Discussion: Is solo travel more expensive for women?
Something I've been thinking about with all the discussions of budget and whatnot: Does solo travel cost the same for men and for women?
I have an inkling that it ends up usually being more costly for female solo travellers, regardless of destination and travel style.
Consider:
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Many women will pay for a female-only dorm room -- usually at a premium -- versus a mixed dorm, for safety or comfort reasons. Of course this isn't strictly necessary, but I'd daresay that for many women, it's a worthwhile investment.
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Choosing the cheapest hostel also may be less appealing to women, especially if it's in a dodgy neighbourhood. I suspect that women are statistically more likely than men to pay a few dollars more for accommodations in a safer area.
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For safety reasons, many women choose to take taxis, especially to get around at night, rather than walking through potentially unsafe neighbourhoods.
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Hitchhiking is also far more dangerous for women than for men, and women are less likely to do it.
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The "pink tax" applies equally abroad and at home -- things like feminine hygiene products, birth control, etc. are expenses on the road too (though admittedly not directly travel-related).
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Women tend to pack more stuff -- clothing, toiletries, cosmetics etc. - and while obviously you don't HAVE to do that, there's no denying that the standards for men and women are different, even on the grubby backpacker circuit. Packing more often means the difference between having to pay to check a bag, and taking a bag carry-on, especially with the limits on liquids in hand luggage.
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Statistically, women are more likely to join an organized tour or group for certain activities. This may be for safety or comfort factors, or for other reasons. But typically those tours will be pricier than just going solo.
On the flip side, some ways it could be more expensive to be a guy on the road:
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Bigger clothes, shoes, etc. weigh more. Checked baggage fees can add up.
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You're less likely to get treated to free drinks or free entry at clubs. (Though for most solo female travellers, accepting drinks from strangers is one of those potentially dangerous situations.)
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Statistically, most men eat and drink more than women. Food and alcohol costs can add up faster for guys.
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Um, I can't think of any others... ? Can anyone else?
Obviously this is very individual and will vary a lot by person, and I don't want to fall into the trap of broad gender stereotypes here. But with so much discussion about how life in general is more expensive for women, I thought it might be interesting to hear from other women about your experiences around this, and to discuss whether solo travel is one of those areas where costs are higher if you're female.
Submitted April 24, 2019 at 06:55PM by segacs2 http://bit.ly/2L1818R
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