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So you are planning on traveling solo? What questions should you be asking yourself? This site can be your guide to all things solo travel. Once you declare your adventurous travel plans you will be faced with questions. Be prepared for inquiries from friends, family, and most certainly yourself. Below you will find the top 5 concerns for solo female travelers.
All the concerns I mention were factors that held me back from traveling solo. To give you a little background on me, I took my first ever solo trip when I turned 30 in 2010! I am sure you can do the math on that, it’s been 10 years! Solo travel didn’t come naturally to me, but with a little practice, I soon started to prefer trips alone.
The Top 5 Concerns For Solo Female Travelers
You must be here because the idea of solo travel is something you are interested in exploring. Let’s start with the most basic and obvious question!
Always first, always of top importance. The answer is yes; it can be perfectly safe! When I travel alone, I am much more vigilant than if I was with somebody else. I pay extra attention to my surroundings and always keep my eyes open. If you are not observant by nature, you will develop this skill, among others.
It may never happen, but if you do feel a little out of place and lost, I suggest asking a fellow female for help. If in a country where the local language is not English, go to a hotel reception desk. It is very likely someone there would be able to help if you needed it.
Because safety is so important when traveling solo, I created a FREE 7 Tip Safety guide below. I was sure to include helpful apps and sites that every solo traveler should have!
A Single Woman Traveling Tip:
When traveling alone, it is smart to have a written list of the city’s emergency phone numbers and the address of your accommodations. I would also suggest having your family and friends’ numbers written down in a discoverable place.
Another big fear is getting lost, which can be alleviated by purchasing a travel phone plan and using Google Maps Offline. Having the freedom to use your phone is one of the best things to have at hand as a solo traveler! Just the mere fact that you could reach anyone will ease the stress – go out and absorb what the country has to offer.
#2. Is Solo Travel More Expensive?
At times solo traveling is overlooked because women think it is expensive. But there is always a workaround. Although splitting the taxi’s cost, hotel fee, and meals with a travel companion is nice, traveling on your own could be very affordable if you get the right advice. A few of my money-saving tricks for traveling solo are:
Airbnb:
Really research Airbnb and other home-share sites. You will be pleased with the accommodation options and costs. Using Airbnb has made it possible for me to go solo, and stay for about the same or even more reasonable price than traveling with another person. You could also mention the whole experience of having a place to yourself. One experiences the setting, and the culture gets more insights into where to go from the host. In other words, it is much more authentic.
Public Transport:
Don’t take taxis; they can cost an arm and a leg, depending on the city. In my Exclusive City Guides, I do go in detail about how to go about transportation. It is better to use buses, trams, underground or trains in major European cities.
Food:
I advise keeping your breakfast and lunch costs low and spoiling yourself for dinner. Unless your breakfast is included in the price of your hotel room, I will skip it. Often breakfast at a hotel can cost as much as a dinner entree at a nice restaurant. Save the money and go to a bakery and grab a pastry. If you are in an Airbnb equipped with a kitchen, take advantage! Grab the essentials to start your morning with a quick bite. Most Airbnb already has coffee and tea for free. Lunchtime is a great time to check out the local street vendors. When it comes to dinner, I always prefer going for appetizers and making a meal out of them. Saves money, and it always turns out to be the right amount of food.
Expert Solo Travel Planning
Do you need guidance on how to plan a solo trip?! The internet makes it so easy for us to do all the bookings but what about the logistics? You don’t want to poorly plan your solo adventures in a foreign place!
I work exclusively with solo travelers like you who need to get a little extra attention crafting their dream trip!
Come away with expert advice on destinations I have traveled to and a PDF itinerary with booking links.
Traveling alone..? How not to feel lonely when traveling solo? It was a big concern of mine when I booked my first solo trip. It’s natural to think about isolation or sadness. It is also likely that you will experience such moments. Don’t give in! As a strong woman, you will also learn from them!
If you are someone who isn’t very outgoing or comfortable starting a conversation with strangers, don’t worry. Neither am I….but I have grown to love and now prefer to travel alone. Loneliness is one of the top 5 concerns for solo female travelers that can disappear quickly.
The best piece of advice I have for your first solo trip is to do some sort of organized day activity.
