First-Time Solo Female Travel 101: Essential Tips for a Safe and Unforgettable Journey
by Lydia Lawrence • 15th august 2024
I just took my first solo travel trip, that has been on my bucket list since forever, and it was everything I ever dreamed of and more! I personally know how scary the idea even sounds and if you’re thinking there’s no way you could ever do it, because it would just be too much, you’re certainly not alone.
But, i’m here to tell you that it definitely isn’t as scary as everyone makes it out to be, sure you’re going to have to push yourself outside of your usual comfort zone a little bit, but that is where all the best fun and adventure lies! Travelling alone is always an rewarding experience especially when it’s your first time.
So if you’re someone who isn’t afraid of a little adventure, wants to strap in and take off into a completely different chapter of your life then this post is perfect for you!
Read on to find out all the best tips you can use for your unforgettable first female solo trip!
Research and plan Ahead
My past experiences have always told me that researching and having a detailed plan of the place I was planning to visit was a must! Yes, it’s also important to sometimes wing it and say what will happen, will happen, to yourself…
However, the basics of; having a physical map with you, knowing the transportation rules of your chosen destination, learning the basics of the language, researching what there is to do and places to go, having a detailed planned itinerary, and finally brushing up on your basic general knowledge of the country, are all always beneficial tips for just gaining more confidence in yourself to do it.
Doing these little things before your trip ensures that you’ll not only feel safer where you are, but also that you won’t just be a brand new tourist, which when alone, can sometimes put you in the spotlight and makes you feel out of touch with the place you are going.
Read reviews, make sure wherever you’re going fits your personal needs and safety rules, but besides this, most of all; just have fun!
Pack Smart, Pack light
‘Packing smart and packing light’ when on a solo trip is my personal moto! My first solo trip when I was truly on my own, was to Venice, Italy and 3 weeks prior I got out my medium - large suitcase and just started packing everything I wanted in sight.
This was my first mistake as; 1. I was staying in a hostel and 2. after feeling exhausted from all the packing, I looked for inspiration online and the first thing I saw was a warning not too pack heavy as Venice is walkable city with lots of stairs, and it is definitely not suitable for carrying around large, heavy luggage.
I was then so frustrated and I looked, shamefully, at my big pile of clothes in my suitcase and knew I had wasted a whole day.
The point of me sharing of all this, is so you can learn from me before making the same mistakes yourself. Packing light and really assessing what it was that I really needed truly saved my whole trip.
You can do this by using physical packing cubes to reduce space in your suitcase, plan out outfits before your trip to avoid overpacking, make efficient lists of things that are only necessity, use travel sized toiletries to reduce space and perhaps using a suitable sized carry-on / suitcase for your designated trip.
Choose accomodation wisely
When going completely solo you may opt for a safer and more reliable choice of accommodation as where you stay does impact your overall experience.
You might choose a single private room to ensure protection, a hostel dorm if you want to meet others whilst on your travels, or a hotel room that’s closer to your destination.
Whatever you choose it may be best to opt for accommodation that receives positive views from other female solo travellers, that caters to your personal preferences and that has a good central location.
In my experience, hostels were a great choice for me! It was great to meet other people, it was fairly cheap for a dorm bed, was very clean and it met all of my personal needs. I felt safe, secure and had a great time.
Booking an accommodation where you feel welcomed and included is always great too. Many hostels also offer female only dorms and this is a great option if you want to make friends, share similar experiences with other travellers and if you want to feel extra safe in an unfamiliar area.
4. Be aware of your surroundings: prioritise safety
It’s so important that you take extra precaution to stay safe, this doesn’t mean to not have fun or to not go to certain places you want to go.
However, it means staying vigilant, understanding that you are a tourist and respecting the manners, people and the places where you stay. If you want to gain the most from your experience, it’s always great to embrace the different ways, food and culture. Doing this will ensure you have the best time!
I personally really benefited from keeping all the contact phone numbers of my accommodation, a few girls I met at a hostel and I kept my location on at all times incase anything did happen.
Even so, if you find yourself becoming scared, anxious or not liking your experience you could also benefit from trusting your intuition, if you don’t feel good about that specific journey, place or person it’s completely fine to not try and to go somewhere else; as your safety always comes first.
6. Embrace the solo experience
After a conversation with my friend during my first solo experience, I realised I enjoyed it so much! Mainly because I embraced the very fact I was alone. yep completely alone in the middle of a foreign country, I knew no one. and first this fact loomed over my head like deep dark storm cloud but then, after i started to become more comfortable and familiar with my surroundings, I embraced that I had full responsibility over myself and belongings and it honestly felt amazing.
In fact, it was exhilarating, I had full control over my trip, I had fun and I embraced life, I became apart of a different culture and honestly that feeling to me is unmatched!
I did this all by simply accepting when things didn’t go as planned, you have to be okay with the possibility that your plans may fall through, that an experience may not be as you expected, you may find something better to do or make plans with others whilst you are there. Yet, when you are running along a canal with your bag half packed rushing for a boat you don’t know the ending destination of, feeling the highest sense of freedom; it is all worth it.
The honest truth is I can give you all the practical tips in the world, but if you aren’t simply open to this fact and would hate if it didn’t go perfectly then you might benefit with going with a group first and then increasing your confidence towards a solo trip.
I found beauty of going with the flow and sometimes you may get lost, you may just wander around a town you’ve never been, you may get scared, you may realise you are completely out of your comfort zone, but you also have to remember that is the best part of being and spending time by yourself.
Traveling solo as a woman is a powerful and transformative experience. By taking these tips to heart, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate the world with confidence and create an unforgettable trip.
Remember, you are your best travel companion. Trust yourself, stay curious, and let the world unfold before you. Safe travels!
If you enjoyed this post be sure to check out: the top destinations for a first time female solo traveller
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