Traveling Solo as a Woman: Tips and Tricks
Traveling solo as a woman can give anyone confidence, resilience and experience impossible to earn anywhere else. When traveling alone as a woman, there are a few other things to consider for your journey. However, the rewards and stories are certainly worth it.
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The Advantages of Solo Travel
Traveling solo as a woman provides wonderful opportunities. Some of the most magical experiences in the world happen to individuals in clandestine moments.
Autonomy
One of the best aspects of traveling alone is autonomy. While traveling alone, it’s much easier to do things according to your own desires, preferences and energy levels. The ability to decide what you want to do at any given moment is freeing.
When traveling solo, you also don’t have to wait on others for confirmation. Are you interested in a novelty restaurant? Then walk on over. Are you aching to see a view atop a difficult hike? If you have the energy right now, why not get started.
Independence
When solo traveling as a woman, there’s a profound feeling of independence. This grows stronger as time goes on. The more you experience and accomplish , the more you understand your capabilities.
Having independence while traveling can make the impossible seem imminent. Going new places, overcoming challenges and learning new skills all become a part of reality.
Even better, independence and competence improve alongside one another. The more you practice traveling, the more competent you become in all skills. Planning, reaching out to new people, navigating new areas, learning and exploring all gradually become easier.
You are far more capable than you realize. And traveling can highlight that realization.
Before Your Trip
Before your trip, a solo traveler has to do considerable planning.
First, it’s necessary to pack your gear. Remember, always pack as light as possible. Living out of a single backpack may seem challenging, but nobody needs much to thrive.
A lighter bag is cheaper to fly, easier to carry and a less appealing target for thieves.
Also before your journey, do as much research as you can. Aside from helping preparations and expectations, this also lets you get excited about your upcoming adventure.
Remember, getting pre-travel jitters is normal. Expect to feel a bit uncertain and excited before a big journey. Part of adventure is the mystery and anticipation involved.
How to Live On the Road
When beginning your journey, there are plenty of ways to stay active, safe and healthy.
Firstly, when looking for accommodation, check out hostels, workaways or volunteer projects which have been verified. All these accommodations are either very affordable, flexible or outright free.
Hostels are dorm-room buildings which market themselves towards backpackers. These rooms have multiple beds at affordable prices. Some hostels have rooms specifically designed for female travelers, meaning only women can book the dorm beds.
It’s also possible to find accommodation for free. If you have a friend in the area, staying with them for a short time is an option. Or, you can look for a workaway or volunteer project. These let a person stay and eat in a location for free, provided they complete a set number of working hours.
Spontaneity
Adventure involves the unexpected. When planning your trip, make sure to add in a lot of downtime for rest and open hours for spontaneous activities.
A friend might invite you to a villa party, or you might hear about a performance downtown. Having flexibility in your trip gives you time to see more than you through was possible.
Reboot
Remember, resting is an important part of travel. Sleeping enough ensures your decision-making process is sound.
When landing in a new area, it can be tempting to immediately run off and start exploring. Try to give yourself a little time to get settled and reboot. If you’ve switched time zones, this will let your body adjust more quickly, increasing the quality of the rest of your trip.
Connect with Other Women Travelers
Traveling solo as a woman doesn’t necessarily mean traveling alone all the time. Reach out to other travelers, especially in hostels. These fellow travelers usually have stellar recommendations, advice and firsthand information about an area.
You never have to be alone while solo traveling as a woman, unless you want to be. Everywhere you go, you can find friends and companions.
Learn About the Local Culture
Part of traveling involves exposure to new and different cultures. Spending time researching local cultures can expand your worldview while also opening up the chance to enjoy new foods, viewpoints, dances, opportunities and celebrations.
This also includes talking to locals, who are extremely knowledgeable about their homeland. Locals are often willing to share all sorts of insights and secrets about their countries.
Learning about a local culture is especially rewarding if you’re learning a new language at teh same time. There are certain nuances about a country that can only be understood if you speak a bit of the language.
