Mar
Beginners Travel Guides, Solo Female Travel, Travel Tips
The Solo Travel Guide for Beginners
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Solo Travel Guide for Beginners
If you’re a first time traveler and female, you may feel overwhelmed by your decision to travel alone. Knots in your stomach. Doubts racing like horses through your mind. Mumbles of “am I crazy?” under your breath. It’s easy to fall into the trap of self-doubt. Is the world safe for solo female travelers?
Ladies, I feel your pain. I have strolled in your shaky shoes many, many, many times throughout these last couple of years. I’ve experienced judgement from people in my life, and questioned my own sanity regarding solo travel. Was I foolish? Would I look like a loser who had no friends or (worse still) no significant other? Was I making a mistake?
NOPE. And this solo travel guide will prove it to everyone.
You’re not making a mistake! Stay strong. As for me, I debated venturing to Scotland on my own for weeks, but going on the trip turned out to be one of the best things for mending my self-esteem.
So I decided to compile a beginners guide to solo female travel to help everyone who’s just starting to dip their toes into this amazing, amazing, amazing world. Enjoy!
Why Solo Travel and Why It’s Important
In other words, why did I feel it was necessary to write a solo travel guide to begin with? Why solo travel at all?
Well, as a female who travels alone, you’re breaking gender stereotypes like crazy, and even though it’s not necessarily your responsibility to change people’s minds about equality, your impact still means a lot. It’s also important that women of all races, sexualities, ages, sizes, and nationalities see the world. I can only write about my perspective, which obviously doesn’t speak to the experiences of all women. The more boundary breaking information available, the better.
Furthermore, as women, at least in the United States, we’re told to think about other people before ourselves, and to remain cautious at all times. We’re told not to take risks. Perhaps not explicitly, but comments like “won’t your boyfriend be mad?” or “what will you do when you have kids?” play into unfair mindset.
Stomp that nonsense into the ground. Your dreams and goals ought to be priorities in life.
Further Reading – Why All Women Need to Travel Alone
Solo Travel Essentials to Bring
You might be asking yourself, “what essentials should I not forget?”
When I think of “essentials,” I don’t think “beauty products” or a “cute pair of shoes.” I love my makeup too, but you won’t fail as a traveler if you forget to pack your mascara. You can always buy that overseas, anyway.
Instead my solo travel guide will reference stuff that will either ruin or cancel your trip if you forget about them. Take notes beginner solo travelers.
Never head to the airport without the following solo travel necessities set and ready.
- An up-to-date passport if you plan on international travel. Even if your passport doesn’t expire for another six months, still check out your destination’s entry and exit requirements. You may need to renew.
- Applying and paying for visas if applicable. Visas aren’t fun, but they’re part of the world of travel. Take care of any applications and fees in advance. Sometimes the visa process consists of a quick online application, but other times, it requires an in-person interview at a consulate or embassy.
- Medical prescriptions. See your doctor if you need medication on your travels. Depending on your destination(s), you may want to check CDC’s travelers’ health website before you go. You could need extra medicine, like anti-malarial pills, or vaccinations. Lastly, renew prescriptions for birth control if you’re traveling long term. Access is very limited in some countries.
- A good backpack and suitcase. Find luggage that’s lightweight and suitable for multiple weather conditions. Your luggage is worth its weight in gold. Here’s some more information on choosing the best women’s backpacks.
- Travel insurance. No, this isn’t optional. If you fall off a mountain ledge and need a helicopter to take you to the hospital, you’ll need to win the lottery to pay off those bills. Honestly, if you’re not willing to pay for insurance, you probably shouldn’t travel. I use World Nomads for my trips.
- A phone call to your bank. Let you bank know about your travel plans, or you may have a nasty surprise when you can’t withdraw cash at the ATM machine. Call them ahead of time so you’re not blocked.
- An extra credit card. Let’s say you bring one credit card that gets stolen or lost. Can we say SOL? Bring another card. Keep it safely tucked away in your suitcase or locked in your hostel/hotel.
Further Reading – 10 Important Things to Know Before You Travel Solo
5 Perfect Locations for the Young Solo Traveller
10 Cities Great for Solo Female Travellers
Traveling on Your Own and Safety Tips
I want to address a very pressing question in this solo travel guide: Is solo travel safe? Will I be okay? Are the risks even worth trying to travel alone?
Solo travel is safe, I promise.
So what safety precautions should you take especially if this is your first solo trip? I have a few suggestions for you, although it’s important not to be paranoid for the entire duration of your trip.
