So you want to travel solo and you happen to be a woman? After years of traveling solo I have some insider travel tips to help you prepare for your first trip alone. Most of the tips are also applicable to men.
10 Solo Female Travel Tips That No One Tells You
Plan Your First Night
Become More Minimalist
Buy Yourself a Wedding Ring
Just Go
Learn 3 Words in the Local Language
Stay in Hostels
Put Your Phone Down
Don’t Get Drunk
Smile
Journal, Draw, Write, Blog, Vlog: Record!
Let’s dive into the tips and prepare you for your own solo adventure!
Surfing in Indonesia, I met most of the people I hung out with in the water!
1. Plan Your First Night
I’m personally not a big planner and you don’t have to be either even when it comes to your first trip by yourself. But the only day that I plan out is the first one when I arrive in a new place. I make sure I prebook a hostel or hotel so I have a place to stay for the night and make sure that I know how to get there. By train, tram, taxi or tuktuk balancing costs, safety and efficiency into one decision.
After that first night, I leave it open to see how I feel, who I meet and what other people recommend me to do. Usually I do have a few places in my mind I would like to visit, because how would I have decided to go to that destination otherwise? But keeping an open mind for new ideas and an open agenda for making new friends and adding things to your itinerary is the best way to travel.
2. Become More Minimalist
Here you are, sitting at home reading blogs about solo travel. You haven’t even left the house yet. This is the time to start to become more of a minimalist because you’ll thank me when you are walking to your hostel with only one backpack with you while you see others dragging around three or four bags with all of the stuff they never use.
On the road, you’ll quickly learn that stuff becomes a burden. Something you have to drag around. No matter if you are backpacking, riding your motorcycle or even have a van to store all your things. Too much stuff is going to negatively impact your travel happiness.
So think, really think about what you cannot live without at home or on the road. Don’t pack for every situation imaginable, but pack for your day to day adventures. Bring 1 item of each, except underwear and socks and use stuff sacks to compress and organize clothes.
Only bring one or two items that are unique to your personality. You’ll meet plenty of other travellers and you can either borrow the things you only use once in your whole trip from your new friends or from the hostel.
Oh, and for those thing you need only once per month. I’m talking about your period. I really prefer a menstruation cup because it saves me the hassle of having to look for tampons (if you can even buy them in the country you are traveling in) and it means I never run out even when your flow starts when you wasn’t expecting it.
3. Buy Yourself a Wedding Ring
I don’t mean you have to spend thousands of dollars on a big diamond to have it as backup cash. No there might be a situation where it is easier or safer to pretend to be married and show your ring and have no other further questions asked.
It doesn’t matter if you are against the practice of marriage or single as ***. Having the ring as a backup might save your ass one day. I have used this tactic on my trip through Central Asia, India and Indonesia and I’m happy I did. I have casually pointed at it and referred to my husband and kids at home and be treated completely different.
Even though I disagree with it, it is still part of the local culture which you will need to deal with. So go online and buy yourself a $10 ring that could pass as a modest wedding ring. Buy one you actually like so you are more likely to wear it day and night so you have it on you whenever you need it.
Dreaming of travel is great, but traveling is better!
4. Just Go
Book that ticket even if you don’t feel fully prepared yet. Plan a leaving date even if you are not sure you are going to make it. Don’t listen to those family members or friends who are unsupportive especially if they haven’t left their home town in the last 10 years.
Be brave because there are so many women out there who have gone before you and if we can do it, I’m sure you can do it to! I promise, you will not regret it.
5. Learn 3 Words in the Local Language
You are there to see new things, taste new flavours and smell new fragrances. To make your trip better, learn these three words in the local language Hello Thank You Goodbye
It is that simple, you don’t need to know more because a lot of the other things can be communicated using hand gestures, calculators and smiles.
Learn hello to break the ice and when you say it with a big smile, indicate that you are friendly and don’t have any bad intentions.
Learn to say thank you to be able to express your appreciation for the experiences they offer you. Gratitude is the best color to wear.
Learn to say goodbye to be able to end a conversation when you are ready to leave. Maybe you are starting to feel uncomfortable or maybe you just have to catch a plane and don’t have time to be polite anymore. Whatever the reason, a goodbye in the local language will help you cut things off briefly and politely.
