save you a lot of time.
Japan is not one of those places.
Japan has the most expensive taxis I’ve ever seen in my life.
There is no circumstance I could ever see justifying me using a taxi instead of the metro other than being physically injured and needing to get to a hostpial.
And even in that circumstance, I may still take the metro because the taxi fees are so high.
If you normally take taxis when you travel, you’ll need to get used to the idea of using public transportation or walking.
See point one about staying near a train station if you need a refresher. 😉
The good news is that Japan has one of the best public transportation systems in the world. It’s so easy to get around. You won’t even miss taking a taxi.
Most major cities have large metro systems. Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto all have metros where you can easily get around. Smaller cities in Kanazawa rely on buses. But they’re smaller cities, so it’s easy to walk everywhere if you’re staying in a central location.
Just be prepared to use public transportation and walk a lot while in Japan. Taxis are a luxury not a normal thing to use.
Purchase Popular Tickets Online in Advance
As we’ve talked about in this article, Japan is busy, and there are often queues. To cut down on your time waiting in line, there are two things you can/should do:
Get to attractions earlier in the day to avoid crowds
Purchase tickets online in advance if you can
These two things will save you heaps of time on your solo trip to Japan. You’ve got a lot to see and do while in Japan alone, and you don’t want to be stuck waiting in a line if you don’t have to.
There are also some things you need to pre-purchase tickets for. As in you can’t get them at the door or they’re likely to be sold out. Those two main things are Universal Studios Japanin Osaka and Tokyo Disney Resort.
This is especially true for Tokyo Disney. You have to purchase your tickets in advance. You can’t buy them at the gate. Universal recently reintroduced buying tickets at the gate, but it’s a super small park and sold out in advance more days than not.
Other Tickets You Should Consider Buying in Advance
Narita is very, very far away from central Tokyo. Haneda is closer to central Tokyo, but the majority of international flights fly in and out of Narita.
This means you need to have a solid plan on how you’re getting from the airport to your hotel. Sometimes it can take up to two hours depending on where you’re staying.
You can either take the metro or a limousine bus. I prefer the bus. You’re guaranteed to get a seat, probably drops you off closer to your hotel, there is no need to transfer, and you don’t have to deal with your luggage. It just sits nicely under the bus.
Taxis aren’t an option unless you’re rich because they’re so expensive. A taxi from Narita to central Tokyo will cost you a few hundred dollars!
And the last thing you want to do on a solo trip to Japan is break the bank taking a taxi just because you didn’t plan properly!
The fact that Narita is so far away from central Tokyo also means that you need to be strategic about when you book your flight.
If you land late in the evening or depart early in the morning, you might have an issue. Maybe the buses aren’t running early or late enough or maybe you don’t want to drag your butt out of bed super early or be trying to find your hotel in the dark.
If you’re arriving late or departing early, I highly recommend staying at a hotel near the airport for a night. It’s so much more convenient. I’ve done it before for a flight departing at 11am and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Plus the hotels near Narita are surprisingly affordable. I loved my stay at the Hilton Narita. It was super nice and seemed like it should have costed more than it did.
Most airport hotels offer a bus to and from the hotel, which is super convenient. The hotels say it takes about half an hour to get to the airport. From my experience, it takes about 15, but it’s better to be early than late!
Go to Tokyo Disney on a Tuesday or Wednesday
Tokyo Disney is a must do for any theme park or Disney fan. Heck the theme parks are so well done that even people who hate Disney enjoy them.
Tokyo Disney Resort has two theme parks: Disneyland and DisneySea. DisneySea is the more unique one of the two, but they both have rides you don’t want to miss.
TDR is hugely popular. Not only with tourists but also with Japanese people. This means that it’s always busy. The most popular rides often have wait times between 90 and 180 minutes.
That’s just on a normal day. Not even during the busiest times of year.
So, you definitely need a strategy when going to Tokyo Disney. It may be your only trip, and you want to get the most out of it.
There are way too many tips and tricks about Tokyo Disney to put into this short(ish) blog post. You’ll have to do a deep dive on that on your own. TDR Explorer is a great place to start!
