Traveling solo, especially as a female, can feel intimidating. But I’m here to ease your worries about traveling to England as a solo female traveler with how to stay safe, and why England is a PERFECT destination for solo travelers!
Safety as a Solo Female Traveler
I felt SOOO safe when I traveled around England as a solo female traveler. Throughout my entire trip, I didn’t experience any cat-calling, and no one approached me to give them money, or to buy anything (even in tourist hot-spots!). Everyone kept to themselves, and no one acted erratic and unpredictable.
So what did I do to stay safe as a solo female traveler in England?
Traveling to England as a solo female traveler exceeded my expectations for feeling safe. Compared to other countries, England is easy to travel around and has a low crime rate. I had to keep reminding myself to not get too comfortable. My safety tips below could be used while in England, or anywhere.
Fake it ’til you make it. Pretend to look like you know where you’re going, even if you are lost. Walk with your head up and walk with purpose. It will help you blend in as a local!
If you need to look a map, go somewhere private or be discreet. This is very dependent on where you travel, but in England everyone is looking at their phone. I would sometimes sneak a peek at my phone to get directions (making sure no one could see I was looking at a map).
Don’t stay out late. I probably took this to the extreme, but I would make sure I was back in my hostel by the time it was dark. If I did have to walk around at night (after a play, for example), I made sure I walked home looking confident. In London I walked home at night in the Soho district, and it felt really safe at night. There were people everywhere!
Research neighborhoods. Before I went on my trip I made sure to research which locations were safer than others. In London, I stayed at the SoHostel in Soho and felt safe. It was also busy, next to Oxford Street, and lots of people walking around. I also stayed in Victoria, which was definitely safe, but I was on a side street and it was much more quiet (even during the day), which personally I didn’t like as much.
Listen to your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it! This can be for anything – a street that’s too quiet, or someone inviting you out for a drink. Walk down a different street if your gut is telling you to, even if it’s a longer route. If you don’t feel comfortable going out with a stranger, then don’t do it.
Don’t sacrifice your safety for the sake of being nice! Be okay with saying no to others, and to situations, if it doesn’t feel right. Your safety is much more important.
Keep your belongings secure. Bring a crossbody purse that zippers shut to store your belongings in while you are out sightseeing, and keep a hand on the opening to prevent pickpockets. Back at the accommodation, hide your passport and extra money in your bags and keep them locked up.
Bring a SIM card. As a solo female traveler, I wanted to make sure I could use my phone without depending on wifi, and call someone if I needed to. I ordered a SIM card to be delivered to my home before my trip, and I was able to use my phone the minute I landed!
Pay extra money for safety. If you don’t feel safe walking back somewhere, call for an Uber or Taxi (another reason why having a SIM card for your phone is so important!). Or if an accommodation or the location it’s in doesn’t feel safe, pay the extra money to stay somewhere else.
Booking.comWhat else is there to know about traveling to England as a solo traveler?
So now that safety is taken care of… what else makes travelling around England so awesome for solo female travelers?
Language
England is one of the best destinations for traveling solo if it is your first international trip, especially if English is your first language. The communication barrier is very small, so if you are lost or navigating the transit system, it is easy to ask for help or find your way.
Transportation
As a solo female traveler, it is really easy to navigate your way around England. Download the Citymappers app on your phone so that you can use the public transportation system easily. If you don’t have a SIM card and are depending on wifi, routes can be saved offline.
To get to and from the Airport, there are various options. From Heathrow there is the Heathrow express, or the tube. From Gatwick, there is the Gatwick Express, or the Southbound train (much cheaper!) . Tickets for these can be purchased at the airport when you arrive. I arrived in Gatwick, and purchased an Oyster card and used that for the Southbound train into London.
Group Travel
If you are traveling to England as a solo female traveler, there are no rules saying that you have to be alone the ENTIRE trip. Sometimes it’s nice to break it up and go somewhere with a group! This can help with avoiding loneliness too. Go on a walking tour, a day trip, or a multi-day trip to explore new places. It can take the stress out of organizing transportation, and provides the opportunity to make new friends!
I hope these tips help you feel comfortable traveling to England as a solo female traveler. England was such a great place to travel to as a solo female traveler, especially if it is your first solo trip. I always felt safe and was never in uncomfortable situation. I would definitely recommend it!
Have you been to England on a solo trip, and what was your experience like? Where was your favourite place to travel solo? Let me know in the Comments below!
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