15 Preparation Tips for Solo Female Travelers
Embarking on your first solo trip is equal parts scary & exciting.
But one of the best ways uses of that fear is to turn into a solo travel planning machine. I often find that when traveling solo, I do DOUBLE the amount of research than I do when traveling with friends or a partner. It really helps to feel more secure overall when you have a clear plan of action.
And the benefits don’t stop with simply feeling safer.
I’ve heard that the more planning you do for a trip, the greater enjoyment and fulfillment overall you get from the experience. Not bad, eh?!
Whether you’re already committed to traveling alone or are maybe just exploring the idea of female solo travel, here are 16 steps to get ready and feel more prepared.
If you need a bit of encouragement to take the leap and try solo travel, make sure to check out 14 Reasons Why Everyone Should Try Solo Travel in Their Lifetime.
Step #1: Choose Your Destination Wisely
An important first step your solo travel journey is to select your destination. And when it comes to solo travel, especially for women, not all countries are created equal. I’m the biggest proponent of female solo travel, but there are places that even I wouldn’t recommend for women traveling alone. For example, I’ve heard of women being hassled a lot in Morocco, parts of South Africa can be risky, Iran and other countries with gender inequality can also be stressful, etc.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, there are many countries that are wonderful and very accommodating to solo travelers. If it’s your first solo trip, a few recommendations would be Spain (the safest country on Earth for females traveling alone), Singapore (the safest place in Asia; 92% of women report feeling safe walking alone at night), Ireland, Switzerland, Austria (all have low levels of discrimination and violence towards women), etc.
Or just do your research – check out communities like Girls Love Travel or search the internet for blogs that specifically talk about solo female travel in your city of interest.
Step #2: Consider Solo-Friendly Accommodation Options
If you really want to make sure you meet people when traveling, your best bet is to stay in a hostel. When researching hostels to stay in, make sure to read the reviews – as this will help you understand if there’s a social atmosphere, conducive to meeting people:
Does the hostel offer nightly group activities?
Is there a common area in which people hang out?
Is there a bar / restaurant? (another place people tend to congregate)
Do people call it a party hostel? (this may or may not be your cup of tea, but it’s one way to quickly know if the hostel has a social atmosphere!)
If you really don’t want to stay in a hostel, there are other options.
Another option is to look for coworking/coliving houses. These tend to attract a slightly older group of working professionals and be a little more low key than a hostel, while still providing a sense of community and social atmosphere.
Or you could search for a private room on Airbnb, in a shared house with either a local host or other travelers. I’ve stayed in an Airbnb in Lisbon that was almost like a mini hostel – private room, but shared bathroom and common areas – it turned out to be a nice way to meet other travelers in the city!
Hotels are going to be a much more isolated experience – so if you do decide to go that route, you may want to mix up your types of accommodations from city to city (i.e. stay in a hotel for 3 days and then switch to a shared Airbnb, etc.).
Guest houses are common in Asia and are similar to a hostel – affordable, shared common areas, but without the party atmosphere much of the time.
Some destinations also have homestays which will allow you to stay with a local family – this is a great way to both avoid loneliness AND get immersed in a cultural experience.
There’s always Couchsurfing for the very adventurous, although I would ONLY consider staying with someone who has a lot of verified reviews.
Step #3: Get in the Right Mindset
One of the best things a solo traveler can do for themselves is get into the right mindset before they leave. Things aren’t always easy when you travel alone, but if you’re smart & safe, it will all work out in the end. It’s also important to stay positive and remember that countries don’t always have the infrastructure for things to run as smoothly (as they do in your country) so be patient and understanding.
When you’re traveling alone, you should always keep be open to possibility and say YES to new adventures. You never know who you’re going to meet or what cool experience could come from just keeping an open mind.
If you’re interested in learning more, make sure to check out my guest post on Infinite Embers, 10 Rules to Get in the Solo Travel Mindset.
Step #4: Do Your Research
One of the best ways to avoid feeling anxious is to do adequate research about the destination you’re in. Look at a map of the city you’re in and understand what neighborhood your accommodations are in and what’s around you.
What can you walk to?
Where is the nearest convenient store?
Are there any activities you can walk to?
It’s also a good to figure out what activities are available to you and what your priorities are. I don’t recommend pre-planning your schedule too rigidly because you want to be able to make changes based on recommendations you get on the road and invitations you receive from other travelers to join in! But it is a good idea to know what’s available & popular, and understand if there’s any top priorities for you that you absolutely MUST pre-book. You’d hate to get there and not be able to do something that was top of your list, just because you didn’t do the research ahead of time.
Step #5: Get Travel Insurance
If you can afford to travel, you can afford to get travel insurance to protect yourself. Sorry, just saying :)
It’s really important to make sure you’re covered, in the event of an accident – after all, you wouldn’t want to be saddled with an enormous medical bill just because you didn’t think ahead.
Two plans that I recommend are:
SafetyWing– Their plan is SUPER affordable, less than $2 a day (or $37/4 weeks). IT focuses on travel medical, although also provides some trip benefits like lost luggage insurance, etc.
WorldNomads- If you want a plan that is a little more comprehensive and covers your electronics, political evacuation, etc. then this might be the plan for you! It’s more expensive than SafetyWing but has you covered for any/all situations.
