The Ultimate Guide to Solo Female Travel: Everything You Need to Know
Introduction
Solo female travel is more than just embarking on a journey; it’s a profound exploration of self-discovery, freedom, and empowerment. While traveling alone can seem daunting, the rewards are unparalleled. This complete guide discusses the multifaceted benefits, practical advice, and insights that make solo female travel enriching and life changing.
This guide aims to provide comprehensive insights and practical tips for women who are considering embarking on solo travel. This guide will help you navigate the unique challenges and opportunities that solo travel offers.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Planning Your Trip
- Health and Wellness
- Staying Safe On the Road
- Meeting People & Making Friends
- Overland Adventures
- Maintaining Communication
- Post-Travel Reflection
- Conclusion & Further Resources
Benefits of Solo Travel
Solo travel offers numerous life-changing benefits and unparalleled opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth. By venturing outside of your comfort zone, you can learn more about yourself and build confidence and resilience along the way. Embracing the challenges of solo travel empowers people to make independent decisions, fostering self-reliance and resourcefulness that is essential for personal development. Moreover, the freedom to create a personalized itinerary and indulge in spontaneous adventures provides a sense of liberation.
One of the most significant benefits of solo travel is the unparalleled freedom it affords. You have the autonomy to design your journey according to your preferences and interests. You can explore hidden gems off the beaten path or take time to savor the moment. Without the need to accommodate others, you can fully embrace your experiences, fostering a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you. Additionally, being alone provides ample time for introspection and self-reflection, leading to a deeper understanding of your identity and desires.
While you might be hesitant and afraid to travel solo, addressing safety concerns and thorough pre-trip preparation can alleviate anxieties. Trusting your instincts and being mindful of your surroundings are essential practices for navigating unfamiliar environments safely. By embracing the challenges and opportunities of solo female travel with careful planning and a positive mindset, women can embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and liberation.
This guide aims to support and inspire women to embrace the grandeur and variety of the world, one adventure at a time, fostering a profound sense of confidence, resilience, and personal fulfillment along the way.
There are so many more benefits to solo travel that it’s almost impossible not to be changed by it.
Overcoming Hesitations
Addressing safety concerns is crucial for solo female travelers. Research destinations thoroughly and stay informed about local safety issues. Detailed planning can help alleviate anxieties. Feeling well-prepared can significantly reduce travel-related stress.
Embarking on solo travel may seem daunting, and it is. Going off on your own to a place you’ve never been is scary. There’s a lot of uncertainty and variables, and it’s only natural to be afraid. This is the first of many challenges in solo travel, and the way to overcome this is to just do it scared.
Planning Your Trip
Planning and Preparation
When planning your solo trip, there are a few things to consider to ensure you have a great time. There is a balance between researching to understand the risks, and diving so deep into worst case scenarios that it terrifies you.
For me, having more information helps alleviate anxiety because I know what to expect. However, it is easy to cross that threshold by reading the news and other horror stories, making me rethink the trip altogether.
My advice is to be aware of the common scams, threats, and areas so you can avoid them as best you can. Consuming news content about heinous crimes and “what if” scenarios does not help me feel more prepared, it makes me paranoid, so my advice is to avoid it. For more information, I created an entire post about my top honest safety tips as a solo female traveler.
Researching Destinations
Familiarize yourself with the level of crime and common scams. For example, in London, it’s common for thieves to ride by on a motorcycle and snatch your purse. People will also grab your phone right out of your hand. For these reasons, it is advisable to use a discreet fanny pack rather than a shoulder handbag, and do not walk with your phone out. In Brazil, thieves will peruse beaches and create distractions to steal peoples stuff.
No one wants to be the victim of a crime, especially if your life is on the line. For me, it’s not worth it to go to a place where I’m afraid, even if nothing bad happens. Being constantly on edge and looking over my shoulder takes a lot of the fun about exploring a new place. When I am worried about safety, I am not having a great time.
Evaluate the safety of potential destinations by checking travel advisories, online forums, and government websites. Especially in the beginning, I would recommend going somewhere that you think you will feel pretty safe. The good news is that despite what the western media would have you believe, there are a myriad of safe countries for solo female travelers to visit.
