I took my first solo trip in 2015, where I traveled to England, Ireland, and Scotland (with a night long stopover in Iceland on my way back, which surprisingly has some of the most interesting stories – we can get to that someday!) I had ended a long-term relationship, and one of the main reasons was because I wanted to travel more. As soon as I finished my Master’s degree, I booked this trip. Then I moved back home to Nova Scotia and started saving (I had 6 months until I left). It was kind of a “put your money where your mouth is” move, but I didn’t really give much consideration to the fact I would be alone. It didn’t even cross my mind that it would be different than any trip I had taken before because I would be by myself. It definitely is different, but it is SO rewarding. I recommend that everyone do it at least once. Since this trip, I have taken several solo trips. I have compiled a list of a few tips and tricks I have learned as a female traveling solo, as well as a few things that worked out well for me, that I wouldn’t necessarily call a tip, but perhaps at the very least it is food for thought!
- Don’t be afraid to go!
As long as you have even the smallest amount of street smarts about you, you will not be in danger in most places. Really, you probably have the same chance of being in the wrong place at the wrong time near home than you do traveling. There are definitely some places where risks are different, but likely not greater. Research places before you go, I always try to mention safety in each post I write on here, as do most solo female travellers. For example, in countries where females can be harassed or targeted for being without a husband, I have worn a fake wedding ring. In Southeast Asia people constantly stop you to ask where you are going, and I always said I was on my way to meet my husband. Probably not necessary, but it always ended a conversation quickly, which was my goal.
Ultimately, travel itself is not unsafe, be smart, do some research and don’t let worried parents or friends talk you out of it!
- If you are nervous, try tackling a country that speaks your language
This one one thing I didn’t consider when I booked my first solo trip, but was definitely something that made it easier! I went to 3 English speaking countries. I picked them because of good flight prices, and having a few people I knew that lived there. I don’t think I even realized what a comfort it was until my first time solo in a non-English speaking place. Knowing that you can speak to people if you get lost or need help can be very comforting. If you don’t speak the native language, the stress of reading street signs, or menus, or speaking to a taxi drivers could be a bit daunting. So, it can really help if you have some solo travel anxiety (definitely applies to males or females!)
- Choose your accommodations based on what time you arrive, you can always change after the first night.
One of the most stressful situations I have been in while traveling was when a flight I had booked to Paris was delayed and I ended up arriving in the middle of the night. I had been planning to take transit into the city, which I was no longer comfortable doing at 2am (and it likely wasn’t running anyway) and I had to take a hired car into the city. The car dropped me off at the address I was given in my booking, however that door was a day door and not open at this time of night. It took me what felt like forever to find the door I needed to get in, and I was really panicking! Sometimes now, when my flight or train is going to get in after dark I will book one night close to the airport or train station so I know I won’t have any trouble getting there if there are delays. I also always ask how to check in if there are delays and I don’t arrive during their desk hours. Obviously this can’t always be avoided in the case of major delays, but it can be helpful.
- When booking a mixed dorm, book the bigger room
If you are traveling and staying in hostels alone as a female, I do recommend booking an all female dorm if the room size is 6 or less. You don’t want to be the only girl staying in a room of 3-5 guys that all know each other. Not only do people act gross and messy when they are familiar with one another, group-think is real, and theft or unwanted sexual advances are more likely to happen when you’re in a situation like this. Also, there is no impartial party to take your side if things do somehow get sketchy. If a mixed dorm is the only option, book the biggest one, and bring earplugs and an eye mask.
- Pack your bag, then take half of it out. Seriously, pack LIGHT
You and you alone will be carrying your bag. Make sure you can manage it comfortably for a walk of at least 15 minutes. You can bring a regular wheeled suitcase if you want, but you will have to lift it a lot. The last time I was in Paris I traveled with a wheeled carry on, and the number of flights of stairs I had to carry it up and down quickly reached double digits before we even arrived at our hotel. If you are visiting several places and regularly changing hotels/hostels, using transit, and walking much at all I would definitely recommend a travel backpack. Make sure it is light enough that you can actually get it on your back. I traveled for 3 months in Southeast Asia, and often had to find a ledge or bench to rest my pack on, so it would be off the ground when I put it on. Otherwise, I couldn’t stand up. It was too heavy for me to get it on my back from the ground. I made it work, but it was definitely inconvenient. Also, you can truly make use of things over and over again. I like to travel with solid colour t-shirts and tanks that go with all of the bottoms I bring. I know you don’t want to be wearing the same thing in every photo, but less is more when traveling, so pack wisely.
- Pack things that are nearing the end of their useful life
I always take things with me that I’m likely to throw away soon when I’m backpacking. I jokingly tell a pair or two of shoes “say bye to Canada” when I pack, because I only come back with one pair of shoes usually. Same goes for tanks and t-shirts, as well as socks, pajamas and underwear. If you are traveling, staying in hostels, doing laundry in laundromats, and for all intents and purposes – roughing it, I can PROMISE you will not care that much about what you are wearing. I always pack one versatile outfit that I can style cute enough for a nicer dinner/theatre/fancy museum or something, but mostly I am wearing tanks with small holes, socks that are starting to thin, etc. Then, as I get close to the end of the trip, I’ve done my laundry one last time, instead of packing dirty worn out clothes, I throw them away. And it feels good, and your bag gets lighter!
- Unless you are very sensitive to the products you use for skin/hair/hygiene/etc you can buy them where you are going
You don’t need 3 months of period supplies. Everywhere is going to sell some version of what you need to shave/wash/menstruate/etc. With one tip being – be careful of what you are buying if the labels are in a different language. I did end up with a pretty nasty chemical burn in Vietnam when the sunscreen I bought ended up being skin whitening bleach. Another tip that goes along with this, is make sure you are disposing of your hygiene products correctly. Some places have different septic capabilities than what you may be used to at home. I always keep a few zipper bags with me just in case I need to hold on to some gross garbage until I am back in a place where I can dispose of it responsibly.
- Keeping your partying responsible
One of the greatest things about traveling is meeting other like minded people, and going out for food and drinks and having a good time. Just remember, when you are traveling by yourself, no one is really looking out for you. You shouldn’t drink too much, or try drugs you don’t know how you will act on or really let loose. You are the only person who is responsible for you. Your best friend isn’t going to be there to make sure you get home. It can be a lot easier to end up in a sticky situation if you don’t keep your consciousness. Also, if you are anything like me, you can be persuaded to do things much easier if you are not sober. Just ask the wanderlust tattoo on my back…
Traveling by myself is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in my life. It taught me how to be truly independent in the face of several different types of struggles. It taught me how to be alone with my own thoughts, and how to enjoy my own company. I am so grateful this has been something I have been able to do several times, and know I am only a few clicks away from going anywhere I want because I know I have the confidence to do it. If you have any questions for me about something related to solo traveling as a female that I haven’t touched on here, just ask me and I will help you out if I can. I’m sure there will always be a funny story I can share that’s related too!
