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How do you start:
That is such a loaded question. How do you start solo female travel? When did I start, how did I start?
I started officially back in 2015 but before that I was traveling solo for work since 2006 on my own and adding in long weekends or extra time in cities and countries so I could say I have been solo female traveling since 2006.
How do you start solo female travel?: Go to a meal by yourself in your hometown
Funny enough, I have never gone to a meal by myself in my own city. I have always felt weird about it. Will people be looking at me, what will they think?
But, I leave where I live and somehow those feelings go away and I no longer care. I will sit at a bar or even at a table my myself and enjoy the meal and event spark up conversations with those around me.
I am honestly not sure what the trigger is in your brain that needs to be switched to be comfortable with eating alone but take the small leap. Start in your home town then eventually you can do these same steps traveling.
Start with sitting at a bar
You can always sit at a bar. Bartenders are always looking for people to talk to (assuming they are not insanely busy). They are also a great resource for where to go in the neighborhood, what to do, where to eat, etc.
When I first get to a new city if I haven’t don’t any research (which is very rare), I will sit at a bar and ask a bartender for their recommendations. I will also do this even if I have done research just to see what they recommend.
Half of the time I end up adding what they recommend to my list (which is why FLEXIBILITY and having a loose itinerary is so important)
Sit at a table with a book/kindle/ipad
If you are feeling brave, the next step is to sit at a table, if your are still uncomfortable sitting there alone and just enjoying the food bring something to read. You can always use the time to scroll through your phone as well.
I am definitely guilty of scrolling through social media while I am eating alone or even taking my notes from the day of what i liked or didn’t like and then looking over what I want to do the next day while I am eating the meal.
The more I travel I do realize that there is an importance in putting down the technology and actually enjoying the meal!
Eventually you will get to a point where you can sit at a table and just eat and possibly strike up conversations with tables next to you. I have made some friendships with other travelers and even locals that way.
Spend an afternoon by yourself in your hometown
Learn to really enjoy your own company. Part of solo female travel is embracing and enjoying yourself.
What do you like? What don’t you like? Do you know who you are?
Solo female travel does force you to confront a lot of questions you may not have wanted to answer in the past so take this time before you go abroad and spend the time in a park or or at a baseball game, etc in your hometown alone and think.
Allow yourself to really get to know yourself!
Take a local trip- one night alone
This is really important. This will give you the comfortably with being alone in a room overnight by yourself. Yes, you may live alone (or not), but traveling alone is different.
Now, I have been traveling for work for years so this was nothing new to me so I didn’t have this adjustment period but I know for many this is quite a shock.
Find a nearby town maybe an hour or two away or even in your hometown, book a room and spend the night not in your own bed. How do you feel? What are you worried about? Can you do this for more than one night?
Take your first solo trip in your own country- start small a long weekend
If you are ok with your first night alone, the next step I would take is a long weekend trip or possibly a week trip within your own country. Book that flight and take the trip. That is the only way to start.
Go somewhere you have always wanted to go within your own country that way you are far away but not too far away, distant but also familiar enough where you speak the same language and don’t have any cultural nuances to deal with, etc.
Before your trip
How do you choose your destination for your first solo female travel trip: Research!
I have always had a list of destinations I have wanted to go to, but with social media the list keeps growing.
Destinations I had always thought were dangerous are now being put on the list when I see other solo female travelers going on their own. if they can do it, why can’t I?
Top destinations for solo female travelers
There are so many countries that are great when you ask yourself the question how do you start?
Below are my recommendations where I would start. As an American- the easiest countries to get to are in Europe.
English speaking countries would also be the most ideal for the smoothest transition for your first solo female travel trip.
- If you don’t mind long flights- Australia
- If you like Nature- Iceland
- If you like to be in the center of it all- London
- If you are a foodie- Florence/Rome
- If you are on a budget but want great food and history- Athens
What type of accommodation do you feel safe in? Only you can answer this question! Do you feel safe in hostels, dorms, or hotels?
I have never stayed in a hostel so I can not weigh in on this topic. I have stayed in Airbnb’s and for the most part I have not had any bad experiences.
The only issue I have had in the past is that they have not been cleaned when I was there to check in.
I don’t love the fact that the owner has a key and can come at any point, as a solo female traveler that part does make me feel a bit uncomfortable and why I end up staying in hotels 99% of my trips.
I prefer knowing that there is someone at the front desk 24 hours a day so there is a level of security. I have control over the local of my door.
I also think the older I get, the more I am looking for a comfortable bed and I do find that hotels (for the most part) have more comfortable beds than Air Bnbs.
What type of experience are you looking for?
You can certainly be looking for a combination of these experiences but I think its helpful to know ahead of time what you want to do on your trip and how you want to plan your time.