6. Stay In Hostels to Make New Friends
Traveling solo doesn’t mean that you want to be alone all the time. The best thing about going on a trip by yourself is that you can choose when you want to be alone and when you want to be with others. For when you plan a trip with a friend, you’d better be really good friends and know that you enjoy each others company 24/7 or be able to do things separately for a day without anyone feeling hurt or left alone.
Anyway, hostels are always a great place to meet other travellers who are ready to meet new people. Pick a hostel with a description that fits your travel style. Don’t stay in a party hostel when you are not interested in staying up late listening to loud music. Hotels are where people tend to stay in their own bubble and appreciate their privacy more or airbnbs where you are sitting in an empty apartment by yourself.
It is one of the reasons why I love overlanding, traveling on my own motorcycle, because it allows me to meet other people, locals or travellers whenever I want and wherever. I’ve met people in the middle of nowhere, but I met my husband in a hostel in Nepal so you never know who you are going to meet.
7. Put Your Phone Down
It sounds like a police order in a chaotic arrest. That is what it is supposed to feel like because your phone has been designed to be so addictive that you need a command to put it down.
But at the breakfast table, leave your phone in your pocket for half an hour. Talk to your neighbour, ask them about their day, their plans or their life story. Talk, because this is the reason you wanted to travel. To learn, not to stare at your phone all day. You can do that when you are back at home again.
8. Don’t Get Drunk
Drink to enjoy, to taste new flavours but don’t drink to get drunk. You are now on your own in a new environment and have nobody to trust 100% except yourself.
I personally don’t drink any alcohol anymore because I don’t like the taste that much, but if the flavour of a cold beer is heaven to you after a long and hot hike then I am not saying you shouldn’t drink 1 beer. But keep it to 1, because you don’t know how people treat drunk girls in the country you are in.
Smile! You are having an adventure of a lifetime.
9. Smile
Smile to strangers on the street, smile when you get your food served, smile when someone is showing you your room. Smile more! It is a sign of gratitude and confidence. You will want to exude confidence when traveling alone because it will make you less of a target.
But most of all, smile because you are having fun. Smile to see the beauty in everything, wether it is a stray cat on the side of the road begging at a market stall or the biggest most beautiful temple in the world. If you smile, you will feel happier.
10. Journal, Draw, Write, Blog, Vlog: Record!
Traveling solo can be challenging, rewarding, lonely, busy, crazy and all of the things above. How do you cope with all of those new experiences and emotions? I suggest keeping a journal, drawing, writing or filming. Keep some kind of record where so you can share and reflect on all those impressions.
I know it helped me to stay sane in difficult times abroad. Vlogging made me realise it was time to move on from Iran after an accident. Even though I had been dreaming of my trip to Iran for years, this time it was over and I had to leave to stay sane.
So pick whatever suits you most. Start a blog, or a polarsteps account, bring a journal or your watercoloring book. Whatever works for you!
I hope these tips give you guidance on your solo travel journey. Let me know in the comments below what has helped you most on your solo adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a solo female Traveller stay safe?
Most important is to listen to your gut feeling and if you don't trust the situation, leave. Stay in hostels, keep your family informed and don't get drunk. Most people in the world are good.
Is it safe to road trip alone as a woman?
Yes, it is safe to road trips alone as a woman. The biggest risk is getting into a trafic accident. Avoid driving at night and having to look for a place to sleep last minute. Kidnapping or assault of a stranger is very uncommon.
How can I travel by myself safely?
Traveling alone is not inherently more dangerous then traveling together. Most people tend to take less risk when traveling alone therefor getting into less trouble. Use your common sense to guide your decisions.
Where is it safe for a woman to travel alone?
Every country deemed safe enough for travel by your local government is safe enough for women to travel to alone. Make sure to get familiar with local customs such as dresscodes before you arrive.
What are the dangers of Travelling alone?
- Getting lost in the wilderness
- Running out of cash
- Not finding a place to sleep for the night
- Trusting people with bad intentions
- Getting sick without anyone noticing
Is travelling solo weird?
No, traveling solo is normal these days although it might feel weird in the beginning because you are getting used to it. Traveling alone has many advantages and has gained in popularity in the last 10 years.
So you want to travel solo and you happen to be a woman? After years of traveling solo I have some insider travel tips to help you prepare for your first trip alone.