Accommodation
Accommodation choices should prioritize safety, location, and reviews. It goes without saying to make sure to stay in safe places. Renting an apartment or bungalow and having the entire place to yourself can ensure you and your belongings are safe. Most hostels are usually pretty safe (check reviews), and the staff is there to help you if you need it. I mostly stay in Airbnb’s or apartments and have never had any issues with safety. Of course, every woman already knows to keep doors and windows locked.
As a huge proponent of slow travel, I rent accommodation by the month. The two main benefits are that it is far cheaper and is a more sustainable pace long term. Pretty much every host on Airbnb has been willing to negotiate a monthly rate with me. Additionally, I have heard that FaceBook is a good resource for finding housing, especially outside of main cities. The monthly rent varies from country to country, but most of the time I pay around $500 per month. I have not had to sign a lease, and pay in cash. I generally go with fully-furnished budget or mid-range accommodations that have a kitchen and preferably a washing machine. It is wonderful having my own space to live.
Transportation
Explore options such as public transportation, ride-sharing, and walking.
I am a fan of public transportation. It is really cheap and convenient. I loved the well-connected train system in Europe, but I loved the simplicity of the Peruvian colectivos even more. Colectivos are 12 passenger vans that act like public buses. To get on, you just stand on the side of the road and stick your hand out when one passes. To get off, you just let the driver know and they will pull over on the side of the road and let you out. So simple and easy.
The cited downside of public transportation is that yes, theft and other petty crimes can happen. It’s almost as if crime can happen wherever there are other people…… hmm. Keep your belongings secured and be aware of your surroundings. Taxis are generally more expensive, and I personally hate haggling over the price. Taxis all over the world try to overcharge people, which is the reason ridesharing apps like Uber and lyft exist. People are tired of taxi scams. I avoid taxis whenever possible, and only take them if there’s no other option. I would rather take a public bus or hitchhike than take a taxi.
Activities
One of the main reasons for traveling is doing activities. Some activities carry more risks than others. For example, going on a solo hike in the mountains is generally less risky than going out to a bar alone (see the part about crime happening where people are). A lot of crimes against solo female travelers are perpetrated by men under the opportunistic cover of alcohol and darkness; drink spiking, sexual assault, and sometimes even kidnapping.
Solo traveling is a good time for you to explore the types of things you actually enjoy doing. Maybe you don’t actually like spending hundreds of dollars to get drunk enough to tolerate listening to house music while some drunk guy hits on you. Maybe you don’t like going to bed at 3am just to wake up 4 hours later feeling hungover. Without the familiar comfort of your friend group back home, maybe you’ll branch out and try different activities. Ones that are not only safer, but positively enriching as well. Who knows, maybe you’ll start birdwatching.
Travel and Health Insurance
Most people will tell you to absolutely not leave home without travel insurance. I can understand the logic. In the west, particularly the US, there are multi-billion-dollar insurance institutions and systems in place. They make sure people would not be able to financially survive/recover without various types of insurance.
The system “works” because the insurance premium is often lower than the cost of replacement. This is not always true while traveling. I spent $1200 on travel insurance through World Nomads for the first year I traveled full time. Fortunately, the airline didn’t lose my bags and they provided a refund for any canceled flights. I did, however, lose a gold earring in a bar. My travel insurance reimbursed me for the replacement cost which was less than $100. I also had to see a doctor, have bloodwork done, and take some antibiotics. This also cost less than $100. As it turns out, the rest of the world isn’t getting screwed with healthcare like Americans are. As the math works out, the insurance company profited $1000 off me. That’s a month’s worth of traveling!
The cost of healthcare in other countries is so much more affordable that having insurance wasn’t worth it for me. Regarding lost bags or trip cancellations, I have a couple credit cards that offer these benefits. If I book the trip with those cards, they automatically cover those things without requiring additional insurance. It just simply didn’t make sense for me to purchase travel insurance. I have been traveling without it for the last two years and I have not needed it.
