There is an itch, an inkling in you that you are a badass woman ready to take on the world! Compiled from personal experience, here are some useful tips for solo female traveler.
I absolutely understand your concerns and those of your family and friends. It’s natural to be anxious or nervous. This list of helpful tips will get you on the road so you may find out just how capable and badass you really are.
My first solo trip was from Los Angeles to New York City at age 19. I managed to get to all the places I wanted to see with my beautifully tailored itinerary, and maybe only mistakenly took the train to uptown instead of downtown ONCE. Alas, the experience was so exhilarating and empowering that I never stopped.
Get a local sim card
This is the number one resource I recommend you to invest in. Forget the “budget travel”, only use Wifi mentality. Sim cards are easy to find in most places, many international airports will even have booths for tourist sim cards.
WHY? – Do you know how many times I would have gotten lost or just feel completely helpless if I didn’t have a working phone? The most basic things such as being able to use maps, language translation apps to the more complicated such as needing to book an accommodation on the fly, or finding the nearest pharmacy.
Trust me, this is a worthy item to have for guide, safety and staying connected with friends and family.
Stay Incognito
I know we all want to show our inner goddess and express ourselves through choices of outfits, accessory, and luggage. HOWEVER, if you’re traveling alone and being targeted for any kind of misfortune is your concern, it would be really helpful to blend in.
Stick with neutral bag/luggage colors such as army green, black, grey, brown, beige, etc..Research and be aware of any local customs to dress appropriately. This is also out of the respect for other others’ culture. (For example, lots of temples in Indonesia or Thailand have strict dress codes for men and women)
Learn a couple of phrases
This one sounds obvious, but maybe not in the way you thought.
Of course it’s useful to know how to ask for the directions to the closest bathroom. However, we’re not even asking for that much!
Almost anywhere I went, the locals were always happy and excited when you try to speak their language. If you approach them respectfully and is able to offer a “hello” & “thank you” in their language, they may be more willing to assist you further.
Make friends
If you’re staying in a social hostel, you’ve got it made! However, if you opted for a bit of more luxury, there are alternate ways to forge bonds. As a solo female traveler, you’d be surprised how many gentlemen and awesome ladies are out there looking to make new friends.
The app Couchsurfing not only allow you to make request or accept people to sleep on your couch, there’s also a function that let’s you meet fellow travelers in the near proximity! I used this when I was in Pai, Thailand and found myself in midst of so many friendly faces, beers in hand, from all over the world. Trust me, you’re not alone!
Pack useful items
1. Padlock
Some hostels offer them for free, some for fee, and some not at all. This will come in handy for storing your belongings when you leave the room. Get it on Amazon.
2. Microfiber Towel
This item saved my ass in Iceland when I stayed in a hostel. Same as the lock, some places simply don’t offer them or offer them with a price tag. They dry super fast and can be used as a blanket if needed. Click for the one I used on my travel.
3. Medicine
let’s just say Imodium(anti-diarrhea) saved my life when I got food poisoning in Bali. Painkillers are always a good idea to bring with you. Lastly, for folks that get it bad with jet lag, pick up some ZzzQuill for help with getting your time zones right.
4. Extra copies of your documents
I did this but I didn’t end up needing it (thankfully). But hey you never know, it’s always good to extra copies of your ID/passport, insurance, etc…
5. Menstrual cup
Okay girls, if you haven’t heard of or tried these wonderful inventions yet, please look it up! They are an absolute life saver and makes your period a much easier thing to deal with. I got one last year, and I’m never looking back. Switching to a menstrual cup shortened my periods from 7 to 4 days, helped me save a lot of money, and are environmentally more friendly. Click here to get the Diva Cup on Amazon
Check out my essentials lists:
My Vlogging Essentials
My Packing Essentials
Lastly, I didn’t do this, but if you feel safer with more protection, according to tsa.gov:
“one 4 fl. oz. (118ml) container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge.”
Still feeling uncertain…?
Alright, I know many skeptics may still feel uncertain about the idea of traveling alone. I hate to be cliché, but always practice common sense, be aware of your surroundings, and trust your intuition. If you find yourself in any uncomfortable situation, walk away.
The most important thing I have to share is, you have no idea how many good people are out there, everywhere, ready to help.
Personally, out of all the trips I took alone or with someone, I have yet to encounter any danger or threat or even much unpleasantness. The way the media projects the world has created a cloud of fear for many, yet I have always found there to be more kind and helpful people than not.
READ: Why You Should Watch These 10 Travel Films
Do you know how many people are out there, right now, traveling and exploring the world? DO NOT let fear stop you from seeing the world. Traveling alone is such an empowering experience.
You may run into delayed trains or fully booked accommodations, but there are always alternatives and plan Bs. Most importantly, we are so lucky to be in a time when there’s a HUGE community of explorers and wanderers, here to support each other, and offer advice.
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Love this so many great tips.
Aw thanks for reading!