It Depends, AirBnb Can Be Safe for Female Travelers, with Some Caveats.
So…is AirBnb safe for solo female travelers? While the flat-sharing site does not have specific safety tips aimed at women traveling solo, what it does do, is point guests toward reviews on listings. Reputation and verified host identities within AirBnb’s system are a strong signal as to whether the listing will be a safe option for your travels.
🏝️ Related: Destination guides for solo female travelers
In the US, Airbnb conducts background checks, including on state and national sex offender registers. But these are not a guarantee of safety.
So with all this in mind, how do you pick a safe place to stay for your solo adventure?
Here are some ways you can further ensure your safety.
TL;DR
- Research neighborhoods before you book.
- Airbnb’s review system is your friend.
- Super hosts are your travel guardian angels.
- Communication is the secret to a magical stay.
- Choose between shared and private locations.
- Emergency preparedness is the name of the game.
- Don’t forget the art of negotiation.
Your savings account is finally close to where it needs to be and you’re ready to book your first solo adventure.
Related: Which Travel Savings App is For You?
You go to bed dreaming of exotic cocktails on sunkissed beaches (and not to mention all those hunky surf chads). Or perhaps you’re a city slicker – imagining vibrant streets of {insert thriving hub of choice}. The world really is your oyster.Â
But as you navigate through the labyrinth of travel options, you can’t help but wonder: Is Airbnb safe for a solo female traveler like yourself? You’ve usually traveled with friends and had the comfort of living with familiar faces while exploring unfamiliar lands. Don’t fret chicka. I got you.
All the Things You Need to Know About Short-term Rentals for Solo Female Travelers.
Whether you’re a feisty college grad exploring newfound independence or a fierce career woman taking a much-deserved sabbatical, I’ve got your back (and your suitcase).
Here’s a no-nonsense take on how to choose safe accommodation when you are a solo female traveler. Because ladies, let’s be real the stats are NOT in our favor on this one.
Research neighborhoods before you book.
When traveling solo, it’s crucial to choose neighborhoods that match your fabulousness while prioritizing your safety. Before booking, do your homework! Research the areas you’re considering. Seek out neighborhoods with convenient transportation options, vibrant communities, and plenty of amenities nearby. Safety and a dash of local charm? That’s a winning combo!
Depending on what you’re up to, you may also consider moving a bit out of the city, which could provide you with properties with more space for less money.
Airbnb’s review system is your friend.
Before booking, dive into the treasure trove of reviews left by fellow globetrotters. Don’t just scan for five stars. Look at the number of reviews and skim through a couple of them on your shortlisted AirBnb listings. These firsthand accounts provide invaluable insights into the safety and hospitality of hosts and their listings. Stick with properties that have earned the seal of approval from your fellow female travelers. And no matter how good the deal looks, don’t book a place that has zero reviews.
Super hosts are your travel guardian angels.
When searching for a place, filter by super hosts to ensure a frictionless and easy stay. This badge of verification is a signal that your potential host has been vetted by Airbnb. These hosts are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for their guests.
🔥 Hot Tip:
If you’re staying for a while, invite your host out for dinner or a drink. Breaking bread with locals gives you the greatest insights into the soul of each place you go to.
Communication is the secret to a magical stay.
Communication is the key to unlocking a truly unforgettable experience.
Look, sometimes things don’t always go the way you plan when traveling. It’s best to pre-empt this by reaching out to your host and clarifying important items. Need to work while traveling? Check-in with them to see if the internet is stable before booking.
Ask questions, share your concerns, and soak up their knowledge of the local scene. A responsive and attentive host can be your ultimate travel ally, ensuring your comfort and peace of mind throughout your stay.
Choosing between shared and private locations.
This isn’t a case of one option being better than the other.
This choice depends on your priorities and what kind of holiday you’re looking to have.
If you’re looking to meet people to head out and adventure with, a private room in a shared accommodation may be a better fit for you. This way you will have company and a host that you can venture out with if you click! If you are looking for a shared space, pay more attention to reviews here. You don’t want a Debbie downer cramping your style!
If you’re looking for something a little calmer, or perhaps are juggling work while traveling – an entire accommodation might be better suited to you, as you will have better control over your environment.
🔥 Hot Tip:
Look out for AirBnbs set up for long-term stays. They come with amenities like workstations that your spine will thank you for later.
Emergency preparedness is the name of the game.
