Seven Tips for the Solo Female Traveler

The Best Tips for Solo Female Travel

Thinking about how to travel alone as a woman can seem overwhelming, but there are several tips for solo female travelers you can keep in mind to ensure a safe and memorable experience. Keep these tips for traveling alone as a woman in your back pocket whenever you plan to travel next, whether it’s nearby in the U.S. and Canada or abroad to Europe, Asia, Africa and beyond.

1. Know Before You Go: Research Is Key

Where’s the best place for local cuisine? What is the public transit situation? Are men more forward in this area? The best way to ensure a stress-free adventure is to do the research.

You don’t have to have every detail hammered out, but the more you know ahead of time, the more relaxed you can be in the moment and make the most of your experience.

Try to anticipate any problems you may have and learn how to avoid them and research the best local hotspots and historic finds. There are several important things to research as you prepare for your adventure that can help mitigate and prevent risks or uncomfortable situations, such as:

• Cultural norms: One of the beauties of traveling is being able to experience a wide range of unique cultures across the globe. However, failing to research cultural norms can lead to culture shock. For example, in Europe, customers are expected to greet workers upon entry. In Asia, bowing is customary, while slurping noodles is often frowned upon in Japan. Carefully research local traditions and customs to show your respect.
• Transportation: One of the most stressful aspects of traveling alone is navigating a new country’s transportation. Because public transportation signs might be in a foreign language, make sure you’re adequately prepared on how to read bus and train signs to navigate from one stop to another.
• Safety: The U.S. Department of State issues travel advisories for each country. Review your destination’s travel advisory to understand its safety and how to protect yourself should your destination have a less-than-ideal rating.

2. Keep Your Loved Ones in the Loop

When traveling alone as a woman, prepare an itinerary, however rough, with contact information, including your cell phone and the hotels where you will be staying.

Share this itinerary with a friend or family member at home so they know where you are and when you plan to be back. Check in with them throughout your trip. It’s always good to have someone who knows where you are when you’re traveling alone, as it can help provide reassurance and ensure your personal safety. 

3. Build Connections on the Road

Spark up a conversation with a local at a coffee shop or another traveler in line for the Louvre. Chances are, if they’re on their own, they’re looking to make friends, too. Ask a local for the best places to explore and perhaps they’ll even show you around.

Technology has been a great help to solo female travelers, so check out websites and apps like mealsharing.com and EatWith to connect you with a local to share a home-cooked meal. Other apps like Couchsurfing, Meetup and even Facebook have their fair share of resources for finding events and meetups for travelers.

One of the best ways to build connections on the road is fully immersing yourself in your destination’s culture. Check out local events, markets and festivals happening during your stay and start conversations with attendees, or frequent traveler-friendly cafes and bars, which can lead to natural interactions with others. Putting yourself out there and stepping out of your comfort zone can help you make meaningful connections to enhance your solo travel experience.

4. Stay Connected for Safety and Convenience

If you will be going out of the country, contact your mobile phone provider and find out what kind of international plans they offer. You can also look into a local SIM card upon arrival to access affordable data and call options.

Having a working phone with you on your travels can give you peace of mind in case of emergency and also makes it easier to navigate and look up information like museum hours if you have a smartphone.

Being able to talk to friends and family can also make you feel more connected to home and allow you to share your daily adventures with the ones you love.

If you’re unable to set up an international phone plan, several messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, allow you to stay in contact with others when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi signal, whether in your hotel room or at a local cafe. Additionally, you can download offline maps using apps like Google Maps or CityMaps2Go to navigate the streets of your destination without having to rely on internet access.

5. Solo Doesn’t Mean Alone: Try Group Travel

Traveling solo doesn’t mean you have to travel alone. One of our top tips for women traveling alone is to explore a destination with a group of like-minded peers and immediately bond over the shared experience of discovering new cultures and new places.

That way, you will most likely meet more solo travelers who are looking to make friends. Road Scholar even sets up roommate matching on most programs or has plenty of options to enjoy a single room at no extra cost. Have the planning done for you and the worry taken out of the equation so you can make the most of your new adventure.

One of the benefits of group travel is the added security of traveling with a group while still having leisure time to spend how you want. Tackle challenging trails in national parks led by a guide, then spend the afternoon taking time for yourself to rest and recharge. Or, attend a guided tour with a group to a world-famous attraction like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or Wat Arun in Thailand while spending dinner at a local dining spot of your choice. When traveling alone as a woman in a group, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: autonomy and the peace of mind of traveling with others.

Traveling solo is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. Don’t let fear stop you from immersing yourself in new cultures, learning history and knocking off one more place on your bucket list.

6. Pack Smart, Stay Safe

One of the most important tips for traveling alone as a woman is knowing what to pack. Packing as a solo female traveler involves considering practical and safety items to ensure you’re comfortable and safe on your adventures. To help you get started, we have compiled a list of packing essentials:

