The world is broadly a safe place to travel, even if you are planning travel as a solo female, and are used to feeling safer in a group. You simply have to change your mindset a little and add a few extra travel precautions.
If you’ve ever longed for a holiday but decided against it as you were short of a travel companion, you’ll know the sinking feeling that can ensue.
But there’s no need to wait for someone else to complete your holiday.
There are plenty of countries perfect for travel as a solo female, and you may even find travelling more enjoyable without being restrained by travel companions.
But it’s completely natural to feel a little wary. Travelling solo is a completely different experience, and can offer a unique perspective than you may find on a group holiday, or when travelling as a couple.
However along with that new perspective is an increased sense of vulnerability and nerves. This is completely normal, and easily alleviated by reminding yourself of how safe you are and taking some precautions to keep yourself extra safe.
Even if you don’t need actually need such precautions, making sure you have 100% peace of mind will allow you to relax and enjoy your travels. You will probably soon forget you were ever worried!
Travelling alone is one of the most rewarding activities you can do and by following these simple tips to minimise stress you are sure to have a great experience.
Top tips for travel as a solo female
Plan for your first night
If this is your first holiday travelling solo then the first night could well be the hardest. Unfamiliar sights, sounds and tastes are exciting but they can get a little overwhelming when you throw potential jet-lag and the physical rigours of travel into the mix.
Make your first night a lot easier by booking your accommodation in advance and checking where you’ll be staying on Google Maps Street View. That way, things won’t feel so unfamiliar and you can simply enjoy your surroundings.
It is a good idea to try to arrive before nightfall so you can familiarise yourself and shouldn’t feel too nervous. Things can often appear different, and more threatening at night, but transform completely in the light of day. So make your first impression a good one and arrive during the day.
Get social
If you’re a natural extrovert travelling solo could be a little tougher than those for whom introversion is a predilection. Either way you will probably want to ask someone to take a picture of you, or ask a fellow traveller for some recommendations.
You may feel shy about it at first, but there are a few easy ways you can accommodate social activity into your travels. You could eat at the bar, or at a communal table: this is a great way to get chatting to others in a more casual setting.
Orientate yourself
Walking around confidently often means you need to be comfortable with your surroundings. But when travelling to a new place, that’s not always possible.
Google Maps Street View for helping you identify landmarks and spot places you can easily recognise. And there are plenty of apps you can download to your smartphone, such as Citymapper, or local transport apps, to ensure you can navigate on the go.
Join a tour
A great way to get to know other travellers and to quickly become familiar with your new surroundings is to join an organised tour.
Companies like Viator or Intrepid Travel offer small group tours to a variety of places and you can often find local walking tours by asking your hotel concierge.
If you’ve chosen to stay in rental accommodation your host will often be able to show you around or offer some guidance as to the best places to see.
Be brave and fearless
But stay safe. That’s the only caveat.
Of course you will feel more vulnerable as a solo traveller at first, but remembering how safe you are will help. And for most people the simple act of allowing yourself to feel vulnerable, then moving on to a more positive emotion will give you permission to live in the moment.
Opening yourself up to new experiences can be daunting, but saying yes to something a little scary could lead to all sorts of exciting adventures. On the flip side, it’s important to listen to your intuition. If it feels wrong, it probably is – and either way, you won’t enjoy anything if you have a sinking feeling in your stomach the whole time.
If, for example, you simply don’t feel comfortable wandering around at night – that’s okay! Save your evenings for relaxing at your hotel and make the most of your days instead. There are no rules when it comes to travel!
But take the solo female travel leap – you won’t regret it.
Find out more about travelling as a solo female on great blogs like Solo Traveler, Flora the Explorer, Oneika the Traveller and Adventurous Miriam.
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