As women become more entrenched in the workforce and take on bigger and more demanding ventures, solo travel is becoming a great avenue to take breaks, unwind, and reset. Whether in business or corporate settings, women are now spending more time constantly planning, multitasking, and juggling between meetings. One can easily get overwhelmed without even realizing.
Spending time alone in a new city can be one of the most calming and clarifying things a woman can do to get their rhythm back. Solo travel offers space to reflect, get lost in your thoughts, and move at your own pace without distractions.
As a woman who works full-time in the city and still manages a farm back home, I’ve come to value solo trips for what they offer – nonnegotiable rest. Quiet mornings without schedules. Leisurely walks and peaceful people watching. Slow meals and a glass of wine here and there, or a full-on party when the mood calls for it. I get to decide how much or how little to do, and that freedom is rare and worth every moment.
One destination that is becoming increasingly attractive for solo female travelers is Dubai, which I’ve been privileged to travel to several times, though for work. Not to say that I did not fit in some sightseeing and shopping, which were the highlights of my visits.
I love Dubai for several reasons, top of them being the sense of safety. The law works, streets are clean and clear, public areas are safe, and walking alone even at night feels natural and comfortable. Safety is a general requirement for everyone, but for the solo woman traveler, it makes an even bigger difference.
According to Sara Boisvert – Director of Marketing at InsureMyTrip, Dubai was ranked as the top city for solo female travelers in March this year, based on such criteria as ‘feeling safe walking alone at night which scored 83.11/100, ‘feeling safe despite gender’ at a 86.23/100 score and ‘quality of things to do’ at 4.58/5. Source.
Hotels, attractions, and restaurants stay open late, and the strong sense of security means you can go anytime. Enjoying a walk and some ice cream at midnight is right up there among the simple pleasures that a working woman needs.
Dubai is also very practical for movement. Transport is varied, reliable, and affordable. Because of this, a city as massive and complex as Dubai is surprisingly easy to navigate. For the times I’ve been there, I’ve not once found myself asking for directions since even ride-hailing apps work with pinpoint accuracy.
Dubai is not subtle. It is big and glossy, and as much as one would expect to feel intimidated, underneath it all is a warm, welcoming city that immediately puts its visitors at ease. It is so highly organized with clear entry protocols, not just at immigration but also at tourist sites. As a woman traveler and a solo one at that, I’ve never experienced the social awkwardness that often plagues women.
One thing that stands out to me to date is that they issued a free SIM card with 24 hours of data upon landing. This way, at no time is a visitor caught up in those few awkward hours of being cut off from the world as they look for connectivity in a new environment.
I was also impressed by how inclusive some of Dubai’s public spaces are. For instance, most attractions have accessible ramps for people with disabilities. Signage is also clear, and ticketing is simplified, so even the busiest places are easy and quick to navigate.
See also – Dubai Autism Destination Sets Global Benchmark for Inclusion
Overall, I was impressed by the convenience of everything. Visa processing is straightforward and flight times are manageable. Traveling to Dubai is also very cost-friendly if one plans ahead and books early. Accommodation is varied to accommodate everyone, with many mid-range hotels, food courts and metro links that allow travel within the city without breaking the bank. With enough research and talking to people who already live there, I was able to access off-peak discounts for some attractions.
Solo travel isn’t about proving a point. It is about owning your time and having a quiet time to unwind. My advice to fellow solo travelers would be to pick a city with safety, clarity, and thoughtful systems, and Dubai ticks all these boxes.
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