That being said, some countries will require you to have health insurance. Common coverage includes a certain dollar amount, plus repatriation and a few other emergencies (think death, dismemberment, medical evacuation). It’s not a bad idea to have, especially if it’s required for entry or visa purposes. Hopefully you can find affordable insurance for significantly less than standard travel insurance.
Packing Essentials
When packing for your trip, the smaller your bag the better. Not only is it a hassle lugging your bag through airports and train stations, but you are less mobile. If you need to get out of a situation quickly, having a lighter and manageable bag will make it easier. It’s hard to run away if you have to drag a 50lb checked bag across cobblestones.
For more detail on what to pack when planning a long-term trip, check out my Long-Term Packing Checklist.
You will, of course, need to bring clothing. Depending on the climate where you’re going, you might be in shorts and flip flops every day. If that’s the case, don’t forget to bring comfortable modest clothing for visiting temples and other cultural sites. A pair of loose fitting pants and an oversized t-shirt work just fine for this. No need to bring something fancy.
Security items
Bring a combination lock (one for each separate bag you have) so you can lock up your belongings in hostels. Some hostels do not provide locks, so if you don’t bring one, you won’t be able to lock up your stuff and could be a victim of theft.
Bring a fanny pack rather than a purse. Thieves often target purses, whether they drive by on motorbikes and rip them off you, or rob you point blank. Fanny packs are more easily hidden and often overlooked when criminals are assessing potential victims. They are also harder to physically remove from your body than a purse. I wear mine clipped around my waist and it fits perfectly under sweatshirts and coats.
Additionally, having little pockets to stash money or cards comes in handy when you don’t want to bring a whole bag. I have a hair scrunchie that has a hidden pocket- perfect for a quick trip out or if I’m exercising.
There are a lot of devices and gadgets you can get for safety. However, most of them aren’t worth the investment. They can be really expensive, plus they take up space in your suitcase. Additionally, even if you get them packed in your suitcase and through the airport, you might not even use them on your travels. My suggestion would be to stay in places you feel safe so you don’t feel the need to bring a door jam or a keychain alarm with you. This includes both the city, part of town, and specific building.
Health and Wellness
Whether you plan on traveling for a couple months or a few years (hello digital nomad girlies!), you should not ignore or put off your health and wellness until you “go back home”.
Food/ Diet
The longer you travel, the more important the distinction between a “trip” and a “lifestyle” becomes. The food you eat while you travel ends up becoming your diet and lifestyle. If you drink regularly/heavily or eat a lot of fried and processed food, you will feel lethargic, bloated, and suffer gastrointestinal distress more often. It’s not fun to explore when all you want to do is lay down.
In order to eat a healthy and balanced diet, I rent accommodation with kitchens so I can cook. I like going to local markets and seeing what different fruits and vegetables are available in each place. This way, I have more control over my diet, can customize it however I want, and get to see what the locals are eating. My diet consists mainly of plants, so I buy fruits, vegetables, legumes, beans, nuts, and spices. In Thailand, I was spoiled by the variety of fresh tropical fruit. I became obsessed with empanadas in Argentina after I learned how easy it was to make them. In Albania, they have an abundance of nuts; everything from walnuts to pistachios, hazelnuts, cashews, and many more.
Exercise
Aside from living an active lifestyle by exploring the new places I travel to, my exercises of choice are yoga and running. Yes, I do bring a yoga mat with me all around the world. This isn’t required, of course- I technically could do yoga without a mat, but I do prefer having a mat, and I use it frequently enough that it’s worth it for me to cart around. Moreover, yoga provides the advantage of being free and accessible in almost any location, making it an ideal choice for travel, particularly for those on a budget. Additionally, there are yoga classes all around the world, and it could be a good activity to meet people. Plus, YouTube is a great resource for not only yoga but other types of workouts as well!
Running is another free form of exercise that I can do nearly anywhere. As my name suggests, I like exploring on foot. Trail running has been a WONDERFUL way for me to explore places on my own. It’s like walking, only faster! Haha! I can cover more distance and thus see more of a place by running than I can walking. It is especially good for exploring nature.
