The 5 Worst Travel Advice Women Keep Hearing (And What You Should Do Instead)

Traveling is one of the most empowering things a woman can do for herself. Yet, ask around in online communities, and you’ll hear horror stories — not from the journeys themselves, but from the advice women are given before they go. Some of it is outdated, some unsafe, and some so unrealistic it could ruin a perfectly good trip.

After reading through stories from real women travelers, here are the 5 worst pieces of travel advice women still hear (and the smarter, safer alternatives you should follow instead).

Key Takeaways

• Bad travel advice can limit your experiences or put you in danger.

• Solo travel is safe and empowering with the right preparation.

• Weapons abroad = legal trouble. Use alarms, secure bags, and awareness instead.

• Hitchhiking may sound fun, but safety comes first—stick with official transport.

• Booking ahead saves stress and guarantees safe accommodations.

• “Common sense” varies. Learn the specific risks of your destination.

 

Table of Contents

• Why Bad Travel Advice Can Be Harmful

• 1. “Don’t Travel Solo Because You’re a Woman”

• 2. “Bring a Weapon for Protection”

• 3. “Just Hitchhike, It’ll Be an Adventure”

• 4. “Don’t Book Ahead—Just Figure It Out”

• 5. “Common Sense Is Enough Everywhere”

• What Actually Works: Smart Safety Habits
  

• FAQ

Why Bad Travel Advice Can Be Harmful

Most bad travel advice comes from a place of fear—or from people who have never traveled much themselves. While some suggestions are harmless, others can:

• Stop you from traveling altogether (“don’t go unless you’re with a man”).

• Put you in legal or personal danger (“bring pepper spray abroad”).

• Waste time and money (“don’t book ahead, just wing it”).

• Give you a false sense of security (“just use common sense, crime is the same everywhere”).

That’s why it’s important to learn from experienced travelers and credible sources.

1. “Don’t Travel Solo Because You’re a Woman”

This is probably the most common—and the most frustrating—piece of bad advice women hear. Many women are told to “wait until you have a husband,” “don’t go without a man,” or “it’s too dangerous to be alone.”

But here’s the truth: women around the world travel solo every day, and thrive doing it.

One traveler shared that if she had waited for a partner to join her trips, she would have missed out on years of experiences. Another, divorced, said bluntly: “Do I wait until I find a new partner? Screw that.”

And married women often travel solo too. Some partners aren’t interested in the same destinations, and many couples see solo travel as healthy independence, not a threat.

👉 Want inspiration? Check out The Safest Destinations for Solo Female Travelers in 2025.

Better advice: Don’t wait for someone else to validate your trip. With preparation, solo travel can be one of the most empowering experiences of your life.

2. “Bring a Weapon for Protection”

Some travelers are told to carry pepper spray, knives, or other weapons “just in case.” While this might sound logical at home, it’s dangerous abroad.

Why?

• Weapons are illegal in many countries. Pepper spray, for example, is banned in most of Europe. Bringing it can lead to fines or even detention at the airport.

• It can backfire. One woman recounted how her friend forgot pepper spray in her bag. It passed U.S. security unnoticed, but when leaving the UK, she was detained, flagged, and cited—making future entries more complicated.

Instead of weapons, women travelers recommend safer alternatives:

• Personal alarms or whistles

• Portable door locks for hotels

• A secure crossbody bag with lockable zippers (your first line of defense against theft)

Better advice: Safety comes from preparation and awareness—not weapons.

👉 Related: 3 Travel Safety Tips Every Woman Should Know.

3. “Just Hitchhike, It’ll Be an Adventure”

Some still romanticize hitchhiking as a “fun, free, adventurous” way to travel. For women—especially solo women—it’s one of the most unsafe pieces of advice.

One traveler recalled her boss suggesting she hitchhike across rural Scotland for work, despite not having a driver’s license or contacts. Others have shared experiences of men insisting hitchhiking is “statistically safe,” ignoring women’s lived realities.

The truth? Hitchhiking puts you in a vulnerable position with no control over who picks you up, where they take you, or how safe the environment is.

Better advice: Use official transit, rideshare apps like Uber or Bolt, or trusted taxis. These options may cost more, but they prioritize your safety.

4. “Don’t Book Ahead—Just Figure It Out”

At first, this sounds adventurous. But for many travelers, it leads to stress and wasted time.

One woman shared how she only booked hostels for a few days at a time. She ended up switching multiple times because everything was full—wasting hours moving between accommodations. Another noted that in rural areas, there might only be one Airbnb, and if it’s booked, you’re stuck.

Better advice: Book your first nights before you arrive, especially during peak holiday seasons. You can always adjust later, but having a safe, confirmed place to sleep means you won’t spend your evenings stressed or wandering.

👉 More tips: How to Choose the Best Safe Bags for Travel.

 

5. “Common Sense Is Enough Everywhere”

Another repeated piece of poor advice is that “crime is the same everywhere, just use common sense.”

But common sense isn’t universal. A traveler who lived in Johannesburg pointed out how safety behaviors differ:

• In some countries, it’s normal to wait inside an ATM foyer with others; in others, that would signal a robbery.

• In San Francisco, locals leave cars empty with glove compartments open to show nothing can be stolen; in other places, leaving a car unlocked would invite theft.

• Even how you react when stopped by police varies by country.

Better advice: Learn about specific risks and cultural norms in the country you’re visiting. What works in Lisbon won’t be the same in Johannesburg or Los Angeles.

👉 Related: How to Avoid Pickpockets While Traveling.

 

What Actually Works: Smart Safety Habits

Instead of listening to bad advice, focus on proven strategies:

• Carry a secure crossbody with anti-theft features (see the Thafael Bag).

• Share your itinerary with a trusted friend.

• Use rideshare apps instead of random taxis.

• Learn a few words of the local language.

• Book accommodations in advance, especially in rural or high-season areas.

For more, read: Crossbody vs. Backpack: Which One Is Better for Travel?.

 

FAQ

Is solo female travel really safe?
Yes. With preparation, awareness, and the right destinations, many women travel solo safely every year.

What’s the one item I should never skip?
A secure anti-theft bag with lockable zippers and RFID pockets. It keeps your essentials safe in crowded metros and markets.

Should I bring pepper spray abroad?
No—many countries ban it. Use non-weapon safety tools instead.

What’s the best way to book accommodations?
Reserve at least your first nights in advance. This ensures you’re not left stressed or vulnerable upon arrival.

How do I know what’s safe “common sense” abroad?
Research local habits. What’s normal in San Francisco may not be safe in Rome, Johannesburg, or Tokyo .