In this post, I’m sharing a story I rarely tell. Mostly because the reactions I get range from shock and laughter to genuine concern. What started as an exciting solo trip to Singapore quickly turned into an unplanned, slightly terrifying night in Malaysia. Some might read this and think it’s just entertaining or dramatic. But for me, it was a real moment that taught me valuable lessons—not just about solo travel, but about life. And I want to share them with you too.

Solo Travel Will Really Test You

It was December 2017, right around Christmas. I was planning my next trip for either France or Singapore, and ended up choosing Singapore because it was closer to Japan, where I was living. I researched restaurants, sights, and activities in Singapore, totally hyped for the trip. But plot twist…I ended up spending most of it in Malaysia.

On my second day in Singapore, after wandering and enjoying some amazing food, I stumbled upon a bus station. No idea why, but I felt this random urge to see if I could add another country to my trip. So I walked up to a counter and asked if there were buses going to Malaysia. Spoiler: there were, and they were cheap. I bought a one-way ticket to Kuala Lumpur for about 10 SGD (~$8 USD), without doing a single minute of research.

Did I already have a nonrefundable Airbnb booked for my entire Singapore stay? Yes.
Did I cancel it and grab my stuff from the hostel anyway? Also yes.
Was this a smart decision? Absolutely not.

A Midnight Border Crossing

Later that night, I made my way to the bus terminal and got on a bus to Kuala Lumpur. There were maybe 20 people onboard. I remember an older gentleman sitting across from me, asking where I was going, and I told him Kuala Lumpur. I thought nothing of it. I stayed awake for a little before dozing off and was awoken for customs, then slept again. Next thing I knew, that same older man sitting across from me eventually woke me up and told me we had arrived in Kuala Lumpur.

Here’s where things got weird: I stood up, grabbed my little green backpack and a plastic bag with snacks, and noticed no one else was getting off. Turns out, everyone else on that bus was headed to Thailand. That’s right. I accidentally booked a bus to Thailand and was the only one getting off in Kuala Lumpur. Guys, I didn’t even know this bus was going all the way to Thailand!! Anyway, I got off the bus and it drove away immediately. It was around 2am and all I had was my bag and a phone that was not working. Oh, did I forget to mention? The sim card that I purchased at the Singapore airport that advertised being compatible for both Singapore and Malaysia, did not, in fact, work once I got to Malaysia. Add that to the result of my poor decisions that day. (:

Alone. In the Dark. With No Internet.

It was around 2 a.m. My phone didn’t work. I had bought a SIM card at the Singapore airport that was supposed to work in Malaysia, but it didn’t. I walked to the nearest hotel to ask about rooms, and of course, they didn’t have any vacancy. Crossed the street to a 7-Eleven to try and buy a new SIM card. They didn’t start selling them until 7 a.m.

Cue the panic.

I was alone, in a foreign country, in the middle of the night, with no working phone and nowhere to go. I picked a direction and started walking. I saw some people in the distance and, thankfully, heard music and voices. Eventually, I reached a lively street lined with open-air restaurants and bars—finally, a breath of relief.

Street Smarts and Sketchy Situations

I ducked into a sketchy-looking convenience store to ask about SIM cards. The guy said no at first, but as I turned to leave, he called out and told me to go across the street to a shop with a green sign. “Tell them I sent you,” he said. Red flags everywhere, I know—but I had no better option.

The guy at the shop sold me a SIM card for about 60 MYR (~$15 USD). I finally had internet and phone service again. I let myself relax and found a restaurant to eat and regroup. Later, I spotted a small hotel and asked the clerk if there were any rooms. While I was waiting for him to check, I noticed there were a couple guys hanging out, charging their phones in the front “lobby.” He came back to tell me there were no rooms available, but offered to call a friend at another hotel. Apparently, his friend had rooms available and he told me to follow him.

Yep, you guessed it: I followed a stranger through the city to another hotel. Not my proudest moment.

The guy at the new hotel was pushy and I didn’t feel safe, so I pretended to be on the phone with my sister, went outside, then told him she was coming to pick me up. I walked away calmly… then ran as soon as he was out of sight. I headed straight back to the bright, noisy street that felt much safer. There’s just something comforting about noise, lights, and busy streets when you’re alone in the middle of the night in a country you don’t know.

The Kind Stranger and the Ride to Melaka

It was probably around 4am, and buses to Melaka were scheduled to run in a couple of hours. So, I gave up on trying to find a hotel to sleep in—I had to accept that I would not be getting any sleep that night. I did, however, go back to that one hotel to finish charging my phone. One of the guys that was staying there ended up talking to me a little and he was super nice. When it was about 5:30, he offered to order me a Grab, which is kind of like the Lyft or Uber of Southeast Asia. Even though he was nice, I politely declined and said I’d find a way to the bus terminal myself. But he insisted that I shouldn’t continue to go out alone as a young woman and that he’d make sure I got there safely. I cautiously accepted. The Grab picked us up, and I followed us on the map to make sure we were, indeed, heading to the bus terminal. We were. I was dropped off at the terminal and I found a place to purchase my ticket to Melaka, grabbed a quick breakfast before it departed, and I was on my way.

Lessons From a Wild Night

That 2-hour bus ride to Melaka was full of reflection. I couldn’t believe I had made it through that night unharmed. I learned that spontaneity can be thrilling, but it has to be smart. Whether it’s solo travel or group travel, always:

⊚ Research transportation and accommodation in advance
⊚ Ensure your SIM card or internet works in all countries you’re visiting
⊚ Let someone know where you’re going
⊚ Trust your instincts—and have a backup plan

I’ve taken many solo trips, and while I love the freedom of spontaneity, this night reminded me that safety has to come first.

Rest assured, the rest of my time in Malaysia was incredible and I can’t wait to share that part of the journey with you. 😊

Have you ever been in a scary or unexpected situation while traveling solo?

I’d love to hear your story and what you learned. Share it in the comments below!