Step #6: Make Plans to Check In With Friends/Family Daily
All the moms out there will personally thank me for this. Please make sure you have plans to check in daily with someone back home – be it a family member or friend. It’s important for them to know you’re safe, especially when traveling solo.
I recommend planning to send them a photo everyday before bed as a part of your routine – helping them to follow along on your travels as well as know you’re safe & sound.
Step #7: Choose Sensible Luggage For You
The type of luggage that’s right for you may vary based on what sort of solo trip you’re taking. Many solo travelers may find a travel backpack works best for their travels – especially if you’re going to be in destinations with dirt roads and/or staying in accommodations without elevators. I once got dropped off at low tide in waist deep water in Thailand and had to hold my rollaboard over my head for like 10 minutes. It was MISERY. From then on I always traveled with a backpack to Southeast Asia.
But if you’re traveling across Europe and planning to stay in hotels with elevators, a rollaboard that fits in the overhead compartment may be smarter for you.
I always have a small carry-on backpack with me as well that holds my laptop and other small personal belongings. I LOVE Pacsafe’s Anti-Theft Backpacks – which features multiple protective hooks to open, as well as RFID safe blocking pockets & materials. I have their CitySafe bag in black and it’s really cute as well!
For my daily activities when I don’t need much, I take a mini canvas backpack – like my one from Con Calma (folds up to almost nothing in your pack) or a small cross body. Both of which allow me to have my hands free to take pictures!
Step #8: Pack for Comfort
One of the best parts of traveling alone? Having no one to impress. And so that means you are free to dress comfortable and only for yourself!
So ditch the uncomfortable heels and choose a nice, comfortable flat that you can walk all day in. Or a tennis shoe that you can wear to workout in or explore the city.
Step #9: Pre-Book Your Airport Transfer on Arrival
No one wants to have to figure out local transit when they are first arriving off an international flight. We’re generally running on little sleep and just want to drop off our bags and get some rest, before we hit the ground running on our trip. So this is why I think pre-arranging a car or shuttle from the airport to your accommodations is always smart.
Even if you’re keeping costs low and using public transit the rest of your visit, you may want to make this the exception to the rule.
Step #10: Arrange Your Schedule So You Arrive in New Cities in Daylight
On a similar note, when traveling solo, I recommend trying to arrive in daylight whenever possible. This allows you to feel more comfortable when you first land and are still getting your bearings. The airports are generally bustling and busy during the daytime – so lots of people to field your questions to, leading to less stress overall.
Step #11: Plan Organized Activities When You First Arrive
I know some people like to plan out everything, and others nothing at all. But when you’re traveling solo and just arriving in a new place, I encourage you to pre-book a few activities. This will help you get your travel legs, while introducing you to your new city. It’s also a great way to meet people and make some new friends right from the start.
A great place to start are Free Walking Tours – the guides work on tips (so pay what you can) – and are available in cities around the world. I also HIGHLY recommend Airnb Experiences – they have offerings that you can’t find anywhere else and tend to be much less touristy and more personal….really immersing you in unique cultural activities and tours.
Step #12: Download Local Public Transit Apps
Before you leave, make sure to do some research into the public transportation apps that are commonly used for that city. Then download them and play around so you have a basic understanding of how they work. This will help you greatly once you are on the ground and trying to figure out how to get around.
Step #13: Save Maps of Cities Offline
Likewise, make sure to save maps offline for the cities you will be in. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten lost without wifi and it really lessens your stress level when you have a map to help you get home.
Step #14: Download Google Translate on Your Phone
If you’ll be traveling somewhere where they speak a different language, make sure to download Google Translate to your phone. One of my favorite features is one in which you write out what you’re trying to communicate and then can audio play the translation – this is really helpful when trying to direct cab drivers or to explain a dietary restriction in a restaurant.
Step #15: Learn a Few Basic Words in the Local Language
In addition to Google Translate, I think it’s always great to learn a few words and key phrases in the local language. Not only will this help you get around easier, but it also shows the locals that you are trying and embracing their culture….which can go along way in getting help!
Step #16: Find Your Community Before You Leave
When you’re traveling solo, finding a community becomes immensely important. Often times, it can even make or break your trip! So I recommend setting yourself up for success by doing a bit of research ahead of time.
You can share your travel plans on Facebook groups like Girls Love Travel and Solo Female Travel – and see if anyone else will be in the area and want to meet up. There are also many Expat & Digital Nomad groups dedicated to specific cities that are great for finding group meet ups and events.
Couchsurfing can also be a great resource for finding travel buddies – it’s not all about finding a couch to sleep on. In fact, I’ve never slept on a couch but have used Couchsurfing on many occasions to find likeminded travelers in destinations I’m traveling to.
You can also just ask around and see if you know anyone who knows someone in your specific destination – meeting up with a friend of friend is a great way to connect and experience the city like the locals do.
Solo travel is such a special experience and I hope that thru these tips you can start to feel a little more secure and ready to take on the world. If you plan accordingly and set yourself up for success, the only thing you have to fear is becoming addicted to female solo travel and never wanting to come home!
As always, if you enjoyed this article please consider sharing! Xo