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Solo Female Traveller: More Than a Trend, Embracing a Lifestyle

Solo Female Traveller: More Than a Trend, Embracing a Lifestyle

Solo Female Traveller – It’s not a fashion trend but a preferred way of travelling by some ladies. It’s a choice and a choice of a particular lifestyle. Some women love to travel alone; others don’t get a travel partner to join them, so they start their own instead of matching their schedule with others. And some women always love enjoying their freedom.

Solo female travel is more than a passing trend—it is a way of embracing a fulfilling lifestyle. So, there is nothing to brag about being a solo female traveller. We are just another traveller and just like a solo male traveller.

Suppose you wonder why there are so many discussions about solo female travelling. Let me explain that all kinds of solo travellers face their problems while travelling alone. Or we all enjoy our solo travelling style in our unique way.

Embarking on a solo adventure is an exciting and changing experience for all individuals. But it gives solo female travellers a unique sense of power. We are conditioned to prioritise our safety and security from an early age. As a result, for many, the idea of travelling alone may seem like an impossible dream or a concept. However, going out solo can help you break boundaries and discover your inner strength.

In this blog article, I will discuss the unique joys and challenges of travelling alone as a woman. In the article, I will address the frequently asked questions like:

  • Solo travel tips for women.
  • Safety tips for solo female travellers.
  • Best places for solo female travel.

A decade back, I started travelling. In the beginning, like many, I started with the group. I booked my packaged tour earlier to make my trip hassle-free. Moreover, to feel safe and comfortable being part of a group. However, I soon realised I was for something other than a group tour. Soon after my humble beginning, I felt the urge to have travel freedom. I did not want to travel within a specific time frame, defined routes, or cities. I wanted to travel slowly. And wanted to travel the way I wanted. Thus the saga of solo travelling started.

Here, I decode my experiences and share my solo travel tips for all women travellers to plan their journey successfully.

Begin the journey: First of all, you need to start somewhere. Get the courage to take the first step. My first solo trip was to access my city. I faced difficulties with transportation, negotiating prices, navigating unknown lanes, and dealing with people.

Expand your territory: Once you’ve gained confidence in exploring your city, it’s time to expand and venture into new destinations. Step outside your comfort zone and explore different regions within your city or outside. Travelling to unfamiliar places opens up possibilities and enriches your solo travel experiences.

Self-research is the best research: Regarding solo female travel, doing research is the key to a successful and enjoyable journey. Learning about your destinations, local customs, and safety tips gives you the knowledge to make smart choices. By doing self-research, you can rely on your knowledge. It also helps discover hidden gems, find safe places to stay, and navigate unfamiliar areas confidently. Remember, the best research is the one you do yourself. It helps you create a personalised trip that suits your interests and keeps you informed and empowered. Thousands of articles and write-ups are available on solo travel tips for women. Please read them, and take the help of those tips while doing your research.

So, embrace the power of self-research and confidently embark on your solo travel adventure!

Best places for solo female travel: The next most important research is selecting your destinations. Numerous articles, journals and published reports are available online to research and find the best places for solo female travel. I usually follow the reports on the Women’s Peace and Security Index, the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap report or similar reports published by renowned and authentic sources. Also, you can check the blogs and articles published by other experienced female travellers. This basic yet very important research will help you select the destination you want to travel to alone.

From my experiences, I have selected some countries that are safe for solo female travellers as I have travelled to these countries extensively with no problems.

Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Bhutan, Thailand, Laos and Australia are my favourite and safe places to travel for solo female travellers.

Many other countries can come under the list of best places for solo female travel, but I have yet to travel to those countries. So, I cannot mention them now under my experience list. However, I look forward to travelling to more countries and will update this list as I travel and gather many more experiences.

Prioritise your travel dream and create your itinerary: Creating a well-crafted itinerary is crucial for solo female travellers. Identify your travel priorities and must-visit destinations. Research attractions, activities, and local experiences that align with your interests. Consider travel duration, logistics, and safety factors. Tailor your itinerary to balance exploration and relaxation, allowing you to make the most of your solo adventure while fulfilling your travel dreams.

