Be confident.
You’re scared. I get it. Traveling alone can be daunting, even for an experienced traveler. Some of the best advice I can give you is to go into your adventure with full confidence in yourself and an expectation that anything can happen. You won’t get very far if you’re narrow minded and lacking confidence. Don’t forget to walk with a purpose! I can’t tell you the amount of people that have asked me for directions in other countries just because I looked like I knew where I was going (even when I didn’t). If you don’t have confidence in yourself that you can do it, then who will?
Blend in.
I’m going to be blunt; don’t look like a tourist. Leave your fanny packs, gigantic cameras and obvious maps at home. Your goal should be to resemble a local as best as possible. Do research on your destination prior to your trip. Figure out how the locals dress, specific customs they may have and how to respect them. You will be less of a target to greedy pickpockets or sleazy men if you don’t stick out like a sore thumb. Don’t be the girl that stops in the middle of a busy city street to pull out a map or the girl trying to get into the Vatican in a tube top.
Use common sense.
Don’t put yourself in a bad situation. If you are mature enough to travel solo, I am hoping you have enough common sense to keep yourself safe. Try to avoid walking long distances and taking public transportation during the night, especially if there is a chance you will get lost. Do not, and I repeat, do not get drunk. You are setting yourself up to be taken advantage of. A drunk, female tourist has a big fat target on her back. I’m not saying not to indulge in that delicious glass of Italian wine at dinner, just don’t drink the whole bottle.
Embrace the unknown.
Eat like a local. Drink like a local. Act like a local. Personally, I believe traveling is about completely immersing yourself in the culture. The unknown is the most exciting part of discovering a new place. This is your chance to try new things and face your fears without judgment. I promise that if you dig deep enough, you will uncover your true self. Go all in.
Ignore the negativity.
Unfortunately, if you are a solo female traveler, you will probably face negativity now and again. There is a good chance the people you are close to will try to talk you out of your adventures. Don’t let them! Traveling solo is a life changing experience. You will learn so much about yourself and surprise yourself each and every day you are going at it alone. Don’t let your bucket list go unchecked and end up with a bunch of regrets.
And for my fellow wanderlust moms out there…you will face even more negativity when you tell people you are traveling solo with your children. I sure have, but I sure as heck am not letting it stop me from showing my daughter the world. Read why I believe you should travel with your kids here. Need help getting started planning your trip? Read this.
Traveling solo is the greatest gift you can give to yourself.
Are you a solo female traveler? Share your advice below!
I agree with all your tips! Traveling solo is a chance to also do things your own way without having to compromise with travel companions on activities. I like traveling solo and I like travel with companions for different reasons.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Embrace the unknown.” ABSOLUTELY!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Eat like a local. Drink like a local. Act like a local”- the most important tip I’ve learned from 10 years of solo travel. Being able to blend is so valuable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eat like a local. Drink like a local. Act like a local. Probably the most important thing I’ve learned from 10 years of solo travel. Knowing how to blend is key!
LikeLiked by 1 person
While I agree it’s excellent to blend in and experience a place like a local, sometimes it’s hard to “blend in” as you say. For instance, I’m caucasion… No matter what I do, I can’t blend into places in Asia, Africa, and Central / South America. I just don’t look like that. In which case, I think we ought to embrace it. I’ve been to plenty of out of the way places through Asia (Vietnam in particular) and it was a great experience to chat with the locals, and tell them about my life at home while I was experiencing their country.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I completely agree! Appearance wise, it would definitely be difficult to blend in some places. By “blending in”, I also just mean respecting their culture and customs. If you can’t physically blend in, you can act like a local by following their certain customs and lifestyle 🙂
LikeLike
Great tips! I think if you have the opportunity to travel alone you totally should. No point in trying to drag someone along who doesn’t want to be there. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! That is why I don’t bring my husband 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha very true! I think i need to travel alone more too!
LikeLike
I travel almost only solo and independently for more than 10 years now. For me the first thing is to choose a safe destination. Also I can’t imagine to travel without a camera. Only I prefer lesser known brands not Canon or Nikon. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is great and very inspiring for a lot of young women! I think that solo traveling can be challenging sometimes, but it also has so many benefits 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It certainly can be, but so worth it!