Speaking of walking, that’s another form of exercise that almost goes without saying. Whether walking around a city, exploring a hiking trail, or simply wandering around every morning to get the blood moving, walking has numerous health benefits. I try to get at least 10,000 steps in per day, a challenge that has the added bonus of beckoning me to explore wherever I am, every single day.
Vaccinations and Health Precautions
Research any vaccines or health concerns for a destination before you go. However, you don’t necessarily need to get these vaccines before you go. I learned this the hard way- I dropped THOUSANDS of dollars on vaccines before I first left the US. I thought I would be without access to quality medical care. After being gone for a few years and going places that weren’t originally on my itinerary, I realized I could have gotten the vaccines in the destination country for a tiny fraction of what I paid. For example, several tropical countries, especially those with a jungle, require a yellow fever vaccine. I found a place to get this vaccine while I was in Peru (in preparation for visiting the Amazon Rainforest) and it was so cheap that I don’t even remember how much it cost.
At this point, I have received medical care in a couple different countries. I have been able to get the care I needed at very affordable prices. I have even been to the dentist for a cleaning and had a positive experience. My point is, healthcare is available in other places. If something serious or unusual happens, the internet is a good resource. Search for the best clinic/country to go for the care you need. Places that have a lot of tourists or foreigners usually have clinics specifically geared toward travelers. They have English speaking doctors and affordable cash prices.
If you have to bring medication with you, make sure to work that out with your prescribing doctor. I can’t speak to the availability of all medications, but it was shockingly easy to get affordable antibiotics without a prescription in several countries. (Which isn’t necessarily a good thing because of all the drug-resistant bacteria we are creating, which is already having really bad consequences for humanity…… but that’s not what this guide is about.)
Menstruation/ Contraceptives
Dealing with your period while traveling is actually not really any different than dealing with it at home. Use whatever has been working for you. I have heard that in some countries it can be challenging finding tampons, so bring some extra if you use them. I personally use cloth pads/pantyliners (purchased on etsy), which have the added benefit of being cost effective since I don’t have to buy hygiene items every month.
Being unsure of the availability and ease of getting contraceptives, such as birth control pills while traveling, I opted to get an IUD. I had been on the pill for years, and finding the specific pill that worked well for me was super challenging. They always had awful side effects like weight gain, mood swings, and would completely wreck my skin. I have had a much better experience with an IUD, which lasts usually from 3-5 years. This is a much better solution for me because I don’t have to remember to take a pill every day, I don’t have to locate pharmacies every few months, and don’t have to deal with the side effects. Another benefit is that it has made my period really light, making it really manageable and honestly a breeze. I still have pretty bad cramps though, which I just deal with.
Mental Health Considerations
How you deal with your mental health and stress while you’re home will be how you deal with it while traveling…. until you learn healthy coping strategies. Solo travel is the perfect time to embrace the raw and messy discomfort of building healthy habits. Everyone has a different reason for setting off alone, and learning how to deal with stress in a healthy way will improve your travel experience.
When I visited Japan, their massive train system completely overwhelmed me, which was amplified because nothing was in English. I learned breathing exercises, which helped me stay calm in situations like that. I also learned how to leave situations and people that were not good for me, and I learned how to sit with my feelings and not distract myself from them. Turns out, having healthy coping mechanisms improves your quality of life and your experience of being. Who knew?
In my experience, solo travel didnt bring about mental health issues; it solved them. All of the personal development and confidence building aside, my lifestyle as a full time solo female traveler is more conducive to health and happiness. I get more exercise, I eat healthier, and am less stressed. The chemical environment in my brain and body is so much healthier since I left the States (and my awful corporate job) that I am no longer depressed. I am happier and more chill than I have ever been.
However, my depression didn’t magically disappear once I got on that flight. (Honestly though, at least half of my depression went away just by leaving… just saying.) All the opportunities that solo travel offered to sit in solitude was spent healing and working through all that stuff. It was so much easier to improve my mental health when I wasn’t trying to keep my head above water being waterboarded by narcissistic and egotistical middle managers.
If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issues, you handle these the same way you would back home. Hopefully you have a support network you can lean on, or at the very least, a good playlist to cry to.