• Travel documents: Before embarking on any solo travel adventure, it’s crucial to ensure you have all the necessary travel documents to easily cross borders and provide identification when needed. Key documents include your passport, driver’s license, visa and any required permits. Consider making copies of these original documents to carry separately when outside of your lodging. Additionally, you may want to bring travel insurance documents, as well as emergency contact information.
• Money and valuables: While having a debit or credit card can be useful in other countries, it’s also important to carry physical cash. Getting local currency before your trip can ensure you can easily buy necessary items and services like food and transportation with ease. When it comes to women-only travel, make sure to bring a money belt or hidden pouch for your valuables to prevent pickpocketing, which can be prevalent in popular areas.
• Security items: Popular advice for solo travelers from other solo travelers is to bring extra security items to ensure you and your belongings are safe. Bring a portable lock for your suitcase and bags when left behind at your hotel or other accommodations. A personal alarm and a whistle are other important tips for solo female travelers, as they can help draw attention in case of an emergency. Additional safety and security items you can bring include a flashlight or headlamp and self-defense items like pepper spray.
• Health and hygiene: To ensure you’re comfortable when traveling alone, ensure your bag is packed with all your essential health and hygiene products, including soaps, shampoos, skin care products, prescription medications and a basic first aid kit equipped with items like bandages, gauze, tape, pain medication and other supplies.
• Clothing: One of the more challenging aspects of preparing for a solo adventure is packing the appropriate clothing. Before embarking on your journey, research local weather, including temperatures and weather patterns like rain or heat. From there, ensuring you have appropriate layers allows you to dress up or down as the temperatures fluctuate, along with waterproof gear like a rain jacket and water-resistant backpack to keep your belongings protected from the elements. Additionally, ensure your clothing is comfortable and culturally appropriate for the destination. For example, it’s often recommended that women keep their shoulders covered in Asia, while areas like Western Europe are more lax. 
• Footwear: Your footwear is another crucial consideration when preparing for your solo travel experience. Depending on the activities you plan to participate in, ensure you have the proper footwear, such as hiking shoes, sandals and walking shoes.
• Technology: As a solo female traveler, technology can play a key role in your travel experience. Packing essentials include your mobile device and charger, any camera equipment if you plan on taking photos, a portable charger or power bank, a travel-friendly laptop and adapters for different electrical outlets. Another helpful piece of tech is Apple AirTags or similar tracking devices that you can easily slip in a bag or suitcase to always know its location.
• Toiletries: It can be easy to forget certain toiletries while packing your other belongings. Before zipping up your suitcase and travel bags, make sure you have travel-sized toiletries like sunscreen, toothpaste, mouthwash, soap, facial cleanser, insect repellent and any other necessary toiletries.
• Emergency preparedness: One of our most important tips for solo female travelers is to have your emergency preparedness essentials sorted out. This includes emergency contact information, local emergency services contacts and knowledge of their nearest embassy or consulate.
• Miscellaneous: Lastly, there are several miscellaneous items you may want to consider packing, such as a reusable water bottle, e-readers or books for entertainment, snacks, a travel guide, a hat and sunglasses.

As a solo female traveler, knowing your packing essentials can help ensure a smooth, safe and comfortable trip. As you get ready to check off destinations on your women’s adventure travel bucket list, use this packing guide to ensure you’re prepared.

7. Embrace Solo Travel With Confidence

As a solo female traveler, one of the top tips for traveling alone as a woman is to stay aware and cautious. Being aware of your surroundings is important for several reasons. To start, it ensures your safety and well-being. While traveling solo can be a rich and rewarding experience, it’s important to be mindful of your environment and potential risks to mitigate them. Avoid distractions like listening to loud music in your headphones, which can make you an easy target for pickpockets, and avoid sharing too many details with strangers, particularly where you’re staying or your itinerary. Instead of saying you’re traveling alone, say you’re meeting a friend or group. Do your best to avoid poorly lit areas or unfamiliar places, which can help you avoid potentially dangerous situations. Always trust your instincts — your intuition is a powerful tool. If a person or situation feels off, never hesitate to remove yourself.

Additionally, staying aware and cautious can help you be respectful toward cultural sensitivities. Make sure to research local customs, traditions and dress codes, as adhering to cultural norms can help demonstrate your respect and minimize unwanted attention. Blending in with locals can also help you attract unwanted attention and feel more comfortable as you take in the sights and scenery around you.

Another solo female travel tip is to secure your belongings with anti-theft bags and to keep your valuables in secure locations to avoid theft from pickpockets. Protecting important items like your wallet and travel documents can ensure a stress-free travel experience. Keep valuable items and travel documents locked in your hotel room’s safe when not in use. Maintaining communication with friends or family is also important. Keep them updated on your travel plans and whereabouts. Having an emergency contact readily available can serve as a safety net should you find yourself in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation. 

Lastly, as a solo female traveler, you may want to consider joining a group travel experience. At Road Scholar, we offer a wide range of experiential learning programs that welcome solo travelers with open arms. Through our programs, you can explore some of the top destinations for solo travel by yourself but with the comfort and safety of a group. Group settings can add a layer of safety and security, allowing you to travel on your terms but return to a reliable and trusted group. Our expert-led tours can take you anywhere around the world, whether you’re interested in exploring the rainforests in Central and South America, historic and medieval cities throughout Europe or the safaris and wildlife of Africa.

Find New Adventures With Road Scholar

Ready to start traveling alone as a woman? Now that you’ve read our tips for solo female travelers, you can find an adventure and start packing your bags. Our trips are designed for a wide range of travelers, including solo female travelers eager to learn more about the world around them. Solo travel offers a wide range of benefits, from personal growth and self-discovery to immersive experiences that allow you to better understand the various cultures and traditions across the world. 

No matter the experiential learning program you choose, our solo travel adventures deliver an unparalleled experience you will reflect on for years. Expert guides walk you through the history, geography, culture and wildlife of the destination you choose, while a diverse cohort of like-minded travelers offer opportunities for spirited conversations that help build meaningful relationships. You will also benefit from a detailed itinerary that reduces the stress of handling logistics like transportation and lodging so you can be fully present in your time of discovery. Review our practical information before jet-setting on your newest journey and keep these tips for traveling alone as a woman for an unforgettable adventure.