One important tip I will give you is to visit Tokyo Disney on either a Tuesday or Wednesday.
This is when the parks will be the least busy. You’ll be able to get a lot more done on a Tuesday or Wednesday than on the weekend.
Mondays and Thursdays are normally medium busy. I’ve noticed that a lot of the times school groups are filling up the parks on Thursdays leading up to the weekend, and they’re a lotbusier than Wednesdays.
Mondays have carryover from people visiting over the weekend. They’re not as busy as a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday but are still quite busy.
So, if you have flexibility in your schedule, try to arrange your trip to Tokyo Disney for the middle of the week. This will give you the best chance at having lower crowds.
Make Sure You Have Health Insurance
Health insurance is an essential part of travel, and you need to make sure you have health insurance that covers your solo trip to Japan.
You may have travel coverage through your work plan. If you do, you just need to make sure it covers the entire duration of your trip. Most policies only cover the first 21 or 30 days of your trip.
If you’re like me and don’t have insurance through your employer, you have two options.
First Option
The first option is perfect for people who are only going abroad for a shorter period of time. This is buying travel insurance from a major company in your home country.
You can normally get insurance through a bank, company that sells house or life insurance, your local healthcare insurer (like Blue Cross), or through a company like AAA or AMA or CAA.
All these places will let you purchase a travel health insurance policy to cover the duration of your trip.
These are normally reasonably affordable. Especially if you’re only gone for a week or two. They offer decent coverage, but they often make it a headache to make a claim.
You can also get a multi-trip policy that covers you for every trip you take abroad in a year as long as the trip is under a certain amount of days. You get to choose the amount of days when you purchase the policy, and they range anywhere from 7 to 60 days.
This is what my retired parents use, what I used when I was a student, and what most casual travellers use.
Second Option
The second option is for long-term travellers and digital nomads. That’s purchasing health insurance through a specialized company that solely provides insurance to travellers.
There are a couple of companies you can get this type of insurance through. I personally use Safety Wingand think they’re the best option you there.
They’re very affordable, have a low deductible, make it easy to make a claim, and even provide you coverage in your home country for 30 days as long as you’ve been abroad for 90 days.
I love the flexibility of Safety Wing and being able to cancel anytime I want. If I’m going to be in Canada for a few months, I can cancel my policy and then reinstate it when I start travelling again. They even let you purchase your insurance while you’re abroad and already on your trip, which is quite rare.
Again, this option is best for people travelling for a long period of time. It’s much cheaper in the long run than the first option and provides better coverage.
Bonus: Try the Melon Fanta (Trust Me)
This may sound like a weird thing to throw into this article but hear me out. The Melon Fanta in Japan is the best soda I’ve ever had. And I’m a soda girlie.
I know. I know. It isn’t healthy, but it just tastes so good!
Melon Fanta is incredible. It’s a bit hard to find in convenience stores, so you may have to order it at a restaurant, but it’s so worth it.
I tell all my friends who go to Japan to try it, and they all love it.
I know it sounds like an odd flavour of soda, but please trust me and try it!
This article ended up being way longer than I thought it would! I guess I just have a lot to say about taking a solo trip to Japan and being in Japan solo.
Japan is a super unique country and requires a bit more planning and understanding than a lot of other countries. It’s so easy to accidentally offend someone because you don’t know the social norms.
But I hope this article helps you better understand what a solo trip to Japan will be like and how to best prepare for being in Japan solo.
It’s an amazing country, and I have no doubt you’ll love it. Basically everybody does. That’s why it’s so popular!
Malaysia isn’t the most popular country in Southeast Asia for travellers, so if you’re planning a trip to the country, you may be asking yourself is Kuala Lumpur safe for solo female travellers?
I’ve visited Kuala Lumpur alone before, so I can tell you first hand whether Kuala Lumpur is safe for solo female travellers.
In short, yes Kuala Lumpur is safe for solo travellers.
In fact, everywhere in Malaysia I visited I felt extremely safe. Even in more rural areas.