Coping with Loneliness
The biggest falsehood I hear about solo travel is people assuming how lonely it must be. First of all, solo travel doesn’t necessarily mean being alone all the time. For example, I rented a house for a few months with three other solo travelers when I was in Thailand. There are lots of opportunities to meet people and make friends if that’s what you’re looking for. After years of solo travel, I have come to realize that those people who are worried about being lonely are actually afraid of being alone. If you have a fear of being alone, you need to be alone and really dig deep within you and figure out why that is. May I suggest some solo travel to foster that personal growth?
Secondly, being alone doesn’t mean you’re going to be lonely. I desperately needed to be alone when I left to travel solo. The peace of solitude was essential while I sorted through everything. I wasn’t searching for people to meet up with or to join me for meals. It took about 2.5 years of being alone most of the time for the loneliness to set in. Yes, it took YEARS of solo travel to actually start to feel lonely.
Yes, you can make friends while solo traveling, but sometimes that’s not the point. The point is to be alone. The point is to have the space and freedom to experience the world in the way you want to experience it. Plus all of the other amazing benefits of solo travel.
If you travel for a while and do end up getting lonely, how would you handle that back home? Probably reach out to some friends (if you have them), or go do something social. Same is true while traveling. You can message or video chat with someone you already know, or go out and meet someone new. I know the last part is easier said than done. I get it. I’m very introverted and don’t like having conversations with random strangers for a number of reasons.
So the way I deal with loneliness is to just endure it. Lay in bed and cry. Do the dishes and cry. Go for a walk and cry. Realize that I am just the universe experiencing itself, and that experiencing the vast spectrum of human experience encompasses loneliness from time to time.
Staying Safe On the Road
Traveling the world alone as a woman can seem scary. Truth be told, it’s just the same as navigating your home country. Using the same safety precautions you use at home will also keep you safe while traveling. The name of the game is reducing the statistical probability that you will be a victim of theft and violence. This means avoiding locations where crime frequently occurs and not being an opportunistic target.
Avoiding Scams and Theft
Pick-pocketing and bag snatching are common in crowded areas, public transportation, markets, and tourist spots. Thieves might work in teams to distract victims while stealing belongings. It is advisable to not display wealth or valuable items in any country you’re in as that can identify you as both a tourist and a target.
Taxi scams are common in many countries. Unlicensed or unofficial taxis may overcharge or take longer routes to increase the fare. Always use official taxi services from designated taxi stands or call a reputable taxi company. Agree on the fare before starting the ride.
Common tourist scams and hustles
Be aware of the common scams, or tricks that people use to scam tourists. Each place has its own flavor when it comes to crime, so knowing what to look out for will help you take the proper safety precautions. In some places, it is an unfortunate reality that if you walk and have your phone in your hand, someone will snatch it and run. This is good to know in case you’re walking to a destination and using maps. Or sometimes someone will create a diversion to distract people while their partner in crime steals their belongings.
While checking online guides and forums is essential, it is also essential to get local opinion and advice once you arrive. I always ask my host or any other locals I meet about the safety of the place and things to be aware of. They are usually plugged into the community and can reassure you that you’re in a safe place, or warn you about potential threats. However, keep in mind that if you ask a man how safe a place is, you will be receiving his perspective of existing there as a man, which is often very different from existing there as a woman. Men often don’t get sexually harassed on the street, catcalled, or followed, so a lot of places that feel safe for him might not feel safe for you.
What to do if you are robbed
Avoid confronting the robber or attempting to retrieve your belongings forcefully. Your safety is the top priority, and you can replace material possessions.
Take note of details about the robber’s appearance, clothing, and any distinctive features. Note the direction in which the robber fled and try to remember any landmarks or surroundings.
Report the incident to the local police as soon as possible. Provide them with all the details you observed and file a police report for insurance claims or other official purposes. If your passport was stolen, a police report is required to get another one.
Inform your embassy or consulate about the incident. They can provide assistance, including guidance on replacing lost documents like passports.
Contact your bank and credit card companies immediately to report the theft and block any stolen cards.
