Can We Talk Honestly About Women's Travel?

An exclusive look at a new Google Maps feature, the new escapist trend, and how to navigate safety as a solo woman on the road.

International Women’s Day was always one of the biggest days of the year. When I worked at a girls’ rights nonprofit in my 20s, we spent months crafting giving campaigns to support girls growing up freely and safely. In my early 30s, particularly after Roe v. Wade was overturned, I tailored digital content around feminism, women’s wellness and autonomy, and women’s personal finance.

It feels only right that, during Women’s History Month, we talk—openly—about all of those aspects and how they relate to travel. We already know the world is different for women travelers, but we don’t often discuss it explicitly or hear many tips beyond the basics. Let’s change that today.

Safety & Transit

Last summer, when I asked what types of topics readers want to see, someone wrote in, “A roundup of safe travel tips, especially in airports.” It got me thinking how men probably never consider looking up safety protocols or how to navigate transit.

I actually joined the Points, Cards, and Travel podcast with Ross Alcorn reviewing many of the basic safety tips I’ve learned over the years, and I’ll drop a TL;DL:

• Prioritize a good location over anything else when making accommodations. Decide if you prefer an Airbnb with a personal host who can meet you, or if you prefer the security of a larger space like a hotel chain with a concierge.

• Try to plan your itinerary so you arrive at a destination before it’s dark out.

• Optimize for safety or energy instead of price—invest in practices that will keep you going in the safest way possible. (This is where valuable credit card benefits can come in!)

• Read reviews through the lens of" “I’m traveling alone.” Sometimes, reviews that say a space is great for couples or families may not be the safest for a solo woman.

• I also re-shared my guide for easing into your first solo trip, as well as my post on how to safely meet new friends even if you’re introverted.

In addition to the above, consider if you’re heading somewhere where you do not speak the local language and what to keep in mind:

• Download the Google Translate or similar app—I often scan an image of a local dialect, and it’ll translate the image for me in real time. You should be able to download the language to your phone, in case you’re traveling somewhere without internet access.

• Similarly, download a map of the area you’ll be in before you get there and while you’re on WiFi. Then you can use it “offline” without having to use data, and you’ll always know where you are.

• Keep a standard list of questions written down in the language of wherever you’re traveling that you can turn to if needed. I advise to do this both on paper and on your phone, in case your phone runs out of battery. Example questions could be:

  • “How do I get to X?”

  • “Is this area safe?”

  • “Where’s the closest bathroom?”

  • “Can you call emergency services?” / “I need a doctor.”

• Get familiar with signage you see in airports, so you can navigate them more easily. Even if you don’t understand the written characters, recognizing symbols or pictographs can help. Some airports also use color-coded information to direct you to different terminals or areas. SeaTac airport worked with an organization called LanguageLine to provide services in 200+ languages, which is a resource they should try to roll out in more hubs.

• Always have copies of your documentation, even if you leave your passport in a hotel room or locked safe. For example, I send a copy to my family and keep one in my email and Google Drive, just in case something happens to both my phone and my passport. Same goes for visas in countries that require them.

Health & Hygiene

Last week, Ashley Spivey of Seester Seester shared period underwear she uses on her Instagram, and she was flooded with comments about how “gross” it was to talk about it. I’ve thought about this repeatedly—it’s not an experience most of us enjoy, but it’s also unavoidable and a part of life.

Frankly, given how many women I know who suffer from painful periods, PCOS like me, endometriosis, or heavy flows, I think we’d be better off talking more transparently about this, particularly if you’re a solo traveler who will menstruate at some point on a trip.

I’ve had a Mirena IUD for the last 11 years, which I credit for minimizing my PMDD and saving my health, and I no longer get full “periods” though I do spot occasionally. For years, I’ve sworn by Knix’s period underwear (affiliate). I previously tried a different period underwear brand, and they fell apart pretty easily; Knix has been far more durable. I wear these almost daily when I’m spotting, ovulating, or traveling—they keep you dry without worry, and there are tons of styles, sizes, and absorbencies.

The majority of women I know prefer tampons or menstrual cups, though it’s worth keeping in mind that the style of tampon you prefer might not always be available while traveling (see also: the times only cardboard applicators were available, or no applicators at all) or that there might not be a hygienic place to wash out your cup. Neither are dealbreakers of course, but an aspect to plan around. If you have recommendations on how you handle this, I’m sure other readers would be grateful to hear!

