“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
Are you thinking about solo travel for the first time but feeling anxious about the prospect? Traveling alone as a woman is one of the best things you can do for yourself. It is liberating, empowering, and brave. As a solo traveler, I can understand all your concerns but remember with the right information and guide we can go anywhere in the world.
For all those who are new to my blog, my name is Aicha, which means “the one who lives” in Arabic. I grew up on a small tropical island in Mauritius. Like every little girl, I had dreams growing up, but I never dreamt of traveling or exploring. If someone had told me that one day I would be traveling in Europe, I would not have believed it. Today I must say, I got itchy feet and I must travel every now and then.
Once you muster the courage for your first solo trip, you will have that feeling of empowerment. But first, let’s see how you should be prepared for your solo trip.
Tip 1 - Stay Safe
Staying safe should always be a priority for travelers, and never more so if you are traveling alone. And, sadly, traveling as a solo female requires extra vigilance. However, don’t let fear prevent you from exploring. If it’s your first solo travel trip, I will recommend you venture somewhere that is familiar. This could be somewhere that you have been to before or a city break in your home country. This will help you gain the confidence to travel solo. For instance, my first solo trip was to London city and it was such a great experience. Later, it helped me to venture a bit far like being in the Swiss Alps alone, visiting Zante Island, or hiking a volcano in Iceland. Always starts small and when you feel you can go further, then you should start planning well.
Most of the time when I book my destination, I always do a little research on the crime rate of my destination. It helps me get an idea of what I should expect and how to be careful.
I suggest you share your itinerary with a family member or a close friend. It is always helpful if someone knows the details of your flight or accommodation.
Do not show your valuable things in public or get out a large amount of cash from your purse. Always be discreet. And if you are in a hostel, you can either put your personal items in a locker or bring them with you when you are going to the shower.
Always have a photocopy of your passport with you.
Another piece of advice that someone gave me which I find sad but it might help to keep some men away is to have a fake wedding ring. It does not need to be flashy because you wouldn’t want to attract thieves instead.
Tip 2 - Gadgets
If you decided for your first solo trip to go hiking in remote sections like national parks or to an area without any cellular service. You should first make sure that you have a topographical map with you and that you know your way so that you do not get lost.
Another important thing that I did not have at the time I was trekking in the Swiss Alps but will recommend you to have with you is a satellite GPS, which you can buy online. A satellite GPS will keep you in touch with your family or friends or even call for help when needed.
And you should also have a first aid kit with you, it might be handy any time.
Tip 3 - Travel Insurance
I will also advise you to have insurance when you are traveling. Travel Insurance covers risks during travel such as loss of passport and personal belonging cover, loss of checked-in baggage, etc. Having these risks covered ensures an additional layer of protection against financial loss.
Tip 4 - Choose accommodation wisely
As a solo traveler, it is extremely important that you choose your accommodation wisely. Whenever I’m booking a hostel, I will first look if it is in the center and if it is a good location. You should always read the reviews you have on Booking.com or Trip Advisor. When I’m traveling solo, I rarely use AirBnB.
Tip 5 - Be aware of Local Customs
Whenever I’m traveling I always try to blend in. For example, learning some basics local language can make your trip more enriching.
Another way of blending in is respecting the country’s local culture. For instance, when I was in Morocco, I always had a scarf covering my arms and I did not want to attract any unwanted attention.
Tip 6 - Be free and confident
When you are traveling solo, one of the most important things you will learn is to be free and confident.
Being confident shows that you can handle yourself and that you’re not one to be swindled.
Since I began traveling alone, I feel more capable, stronger, and freer than I ever have. As a result, I feel that my self-confidence is improving. I firmly believe that every woman should have the opportunity to travel by herself once in her life. You learn to enjoy your own company, and above all, you learn to enjoy life more. It is such an empowering experience.
Tip 7 - Always trust your guts
You should always trust your gut when you are alone. If a situation or an area seems shady to you, do not go there. I usually do not go out late at night when I’m traveling solo. Of course, it can depend on your destination. Some destinations have amazing nightlife but you should always be careful. I usually wake up early to explore the maximum during the day so that at sunset I will only have dinner, walk a bit and go back to my hostel.
Tip 8 - Meet new people
Always be open to meeting new people. Most of my friends nowadays are people that I met during my solo trip. In order to meet people, I’m going to advise you to stay in a hostel, based once more at your destination. Staying at a hostel with other solo travelers can not only give you a sense of safety and fellowship, but it also can also open you up to other interesting experiences. For instance, some fellowship at your hostel might invite you for lunch or dinner together, go for it.
If you are not staying at a hostel, you can still meet people on tours, excursions, or at a cafe. Some will gladly have a conversation, while others could be less thrilled. Don’t ever be afraid to take the first step and talk to somebody. Remember, worst-case scenario, you’ll never see that person again.
Chatting with people is a great way to enjoy your solo trip. Sometimes you might go out with them to visit a museum or a site. However, you will encounter people who know they will only see you once in their lifetime, and they will tend to reveal their life. If so, listen, show compassion and provide support if you can.
Tip 9 - Enjoy your own company
One of the most important things when traveling solo, you will spend most of the time with yourself and you should learn to enjoy yourself.
So, you should come around with ways to occupy your free time. For example, I always bring my diary with me to note down all the essential things I stumbled upon during my day. You can bring a sketchbook with you if you enjoy drawing or a few books.
You can download a few movies on Netflix to unwind at night. Or, you can also begin sorting through the photos and videos you took.
Tip 10 - Take your time to adjust
You should also learn how to give yourself time to adjust to a new environment, particularly due to multiple time zones. Listen to your body, if you’re tired, you might want to rest. For example, when I arrived in Iceland, I was worn out because I had a stopover in London.
After I arrived at my hostel at 3 p.m. I took a shower and slept for 2 hours. This really helped me later to explore the town.
“Go explore the world, do not wait for someone to be available in order to do what you like. The day you learn to appreciate yourself, you will be happy even if you are alone. And you are the main character of your movie.”
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