Inform your accommodation provider. They may provide assistance or heightened security measures.
Seek medical attention promptly if you sustained any injuries during the incident. Medical professionals can document injuries for legal or insurance purposes.
Contact your travel insurance provider to report the incident and initiate any necessary claims. Keep copies of all relevant documents, including the police report and medical records, for your insurance claim.
Remember, it’s crucial to prioritize your safety and well-being over material possessions. While the experience can be traumatic, taking immediate and methodical steps will help you navigate the aftermath of a robbery and recover more smoothly.
Self-defense
Knowing self defense is not a requirement for solo travel. Sure, it won’t hurt to know how to throw a punch or get out of a choke hold. But if you’re going to places with a low crime rate, you shouldn’t need to defend yourself. But mainly, if someone is going to rob you, most often, the best course of action is to comply to avoid physical injury/death. If someone attacks you and they don’t have a weapon, if they are bigger than you, you are at a huge disadvantage even if you know self defense. Each specific instance is so contextually dependent and varied that I couldn’t give advice that covers everything, except to simply just try to avoid being in those situations as best you can.
Sharing accommodations
There are several instances in which you could be sharing accommodations with other people. Read reviews for hostels and don’t stay in places that have reports of creepy staff behavior or theft. While theft is not unheard of in hostels, most people don’t steal other peoples stuff, and don’t want their stuff stolen. Use common sense when staying in hostels and keep your valuables put away.
As a solo female, I don’t mind staying in mixed dorms in hostels. I have never had a guy be creepy or weird, but there are plenty of report from women who have had bad experiences. That being said, the downside I have noticed about staying in the same rooms as guys is that there is a greater likelihood of snoring. This ruins my sleep and drives me insane. Their bags and clothes also tend to smell worse, which isn’t ideal.
Emergency Assistance
If something does happen to you, it is a good idea to have a printed (and laminated) info sheet with your health information and emergency contact information. This should list any preexisting medical conditions, medications, allergies, blood type, birthday/ age, and the emergency contact information (phone, email, relationship) for a couple people close to you. Think about and include the information you’d want them to have if you needed medical attention but were unconscious. Save all of this information plus any other important contact numbers and policy details in a secure, easily accessible location. I keep this information in a folder with any other papers I end up with.
It is also a good idea to know what emergency numbers to dial in the country you are in. If you want to be extra prepared, have the contact information for the nearest embassy somewhere saved that you don’t need the internet to access. I usually take a screenshot of the contact information on my phone. Full disclosure: I have never needed this, but it did make me feel better when I first started traveling.
Meeting People & Making Friends
While meeting people is almost inevitable, your lifestyle and preferred activities will determine how many people you meet. There are some periods in which I have become part of a group and hung out with them for a few months, and then our travels took us back apart. There are other periods when I spend my time in solitude reading, doing yoga, and going for nature walks. And thus I meet no one at all. I have learned to appreciate each season for what it is, and embrace the opportunities for human connection and reflection when I have them.
Group Tours and Activities
If you’re looking to meet people, group tours and activities could be a good way to do that. I booked a group tour to hike through the Andes mountains on the Salkantay Trail for 5 days to Machu Picchu and really liked everyone in the group. Each day I would end up hiking with someone else and eventually got to talk to every person in the group. It was really cool to get to know them as we hiked through the majestic landscapes of Peru. It was a wonderful experience and I am really glad I did it.
Of course, being with a group of other people could also be a terrible experience. It is always a bummer being somewhere really cool and wishing you were alone to experience it at your own pace. Sometimes there are people who aren’t respectful or self aware, or they hold up the group for whatever reason. I personally prefer to explore on my own, which has the added benefit of being free. I generally don’t book tours and would rather make friends with a local and have them show me around. There are pros and cons to each, and some activities might be more enjoyable with a group and some more enjoyable alone. You will get better at making these determinations as you gain experience.
Dating Safety Abroad
The same safety precautions apply overseas as they do back home; practicing safe sex, don’t drink too much, trust your gut, let someone know where you are, meet in public places, etc. It’s usually not a good idea to go back to a stranger’s house the first time you meet them. The biggest threat to the safety of solo female travelers are men, and so caution is always required to hopefully avoid being assaulted, drugged, hurt, scammed, or kidnapped. A quick temper is a red flag, as well as pushiness and a lack of respect for boundaries.
