16 Tips for Solo Female Travelers After Arrival
I recently posted an article for female solo travelers on 15 Preparation Tips for Solo Female Travelers and I wanted to follow that up with what you can do when you arrive.
Traveling alone for the first time is such an eye-opening and wonderful experience. You get to immerse yourself in different cultures, explore the world on your terms, and learn about yourself in the process.
But when you’re traveling solo, you also have to be extra vigilant. You need to prepare ahead of time so you make sure you’re staying safe & making the most of your time. Otherwise you may end up feeling alone and anxious.
But that’s why I’m here! To help you feel prepared so you can have a truly incredible trip and solo travel experience.
Without further ado, let’s get into my top tips for how to have an amazing adventure as a female solo traveler!
Step #1: Get a Local Sim Card
Sometimes taking a break from technology can be nice, but I’d save it for a time when you aren’t traveling solo! You want to know that you can get in touch with someone in case of emergencies or pull up a map if you’re lost and alone.
Many countries have sim card booths right at the airport when you first arrive. I always recommend researching ahead of time what sim cards are the best for your destination. That way you can keep an eye out for those carriers booths.
To get a sim card, you need an unlocked phone – so just a heads up there.
What is an unlocked phone?
It basically means the phone device isn’t tied to a specific carrier and you can insert any sim card into it to use on that network. Most of the time when you buy a phone from ATT it will be tied to ATT, after you have paid off the device you can sometimes call and get it unlocked though. If your phone was purchased from Apple directly, for example, it’s likely not tied to a carrier.
If your device is locked and a local SIM card isn’t possible - consider getting an international plan from you provider at home.
Step #2: Take a Break from Social Media
Although I’m recommending you get a sim card to stay safe and let family know you’re safe, I DO think that staying off social media when you’re traveling solo is a smart move.
By scrolling Instagram, you may be missing the stunning landscapes right out your window. And by checking your friend’s Facebook profile, you may miss out on connecting with a fellow traveler.
As a solo traveler, you always want to look approachable. And people just don’t look as welcoming & accessible when they have their head in their phone. Take my word for it.
Step #3: Book Cooking Classes & Food Tours
If you’re someone who is afraid of traveling solo because you hate eating alone, a good tactic for you will be to book cooking classes and food tours. Not only does this double as a fun activity, but it will also cover your cost of food for the afternoon AND provide you company to dine with. And who knows, maybe some of those folks will become your new travel friends! You never know who you are going to bond with when on the road.
Step #4: Go local
Shop at local markets….stay at local accommodations….eat from local restaurants….etc. By spending your time (and spending your dollars) where the locals hang out, you’re more likely to strike up conversations with the people who actually live in the destination you’re in. And you may find yourself being invited to experience a unique cultural event, home for an authentic meal, or walking away with a new friend.
I love making friends with fellow foreigner travelers, but there is something extra special about getting to know the locals as well. And when you’re traveling alone, you have full freedom to drop everything and go on a new adventure that just presented itself.
If you’re really interested in cultural immersion, there’s no better way to make friends than by trying to get to know the locals that actually live there. Plus by choosing “local” you’ll be giving back to the community in a strong way (and it’s usually good for your wallet as well!)
Step #5: Be Patient & Understanding
It’s important to remember that not all places run at the same efficiency level you’re accustomed to back home. In these moments, you need to be ready to practice patience and understanding.
Acceptance goes a long way when you’re traveling alone. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve booked a shuttle in Southeast Asia that sits around for hours waiting for more passengers to make the journey worthwhile. It’s frustrating, but I also know this is just how things go there. And getting riled up about it isn’t going to change anything. So I pull out my book or podcast and just settle in for a long day.
There will be moments when you can’t do an activity because you’re only 1 person….and the tour needs at least 2 in order to operate. Instead of getting bummed out because you can’t do the activity, see it as an opportunity to make a new friend and then recruit them to join you!
Step #6: Don’t get too drunk
When you’re traveling alone and eager to make new friends, it can be easy to overdo it on the alcohol (after all, drinking makes everything a little easier & more fun right?!) But I highly recommend you limit your drinking when you’re solo – alternate your drinks with water.
When you drink, your inhibitions lower and you’re prone to making poor decisions. You also become more of a target for someone to take advantage of you.