Do you want to spend most of your time relaxing, do you want to spend most of your time with locals, do you want to spend most of your time hiking?
These are all questions you need to ask yourself when you think how do you start solo female travel?
Resort- All inclusive
Enjoy stress-free travel where everything is included. Perfect for those who want to relax, unwind, and enjoy luxury without the hassle of planning every detail.
This may be the perfect way to jump into a solo female travel experience without having to worry about every detail.
Adventure
For thrill-seekers, embark on an adrenaline-filled journey. From hiking mountains to exploring hidden caves, adventure travel will push your boundaries and give you unforgettable memories
Immersive
Deep dive into the city’s heart to discover the culture. My favorite way to do this is through FOOD.
Cooking Classes and food tours are a great way to start. Get to know the locals and learn the ins and outs of a city so it becomes like home to you.
Exploration
If you happen to have a lot of holiday time and can’t decide what you want to see, perhaps you want to see many regions/cities within a country to get a feel of what it is like.
You can explore everything from the major cities to the small towns and farms.
Whatever experience you decide on, or combination of experience it is all about you and what you want to do!
Plan your trip
Learn from the most experienced travelers in the community. Reach out to other solo female travelers and ask for advice. We are here to help!
Avoid overpacking and stick to the essentials/How to plan your travel wardrobe
Let’s start with how long your trip is and work backwards. Once you write down how many full days and nights you have on a piece of paper, add in the number of travel days.
Lets now factor in the season and month of the year. Remember we are going for comfort!
I created 6 packing lists to avoid overpacking. I am the queen of overpacking.
I usually pack an outfit for each day and each night but in reality I end up wearing the same thing nine times out of 10. Maybe once I will change to go out at night.
So I have started really cutting back. Take out everything you want and then really cut back, in reality will I wear this? Just because it’s cute and you might wear it is it not a reason to bring it!
Trust me- your back and arms will thank you later. Plus anywhere (or most anywhere) you go, you can buy something you need.
Plus if you under pack, there is more room for shopping!
My best advice is always pack layers. Even in the summer. Many places require you to cover shoulders or knees so layers are necessary.
Look up the location sidewalk material
I know this seems silly but what kind of streets do they have. My friend brought wedges and heels to Lisbon!
I told her not to and she called me after the trip and said “I should have listened”. Lisbon has tile sidewalks for the most part- they get slippery even with sneakers.
I know fashion is important but not falling is also clutch! You don’t want your vacation to be over before it starts!
Your trip
Plan your arrival
What time do you arrive in your destination?
Even if it’s during the day, I always book a transfer just to avoid getting ripped off. Or I do research ahead of time to make sure I know the best route
If I am arriving at night I will 100% book a transfer for my safety as well as convenience.
Don’t do what I did- I took a cab my first time in Lisbon, he told me one rate then another rate when we got to the hotel. needless to say I ended up paying about 40 Euro more than I should have.
Lesson learned- use bolt in Lisbon!
Plan your first day/ night in detail for your first solo female trip
Depending what time you arrive you will want to do what you can to avoid jet lag. If you arrive in the morning, chances are your accommodation will not be ready, if you are lucky and it is, jump in the shower for a pick me up and hit the ground running.
If it’s not ready, grab a cup of coffee/tea and then hit the road. Try to keep yourself busy but don’t overdo it for your first day, try to do one or two activities depending on how much time you have and then possibly spend some time lounging in a cafe/bar and relaxing or having a nice meal.
Try to stay up as late as you can. Depending on your normal bed time I try to stay awake until at least an hour before I would go to sleep at home (I know everyone has their own methods)
If you arrive at night, usually it’s after you would already be sleeping (or in my case it is). I usually go right to my accommodations, shower, unpack (the toiletries and skincare) and then pass out.
I try to set an alarm the next morning or book a morning activity that starts around 9 am or so which avoids me sleeping in. You want to get adjusted to the time as soon as possible.
Yes you will be exhausted because you slept a lot less than you probably normally do and your body is very confused as to what time it is but you got this!
Plus having a tour booked for the full day takes the worry out of what you are doing.
By the time the tour is over (usually around 5-6 pm), I usually pick a spot for an early dinner, or sometimes go back and shower and then head out to dinner.
Then that’s day one. I relax in my room, I don’t try to do any evening exploring the first full day/night I don’t want to overdo it.
Meet other woman travelers/Meeting people
Go on small group trips or day trips every few days
I love going on tours or even day trips.
Not only does it alleviate some of the planning on the trip, but it’s honestly such a great way to meet people. I have made great friends from all over the world (many of whom I still am in touch with today) on tours or classes.
My go to first day in a new location is usually a food tour or a cooking class. Food is the best way to learn a culture! So why not dive in!
Free Walking Tours
Most cities have “free” walking tours. I say “free” because you do tip at the end which is the same price as paying for a tour.