Make a Journal
Once you’ve been traveling awhile, it’ll become clear that your brain will start overflowing with memories.
Traveling provides more stimuli and adventures than a brain can readily carry around. Make sure to write down your journey, along with feelings, impressions and events. Having a recording of a pivotal memory is invaluable.
Eat Alone. Or Don’t
Many women discuss that they feel uncomfortable dining out alone. But eating alone is a great experience. You can sample as many foods as you’d like, catch up on reading, enjoy the scenery or get some work done. Eating alone can become a favorite pastime.
If you’d still rather have company, ask other travelers to join you. Look for locals who are willing to show you around. There are many people in the world who would enjoy your company over a nice meal.
Safety Considerations
There’s a lot of fear-mongering around the media regarding female solo travelers. But that paranoia is unfounded. The world is a pretty amazing place, especially during a solo adventure.
That being said, there are habits you can practice to improve your wellbeing. Understanding the world is a fundamentally good place doesn’t mean a woman traveling solo should be careless either. Learn how to balance between being wise, confident and free.
Avoid Oversharing
When talking to new friends and strangers, there’s some information you should keep to yourself. Never tell anyone where you’re staying. Your hostel, hotel or host family is a place where you can be extra secure while still living abroad.
Consider Wearing a Wedding Ring
Some cultures are very conservative. Others promote men who come on too strong. In both cases, having a fake wedding ring can deter unwanted attention. You can always remove it while traveling through an area where it’s not needed.
Be aware of your Surroundings
Awareness is always going to be your greatest asset. Try to pay attention to your surroundings as much as possible. If you’re in an area which looks sketchy, consider backtracking to a nicer neighborhood. If you think people are looking in your direction, step into a secure building like a restaurant or police station.
If you’re ever uncertain for any reason, move to a public area or secure location. Your instincts are a powerful tool and listening to them can keep you safe.
Avoiding Scams and Swindles
Often, the biggest danger when traveling in tourist areas are scams. These individuals have lots of practice when tricking people out of money.
Most of these scams focus on social engineers, pushing products or services that someone is too polite to say no to.
For example, there’s a common scam in Paris where a woven “friendship” bracelet is tied in a permanent knot around a person’s wrist. The knot cannot be undone, and if a scammer gets it on your wrist, they may demand a ridiculous price.
Keep your hands low and don’t let people push things into your palm. Staying confident and directly saying what you do or don’t want can deter these types of swindlers. Be polite when doing so, but have the confidence that you know what you want far better than a stranger on the street.
For a list of common scams and how to avoid them, click here.
Dress for Local Customs
There are many places where attire, especially for a woman, is important. In these cases, it’s important to respect and adhere to the local customs.
For example, temples in Sri Lanka can only be entered if knees and shoulders are covered. I recommend traveling with a sari, as it can be used to enter religious sites in some countries and doubles as a beach towel in others.
Arrive During the Day
When arriving in a new country, purchase tickets that let you arrive during the day. The daytime, especially around transportation hubs like airports, is far safer.
If you can’t avoid arriving at night, do your best to set up secure and verified transportation to your accommodation before flying.
Get Insurance
Of course, the most important thing a person can do to ensure their own safety is purchasing travel insurance. This covers your goods, flight changes, medical issues and unexpected circumstances. For peace of mind and practical safety, this is the single most important purchase of your adventure.
Keep in Touch
Don’t forget to keep your friends and family apprised of your adventure. From a social standpoint, they’ll want to hear from you and your life. From a care and wellbeing standpoint, the occasional phone call lets everyone know you’re safe and healthy.
Overall, your journey is a grand one. Traveling solo as a woman gives you the chance to learn and experience many things. Don’t forget to try new and outlandish activities, especially cultural and local specialties. Appreciate your trip, even the slower and more relaxing parts of it. Additionally, pay attention to your growing confidence as you get better and better with life on the road.
Have fun, travel safe, go far. Enjoy your adventure
Best regards and excellent trails.