Just because Kuala Lumpur is safe, doesn’t mean there aren’t things you need to be aware of. There are definitely things you need to know before your trip to Kuala Lumpur to make sure you’re staying safe and protecting yourself.
We’ll go over everything you need to know before your trip to Kuala Lumpur to keep you safe in this post. That way you’ll be fully prepared and ready to explore my favourite city in Southeast Asia.
Yes. I said what I said, and I stand by it. I adore Kuala Lumpur and think it is super underrated and more travellers should make it a priority.
Just in case you skimmed or skipped the introduction to this post (I really don’t blame you), I want to reiterate that Kuala Lumpur is very safe.
I never felt unsafe even when out exploring alone at night or in the early mornings.
That nagging feeling that I need to look over my shoulder or double check the people walking near me wasn’t around when I was in Malaysia. I felt comfortable and confident even though it was my first time in the country.
One Extremely Important Thing to Note
I’m writing this article from the perspective of a white woman who visited Kuala Lumpur alone.
I had an amazing time and felt safe 100% of the time.
That being said, I have heard from a couple of black solo female travellers that they didn’t always feel welcome in Kuala Lumpur.
Some black women have experienced racial prejudice in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia.
So, if you’re a person of colour, I encourage you to seek out the experiences of other women of colour who visited Kuala Lumpur alone.
Those experiences will give you a better idea whether or not the answer to the question is Kuala Lumpur safe will be yes or no for you and what you might experience in the country.
Again, I’m just telling my perspective as a white woman. I felt safe, and I believe other white woman will feel safe travelling alone in Kuala Lumpur.
But that might be the case for every woman travelling to Kuala Lumpur alone. Seek out diverse voices and make the decision that is best for you and your situation.
Kuala Lumpur Safety Tips
Just because Kuala Lumpur is safe to visit doesn’t mean there aren’t things you need to know about before you arrive in Kuala Lumpur.
Knowing these things will make your trip to Kuala Lumpur safer and help you from standing out or unintentionally offending a local.
Some of these are pretty common sense but some of them you may not know about. But hopefully they help you on your trip to Malaysia.
Dress Modestly
One of the most important things to know before travelling to Malaysia is that Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country. That means modesty is key for women travelling alone to Kuala Lumpur.
Which can also be a bit tricky because you need to balance being comfortable in the heat and humidity with also being covered up enough to not be offensive.
This means no short shorts or short dresses, no tank tops, and nothing that shoes off your stomach.
I wore a t-shirt and long skirt every day I was in Malaysia and didn’t have any trouble modesty wise. It was hot though, but that’s to be expected in Southeast Asia. There isn’t really any way around the heat no matter what you wear.
Even though Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country, there isn’t a requirement for you to be covered fully or for you to cover your hair.
Just please be respectful and cover your shoulders and knees. Unlike Dubai where a lot of tourists were wearing less modest clothing (even though I think you should be modest in Dubai as well), I didn’t see a single tourist during my three weeks in Malaysia wearing something that wouldn’t be acceptable.
Which was nice to see because most of the time there are always a few people who aren’t wearing what would be considered socially acceptable.
Anyways, moral of the stay is to be modest and respectable but complete coverage and covering of the hair isn’t required.
Pick Pocketing is Prevalent
One of the few things that may change the answer to the question is Kuala Lumpur safe from a yes to a no is the prevalence of pick pocketing.
Be sure to keep your belongings close to you and not keep any cell phones, money, or passport in places where people can easily pull them out of your pocket or bag.
Pick pockets are most common in busy tourist places like the Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, and at KL Sentral.
But that’s really no different than any other major city.
The one thing that makes is a bit different is you have to be aware of monkeys that want to pick pocket you.
Yup. You read that right.
At Batu Caves specifically there are monkeys. Monkeys that aren’t super aggressive but will be aggressive if you have something they want.
If you have anything in your hands, you may have a monkey coming to see you. This includes a water bottle, cell phone, camera, or food.
Keep all of that inside bags as much as possible while walking up and down the stairs. Of course you’ll want to take pictures on the stairs because they’re beautiful but please take a look for monkeys before pulling out your camera and store your camera away after you take your pictures.