Even the most fabulous adventures require a sprinkle of practicality. Prioritize your safety by preparing for the unexpected. Familiarize yourself with emergency contact numbers, local healthcare facilities, and nearby police stations. Also don’t forget to send the listing link to a close friend or family member. Always better to have people know where you are when you’re on the road solo.
Always purchase travel insurance for the total duration of your stay, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Check out World Nomads, they have simple and flexible travel insurance to keep you safe when things go wrong.
Keep your phone charged and easily accessible (better yet, carry a charged power bank everywhere), and share your travel itinerary with a trusted friend or family member. Regularly check in with them during your stay to let them know you are safe. Having a support system back home provides an added layer of security and peace of mind.
With a little preparedness, you’ll be ready to zig any zags on your journey.
Don’t forget the art of negotiation
Wherever you’re going, if you are staying over a month, instead of booking your stay straight from the website, communicate with your host first.
Hosts value long-term travelers and in most cases, they are ready to adjust the price and give you a huge discount. There’s no need to be shy, and burn money for your long-term stay.
So My Verdict: AirBnb is Safe for Solo Female Travelers. Just Don’t Be An Idiot.
There you have it, fierce solo female travelers—your guide to conquering the world of Airbnb with confidence and style! Research your chosen neighborhoods and communicate openly with your hosts. Trust in the power of Airbnb’s review system, seek out verified hosts, and listen to your intuition.
Prioritize private accommodations for a solo experience (so you can do whatever, and I mean whatever, you want), and always be prepared for any curveballs that may come your way.
If You’re Feeling Adventurous…
There are several other safe short-term rental marketplaces for you to consider.
Safe places to book accommodation for solo female travel:
- Vrbo
- Booking.com
- Agoda
- Hotels.com
Vrbo
Vrbo is a vacation rental platform, similar to Airbnb. The only difference? It offers entire homes. Compared to Airbnb, Vrbo has lower fees and a more detailed search filter that lets you filter by user reviews and cleanliness. So if you are a clean freak looking for an entire house to rent, head over to Vrbo for cheaper deals!
Booking.com
Let’s be honest, you’ve heard of booking.com before, and maybe even booked accommodation there. After all, it is the travel booking platform with more than 28 million listings…Â
You can find anything on booking.com – from luxurious resorts to serviced apartments to hostels. If you can dream it, they probably have it.
Booking.com has an extremely functional search filter which lets you filter by user reviews, proximity to landmarks, and a multitude of other variables.
On top of all this, you can also get a discount once you sign in to their Genius program. This could lower your bill by up to 10%.
Although Booking offers a wide range of accommodations, the safest option would still be the hotels listed there as they don’t have a Superhost system like Airbnb does. This reduces the reliability of the shared houses or apartments there.
Maybe Hotels Are More Your Speed?
So, if you’ve changed your mind completely, and decided that you’ll stay at a hotel to ensure the maximum safety, the next two are just for you.
Agoda
Agoda, is another travel booking website, which specializes in hotels and resorts. It only has 1/10th the amount of listings compared to Booking, but it is not rare to come across an unbelievable deal on a luxury resort on Agoda, especially for accommodations located in Asia, as Agoda is headquartered in Singapore. So if you’re traveling your way through Asia, Agoda can be the best option to find amazing deals on incredible hotels.
Hotels.com
Hotels.com is another booking aggregator, specializing in hotels like Agoda. If you want to go the safest route, you might want to check out hotels.com as they have special partnerships with major hotel chains like Hilton, Marriott and IHG, letting you to stay there with discounted prices. These hotels are known worldwide and they will provide you with utmost safety.
When you book from hotels.com, you also earn rewards that can be redeemed for free hotel stays. While you’re at it, if you want to stay at an accommodation but can’t find enough reviews on the booking platform, check out Trip Advisor, a travel review website. You can find reviews on almost any hotel, allowing you to make your decision based on testimonials.
The World Has Changed – It’s Safe for Women to Travel Alone
With any of these short-term rental service providers as your trusted companion, your journey will be one of empowerment, exhilaration, and unforgettable memories. Ladies, I get it stepping out of your comfort zone and going on a solo adventure takes guts. So pat yourself on the back, summon your inner travel goddess, and prepare to embark on a journey with serious main-character vibes.
Ready for your trip? Make sure you have everything you need by checking out my travel accessories for women list. And if you don’t already have a travel crossbody travel bag – get one!
Dive into Destination Guide
Want a friendly female lens on your next travel destination? Here are my deep dives for solo female travelers:
Asia
- Is Bali Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
- Is Thailand Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
- Is Vietnam Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