Getting Around: Research how to navigate destinations with ease and comfort. As a solo woman traveller, it’s important to do detailed research on navigating destinations easily and comfortably. Please familiarise yourself with local transportation options such as buses, trains, or taxis, and learn about their safety and reliability. Identify key landmarks or points of interest in advance to help orient yourself in a new country or a city. Use maps, travel apps, or local guides to move around efficiently. I prefer buying tickets for night trains beforehand to avoid any unwanted situations. Being well-prepared and informed allows you to explore new destinations confidently, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable solo travel experience.

I did my Backpacking Europe 2022 trip by availing Eurail Global Pass. It was hassle-free, and I travelled across four countries easily and comfortably.

Getting ready: Purchase Air Tickets, Apply for VISA, Best Travel Insurance and Accommodation. Sounds exciting. Before setting off on your solo adventure as a female traveller, taking care of essential preparations is important. Start by checking the visa requirements for your chosen destination. Ensure you have ample time to apply and obtain the necessary visa.
Additionally, acquiring comprehensive travel insurance is crucial to safeguard yourself against unforeseen circumstances. Research and compare different insurance options to find the best coverage. Lastly, secure your accommodation in advance to have a comfortable and safe place to stay upon arrival. Plan ahead when booking a hotel, arranging a homestay, or considering other accommodation options. By attending to these crucial aspects of preparation, you can set the stage for a worry-free and enjoyable solo female travel experience.

Financial preparations: When it comes to solo female travel, financial planning is crucial. Before starting your journey, take the time to assess your budget and set realistic financial goals. Determine how much you can comfortably spend on accommodation, transportation, meals, and activities. Research cost-effective travel options like affordable accommodations, local transportation, and budget-friendly dining choices. Consider setting aside a contingency fund for any unexpected expenses that may arise during your trip. By preparing your finances in advance, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free solo travel experience, allowing you to focus on creating lasting memories.

Packing Light, Travel Light: From years of experience, I finally realised that for the solo female traveller, the mantra of “packing light, travel light” becomes even more essential. Embracing minimalism when it comes to packing saves you from the burden of carrying heavy luggage. It provides a sense of freedom and flexibility during your journey.

I vividly recall a situation during my travels in Thailand when my flight from Krabi to Bangkok was unexpectedly cancelled. At that moment, I mustered the courage to purchase a new flight ticket at the airport, despite the flight being in the final stages of security checks. I promptly informed the on-duty crew members about my last-minute ticket purchase and reassured them that I only had a small 7-kg carry-on bag. They relayed the information to the crew at the departure gate with their assistance, ensuring I could make it within 10 minutes. Thanks to my decision to travel light, I boarded the flight on time alongside other passengers. Reflecting on that day at Krabi airport, I realised that carrying heavy luggage would have posed a significant challenge. Especially considering the absence of any available flights after that evening departure.

By travelling light, you’ll enjoy greater mobility, avoid stress, and be ready to immerse yourself in the magic of your solo adventure fully.

It’s time to fly: After all the preparations and research, it’s finally time to embark on your solo adventure. Take a deep breath, trust yourself, and embrace the excitement as you step onto that plane. Remember, you are not just a solo female wanderer but a brave woman explorer ready to discover the world on your terms.

Trust your Basic Instinct: When travelling solo as a woman, your intuition is your greatest ally. Listen to your gut feelings and trust your instincts. If something feels not right, keep yourself away from it. If a place or a person seems unsafe, remove yourself from the situation. Always be alert if someone seems over-friendly, then try to judge their intentions. Be smart but don’t try to be over-smart.

Similarly, if a place or activity sparks excitement and curiosity, embrace it wholeheartedly. Your inner voice will guide you towards making smart decisions, keeping you safe and ensuring a positive travel experience. Trusting your basic instinct empowers you to confidently navigate unfamiliar territories and enjoy the freedom that solo female travel brings.

Following the above process, I found travelling alone across many countries relatively easy. These are my self-researched and proven solo travel tips for women.