Monkeys may seem cute and fun when people post them on social media, but let me tell you that when you’re face to face with them (even at a distance), they’re quire scary, and you don’t want them deciding you have something they want.
The Importance of Internet Safety
One of the travel safety tips not enough people talk about is the importance of keeping your internet safe while on the road.
You rely on public wifi networks every single day when you travel. At hotels, at restaurants, and at airports.
Every time you use a public wifi network, you’re putting yourself at risk of having your personal data stolen. This could be something as small as your social media passwords or something as big as your banking information.
And let me tell you from experience, you don’t want your banking information compromised when you’re on holiday. It’s an absolute headache to deal with.
The only way to keep your online information safe while using public wifi networks is by installing a VPN on your devices.
A VPN essentially puts an invisible forcefield around your devices that makes it impossible for prying eyes to access your online information.
It makes using public wifi networks as safe as using your home wifi network where you’re the only person who knows the password.
Installing a VPN on your devices is one of the easiest ways you can keep yourself safe when travelling. Especially when travelling alone when there is nobody else there to help you if your banking information is compromised.
My Favourite VPN
I’ve used a lot of different VPNs over my many years of travel. VPNs are notoriously known for slowing down your internet speed, and I can tell you from personal experience that is the case for most VPNs on the market.
In fact, there have been many times where I stopped using my VPN and put my personal data at risk just because the VPN I was using was slowing down my internet so much.
NordVPN is the fastest VPN on the market. I’ve been using it for over five years on all my devices, and I’ve never noticed my internet speed slow down.
Which is saying a lot since I rely on the internet for work and am constantly asking it to work hard.
Not only is NordVPN very quick and reliable, but it is also very affordable. You can connect up to six devices on one subscription, so you can easily protect all your devices.
A two-year subscription costs less per month than a single Starbucks latte, so you can’t beat the price.
My philosophy is that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect your online information and data with a VPN.
It’s truly a super small thing you can do before your trip to add an extra level of safety, security, and peace of mind.
Take Care of Your Drink
Even though Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country, that doesn’t mean there isn’t an opportunity for drinking alcohol.
Unfortunately, just like many other cities around the world, there are instance of drink spiking in Kuala Lumpur.
As a solo female traveller, you’re even more at risk of having your drink spiked.
It is definitely one of the reasons someone may answer no to the question is Kuala Lumpur safe for solo female travellers.
Luckily, it is very easy to be safe and not have your drink spiked when drinking at a bar or restaurant.
Only accept drinks from the bartender or waiter and never leave your drink unattended or stop paying attention to your drink even if you don’t leave it unattended.
Pretty simple things that you should be following anytime you drink in public. Follow those tips, and you shouldn’t have any problem with having your drink spiked.
And if you do suspect your drink was spiked, please just buy a new one. I know it’s more expensive, but it’s cheaper than the potential consequences of having your drink spiked.
I love, love, love Grab and rely on it constantly when travelling through Southeast Asia. It’s more or less the regions version of Uber.
You can easily get picked up and dropped off wherever you want to go for a very reasonable price.
It is also one of the tools you can use to make sure the answer to the question is Kuala Lumpur safe is yes.
Grab rides are tracked, and you can share your location with designated people. It is very safe and perfect for solo female travellers.
It’s important to note that when using Grab as a foreigner, you need to download the app and add your credit card to your account before you leave on your trip.
Otherwise you’ll run into trouble and need to have someone back in your home country create and account for you. An annoyance for sure.
Taxi scams aren’t common in Kuala Lumpur, but they are normally more expensive, and the Grab app is move convenient in my opinion.
Now, just because I’m recommending you use Grab over a taxi doesn’t mean I’m telling you not to use public transportation.
Kuala Lumpur has an amazing transportation system, and you can get basically everywhere you need to go very easily on their metro system.
But if you’re going to and from the airport or the bus terminal or out and about after dark and want to be dropped off right at your hotel door, then Grab is your best option. I’ve never had a bad experience using Grab.
