15 Best Travel tips for females traveling alone

Women traveling alone have increased dramatically in recent years. Many women opt to travel alone and on their terms, whether for pleasure or business.

Most women are concerned about their safety. With that in mind, here are 15 ways to help you feel safer on your solo travel.

While many of these are beneficial for any solo traveler, a woman traveling alone encounters some risks that a lone male traveler does not always experience.

Keep your eyes and mind open

Traveling alone isn’t particularly challenging as women who travel solo can have just as much fun as men. The only requirement is to stay alert and open your eyes and mind. Traveling to a place where communication is straightforward could be simple. It’s advisable to visit an English-speaking nation. Learning about other cultures and customs around the world is very important. Traveling alone can be fun, but you may experience a whirlwind of emotions if you’re a newbie. Women traveling alone can immerse themselves in the local culture and learn how they live, eat and interact with each other.

Choose your destination with intent

Choosing a destination you want to visit and ensuring it’s safe enough to explore without concern is two crucial considerations. Choosing a place that can take you on a journey full of memories and lasting charm is challenging. Know your preferences and choose an area ideal for diving deeper into life.

As a rule, exploring your hotel’s or Airbnb’s surroundings is advisable in your solo travel. You can manage your affairs better if you find out about the area where the hotel you’ll be staying in is located. Check online reviews of the hotel you’ll stay at and the area. This way, you can determine which areas are safe and which aren’t. Also, you should consider alternative accommodation.

Share your itinerary with someone

You need to be aware of protecting yourself from pickpockets while traveling. Before you leave, take security measures. Hide your cash in several places. Be careful in crowded areas and watch for warning signs of pickpockets. Reduce the number of items you carry. Always take a look behind you. Secure your backpack or purse. Women traveling alone are advised to use a wallet with RFID blocking to ensure their safety.

Make sure someone knows exactly where you’ll be on any given day, even if you’re traveling or don’t have access to the Internet. The easiest way to do this is to provide at least one person at home who’s not going with you with your itinerary or a rough idea of where you’ll be and when in case they need to contact you.

You don’t have to call your friends and family daily; try to let them know regularly. Whether you check in via text message or Instagram posts is up to you, but creating a digital trail of your whereabouts is important while traveling solo.

Invest in travel insurance

Travel insurance can cover a variety of unforeseen expenses. It can help with unexpected medical and dental expenses and reimburse you for lost luggage, flight delays or cancelations, rental car damage, and other costs. Make sure you set that up before you embark on your solo travel. Visit Allianz Travel to check out their overview of travel insurance.

Pack light

This is practical advice, saving you from carrying a lot of baggage when traveling alone, and a safety suggestion. With less baggage, you can move around more easily and draw less attention to yourself and your possessions. Never pack too much! You’ll benefit and save a lot of time. Count the days you’ve and take one outfit for each. You already know you won’t wear everything, so don’t take too much.

Be a little

If you feel insecure or alone, start saying “we” or referring to a travel partner. This also works if a somewhat superficial person approaches you and inquires about your background, current relationship, etc. You can also think about carrying a fake wedding ring in your pocket for emergencies.

It’s important that you engage with people and learn about their lives. Exploring in the truest sense of the word involves more than just going to new places; it’s also about understanding the locals’ traditions, culture, and way of life. Pay attention to the people around you and their motives while doing everything. Never give out personal information, such as where you live, where you’re going next, or your plans.

List places you want to visit

Don’t just choose the broken route; remember that being alone is the most important thing. Make a list of places you want to visit. It’s easier to commute with a mental map. No matter where you stay, explore the nooks and crannies to understand them better virtually. Exploring the area prepares tourists for the thrills and strains that await them.

Don’t get drunk

This point may seem obvious, but it’s nonetheless significant. While it’s permissible to have a drink or two, keep a cool head. Don’t take it too far when you’re in a new environment among strangers. There aren’t always happy endings. Make sure you’ve returned safely and that you’ve had enough rest.

Dress like a local

Pay attention to what the locals are wearing so you can blend in and not stand out as a conspicuous visitor. In some countries, dressing modestly or covering up is part of the deal, even if it’s summer!

Reach your destinations in daytime

Always try to arrive somewhere before nightfall. This way, you can familiarize yourself with your surroundings and perhaps buy any forgotten supplies before it gets dark. It also means you don’t have to walk around in the dark with your bags slowing you down. If you don’t want to rely on cabs, rent a car, but don’t drive around the streets alone or late.

Carry a safety device with you

Carry pepper spray or a whistle for self-defense. Since pepper spray is considered a concealed weapon in some countries, you can use a hairspray substitute instead. Also, always have a flashlight with you. A Swiss Army knife is also a good choice, but make sure you know how to use it. A spray is also more convenient, so you might not need a Swiss Army knife.

Bring emergency contraception

Even if you don’t plan to be sexually active on your trip, it can’t hurt to be prepared. In some countries, it can be challenging, if not impossible, to obtain contraceptives. Have them ready just in case.

Keep your bag and documents with you at all

This seems like another no-brainer, but it’s important. Always keep your bag with you, even when you go to the restroom or buy something at a café or restaurant register. NEVER leave your bag alone or hand it to a stranger. This mightn’t end well for you.

Take photos of your important documents (passports, IDs, ticket numbers, reservations, etc.) and email them to yourself or save them to a secure site like DropBox. That way, even if you lose them and your phone/computer, you can still access them. This is the safest way to keep your records. But be careful not to misplace them. It might be challenging to get the originals back.

Don’t fall asleep in public

Avoid using public transportation at night and always keep your eyes open. This may seem like an extension of the “be aware of your surroundings” recommendation, but it’s crucial, especially if you’re going from place to place alone and are in danger of nodding off!

Stay confident throughout your solo travel and enjoy yourself!

Prepare yourself for unpleasant events, and when they occur, keep your self-confidence and muster the strength to take the right action. Don’t question yourself just because you’re a woman traveling alone. Have confidence in yourself and feed your mind with positive thoughts as you embark on a mission to make memories that will last a lifetime. Self-confidence would be your fuel here; tell every cell in your body that you’re alone, and that will be enough to enjoy traveling alone.

At the same time, you don’t have to believe that everyone you meet is out to get you! Stay open to new things. Take advantage of your time traveling alone by doing whatever YOU want, whether going for a walk, relaxing at a café, or visiting a museum. You’ll quickly learn to like your own company. Wasn’t that the reason you decided to travel alone in the first place?

Do you feel ready to travel the world now? If so, read my blog post about 10 destinations for solo female travelers and book your next flight.