Remember, the world is not a bad place. It’s a good place to stay and travel. And a woman should go and travel wherever she wants to. Woman travelling alone continues to be a growing lifestyle for many. It’s liberating, provides mental freedom, brings equality, and helps make the world a far better place to live. Unfortunately, violence against women persists in many countries, instilling a certain level of apprehension among female travellers (and rightfully so). We need to be cautious, careful and alert to live our dreams.

There are immense amounts of positive impacts for travelling solo. My feelings below might encourage you to travel.

  1. Personal Growth: Traveling solo allows self-discovery and personal development. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, promotes independence, and boosts self-confidence.
  2. Freedom and Flexibility: With no one else to consider, you can design your itinerary, make spontaneous decisions, and embrace the flexibility to change plans.
  3. Empowerment: Solo travel empowers you to rely on yourself, make decisions, and navigate unfamiliar situations. It builds resilience, problem-solving skills, and a sense of self-reliance.
  4. Cultural Immersion: Traveling alone encourages interaction with locals and immersing oneself in the local culture. It provides opportunities for authentic experiences, deeper connections, and a greater understanding of different cultures.
  5. Self-Discovery: Being alone with your thoughts and experiences allows for introspection, self-reflection, and the chance to reconnect with yourself on a deeper level.
  6. Increased Confidence: Overcoming challenges and successfully steering unknown places boosts confidence and instil a sense of achievement.
  7. Flexibility in Planning: Solo travel allows you to be spontaneous, changing plans and places without the consent of others.
  8. Personalised Experience: With no compromises on preferences or interests, you can create a travel experience that aligns perfectly with your desires and goals.
  9. Empowering Other Women: As a solo female traveller, you inspire other women to step out of their comfort zones, challenge themselves, and embrace the world bravely.
  10. Freedom to Connect: Traveling alone often improves interactions with fellow travellers, locals, and new friends leading to great connections and memories.

Remember, solo travel can be a great experience, a way of self-discovery, empowerment, and creating lifelong memories.

While travelling solo has numerous benefits, it is important to recognise and address the challenges of this adventurous journey, particularly for solo female travellers.

Here are some points that describe the challenges of travelling solo and other challenges specifically faced by solo female travellers.

  1. Loneliness and Homesickness: Traveling alone can sometimes lead to loneliness and homesickness, especially during long periods away from home and loved ones.
  2. Safety Concerns: Solo travellers may face safety issues such as theft, scams, or unwanted attention, which can be more pronounced in certain destinations.
  3. Decision-Making Burden: Without the input or support of a travel partner, all decisions fall solely on the solo traveller, which can sometimes feel overwhelming.
  4. Limited Support System: In crises or unexpected circumstances, solo travellers rely solely on themselves for assistance and solving problems.
  5. Increased Costs: Some aspects of travel, such as housing and vehicle, can be more expensive for solo travellers as they need the option to split costs with others.
  6. Gender-Based Harassment: Unfortunately, female travellers may face higher risks of harassment, unwanted attention, or biases in certain areas, cities or countries.
  7. Safety Precautions: Solo female travellers may need extra safety precautions, such as not walking alone at night. Research safe and best places for solo female travel well before.
  8. Cultural Barriers: Navigating local culture, norms and customs, particularly in conservative cities and countries, can present challenges for solo female travellers.

These are common problems and must have been discussed multiple times on multiple blogs and articles. However, it is worth saying again. Different travellers will be different, and each will have different experiences. Hence, for a new traveller, it is necessary to be aware and prepared to avoid situations.

Acknowledging and assessing both the advantages and challenges of solo travel, especially for women, one can prepare well before starting her first or next journey.

Remember, every new journey brings new experiences and new challenges. Hence, learn from your previous mistakes and experiences and become a pro traveller. Your fear should not stop you from living your dream.

What is life without a dream? And nothing compares to chasing your dream of touring around the world.

Please share your experiences in the comment box and tell us your stories. Let us know which countries you experienced as the best places for solo female travel. Share your travel tips for solo women.

Solo Female Traveller | Susmita in Ladakh
Solo Female Traveller | Solo Travel Tips for Women | Susmita in Ladakh

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