Smoke Only in Designated Areas
I personally love cities that shun smokers, and Kuala Lumpur is one of those cities.
You can only smoke is designated areas that are more or less hidden in corners or alleys. You won’t see anybody walking down the street smoking, which is nice for non-smokers like me.
Unfortunately, just like everywhere else in the world, vapers think they’re immune from the rules of smokers and still vape out and about.
For the most part though, having to deal with someone walking in front of you smoking and blowing smoke into your face isn’t something you have to deal with.
However, if you’re a smoker, be sure you know that you can’t just smoke anywhere. You need to do it in designated areas.
Most hotels are smoke free, but I’m sure they’ll be able to point you to an area you’re allowed to smoke in if you ask.
I’m not exactly sure what the fines are if you’re caught smoking outside designated areas, but I’m sure there is a financial penalty.
Quick Tips for Visiting Kuala Lumpur Alone
Get an esim! Esims are changing the travel game and are the easiest way to access the internet in foreign countries while still using your home number. I get one everywhere I travel! Airalo is my favourite esim. Download the mobile app here!
I personally think the Bukit Bintang area is the best area to stay in (I used points and stayed at the JW Marriott). It’s in a great location, near lots of shopping, and has better metro options the near the Petronas Towers.
Take the night bus tour of the city. It’s a two hour tour of the city in the evening, so you get to see all the buildings lit up. You get to disembark at a few stops, which makes for great pictures. To me, it’s the easiest way to see Kuala Lumpur at night, which is a must. I booked my ticket through Klook and saved the hassle of going to the company in person and buying my ticket.
Stay hydrated! Kuala Lumpur is a very hot city. Please drink more water than you think you need!
The Batu Caves and The National Museum of Malaysia were my two favourite activities (outside the night bus tour).
Klook is my favourite place to buy tickets in advance. I used it three times in Kuala Lumpur. It saves so much time, and you can often save a few bucks booking with Klook rather than paying once you get to the attraction.
Consider taking an evening food tour to learn where the best food is from a local!
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you answer the question is Kuala Lumpur safe for solo travellers.
From my experience, the answer is absolutely yes. I never didn’t feel safe during my time in Kuala Lumpur and all of Malaysia.
In my opinion, Kuala Lumpur is one of the best and most underrated cities in Southeast Asia. I highly recommend you add it to your itinerary.
You won’t regret visiting Kuala Lumpur. I love it and can’t stop telling people that they need to visit!
Romania is quickly becoming a more popular tourist destination, but Bucharest is rarely on any list of must-visit cities in Romania. That might lead you to wonder is Bucharest worth visiting?
And is Bucharest worth visiting alone?
I’ve visited Bucharest alone, and I’m going to share my first-hand thoughts on whether Bucharest is worth visiting.
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is more difficult and nuanced than it normally is. We’ll compare the pros and cons of visiting Bucharest, so you’ll be able to decide if Bucharest is the right destination for you.
There are a few things that make Bucharest stand out from the rest of Romania. I spent three weeks travelling around Romania, and Bucharest felt different than every other city I visited.
Of course, I didn’t visit every city in Romania, but I got a good sense of what the country was like and what is typical of a Romanian city outside the capital.
But is Bucharest worth visiting just because it has some unique aspects? Let’s find out.
It’s the Government Headquarters
It shouldn’t be surprising that the government operates out of Bucharest. This means there are tons of government buildings all around the main part of the city.
While that alone isn’t that interesting, there are a few things you can only do in Bucharest, and they relate to the government headquarters.
The first is the Palace of Parliament.
It’s the most famous building in Bucharest and maybe the entirety of Romania. You truly have to see it to believe it.
The Palace of Parliament is probably the biggest tourist attraction in Bucharest and is the main draw for tourists.
That and the National History Museum of Romanian History. Although after visiting that museum, I don’t think it is worth going to Bucharest just to see. But if you do visit Bucharest alone, you should definitely check it out.
You Want a Big City Vibe
Bucharest is the biggest city in Romania by a long shot. One of the reasons the answer to the question is Bucharest worth visiting might by yes is if you’re looking for the big city experience in Romania.