Due to chronic illness, I’m usually over-prepared with OTC medications. I always have a bag of Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, Omeprazole (for acid reflux), Dramamine for flights (IYKYK), wipes, hand sanitizer, and tea tree oil (for when you have an HS flare-up, acne, or an ingrown hair).

I also always carry a mask, tweezers, bandaids, tampons, a dermaplaning razor, floss, and nail clippers. Most places will have these on hand or at a local pharmacy, but I never want to be without them even in transit. As for my medications, I pack a week’s worth in a pill box (I like this one, affiliate), and I nestle all of this together into my backpack.

Social

I asked a friend who travels solo often what she thinks about in terms of her safety, and her answer was especially illuminating: Nearly all of it had to do with social expectations and public spaces.

“I don’t feel comfortable going to a bar by myself, because I’ve had waiters hit on me when I’m by myself even at dinner. I hate when people ask, ‘Who are you here with?’ Because I’m proud to be a solo traveler, but I don’t want to endanger myself by saying that. And finally, taking pictures—sometimes I want a full body picture of myself somewhere, but if I’m solo, do I trust a stranger not to run away with my phone?”

While there are workarounds—joining meetups with other solo travelers, or using a tripod—it’s a topic that once again I don’t think men give much thought to. But these are all the exact same thoughts I’ve had any time I travel alone. I imagine you have, too.

Until we address the root problem of women largely feeling unsafe in the world, my solutions are merely bandaids, but they work for me:

• Test the waters by going somewhere close to your hotel or even within it, just so you have a nearby place to go if you need to step out.

• Check if there are other solo women travelers that might be open to sitting together at the same table, even if you’re not talking with each other.

• Always ask women to take photos, ideally Gen Z. They get the ask, and don’t run the risk as much of fleeing.

• Make up a lie that you’re meeting someone somewhere, if the vibe feels uncomfortable. Most importantly, also text someone who has access to your location what’s going on and extricate yourself as quickly as possible.

• Budget extra for convenience and safety rather than what’s the most affordable option, in case you need to make alternative accommodations or spend more to get out of a sketchy situation.

• Look up general societal guidelines around modesty and cultural norms: Be respectful and mindful of the community you’re visiting, and not risk coming across as ignorant of a dress code or the typical “rude foreigner.”

• Always create with a backup plan (or two, or three) depending on where you’re going in case things go south. Keep an eye on exits, know which luggage carries your most valuable items, have multiple credit cards on hand if one gets locked, and find the nearest embassy’s information.

• 🗺️ I had the privilege to join the Google Maps team for its latest unveiling, which might make your planning process 100x smoother. In partnership with Gemini and using millions of suggestions from readers, their new feature “Ask Maps” will give you tailored recommendations across the US and a driving itinerary. Here’s an example of what I mean, courtesy of Google:

• 👀 Bilt recently acquired Sion, a platform used exclusively by travel advisors, to support card members’ upcoming trips. Interested to see how they’ll support and stack up against the concierges available at AmEx and Chase.

• 🏃‍♀️ I am very much Not a Runner, but this Runner’s World interview between Harry Styles and Haruki Murakami on running, traveling for fun, and creativity was incredibly moving: “Something else I like in your work is the poetry of simple things, like how you describe sitting down to eat breakfast, or having a beer. That has definitely influenced the small moments that I take to myself when I sit down and appreciate the everyday things in front of me. It changes the way that you see the world.”

• 🧙 According to Pinterest, “mystic outlands” is a thematic trend this year. This conjured up ideas of Scotland and Ireland in my mind, which didn’t surprise me—I feel like I can’t read any travel magazine without seeing a nod to that region. But I was pleasantly surprised by the destinations featured in this Vogue roundup: Bolivia, Mongolia, Ethiopia (and yes, the Scottish Highlands).

• 🇨🇴 I shared some of my most recent film photographs from my birthday trip last summer from Colombia over on Notes, and they bring me so much joy. The rich green and blue hues, the colorful buildings, what a sight to see (and revisit). Grab your camera, y’all!

Next week, I’m heading back to NYC for work, immediately leaving again for three weeks in Asia, followed by another trip home the following week. It’s going to be a marathon (thankfully not of the running variety), but I’m very excited to explore a whole new-to-me region of the world. Stay safe in the meantime, and see you next Thursday! x —Henah

weekend mood // london in november 2025 on film