Keep in mind that it is true women have to travel differently than men. The risk of sexual assault always lingers in our minds – which sucks. However, we take a lot of precautions at home, too. Our world isn’t one-hundred percent equal, and I don’t know about you, but I’d rather exercise caution someplace new and exciting, like London, Prague, or Tokyo, instead of a boring suburban town in the middle of nowhere. Just sayin’.
Besides, solo female travel isn’t nearly as dangerous as the media and concerned family/friends make it out to be. The news exaggerates violent headlines, because bad news sells well. Join travel groups, online or in person, to figure out the real stories behind your destinations of choice.
Disclaimer: I know none of these safety tips provide a guarantee against some jerk who wishes another person harm. I know a woman (or anyone else) doesn’t “deserve” to fall victim of a crime because of time, place, or dress. Like most sane individuals, victim-blaming makes me sick. However, these suggestions could help you have a more relaxing and enjoyable trip.
- Be more aware at night. I’m not gonna tell you to never leave your accommodation after the sun sets. That’s just ridiculous. Who doesn’t enjoy seeing a city aglow? When I traveled alone to Paris, I took an evening walking tour in Montmartre that was lovely. However, you should still remain aware of your surroundings and take a cab if necessary. This tip is also location dependent. Large international cities, like New York, always have people wandering and laughing in the streets. Therefore, walking at night is usually fine. Just research neighborhoods and crime rates ahead of time. Speaking of which …
- Familiarize yourself with crime rates. Most cities have areas that aren’t great safety wise. Know them ahead of time. But what if you’re unsure? Or get lost? For me, if I’m in an area I’m unfamiliar with, I usually scan for little kids and young mothers. Why? I figure if young children are around and unbothered, then the neighborhood can’t be that bad.
- Dress modestly. Argh, this tip pisses me off, but sadly dressing a certain way in certain countries will lead to stares, cat calling, and other stupid rage inducing forms of harassment. You might as well make things easier on yourself and err towards modesty, especially if you’re visiting more traditional parts of the world.
- Know the address of your local embassy or consulate. This is especially handy if you lose your passport or have a serious emergency.
- Leave your itinerary with friends and family. I always leave a rough itinerary behind. It’s simply good sense.
- Don’t flash your valuables. I really don’t care if your fiance bought you the biggest engagement bling ever, or if you just splurged at Saks for a “super cute” Chanel bag. I love fashion and jewelry, too. Perhaps too much, given the state of my closet. But save yourself the trouble and leave that crap at home. Valuables make you a target.
- Use common sense. Don’t think I need to elaborate much here.
Further Reading – Scared to Travel? Book A Tour
Single Woman Traveling Alone and Reassurance
How should you reassure your loved ones? What if people think you’re absolutely out of your mind for traveling alone? What’s the next step?
I totally feel your pain! Odds are, you’re gonna have friends or family expressing their concerns. Too many people think the world is not safe for solo female travelers. Listen to them. Even if you think their reasons are overdramatic and silly, you’re not going to score any points if you respond using anger or sarcasm. Here’s my advice for combating concern.
- Show them all your research. Use Lonely Planet and Rough Guides, as well as current information from travel blogs to compile a small research packet. Then calmly answer any questions. Even show them this solo travel guide as part of your research.
- Promise to stay in touch. Get a phone plan and contact your family every day. A quick text can work wonders. I still text my parents every day that I’m away. Is it excessive? I don’t think so. It takes two minutes and makes everyone happy.
- Go anyway. If you’re paying for your trip and are no longer dependent on parents, then you need to do what’s best for you and go.
Further Reading – 5 Ways to Reassure Worried Family and Friends About Traveling
Should I Travel Alone or With a Friend?
As a solo traveler, meeting other people is probably one of your biggest concerns. I know I asked myself “how can I make friends?” several times over on my first solo trip to Scotland.
Well. I have some great news for you!
Solo travel doesn’t mean you’ll never speak to a soul in your new destination. Actually, it’s hard NOT to go a day without interacting with someone. There are many ways to meet other people. Staying in hostels immediately offer a built-in circle of friends. Be selective when picking a hostel. Read reviews. Be sure your hostel has the amenities that you’re seeking.
Book day trips or walking tours, and you’ll come into contact with other solo travelers looking to make friends. Use Couchsurfing’s city forums to meet people for coffee or lunch. Just weed out the creepers. Have a travel blog? Post in facebook groups and meet other bloggers. If you’re at a hostel, chill in the common room and make conversations. The possibilities are endless.
Also I haven’t tried Bumble BFF for traveling, but might experiment with it on my upcoming spring jaunt to Austin in April. For those who don’t know, Bumble BFF is a phone app that helps you connect with other women who are searching for friends.