Immerse yourself in the culture
Take local classes like language classes, fitness classes, calligraphy, painting, university, etc
If you are only going to be spending a few days in the location, I would recommend group tours or looking for volunteer opportunities online.
If you are only going to be spending a few weeks in a location, I would check the internet for all the local activities going on while you are in town. If there are any festivals, special events, or volunteer opportunities.
Volunteering is a great way to get immersed in the culture and give back to the community and meet new people at the same time
If you are going to be spending a few months in a location, enrolling yourself in a class is a great way to meet people.
Whether it’s language class, a class at the local university or something you are passionate about, like painting, pottery, etc.
Knowing you will be going to the same place multiple times a week with the same people opens up the doors to building relationships
Take a break from technology
Allow yourself to be fully present and experience every moment. You did it!
You were able to take your first solo female travel trip. After all that time of asking how do you start solo female travel? You did it! Take the time away from all the devices and truly live in the moment. Experience the endorphins.
19 Tips for Staying Safe as a Solo Female Travelers
- Do research. Research, research, research- sometimes spontaneity is not the right choice. Read Reviews. This goes with research. I deep dive on this one. You can usually tell if it’s a paid review or a legitimate review so only consider the reviews you consider to come from actual people.
- Keep copies of your passport on your phone and in the cloud. Keep the actual passport in safe in your accommodation
- Make sure your phone is always charged and you have a portable charger
- Make sure you have WiFi and/or a phone plan. E-Sims are affordable these days
- Always be aware of your surroundings and be alert
- Be smart on SOCIAL. DONT post where you are LIVE. You can wait a few days
- Ask someone you meet on a tour to go to dinner or what they are doing the next day
- Know your limits when it comes to going out at nightwhen it comes to alcohol same rules apply abroad as they do at home- don’t take a drink from someone – only accept drinks from bartenders, don’t leave your drinks unattended
- Don’t be in a situation where you are out of control
- If you are going out at night, know how you are getting home before you go out for the evening. Know what time public transportation closes, know if there will be Ubers readily available from where you are going.
- We all want to save money but if it comes to saving money or your safety, spend the few extra dollars
- Take the Uber over the cab. I also use the extra protection in Uber where they have to provide me a four digit code to ensure they are my actual driver
- Confidence or fake it till you make it. If you act like you know where you are going and what you are doing people are less likely to target you.I have gotten asked for directions in many cities which has surprised me but its because I had given off an aura of confidence even though I was completely lost myself
- Travel Insurance
- You get more with sugar than you do with spice. People are more willing to help you if you are nice to them. Even if you are frustrated, it’s not that persons fault.
- If you are scared, be loud and make noise. Who cares what you look like, if it deters someone that is all that matters
- Dress Appropriately for the Culture and for Respect. While this shouldn’t be listed because we should be able to dress how we want unfortunately I still have to list this in many parts of the world.
- Don’t wear bright colors
- Never share the location of your accommodation.
- If asked you say you are traveling with friends and you are doing your own things that day/night, etc
Benefits of Solo Female Travel
Gain Confidence
Solo travel teaches you how to navigate the unknown, make decisions on your own, and tackle unforeseen situations.
Whether it’s figuring out public transport in a foreign city or handling travel mishaps, every challenge you face empowers you to trust yourself more.
The experience equips you with resilience and problem-solving skills that extend far beyond travel, preparing you to handle tough situations in day-to-day life with confidence and ease.
Become More Independent
There’s nothing quite like solo travel to teach you self-reliance.
Without anyone to lean on for guidance, you learn to take charge of every aspect of your journey—from planning itineraries to making quick decisions when things don’t go as expected.
Freedom
You get to do exactly what you want, when you want—whether it’s exploring hidden corners of a city, indulging in new culinary delights, or simply spending an afternoon relaxing.
You’re not confined by anyone else’s preferences or schedules, which opens up a world of possibilities.
The beauty of this freedom is that it allows you to create a travel experience that’s uniquely yours, fostering a deep sense of autonomy and joy.
Get to Know Yourself on a Deeper Level
When you travel alone, there are fewer distractions, giving you time and space to reflect and connect with yourself.
Spending time by yourself in unfamiliar environments forces you to truly confront your thoughts, desires, and fears. You begin to understand what excites you, what challenges you, and what makes you feel alive.
Starting your solo female travel journey is an empowering and transformative experience.
It opens up a world of adventure, self-discovery, and freedom to explore on your terms. Whether you begin with a weekend getaway or dive into an international trip, the key is to take that first step with confidence.
With the right preparation, mindset, and a touch of curiosity, solo travel will not only enrich your life but also leave you with stories and memories to cherish forever.
So, pack your bags, trust your instincts, and embark on the adventure of a lifetime—you’ve got this!