Solo travel could also be the perfect opportunity to be single and not dating. There is an unmatched freedom in being single. It is especially nice if you need a lot of space and peace to work through things without worrying about someone else. I think of it as building a strong foundation of the relationship with myself, which will be the longest relationship of my life.
This is also a prime time for a hot love affair with someone in a foreign city. Experience the delectable joy of the dulce de leche they bring you and how their accent sounds as they whisper in your ear.
Connecting with Other Travelers
If you want to connect with other travelers, there are ways to do that in person and online. Hostels often host activities or walking tours, making it convenient and easy to make friends with the other travelers. If you’ve got your own place, there are social media groups and forums for travelers looking to meet up, exchange information, get advice, etc. Just about every city has an expat group online, and most organize regular meetups. If you stay in a place for a while, you will get a sense of where the other foreigners hang out and live, making it easier to meet people who speak your language and have a similar lifestyle.
Overland Adventures
Hitchhiking Risks and Strategies
The first time I ever hitchhiked I was in Chile and with two other people. We ended up getting picked up by these farmers who didn’t speak a word of English, and our Spanish wasn’t very good either. They turned out to be really jolly and generous guys. We ended up going back to their cabin in the woods and sleeping at their house in their beds. They even served us dinner. It ended up being one of my favorite travel stories and it’s all because of the generosity and hospitality of strangers. Now, they easily could have killed us and dumped our bodies in the untamed wilderness of Patagonia, but we just got lucky I guess.
All joking aside, we never felt uncomfortable around these guys. They were not pushy and invited us to stay over and were happy to drive us somewhere else. We didn’t get any bad feelings so we decided to trust them. We ended up hitchhiking a lot that trip, getting rides from a handful of different strangers. Nothing bad happened during any of them, and it was a fun experience overall.
I’m not sure I would have been so bold if I were alone, and I most certainly wouldn’t have gone back to a cabin in the woods with five guys alone at night, though with them I’m sure I would have been fine. If you decide to hitchhike alone, pay attention to the vibes. You don’t have to accept rides from everyone, and you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.
Camping or Backpacking Alone
I love backpacking and camping alone. I find it to be both adventurous and peaceful. There are some safety risks in backpacking alone, such as breaking your leg or otherwise being unable to walk. Without spending a lot of money on a satellite phone or other expensive technology, I would advise to stay on trails that are at least lightly frequented by others. If you were to get hurt, hopefully someone would walk by and be able to help you. The more remote you are, the more you really shouldn’t be out there without a way to call for help in an emergency.
I always tell someone where I’m going, how long I plan to be gone, and when to contact authorities if they don’t hear from me. That way, if I break my leg, I’m not laying out there for weeks. It’s also a good idea to check the weather before you go. I was reminded of this seemingly obvious piece of advice, when I woke up to several inches of snow and had a very precarious and dangerous climb back down the mountain to the valley.
I always bring a knife with me, for a mild form of self protection. You also never know when you’re going to have to cut your own arm off.
Just kidding lol
Maintaining Communication
Most places you end up staying for a while will have both cellular and internet connections. Wifi is widely available in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and even public places like parks. There are apps such as WifiMap that tell you where wifi connections are, and what the password is if it’s required. This can help you out in a pinch if your phone doesn’t have any data. Generally speaking, maintaining communication in the age of technology is not that difficult.
Local SIM cards and Internet Access
It is easier than ever to ensure your phone works in other countries. The easiest and most effective way is to use an app like Airolo to download an eSIM card. You can buy varying amounts of data and duration, pay with a credit card, and then install it on your phone. Once you land in the new country, go into your settings and turn the eSIM on and voilà, your phone works right as your flight lands. You can top up and manage your data straight from the app, making this ultra convenient. The only downsides are that it is a little bit more expensive than going to a local place and getting a SIM, and they don’t come with a phone number. This gets very annoying if you need to receive a text verification code.