A great example is a bike tour; I loved the one in Amsterdam. Seeing a new city on a bike is one of the best ways to experience it, and you don’t have to be athletic or fit to participate!
The group moves slowly, stops continuously, and the tour guide gives you way more information than you could ever gather by just walking around. Most tours will have a social lunch break stop, perfect for connecting with other solo travelers or groups. I highly recommend this!
One of the most popular questions about solo female travel is about eating alone. Sitting in a restaurant solo was something that made me feel uncomfortable.
My main concern was, “will everyone be looking at me?” Will they think there is something wrong with me because I am alone?
The answer is no; they won’t. The fact is most people are just thinking about themselves and what is going on in their world. I assure you from experience that others might only admire or envy you because you are brave, and they aren’t.
What Solo Travel Teaches You
On the fence about traveling solo? There are so many ways solo travel can truly change your life.
I recommend you start out slowly but give it a chance.
Solo travel has shaped me into a strong and confident woman. I have grown in my professional life as well as my personal.
Will I get bored traveling alone?? I understand why this is one of the top 5 concerns for solo females travelers. A common question and also somewhat rhetoric. People will ask you this question when you tell them you are going solo. Traveling alone sounds scary to others, they get overwhelmed with the idea and can project that onto those who do it. Don’t let such an attitude stop you from traveling alone.
You will not have time for boredom given the preparation you will have to do and if you decide to pack your day with activities. The best part about solo traveling is not having to compromise on what and when you want to do something. Maybe you are someone who wants to spend 7 hours at a museum or 7 minutes. When you are alone, you are in charge, and it’s a great feeling. Maybe one night you want to go to bed early and get room service. When traveling alone, it’s ok to do whatever you want! If you are traveling with someone, it’s acceptable to compromise, which at times makes you feel obliged to confront your desires. Settling can be hard when you are on vacation, so when possible, don’t do it!
One of my favorite pastimes is sketching out my next adventure. I bring a journal to the table and start to create my next travel wish list. It can be the best way to distract you from sitting there on your own. Also, texting with a friend helps. You can almost go the whole time at dinner in a conversation via text, leaving you with a feeling of having been social.
#5. What Essentials Do I Need?
Preparing for a trip is the key to its success! When out on an adventure alone, the last thing you want to be saying is, “I should have”… Be sure to be as planned out as possible and have all the solo travel gear.
Let’s start with packing! First time I went solo traveling I packed a carry-on suitcase, a checked bag, and a personal item bag. Now picture me lugging those bags on the cobblestone streets of Europe. I was cursing every pair of heels that I brought, which I don’t even wear in my normal life. When I was packing I was so sure I would find a nice occasion to wear them. Guess what, I didn’t!
Most of what you think you will wear you won’t, so mostly it’s dead weight. Here is a little tip if you are traveling solo and fancy a day of shopping. Leave the suitcase half empty so you can BUY new clothes when you get there. It’s certainly fun to say, “oh, that; I got it in Paris.”
Because packing can be such a process and take time to really get it right, I created an exclusive guide. This post will have all the items you need to have and coach you on reasons why you need just a carry-on.
Top 5 Concerns for Solo Female Travelers Resolved
When getting started traveling solo, I always suggest a tester trip first. Plan to spend the whole day somewhere else. It is best if you can spend the night as well.
Try and travel to a nearby city or town and pretend you are far from home. This day trip or quick overnighter is like a little travel tester. The goal is to see just how difficult you find it to spend the entire day alone.
You must have a meal solo in a restaurant to get the full experience. I think it is so important to try and experience these 5 concerns for solo traveling before you have done some far-away travel.
If you are truly overwhelmed by this little journey, you shouldn’t lose all hope that solo traveling isn’t for you. It just means you need a little more practice being alone before taking the real plunge. Nothing is worse than spending money on a trip and hating it. Be kind to your process, you can do this!
Thanks for sharing all of this great advice and information! I’ve always wanted to travel alone, but I’m so nervous! I’m worried I’ll be lonely at the destination, and wish I had people with me. However, your post is super helpful and I think I may give a solo trip a try!
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Kate says
Thanks for sharing all of this great advice and information! I’ve always wanted to travel alone, but I’m so nervous! I’m worried I’ll be lonely at the destination, and wish I had people with me. However, your post is super helpful and I think I may give a solo trip a try!