You’re not really going to find it anywhere else in the country.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t bigger cities in Romania, but none really have a big city feel to them. They’re very walkable, and you don’t really need to rely on public transportation or have big buildings like in Bucharest.
So, if you want to experience big city life in Romania, Bucharest may be the perfect city for you.
The Food is Incredbile.
I’ll admit this point isn’t exclusive to Bucharest, but I had to throw it in here.
The food in Romania is outstanding.
Romanian isn’t the typical cuisine you think of when you think of delicious European cuisines, but it should be. I was blown away by everything I ate in Romania.
Do what you will with that information but do know you’ll be having a lot of good meals while in Romania. And for a really fair price.
If you’re planning to spend a decent amount of time in Romania, then I definitely think the answer to the question is Bucharest worth visiting alone is yes.
No trip across the country is complete without a stop in the capital city.
It also has the largest airport, which makes it the most convenient way to enter the country if you’re not taking the bus or train from a nearby country.
It’s convenience is one of the main reasons a lot of people visit Bucharest.
Bucharest is a great jumping off point where you can easily arrive in the country without a bunch of layovers, and you can easily get to other cities in Romania from Bucharest.
There are other airports in Romania, of course, but getting to them will likely require a layover in Bucharest.
So you may as well check out the city if you have the time.
Reasons Visiting Bucharest Alone Isn’t Worth it
Now it’s time to get into why the answer to the question is Bucharest worth visiting alone may by no.
It all comes down to personal preference, what you want to see, and how long you have in Romania.
Bucharest Lacks Personality
If you visit Romania, you’ll quickly find out that it has a lot of personality. Most major tourist cities are small but have quirk and charm.
That’s not the case for Bucharest.
It is basically a big, Soviet-style city that doesn’t have much, if any, charm or personality.
That doesn’t mean Bucharest isn’t worth visiting, but it is worth noting. You won’t leave Bucharest thinking it is a beautiful city or rave to your friends about what a good vibe it has.
It’s a big capital city, and it doesn’t really have much to make it stand out outside the main two or three tourist attractions.
There Isn’t a Ton to Do
Speaking of tourist attractions, there isn’t that much to do in Bucharest.
It’s main draws are the Palace of Parliament, the National Museum of Romanian History, and the Old Town.
There are also some cute, up and coming neighbourhoods that are developing that are giving the city more personality. They aren’t really much of a tourist draw at this point.
In my opinion, you can see the highlights of Bucharest in two days and then move on to another Romanian city.
Nature is Lacking
It isn’t surprising that there isn’t a lot of nature in Bucharest outside a few parks. It is a major city, and most major cities don’t have tons and tons of green space.
However, Romania is partially known for it’s incredible scenery and nature, and it is a shame you don’t get a taste of that in Bucharest.
So, is Bucharest Worth Visiting Alone?
Okay. We’ve covered why you may or may not want to visiting Bucharest alone. Now I’m going to give you my honest opinion as someone who travelled a lot of Romania alone.
If you’re only planning to visit one or two cities in Romania, I don’t think Bucharest should be at the top of your list.
There are countless other cities that I think are vastly superior to Bucharest I think are more worth your time.
My personal favourite is Timișoara. I adore that city. Brașov is another city you should definitely visit.
If you’re spending a few weeks in Romania and visiting four or five cities, I definitely think Bucharest is worth visiting.
It has enough interesting things to do that I think you should spend a day or two in the city.
Plus it has the best airport, so that alone could be enough motivation to spend one day in Bucharest at the start of your trip and one day at the end of your trip.
Whether or not Bucharest is worth visiting really comes down to you and what you want to see.
I don’t think there is enough in Bucharest to make me suggest to you that you should just plan a trip to Bucharest and nowhere else in Romania. I think most other people who have been to Romania would agree.
To summarize:
Bucharest is a nice city to visit if you’re planning a larger trip to Romania but don’t plan a trip to Romania just to visit Bucharest.
PS- Don’t forget to download an esim on your phone, so you can access the internet everywhere in Bucharest with zero hassle!
