Solo Female Travel Safety – Navigating Rideshares Safely
As a solo female traveller exploring the world on your own terms, rideshare services like Uber, Lyft, Grab, and Go-Jek offer convenience – but ‘Wise Women’ travellers know that confidence and empowerment come from preparation and planning.
Finding reliable information on local rideshare options is an essential safety requirement for solo female travellers. While these platforms are generally safe, taking extra travelling precautions can make for a smoother and more secure journey. What we take for granted or assume when booking an Uber at home may be completely different in another country.
Here is an essential guide to using rideshares safely while embracing your solo travel adventure.
Solo Female Travel Safety – How to find trustworthy rideshare options?
Before stepping into any vehicle, arm yourself with local knowledge and tap into traveller wisdom by researching where to find rideshare options:
Check the websites of major rideshare services like Uber, Bolt, Lyft, Grab, and Didi to see if they operate in your chosen destination. Stick to well-known rideshare services with good safety records. Examine company and driver reviews and ensure the app has safety features such as ride tracking and emergency contacts. If you use some of these rideshare services at home, take a minute or two to set up the safety services that are already available to you.
My Grab driver in the Philippines reading his bible as we wait at trafffic lights
Solo Female Travel Safety Resources to find trustworthy rideshare options:
TripAdvisor forums: TripAdvisor.com
Reddit – Solo female travel subreddits
Solo Traveler World – Solo Traveler World
Facebook groups & pages: Search for Solo Female Travel or those specific to your destination. These are excellent for receiving real-time advice from other travellers.
Consult travel bloggers who have navigated your destination, such as Nomadic Matt who offers particularly detailed transport safety insights.
Leverage local expertise by asking accommodation staff about which services are trusted by locals and which ones to avoid.
Explore transportation apps such as Google Maps and Rome2Rio for real-time options tailored to your destination.
Pimped out tricycle transport in the Philippines
Solo Female Travel Safety – Pre-Ride Safety Checklist
Transform these simple habits into non-negotiable rituals when using a rideshare:
- Verify everything before entering: The driver’s face matches the profile, the license plate corresponds to the app, and the vehicle model is correct
- Test driver knowledge by asking, “Who are you picking up?” rather than volunteering your name
- Activate trip sharing so a trusted contact can track your journey in real-time
- If needed, choose the back seat for greater personal space and easier exit options.
- Check if the vehicle has child safety locks activated before closing the door, giving you more control
- Project confidence with a “meeting friends” narrative rather than revealing you’re travelling solo
During Your Ride: Stay Alert – Stay Empowered
Your awareness and intuition are your greatest protections. Remember, you owe no one politeness or cultural norms when it comes to your personal safety!
- Trust your instincts and spidey senses immediately. If something feels off, feel free to end your ride early. Aim to do this in a populated area.
- Establish safety signals by calling someone (real or imaginary) to confirm that you’re expected somewhere.
- Know what your emergency options are, including in-app SOS buttons and local emergency phone numbers.
- Maintain awareness by following your route on your own map application
- Limit night journeys when possible, especially in unfamiliar territories
- Choose well-lit pickup spots where others are present.
How to contribute to the Rideshare Safety Community.
Your rideshare experience helps protect other solo women travellers and women in general. Do this by;
- Rating drivers honestly after each journey
- Reporting concerning behaviour through official channels
- Sharing your experiences with other female travellers through forums and groups.
Putting some of these strategies into action will help protect yourself and other women, and you are claiming your right to Explore the World – FEARLESSLY and confidently on your own terms.
Remember: Preparation isn’t fear; it’s Empowerment
Check out this sexual assault ridesharing guide for safety from the USA using Uber and Lyft.
Pro Tip: Always cross-reference information from multiple sources before committing to any transportation option in a new destination. Your intuition, combined with solid research, creates your strongest safety net.
