Share the article
Last updated
When I first started traveling alone, many people probably thought I was crazy.
But more than fifty countries later, I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. I have traveled solo to almost every country in Latin America, as well as most of Europe.
After years of traveling solo and having a safe and fun time everywhere I’ve gone, these are my top tips for other solo female travelers.
1. Start small
If you’ve never taken a solo trip before, start small.
My first real solo trip was a weekend in Copenhagen (ranked as one of the safest cities in the world for solo female travelers) while I was studying abroad in college.
An ‘easy’ destination like this is a great way to test the waters of solo female travel.
Destinations like Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia are perfect for first-time solo female travelers because they are extremely safe, easy to get around and almost everyone speaks English.
2. Always pack light
Packing light is key! During my long travels, I have lived in a carry-on for months at a time. You can also buy a backpack (ideally 50 liters or smaller) if that’s more your style.
Either way, packing light makes things so much easier and less stressful as a solo traveler.
You don’t have to worry about lugging a giant suitcase to new and unfamiliar destinations all by yourself, and it also makes you less conspicuous and more immersive.
3. Stay in hostels
If you’re afraid of getting lonely when traveling alone, stay in hostels!
Hostels aren’t just for backpackers in their early twenties anymore either. You’ll find travelers of all ages staying in hostels, and there are many nice hostels that feel more like a boutique hotel.
If staying in a shared dorm with other travelers isn’t for you, you can pay a little more and stay in a private room (this is what I do!) You can still enjoy the social benefits of the hostel, and it’s a great way to make friends while traveling alone, especially with other solo travelers.
4. Participate in group activities
Another one of my favorite ways to make friends while traveling alone is to participate in group activities.
Walking tours, cooking classes, group walks, day trips, fitness classes and pub crawls are just a few examples of group activities you can participate in while traveling and where you have a great chance of meeting other people.
If you’re nervous about traveling to a particular destination alone, you can even join an extended group tour instead of traveling all alone. This is a guaranteed way to meet other travelers and you don’t have to worry about the logistics yourself.
5. Do your own research
Now let’s look at some safety tips for solo female travelers.
When you’re planning a solo trip, you may hear from concerned, well-meaning family and friends that what you’re doing isn’t safe. In these cases, it is important to do your own research and consider the source.
Do your family and friends have first-hand experience of traveling alone in the destination you are going to? Probably not. But can you find examples of women who actually do that? to have traveled there alone? Certainly!
The Internet offers a wealth of information for aspiring solo travelers. I’ve been using solo women’s travel blogs for years to help me research and plan trips.
I do too extensive online research and planning before a trip, because the more prepared I am, the safer I feel when I arrive at a new and unfamiliar destination.
6. Trust your instincts
I skip the most obvious safety advice, like watching what you drink and not walking alone at night.
But one of the biggest safety tips I can give you is to trust your instincts.
They are rarely wrong. If something is unpleasant about a place, situation or person, remove yourself immediately and don’t worry about being rude (see tip #7 below).
I’ve been lucky enough not to have any major accidents during my solo trip, but I have had a few weird or sketchy situations. And when those alarm bells started going off, I listened and left!
7. Unleash your inner New Yorker
As a New Yorker, I’m used to all the stereotypes about us. We are rude, we are always in a hurry, we are blunt, and so on.
But you know what? There’s a little bit of truth in that, and unleashing your inner New Yorker can really help you as a solo female traveler.
If someone is harassing you, aggressively trying to sell you something, or otherwise making you feel uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to simply ignore him or her and move on.
Always walk with a purpose and stay alert. If you look lost or confused, you are a target for pickpockets and scammers. like you Are If you get lost, wait until you can duck somewhere more private (like a store or a hotel lobby) to regroup and get your bearings.
A little street smarts can go a long way toward ensuring safety when traveling alone!
Read more:
Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans from $10 per week
How to easily earn points for free travel
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