LikeLike
Great tips! Acting like a local and knowing as much as possible before is key when you’re on your own in a place you don’t know well I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My advice is always to trust your gut. Never do anything and don’t go anywhere that doesn’t feel right. If your gut tells you that it might be something wrong, don’t do it. You should always keep safe, it’s the most important thing.
LikeLike
I love this! Your gut instinct is usually spot on!
LikeLike
Some very good points! Most of them are obvious yet people still don;t use their common sense for example. Of course, it will be great if we live in a perfect world but some common sense will definitely help out in avoiding some troubles on the road.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great tips. Love the last one of ignorning the negative remarks. Just do what you’re heart tells you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree! Especially that you’re not letting nay-sayers stop you from showing the world to your daughter. As long as you travel safe and take care of your kid, nothing’s wrong with that. 🙂
I plan to school my future kids on the road, too. These are helpful tips. Will pin for later. 🙂
LikeLike
Such important things to remember, especially he confidence but, it makes all the difference.
Awesome post and happy traveling!
LikeLike
i especially like your comment about about ignoring the negativity – doesn’t really matter if you are a solo traveler or not but with wrong attitude you can destroy the atmosphere and beauty of every place!
LikeLike
Hi Erica! I hope you’ll be pleased to know that since I really liked this post I cited it here: http://www.fromdreamtoplan.net/2016/09/01/solo-vs-non-solo-travelling/ 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you so much! I actually saw yesterday and have shared on my social media accounts! I really appreciate you sharing my blog! I love reading yours as well. Looking forward to collaborating in the future! 🙂
LikeLike
Oh I’m glad to hear that!!
Yes me too! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t travelled completely alone in years. Not that I have any particular reason not to, it just didn’t happen. The more I think of it, the more exciting it sounds! I think solo traveling gives you quite some advantages and with your tips here I even see myself actually doing it one day again. Thanks, Erica – really great advice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! I am so happy that I could have potentially inspired you to travel solo one day! It truly is one of the best experiences and you learn so much about yourself along the way! Looking forward to following your future adventures!
LikeLike
Totally agree with your points. Like you I’m always asked for directions! I just find it bewildering how many people seem amazed that I am travelling the world alone- but it’s such a liberating and exhilarating experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I couldn’t agree more!
LikeLike
Do you prefer traveling alone or with friends? I’ve done both and find that I like traveling alone sometimes, but I always try to make new friends so I’m not alone for long. Although I do have some amazing memories from making trips totally on my own too. What’s your preference?
LikeLike
Alone. Without a doubt. I love fully immersing myself in a new place and for some reason feel I can do this better alone. I’ll be the first to say that solo travel isn’t for everyone, but if you are one of the people willing to try it is truly a life changing experience. I’m glad you have had amazing solo travel experiences!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Take the back seat in a taxi, instead of the front if you’re alone. Learn it the hard way, but easy one to fix!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good tip! I will remember that one!
LikeLike
As a woman who has traveled many places in the world alone, I love this post. Embracing the unknown has brought me far. I found people were more helpful than expected. Great post. Check out our blog if you’d like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the positive feedback. Embracing the unknown is my favorite tip! I will most definitely follow your adventures as well!
LikeLike
I love that you travel with your kids! I do not yet have kids and I’ve done quite a bit of solo travel and although I want kids I also sometimes worry that travel and adventures will get much more difficult to pull off when the kids come. Glad to hear that doesn’t have to be the case!
LikeLike
Great tips – it looks like you had a great time on your adventure
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great advice! Learnt a lot from this post 🙂
LikeLike
Interesting post. It got me thinking. I never thought I could travel along before. I realize I should sometime. It will be a growing experience for me! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
That is pretty awesome, I think nothing opens your mind more than travel and I am really happy when I see other travel enthusiasts experiencing foreign culture even if it is through beaches, night clubs, food, museums etc. Great blog post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I absolutely love traveling alone and your post reminds me of my personal checklist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
I’ve never traveled alone before, but I think it is something everyone should do once in their life. Brilliant post!
LikeLike
I love your content!! Definetely can look into those tips 😉 @calibonvivant
LikeLike