Hong Kong: Best Destination for Women Traveling Alone

Hong Kong is the best international destination for a woman traveling alone and perhaps the best city in the world. I am a 37 years young woman who travels alone internationally quite often, and I just returned from my vacation to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is such an interesting place. Although you will be a woman traveling alone, thousands of miles away from home, you will feel safe, secure and definitely not hungry. I couldn't believe how easy and fun it was, as a woman traveling alone, to get around such a great foreign city without speaking the language. I hope to have the opportunity to live there one day.

Reason #1 Hong Kong is the best international destination for a woman traveling alone: The first thing a woman must do upon arrival in Hong Kong, the best international destination for a woman traveling alone, is to navigate oneself away from the airport; in Hong Kong this is very easy. If you have the money of course a taxi is the obvious choice. If you're a woman like me traveling alone and on a budget, you are looking for another route. Hong Kong has a clean and comfortable subway system that speaks to you in English & Chinese, the MTR. The MTR has a route to and from the airport; cost $90 HKD. After you pick up your baggage there are signs that clearly direct you to where you can catch the MTR. The MTR is conveniently located inside the airport, there are automated ticket vending machines in English and the MTR comes every 10-15 minutes. The subway cars are clean and comfortable and specially designed for airport transport so there is a luggage area to stow your bags as you enter each car.

Reason #2 Hong Kong is the best international destination for a woman traveling alone: You may be asking yourself at this point, "Is it safe to leave my bags unattended while I ride the MTR?" The answer is a resounding YES! One of the many reasons Hong Kong is the best international destination for a woman traveling alone. While it is always important to a woman's safety to be aware of your belongings and stay alert, Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world. Whether day or night, on the subway or on the street, in a nice hotel or a dirty hostel I always felt safe as a woman traveling alone in Hong Kong.

Reason #3 Hong Kong is the best international destination for a woman traveling alone: As a tourist that doesn't speak the language of the country you are visiting, it is often necessary to look at your guidebook or map for assistance. In some cities this will make you look vulnerable and a target for crime, especially as a woman traveling alone, not in Hong Kong. Feel free to carry your guidebook out in the open and stare at it for as long at you like. As well there are many policemen, security guards, and other passersby in Hong Kong that are happy to help you, if you just ask.

Hong Kong Travel Tip #1: At the MTR subway station you can buy an Octopus card, and this is what I highly recommend. This card enables you to get on the Hong Kong subway and buses quickly without fumbling for change or waiting in line for the automated ticket machine. In Hong Kong, contrast to the USA where you only swipe your card upon entrance, you must swipe your card at the beginning and the end of the MTR trip, as fares are assessed according to how far you have traveled.

Hong Kong Travel Tip #2: The most important thing to remember as a woman traveling alone when using the MTR, so you don't get lost in Hong Kong, is to be sure you use the correct exit. Most Hong Kong subway stations are quite large and can have as many or more than 12 exits. Don't let this intimidate you as everything is very clearly marked (in English). A good Hong Kong guidebook will provide you with the MRT station name and the specific exits for your sight seeing destinations. So when your guidebook says use MTR Exit D1, don't use Exit D4 it is not the same. It is best to look at the exit signage as soon as you step off the train and before you leave the paid ticket area to get yourself going in the correct direction ASAP.

Reason #4 Hong Kong is the best international destination for a woman traveling alone: Along with the English on the MTR, there is also English on the buses. Hong Kong has a vast system of trolley's and double-decker buses. The bus stops have the routes written in English, and the bus marquee is also in English. Once again if you have your Octopus card, you don't have to ask about the fare, just swipe the card and you are on your way.

Reason #5 Hong Kong is the best international destination for a woman traveling alone: If you have been interested in traveling to Asia but don't like Chinese food (you are one of those finicky women), Hong Kong is a great destination for you. Like New York City or Toronto, Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city. You can easily find restaurants that serve foods from around the world, Italy, Mexico, USA, and you won't accidentally eat snake spleen or monkey ears. Chinese cuisine is delicious and all styles, such as Szechuan, Hunan and Shanghai, are available with English menus and forks upon request. You can also find vegetarian options quite readily. For vegetarians please see my AC reviews of the restaurants: Perfect Vegetarian Foods & Kung Tak Lam.