You wouldn’t want to ruin your trip because you had a momentary lapse in judgement. So just be smart and safe when it comes to alcohol.
Step #7 – Be Wary of Public Wifi Networks
This isn’t something I thought much about until I had a personal experience with my bank account information being compromised and a large sum of money being stolen from my account.
Now I strongly urge everyone to use a VPN when on public wifi network. The last thing you want is to have an issue when you have no one there to help you out. I’ve been using Webroot. It’s a no brainer to use – easy to install and blocks cyber-criminals from accessing your personal data.
Step #8: Dress Conservatively
I know it’s tempting to want to dress cute and get those perfect photos for the gram. But I encourage all solo travelers to think twice about what they chose to wear. You really don’t want to attract any excess attention.
By dressing conservatively, you will be respecting the local culture, as well as avoid any unwanted eyes.
Step #9: Take Free Walking Tours
One of my favorite things to do as soon as I arrive in a new destination is to take a free walking tour. Most cities around the world have them, you just need to do a quick search to find the times and meeting point.
They generally pull large groups of diverse travelers and can be a great place to meet new people that you might connect with – while getting to know the city and helping to orient yourself.
Step #10: Don’t put all your money & credit cards in one place
A tip that everyone should put into practice when they travel – but especially solo travelers who don’t have friends or family to cover for them in case of theft – is to NOT keep all your money and credit cards in one place.
If you fall victim to theft, you will lose everything. But by placing your money and credit cards in separate places, if you do have an unfortunate incident….you’ll still have backup reserves to use to continue your travels without issue.
Step #11: Walk with Confidence
Walking with purpose and looking confidence goes a long way when you are traveling alone. You always want to make it look like you are in control. Thieves and those who would do you harm look for people who have their guard down.
When traveling solo, you don’t always have someone there to back you up….so you need to make yourself as self-reliant as possible. So even if you’re lost, always look like you know exactly where you are going.
Step #12: Have a plan for downtime
I strongly suggest all solo travelers bring books or a project to work on in downtime. When you feel busy, you’re less likely to find yourself feeling homesick or lonely. Have a plan for how you are going to fill your downtime when you can’t be sightseeing or exploring your destination.
You will make friends, but it’s important to not rely on that entirely to fill your time. Otherwise you may find yourself disappointed if you don’t have constant stimulation in the form of people.
Step #13: Hang Out in Common Areas
A huge recommendation to all solo travelers is to always hang out in the common areas. This is where the people who are looking to meet people are. This is where you are going to make friends. Settle into the café to read a book about the destination or pull up a seat at the bar and strike up a conversation with the people sitting next to you (or just the bartender!)
When I’m traveling solo, I will specifically look at reviews to see if the hostel has common areas that people congregate in, as well as a bar and restaurant. From years of travel, I’ve just come to realize that places that have a clear common area, bar, and restaurant, tend to be easier to meet people and form connections.
Step #14: Stay in Dorms
I know dorms aren’t for everyone, but if you’re a solo traveler who is eager to meet people and form new relationships, it’s a great place to be. Plus your wallet will love it!
It’s typical dorm form to introduce yourself to the people in your room and to strike up conversations….that often lead to invitations to go to dinner or participate in a walking tour together. Dorms are a way of ensuring a social travel experience even if you are on your own.
Step #15: Become a Regular
Another tip is to become a regular at bars, restaurants, and hostels in your destination. The people who work there will see you coming in regularly and start striking up conversations with you – another great way to build up your connections when you’re on your own.
These people are also going to be your best sources for insider tips on what to do in the city. When I’m traveling solo, I will ask everyone who lives there for their must-see activities! You can learn a lot about the destination this way.
Step #16: Walk Everywhere
I am a big walker in everyday life, and even more so when I travel. By walking everywhere, you will not only orient yourself, but also get a unique view into the real side of the destination you’re in. You will notice things that you wouldn’t otherwise if you were driving past in a car.
It can be a very eye-opening experience to walk. You’ll see kids interacting with their parents, people hard at work, and much more.
Well I hope these tips have given you a little more confidence to embark on your solo travels. It really is an exceptional way to travel and though it sometimes requires a little extra effort to stay safe and smart….it’s well worth the trade off in the end!
If you have any other solo travel tips please comment them below – I would love to hear & discuss! And as always, if you enjoyed this article any social shares are greatly appreciated! xo