12 tips for solo travel as a woman
Traveling
alone as a woman is a controversial concept for me. When I first started
planning a solo trip, many of my friends and family told me many reasons why I
shouldn't do it, after hearing many things, I started to think, ask if it was a
good idea. But I'm glad I did. After all, just traveling can change us forever.
I'm sure many women who are traveling alone get similar responses from friends
and family. But research shows that solo female travel is more popular than ever.
More than 70% of American women report traveling alone, and Google searches for
“female solo travel” increased 230% in 2019, before COVID became a concern.
Travel
agencies report that up to 80% of their solo travelers are women, and the
number of Pinterest boards related to solo female travel has more than tripled
in recent years. Why is traveling alone as a woman worthwhile?
So, what is
it about solo travel that appeals to so many women? I'm sure if you're reading
this article you have your own answer, but according to the 2021 traveler
survey, there are three main reasons people gave for wanting to go solo. I find
that I can relate to these things.
Example why
women like solo travelling
1. They like
to do what they want, when they want to do it
When I
travel, I am often drawn to places off the beaten path. I enjoy a few visits.
There's a reason these places are popular, after all. But I also like going to
small cultural events and eating where the locals eat. I like to stay in one
place for a while, long enough to get a good feel for the local culture. I
don't want to plan every minute of every day.
2. Only travel gives them a sense of freedom
and independence
Before I
quit my day job and started traveling full time, I was very uncomfortable. I feel
stuck in my job and my everyday life is boring. Since I started traveling
alone, I feel more empowered, self-reliant and independent than ever. As a
result, my confidence increased a lot. This trip alone was an incredibly
rewarding experience for me. Ever since the days when all my friends and family
told me it wasn't a good idea to travel alone as a woman, I've been traveling a
lot and learning a lot along the way.
I think
every woman should travel alone at least once in her life, I have some tips that
I think will help you on your first trip.
Tips for traveling alone as a woman
Stay in a hostel or volunteer
1. The atmosphere in hostels is often
social, making them the perfect place to meet other solo female travelers,
learn about local activities, and help alleviate any loneliness you may be
feeling.
Did you know
that you can stay in hostels for free while volunteering abroad? Worldpackers
is the safest community to travel and volunteer. Through their platform, you
can connect with thousands of welcome visitors around the world. But there are
other types of services than hostels. If you like animals and projects, you can
dedicate yourself to agriculture, environmental or permaculture projects. You
can also get involved in social impact projects, through volunteering in
communities, schools or NGOs in exotic locations around the world.
2. Fireworks
Besides the
fact that you have to carry all your things yourself, you are more likely to
lose things if there is little to do.
In addition,
you can use a backpack instead of a cloth bag so that you can come and go
quickly.
3. Be prepared
This advice
is twofold. Yes, you need to prepare for your trip by organizing your luggage,
having all the necessary documents, etc. But you should also be mentally
prepared in case something goes wrong. Have a plan to deal with potential bad
situations, such as being robbed or lost.
4. Give
yourself time to adjust when you arrive in a new place
Especially
if you're traveling across time zones, it's important to give your body time to
recover when you reach your destination.
A friend of
mine recently traveled alone. He flew from the United States to Dublin
overnight, then took a 2-hour bus ride to his destination. Since he was very
tired, he fell into the bus, and he did not stop it. When he woke up and didn't
know where he was, he was scared.
Traveling is
tiring and it's hard to stay calm and deal with small problems when you haven't
had enough rest, so don't make big plans for your first day in a new place.
5. Connect
with other women solo travelers
There are
many great social media sites for women who like to go solo. It's a great place
to connect with like-minded people, whether you're looking for advice, ideas,
or even someone to meet while traveling.
If you are
traveling as a volunteer with Worldpackers, you will likely meet other solo
travelers, including women who are participating in the project. It's a great
way to make new friends and learn from other people's experiences.
6. Explore local
culture
It is
important to know the background of the culture and history of a place before
visiting it. We all need to respect the local culture of our destination, and
to do that, you must first understand the local culture, at least to some
extent. Should you help? If yes how many? Is it normal or considered bad to
associate with salespeople? Do you expect, especially as a woman, to dress in a
certain way? All of these questions should be answered before you arrive.
7. Bring a newspaper
walking
alone as a woman
Keeping a
travel journal is a wonderful way to preserve your memories. It will give you
something to do on long car, plane, and train rides, and it's a great place to
jot down important addresses, phone numbers, and other reminders during your
trip. I still like pocketed journals to keep ticket stubs, postcards and other
little mementos I collect while traveling.
8. Talk to the villagers
Local people
are very knowledgeable. They can tell you good places to go alone and
restaurants worth visiting. Talk to the people who work at your hostel, your
guests (if you're changing jobs), the vendors, and the people you sit next to
on the bus. You never know what they will share with you!
ten. Don't share too much
Yes, talk to
locals and make new friends during your travels. However, when traveling alone
as a woman, it is important to stay safe.
9.Don't tell strangers where you
live. Always listen to your instincts when deciding what to share with the
people you meet. If someone asks a lot of questions and makes you feel
uncomfortable, remember that you don't owe them anything about yourself.
You should
also not post any of your moves on social media. You'll have time to share
Insta-worthy photos when you get home or leave somewhere.
10. Wear a wedding ring
I learned
this advice from other women who like to travel alone. Buy an inexpensive ring
that can double as a wedding ring before you leave home. This helps avoid any
unwanted attention from men.
It's
disgusting that we as women are forced to think about things like this, but it
helps. Do not buy anything shiny, otherwise you will attract the attention of
thieves.
11. Know your surroundings
Always be
aware of your surroundings. See that people are walking behind you. If you can,
learn a little of the local language before you go so you can understand what
is being said nearby. Be aware of local events and weather forecasts that may
affect your safety. Speaking of safety, get 10% off Pax Assistance
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12. Turn on your phone
Put down
your device and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of this new
shared space. Watch how people interact. You are my. You will be glad you did
when you get home.
