Affiliate Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and purchase something you will not pay anything extra, but I may get a small commission because of my partnership with these companies. This helps me keep this blog running so I can keep sharing travel information with you!

A Story of Caution While Traveling Abroad

I first traveled to Istanbul as a young, single woman in 2012. I was on my way to visit a friend in Japan and was on a late arrival flight from Nairobi. This story is to share my words of caution while traveling alone abroad, especially as a woman in the current day.

Before my travels, I always do a lot of research. Turkish Airways offers a program for travelers which everyone who can should take advantage of. If you have a layover longer than 6 hours, they will take you from the airport to a hotel and then back again in time for your flight. Alternatively, if you have a day layover, you can take advantage of their TourIstanbul offer, which you can read about here.

I am writing about my experiences during my first trip as I believe nearly every woman traveling alone has experienced fear. We often experience more vulnerability traveling as single women. Most of us who are experienced travelers, however, know how to travel with an extra bit of caution.

Part One: The Arrival

My flight arrived in the afternoon into Istanbul. I got on a small bus that transported myself and several businessmen to our hotel. Because there was some light, I checked into my room and then took a walk around the neighborhood.

First, this was not a neighborhood in which I would recommend taking out a camera and looking like a tourist. It was dirty, rundown, and very local. I don’t have any photos from this trip because I was on high alert.

Eventually, I realized one of the older Egyptian gentlemen from the bus had followed me. I turned back to the hotel, and he turned as well. I kept him in my sights and entered the hotel but sat in the lobby instead of going to my room. Side note: it’s a good idea not to head immediately back to your room if you think you are being followed.

The man entered the lobby as well and sat down across from me. He introduced himself, said his name was Ayman, and gave me his business card. He was traveling with his business partner from France. Apparently, I reminded him of his daughter. During our conversation he was even so bold as to reach out and ruffle my hair!

Part Two: Dinner & Chocolate

A bit nervous about his intentions, we were thankfully interrupted when the lobby staff told us we could go to the dining room to eat. I separated myself and took my own food away from Ayman and his partner, but they ended up coming to sit with me. It was a slightly awkward meal in which he paid for my dinner without telling me he had done so.

I finished eating before they did, excused myself and headed to my room. I had a Skype call with my family that I wanted to be ready for.

Before they called, someone knocked on my door. It was Ayman. He had somehow figured out which room was mine and was apparently in the room across the hall.

“Hi, how are you?” he asked.

“Ok …” I answered.

“I have some chocolate in my room. Would you like some?”

I paused. This was extremely awkward. The entire time I had been extremely polite and accommodating and said nothing when he ruffled my hair. This was too much.

“Thank you, but I have a call with my family now and my flight leaves soon,” I told him.

“When does it leave?”

I told him a later time than it actually left. Thankfully, the answer seemed to satisfy him. We said goodnight and he left.

In normal circumstances, I would not have answered the door. This hotel door didn’t have a peephole, and the people in the lobby had said they would contact me regarding my flight. In hindsight I should have asked who was at the door before opening.

I had my call with my family and got ready for bed. The phone rang. It was Ayman.

“I can have a taxi bring you to the airport instead of you taking the bus if you like,” he offered.

“I’m ok, thank you. I really need to go now.”

Thankfully, he hung up and didn’t bother me again. I left at 1am for my flight to Osaka but was shaken by the experience.

It could be that Ayman was just a very friendly man and that I honestly reminded him of his daughter. But it could also be that I could have landed myself in a very dangerous situation if I hadn’t been careful.

Words of Caution

I write this not to call out lonely men on business trips or travel in the Middle East. I write this as a word of caution for men and women in whatever situation or country you may find yourself in.

Men, you may be absolutely friendly and have perfectly innocent intentions. You may mean well and want to protect the lonely woman that you see on the street or in your hotel. But please think about how the woman might be feeling when you approach her, especially in a foreign country.

Women, please be aware that not all men may have friendly intentions. Never let yourself be alone with a man you don’t know. Find public places to sit in where you can talk to someone who can help you if needed. Go with your instinct. If it is telling you something, or somewhere, or someone isn’t safe, then get out of that situation as quickly as possible. Always have a backup plan.

Plan Ahead When You Travel Alone

I would recommend that if you are a frequent traveler to make sure someone always knows where you are at all times. If you can learn some self defense it would be a bonus. I am a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and have used my martial arts skills in real life situations before. This is extremely rare, but I have been attacked in other places in the world and I thankfully know how to defend myself. Your first choice should never be to fight unless you really need to. If you can run or hide, please do so and don’t feel any shame in not fighting.

As stated before, I am writing this purely as a cautionary tale of one of my experiences while traveling alone as a woman. One day, I hope that stories like these are not so common, and that men and women will find that balance that we have been fighting for so our sons and daughters don’t need to be taught the things that I was taught. One day, hopefully, women won’t need to look over their shoulders when alone at night, and men don’t need to remember that they might appear scarier than they think when all they want to do is help.

If you want to read my tips and advice on traveling alone, please check out this link. I’m sure there are thousands of stories like mine out there, and maybe some with not so happy of an ending. If you want to share your story, advice, or words of caution with me below as a man or woman traveling alone, please do!