The YPT team and especially the women of YPT would like to wish everyone a happy International Women’s Day and offer some travel advice for women! Women have been travellers for centuries. From Jeanne Baret, a French woman in 1740 who is thought to be the first woman to have successfully voyaged around the world (disguised as a man), to modern day women of all nationalities collecting countries and stamps in their passport!
As pioneers ourselves, we decided to ask some of the women at YPT about their advice for their travel advice for women, when it comes to all things travel.
Table of Contents
What is your best travel advice for women?
Kris – YPT Guide
The first thing you need to think is: things happen, anywhere in the world.
As women we have been educated to take extra care compared to our male friends and relatives: that it is not safe to go alone, that it’s not safe to be at night, don’t trust anyone, etc. I’m not trying to say you should be careless, but my experience of more than 10 years backpacking alone, walking at night in foreign cities, hitchhiking, staying at strangers’ homes, has led me to the conclusion that there’s way more nice people in the world than bad ones.
Every woman is different, and maybe you don’t need to think like me, but you only have one life and it’s very short, don’t waste it thinking about all those what ifs. Sadly, those bad things can happen in your hometown too, so my travel advice to women is not to overthink and enjoy all this planet has to offer!
Caitlin – YPT Guide
My best travel advice for women is that you don’t always have to wait for a friend to travel. I have met many women who want to travel to places but have elected not to because they didn’t have a friend to travel with. If you don’t have anyone to travel with, maybe try solo travelling! There are so many benefits to solo travelling: you can work with your budget, you have full control over your activities and movements, you can meet lots of friends in hostels and shared accommodation, and you can develop so many life skills.
If this is not for you, join a group tour where you are bound to meet like-minded people and it can ease your nerves of travel by being guided by experts. You might even meet friends to go travelling with next time!
Be selective about the advice you take and where you get your resources from. Especially after working predominately in the Middle East, if I trusted traditional media at face value without being critical, I would have missed out on many of my best memories.
Sara – YPT Guide
For me, some of the best travel advice for women I can offer is to do your research before you travel. Awareness helps prevent misunderstanding and gives you confidence. Don’t take everything in the media at face value, and remember that someone else’s experience might not be yours. The world can be less safe for us women, but fear shouldn’t stop us from living our lives and chasing our dreams.
Dani – YPT Admin
Traveling as a woman can be one of the most empowering experiences you give yourself. My best advice for women travelers is simple: be a Girl Scout, always be prepared. Whether you’re traveling solo or joining a group, bring handy essentials such as basic medicine, portable chargers, and small devices that can help you stay comfortable and safe during your journey. When you’re far from home, even the smallest preparations can make a big difference. Being prepared isn’t about expecting something bad to happen; it’s about giving yourself the confidence to handle whatever comes your way while enjoying the freedom of exploring new places.
Anna – YPT Admin & Guide
I remember seeing a video on Instagram, where someone I’d met travelling in North Korea earlier had posted “this is your sign to book that boys trip to Syria”. The comment section was full of people saying that it must be nice to be a man, because there’s no way women could do the same.
A few weeks later I solo travelled Syria from south to north, and that trip completely changed my view on travelling as a woman. My most meaningful travel experiences have almost exclusively been to places you’re told not to go to, especially as a woman travelling by yourself.
My travel advice for women and especially solo travellers is to not ignore common sense, do your research and trust your instincts, but also don’t be scared to explore the more unusual places. Meeting locals and experiencing these places will guaranteed give you a different perspective from what you see in the news or are being told by people who have never left their hometown.
What destination would you recommend for women to travel to this year?
Kris – YPT Guide
A trip around Central America! Climb a volcano in Guatemala, dive in the crystal water in Belize, experience Mayan ruins in Honduras, surf in El Salvador, learn about the complex history of the area in Nicaragua, wander through the rainforest in Costa Rica, and finish your trip partying in Panama. I met a lot of girls traveling alone too during my trips in the region, and unlike me they didn’t speak a single word of Spanish. Here at YPT I’m helping to develop tours in the region and we’ll soon let you know about them, so why not join us and explore this beautiful part of the world together?
Caitlin – YPT Guide
My ‘best in travel’ for women in 2026 would have to be Saudi Arabia. In Saudi, it is very safe to camp in areas you are not familiar without much trouble at all. People generally are more conserved and you may notice most men – and strangers in general – will not approach you. However, if you can meet some local women, or if you need any assistance, you will be treated like a princess and will get a great insight into Saudi society!
Sara – YPT Guide
Anywhere you want to go, just go for it. But if I had to pick one, it would be Mongolia. That place changed my life. It might not be the easiest place to backpack, logistics can be tricky, but it’s absolutely worth every penny and every second you spend there.
Dani – YPT Admin
For women looking for inspiration on where to travel next, Southeast Asia is one of my top recommendations for 2026. Countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Cambodia offer breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures, and incredibly warm communities that often make travelers feel welcomed and supported. The kindness and hospitality found in these destinations can help women navigate unfamiliar environments while building confidence and independence along the way. Traveling through Southeast Asia isn’t just about visiting beautiful places; it’s about experiencing cultures that inspire, empower, and remind women that the world is full of opportunities to explore.
Anna – YPT Admin & Guide
Southern Pakistan! Many people skip the south while travelling Pakistan, and only go to the famous nature spots in the north. Karachi has a somewhat bad reputation, both as being unsafe but also not too much to do as a tourist. No doubt my favourite city I visited in Pakistan, the people are some of the most welcoming I’ve ever met, the foods incredible, and I was not bored for a second. It belongs on every Pakistan travel itinerary!
Tours For Women (ONLY) At YPT
YPT was the first company to introduce a Women’s Tour to Afghanistan. As we look forward to another installment later this year, it is important to continue on the path of providing the opportunity to experience life that is quite different to their own. Happy International Women’s Day to all the women out there, the women of YPT hope to see you on tour soon!
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