I think one of the most important parts of this solo travel guide is the emphasis on the fact that you will make pals on the road if you make those connections a priority. Be outgoing!
Further Reading – Nervous Girl’s Guide to Meeting People when Traveling
I hope you enjoyed my cool solo travel guide. Traveling on your own has never been easier, so go out and explore the world.
At this point, I want to ask: How about you? Are you a solo female traveler? What’s your experience been like? What other information would you add to this guide?
Also, some links in this solo travel guide are affiliate links, because such is the cost of webspace, haha.
While I don’t travel by myself much at all now I have definitely done it in the past and quite honestly, loved it! The big trip I can think of was the month I spent in France for work and took advantage of every weekend I was there to get out and do some exploring. Sometimes I had some company, and sometimes not. Either way I wasn’t going to let the lack of a companion keep me stuck in the hotel room.
My favourite solo weekend from that trip was the one I rented a car and visited a few of the D-Day beaches, Etretat, and Mont St. Michel. It was just me, Gustave (the car), and the open road and it was great! I did what I wanted, when I wanted, and just soaked up everything around me. I think when you have someone with you you can tend to miss things because you’re talking to each other and tuning others out. When I’m by myself I notice so much more.
I definitely second all the tips you’ve given and urge people to give solo travel a try. They might love it, hate it, or anything in between but we don’t know until we try. 🙂
Stacey —
That car trip around Normandy sounds amazing! I can just envision how freeing the open road would feel. Awesome comment.
And I definitely think people should give solo travel a try. At least once!
It’s funny, I actually travelled solo a few times when I was younger, but now that about 10 years has passed I’m more hesitant to do it! I think I just enjoy company 🙂
Tamara —
Awwwwww! Book a group tour! They are so much fun and offer an instant circle of friends! 🙂
I travel solo 99.99% of the time and love it. It’s so freeing. But as you mentioned, you have to be aware. When you travel solo there’s more opportunity to meet and interact with locals.
Debra —
I always interact with more people, other travelers and locals alike, when I travel solo! If I’m with family, I don’t reach out as much.
Great, practical tips that everyone can make use of. It’s hard to get the tone right on posts like these – it’s so easy to get even more terrified about the thought of solo travel after reading them sometimes! it reassures me that solo female travellers rock!
Lots of great tips here for traveling solo. I have not done a solo trip yet but it is in my mind and this is a great reference guide to start thinking about the logistics!
So many great tips! I love your reasons about why it’s important to travel alone as a woman and completely agree. My husband and I always travel together for work, so haven’t taken any big trips solo (just smaller ones), but I’m not opposed to heading out on my own sometime either. Great tips and information I will definitely have to remember–thanks!
That is a great guide on solo traveling.I believe that the first time it is difficult but then you feel the freedom and joy and want to do it again. I think that if you have common sence and follow the tips you mentioned everything will be fine. Lastly always trave with health insurance
I love traveling alone. There’s so much freedom in it, and I almost always make friends on the road anyway! I absolutely get tired of explaining to people that my husband won’t get mad because I don’t have one. Hopefully this will change in the not to distant future! I hope more ladies get on the road solo 🙂
I have never traveled solo. I have never wanted to but at the same time I will admit I have a small fear at the thought of being alone. May be some of the precautions you mentioned will help me overcome fear.
It really does suck that as women we need to be extra-cautious and apply different ‘rules’ when traveling but I think it’s great that a lot of women are venturing out there by themselves! Keep it up!
I agree on the part about breaking gender stereotypes. I love solo travelling and regardless of your gender this post is absolutely helpful.
I’ve never traveled completely alone–but I will this summer. I find it funny in an ironic way that I hesitate to travel solo when, in reality, I live in a foreign country and when I came here, it was solo. And, in a lot of ways, it still is.
However, even on trips with companions, I don’t really hesitate to go off and do my own thing if no one wants to join me. I never want to waste an opportunity to do something I want to do just because someone else doesn’t want to do it.
I really admire your bravery and courage to travel solo, Rachel! Helpful and useful tips for beginners!
While the solo traveling need a guideline because solo traveling is not an easy travel. Your blog gives a lot of useful information share with me. Your information is really nice and helpful for traveler. I am happy with this blog. Thank You so much!
Well, I just stumbled across this blog while surfing about traveling. Being a travel blogger I know traveling is fun but expensive too. Thank you so much!
Hey im probably thinking in going to Cuba by myself and i am doing so much of research. I have been in Europe and Argentina and Brasil but never on my own, so im overthinking everything!
You encourage me to keep looking and do it! im sure it will be so much fun!
Camila —
You will do a wonderful job!! Enjoy Cuba. The more research you do, the better. 😀