If you aren’t worried about cost and don’t want to have to think about your phone not working at all, there are some US-based phone plans that work overseas. You can essentially fly into any of the countries included in the plan and your phone works essentially like normal. While this is the most convenient option, it’s far from ideal. These plans are upwards of $70 per month, and I have been getting monthly phone service all around the world for $8-$15 per month (and no contract!). The slight inconvenience is worth it to save that much money.
Utilizing technology for safety
Aside from maintaining connection, technology is the real MVP when it comes to safety. Having a map of basically every place in the world in the palm of my hand is incredible. I can find places to sleep, food to eat, transportation to and from, and anything I need. It can connect me with assistance and give me information on how to handle certain situations. If you are unsure of what to do in any situation, consult the infinitely growing body of human knowledge that is the internet. It is especially useful for rideshare, helping to avoid all kinds of taxi scams from overcharging to hostage situations.
Post-Travel Reflection
I love looking back on photos and reminiscing on how much different I am now versus when the photos were taken. I love seeing myself grow up and become more fully myself. Reflection is essential to develop an understanding of the self- that’s usually how personal growth happens.
Documenting the Journey
There are innumerable reasons people set off to solo travel. For a lot, it is a journey of self development, growth, healing, fun, adventure, or a passionate lust for life. Whatever your reason, documenting it in a way that is meaningful for you could be worthwhile. I decided to journal about my experiences and buy a camera so I could document my travels with photos and videos. I am very grateful that I have high quality photos of the stunning places I have been that remind me of the stories and details of my journey. Every time I see those photos I am reminded of what I was experiencing, what I was going through, and the memories I was making.
Learning photography also allowed me to appreciate nature by seeing patterns, details, colors, and light in ways I hadn’t seen before. Additionally, learning a new skill gave me something to do, a hobby I could take with me anywhere, enhancing my overall experience of each place I photographed.
Sharing Experiences
One of the most profound aspects of solo travel is creating memories and building a deep and intimate relationship with yourself. There are some moments that you will want to keep for yourself, and there are some moments you will want to share and talk about with others. Social media is a great way of keeping friends and family up to date with what you’re up to, making it easy to post everything from your morning coffee to your first mountaineering expedition. Ultimately you get to decide how much information about you and your trip you divulge to others, which you can renegotiate with yourself anytime you want.
I decided to make videos of my travels because I wanted to document the wild and crazy adventures I knew I was sure to have. I thought videos were the best way to tell a story, incorporating the visual storytelling of video with the emotional draw of a soundtrack. My videos are meant to be a way for me to look back and reminisce on this trip when I am 80 years old. I want to remember everything; how beautiful it was, how free I felt, how young I looked, how happy I was. I decided to post them on YouTube in case anyone else wanted to watch them as well.
Future Travel Goals
After you have traveled by yourself once or twice, hopefully you will have a better sense of how it feels and where you struggle. Hopefully you realize that it’s really not all that different from being an independent adult- you just need to find a place to stay and find out how to get there. Once you have learned a thing or two, use that information to better plan your next destination. Maybe you want to venture into a smaller town rather than a big city, because the stress of being mugged puts a damper on your experience. Maybe eating by yourself in restaurants really isn’t all that bad, and it’s actually a good time to be off your phone, look at the ocean, and enjoy your food.
The more experience you have, the more you can refine how you travel to curate the most ideal experience for yourself. At this point, I have gotten it down pretty well. I know that I want to stay in places where I can walk from my front door and be in nature. I want to have some place to hang out outside, even if it’s just a balcony. Pay attention to the times you feel the happiest and most comfortable, and pay attention to when you are straight up not having a good time. Remember, you get to design the trip however you want. Make it awesome.
Conclusion & Further Resources
I hope this guide has answered your questions about solo female travel and been informative and helpful. If there’s one key takeaway that is essential to understand, it’s that solo female travel really isn’t all that different from solo female living. If you’re an independent and capable adult back home, you can be one in another country. I promise you, on the solo travel journey, you will feel happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time. But it will be so worth it.
Here are other helpful posts about solo female travel:
