Fiona Chen, a solo female traveller from New York, regularly shares her adventures around the world on social media. Her videos cover everything from relaxing spa days in Budapest to snowy landscapes in Alaska.
Recently, one of her TikTok vlogs documenting her journey from Milan to Budapest sparked a conversation about safety for women travelling alone. The video, posted on her Instagram, has garnered over a million views since March.
In the clip, Fiona prepares to leave her hotel in Milan around 4 am to catch an early flight. Concerned about walking alone to Milan Central Station at that hour, she asked the hotel receptionist if it was safe. The clerk immediately shook his head and offered to call her a taxi instead. Fiona later shared in the video, “I’m in the taxi, it’s pouring with rain,” and thanked both the hotel staff and the universe after the bus she needed departed ten minutes earlier than scheduled. Her comments about feeling unsafe caught widespread attention online.
Many female travellers related to Fiona’s story, sharing their own experiences and advice. She explained that men loitering in certain areas made her feel uneasy, and that she had to speedwalk when arriving in Milan. Her video resonated with over 800 women, who flooded the comments with support. Viewers praised her decision to take a taxi, noting that safety is worth the cost.
Some shared that even locals now see Milan as increasingly dangerous for women. Fiona’s experience highlights the importance of following instincts and prioritising safety while travelling alone.