Solo Travel as a woman has honestly been one of the highlights of my life! After every trip, I always feel empowered and that I can do anything. Traveling solo challenges you to rely on your instincts, be comfortable being alone, and pushes you to get out of your comfort zone. No matter if you’re in a relationship or single, I believe every woman should have the opportunity to travel alone at least once in their lifetime (if not more).

This will allow you to truly get to know yourself, see what you are capable of, and help you develop more trust in yourself. I was just in Europe for three weeks, traveling to five countries alone, and it was one of the best times of my life. I didn’t want to come back, and it made me more excited for future solo trips!

If you’re thinking of traveling solo for the first time and are unsure of how to prepare before your trip, then this is the perfect blog for you! Here I will share 10 essential tips that will help make you feel more at ease before your great adventure! 

What To Know Before Your Solo Travel

Do your research ahead of time

As women, we also have to think about our safety no matter where we travel. Before you travel anywhere, it’s essential to do your research ahead of time. Look up which neighborhoods are safe to stay in, how public transportation works, and if there are any areas you should avoid at night! Definitely don’t walk alone at night in new places. 

It’s important to read reviews for hotels, hostels, or Airbnbs and look for locations where other solo female travelers felt safe. Knowing this ahead of time takes a lot of stress out of your trip and lets you focus more on exploring and enjoying your trip!

Choose accommodations wisely

Whenever I’m traveling alone, I always feel best staying at a hostel. I know that might not be the most luxurious option, but hostels are great for making new friends, joining groups and activities, and saving money on accommodation. Plus, you can choose female-only dorms or a private dorm for more privacy.

When I solo travel, I prefer staying at hostels for these reasons over a hotel or Airbnb. Some of my best memories are from staying at hostels and the friends I made there! You also get to meet people from all over the world, and it definitely broadens your own experience. 

Pack light and bring essentials

This one was hard for me for a while, but it truly is so much better to pack light and try to only bring essentials for your trip. I used to be such an overpacker, and it made it hard when traveling through different cities or countries. On my last trip, I traveled to five countries with only my carry-on, and it made it so much easier for me. Plus, I left extra room to bring back souvenirs and go shopping for clothes!

I recommend having a checklist before you leave for the travel essentials that you need so that you feel prepared for your trip. If you need help figuring out what you should pack for your solo travel, then check out my latest blog, “11 Essentials To Bring on Your Euro Summer.” 

Stay connected with friends or family

No matter how old you are, when you’re traveling alone, it is so important for someone back home to know where you are! This includes your flight information, accommodation, and can even include day-to-day plans. This is important for your safety and their peace of mind. I highly recommend sharing your location with friends and family members, so they know where you are.

If you have an Apple phone, you can even share your day-to-day itinerary on your notes app with your friends and family so that they know where you are. You can also create a Google Doc of your itinerary and share it with your loved ones.

Learn basic phrases in the local language

If you’re traveling to a country that speaks a language other than yours, try to learn the basic phrases in their native language! Terms like “hello,” “goodbye,” “where is the bathroom,” “I would like [blank],” “please,” “How much,” and “help.” Knowing these terms will help make your experience more enjoyable.

You can also bring a small dictionary with you or use your phone to help translate and navigate conversations with strangers! As an English speaker, it’s common to assume that everyone speaks our language, but that’s not the case! Plus, it shows a sign of gratitude and appreciation for their culture and language that you’re trying to speak their language. 

Trust your gut instincts

As women, we are often taught to be nice and polite. This can lead us into situations we don’t want to be in because we are afraid of hurting someone else’s feelings. When you’re traveling alone, it is so important to put yourself first, especially with your own safety!

Learn to trust your gut instincts and leave any situation where you don’t feel safe or comfortable. I would rather someone think I’m rude than stay somewhere where I don’t feel safe. Never tell anyone you are traveling alone, and feel free to lie about where you are staying, how long you are there, and basic information when you feel you need to protect yourself. 

Keep copies of important documents

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to lose important documents like your driver’s license or passport when traveling. To have a better peace of mind, I highly recommend having multiple copies of your passport, driver’s license, visa, and any other document you deem important.

I would suggest having physical and digital copies so that you can have them in case you lose your phone or lose the physical document. If you want to be extra safe, keep some copies with a trusted loved one at home so they can share them with you whenever you need! 

Use Fannypacks 

Unfortunately, people prey on tourists and try to steal their phones, passports, or cash. I’m a native New Yorker, and even I had a time when I was mugged on a subway in Paris. It was not fun. To avoid this happening to you, I highly recommend bringing a fanny pack when you’re traveling. It may not be the most stylish at times, but knowing that my passport, cards, and cash were safely strapped to me made me feel more at ease when traveling.

Fanny packs are small enough to stay out of sight but big enough to hold your essentials. I recommend a fanny pack that’s lightweight, comfortable, and has an adjustable strap so you can wear it close to your body. Trust me, it will make you feel safer when traveling solo. 

Be mindful of your surroundings

No matter where you travel, it is so important to be mindful of your surroundings. Growing up in New York City, this has always been the case for me, but I know not everyone has grown up in a big city. Don’t leave anything unattended and don’t leave any important documents, credit cards, cash, or even your phone alone in public spaces!

This is not to scare you, but you have to be aware of your surroundings at all times. I would also recommend having a phone strap for when you travel, so it’s harder for pickpockets to steal your phone. You can find great options here. 

Join group tours or activities to make friends

My biggest worry sometimes when solo traveling is how am I going to make friends? Besides staying at a hostel, one way I’ve made friends is by joining group tours or excursions! Hostels are great for this! They usually have free walking tours (tips are suggested) or excursions like pub crawls or exploring the town/city that you’re visiting. 

This is a great way to get out of your comfort zone, meet new people, and have fun experiences that you might not have alone. Even if you’re not staying at the hostel, you can go to their front desk and ask them what tours or excursions they have for the week and sign up for them! 

Solo Travel Tips For Women

Solo travel as a woman is such an incredible experience, and I truly believe every woman should try it at least once in their life. It’s empowering, exciting, and gives you so much confidence in yourself. Yes, there are things to think about when it comes to safety, but with a little preparation and these tips in mind, you can feel more at ease and enjoy every moment of your trip!

Traveling alone pushes you out of your comfort zone, helps you grow in ways you don’t expect, and gives you time to connect with yourself on a deeper level. Whether you’re planning your first solo trip or your fifth, remember that it’s your trip, make it what you want it to be! So book that ticket, pack light, stay smart, and get ready to experience the freedom that comes with exploring the world on your own. Happy Travels!

Enjoyed this blog? Check out my other blogs here:  

• 50 Amazing Summer Bucket List Ideas for 2024!
• 5 Best West Coast National Parks
• 6 Best Cheap Places To Travel in April in Europe
• 17 Beach Must Haves To Bring To the Beach
• 10 Must-Have Camping Essentials From Amazon

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