If you'd like to join us in 2027, here are the details of the tour. And stay tuned to our Instagram because I will be sharing the behind the scenes of the tour live starting in a couple of days.
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On another note, have you listened to this week's podcast episode? This week's podcast episode is a conversation with Jase, from Friend of the Earth, about the impact that the cruise ship industry has, particularly on the environment.
I know this is an uncomfortable conversation for many of you who are avid cruise goers, but it is an important one to have nonetheless. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.
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Now, on to this week's travel tip: Have you ever noticed how much more expensive solo female travel can be? This week is a reflection on the extra cost women traveling solo incur in an attempt to feel safe and travel the world on their own.
The pink tax on solo travel
Have you ever heard the concept of a pink tax?
This is most commonly used to refer to the extra money that products marketed to women have over those marketed to men.
Clothes to women are more expensive than clothes to men. Medication that treats conditions only women experience such as ibuprofen for menstrual cramps, are more expensive than regular ibuprofen also use by men even though it has the same ingredients. Medication for women is also less subsidized, or attracts higher taxes.
For example, razors made for women are significantly more expensive than those made for men, even though they use the same technology. Tampons are taxed as luxury items in many countries while medication treating sexual disfunction in men is a basic necessity.
Travel does not escape this duality in gender pricing either. Not exactly always in the same way but similarly in concept.
It is a sort of invisible tax (not a government one) that solo female travelers end up paying because of safety concerns.
We pay more just to feel safer.
It's called a pink tax, an avoidance tax or a safety tax. Either way, it is a tax men don't pay, and we call it tax because it cannot be avoided.
Have you ever experienced that? Have you made choices that were more expensive but gave you a greater sense of safety and peace of mind?
Here are a few examples.
Female dorms cost more than mixed dorms
Many solo female travelers love shared dorms as an easy, social and affordable way to travel but prefer female only because of safety concerns or to minimize the risk of snoring.
Consistently, female only dorms are more expensive than mixed one, even though they offer the exact same amenities.
Hostel owners say it is a product of supply and demand, but it is no different than a razor aimed at women costing more than one aimed at men.
The same happens with women only train carriages or buses.
Taking a taxi instead of public transportation
Have you ever taken a taxi simply because walking or taking the bus / metro felt unsafe?
I know I have.
Do you think a man traveling solo may have done the same?
Sometimes they may, because some cities are dangerous for everyone, especially at night, but they are less likely to do so.
In numbers, 43% of men worry about walking back to their accommodation at night, while 75% of women do (source). 29% of women do not take public transportation at night vs. 8% of men (source).
I know I take taxis back to my hotel at night if I have decided to treat myself to a nice dinner. I ask the restaurant to call me one or I use a ride hailing app.
Estimates place the extra cost women incur to feel safer when it comes to transportation at $26-50 per month vs. $0 for men. This is a figure that reflects regular commutes and not necessarily transportation while on a trip, but the risks, perceived and real, when in a foreign place are greater so this would be higher.
Taking more expensive transportation than the most affordable option
Would you take the cheapest train ticket or are you inclined to book the higher class or VIP seats so that you have more personal space and privacy, hence feeling safer?
The idea of being in a carriage that is crammed, with dozens of other people, most of whom are likely to be men, and without personal space is not appealing to many women. The fear and risk of harassment or of theft is looming, so we end up booking more expensive seats to minimise that risk.
Daytime flights instead of night time flights
I try to land at destinations during the day so I do not have to navigate getting to my hotel when it is dark or when I am tired because it is the middle of the night.
When you are already exhausted because of the irregular or limited sleep, having to bargain with a taxi driver, exchanging money or getting cash from an ATM is extra tricky and subject to scam.
Then comes getting to the hotel, finding it if the taxi cannot drop you at the entrance because it is in a pedestrian zone.
Early morning or late night flights are always the most affordable, but they involve navigating airports, airport transfers and transportation when it is dark and streets are emptier. Solo female travelers tend to avoid these flights because they put us in a more vulnerable situation, so we end up booking day time flights which are more expensive, or book a private airport pick up from the hotel to minimise problems.
International chain hotels vs boutique, small or BnB options
Many women feel unsafe in a small, family / male owned boutique hotel or BnB or even an Airbnb that is hosted by a man and end up booking larger international chain hotels that have the reputation and backing of a large corporation to feel safer vs. a more affordable but privately owned alternative.
The bottom line
The tourism industry often exploits the increased risk, and perception of, gender-based violence disproportionately affecting women to make single-sex products more expensive even though they cost the same, in what is gender discriminatory pricing.
At the core, gender based pricing such as female only dorms, exacerbates women's safety concerns by creating this perception that if we don't pick this, we are putting ourselves at risk.
At the same time, the price discrimination adds a financial burden men don't have, added to the salary gap that women already experience. So travel is more expensive for solo female travelers and we earn less than men in general.
What are your thoughts? Have you experienced this? Were you aware of your choices?
= Trip is confirmed
= SOLD OUT
= I or Meg will co-host these trips
= Photographer accompanying the group
Oaxaca
Xmas markets
Caribbean island hopping
Barcelona & Beyond
Kyrgyzstan:
Bali:
Swedish Arctic:
Ecuador & The Galapagos:
Georgia:
Armenia
Croatia Sailing
Egypt
Scotland:
Tanzania Value safari + Zanzibar
Tanzania Luxe safari + Zanzibar
Morocco
Australia
Japan
Galapagos sailing
MadagascarHave a wonderful weekend wherever you are!
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CO-FOUNDERS, SOLO FEMALE TRAVELERS
Tags: Solo Female Trvelers
