Just Heading Out

I’ve been traveling alone my whole adult life, over a decade now (wow, that makes me feel old). I get a lot of questions from women about my experiences in solo female travel. Many would love to travel alone, but find the prospect a little daunting.

I completely understand that! I was a little hesitant at first as well, traveling to a foreign country by yourself is a big step. But I can truthfully say that it is the most empowering and rewarding experience ever. That feeling of freedom is pretty addictive. Traveling by yourself doesn’t have to be scary or hard. In fact, it’s mostly just a lot of fun. If you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone, traveling by yourself can be an incredible adventure.

Most tips for traveling alone focus on safety and preparation. But I think the trick to a successful solo trip is your mindset. Solo travel requires a little bravery and above all a positive attitude. Follow my tips for getting in the solo travel mindset, and you too can learn how to travel alone.

Be open-minded

Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer

The best thing about traveling is how it changes your perspective on the world. I know it sounds cliché, but I can honestly say that I am not the same person now that I was before I started traveling solo. And a lot of female travel bloggers would agree with me!

There’s nothing like being confronted with different cultures, ideas and people to make you look differently on your home. It’s helped me realize that “normal” doesn’t exist and there are many ways to do things. None of them necessarily better or worse. It also made me more appreciative of some things in my life and home country. Travel also opened my eyes to the intense privilege I grew up with as a white European. While traveling the world is pretty easy for me, it isn’t for most people.

This is why I love traveling alone

I try not to research too much when I go on a trip, because I want to enter with as much of a blank slate as possible. No preconceived notions, no prejudices, and without thinking that I “know” a country before I’ve ever even been there. Even reading about other people’s experiences will influence your own.

There are many lessons you can learn through travel, about yourself and about the world. But the only way to do that is by being open-minded. Keep your eyes and your mind open. Don’t just look, but see. Listen, don’t speak. Question, but don’t judge. Learn and assume you don’t know anything. Be prepared to change your mind, again and again. And you’ll come back richer in knowledge, understanding and experience.

I think this is also a vital part of being a responsible and sustainable tourist.

Be social

You can learn about a place or a culture by reading about it, watching documentaries, visiting museums. But the only way to really learn is by interacting with people. Which is much easier when you’re traveling alone. I always recommend staying in a hostel as a solo traveler, because it’s the easiest way to meet people.

It might sound counterintuitive, but solo travel fosters social interaction. When you travel alone, people are more likely to approach you and open up to you. And you’re more likely to do the same. When you’re traveling with a partner, it’s easy to stay in your own little bubble, and you have little incentive to meet new people. As a solo traveler, you don’t have a choice.

Whether it’s locals or other travelers, there is nothing more interesting than meeting people from a different country or culture. They can provide a personal insight into a place that you have only heard of or visited. It can be a bit awkward at first, but it is worth stepping out of your comfort zone. In my experience, everyone loved to meet new people. As long as you are kind and polite, people will love to have a chat and hang out with you.

But if you need a few tips, here’s how to make friends while traveling alone

I’ve met some amazingly interesting people while traveling. People I never otherwise would have met. I’ve partied with strangers, cried with strangers, had adventures with strangers and made friends for life. In all my travels and with all the people I’ve met, I’ve learned one thing: we are more similar than we are different.

Be flexible

In order to enjoy any trip, especially a solo trip, you have to be able to go with the flow. Things might not work out exactly as you planned, and that’s okay. Some of my favorite travel memories are from things that happened unplanned. The best adventures happen spontaneously!

When you travel alone, you have full control over your itinerary. You decide where you go, what you do and when you do it. No endless discussions or compromises. It’s what makes traveling alone so fun. You’ll meet people along the way that you can hang out with and join their plans. Or you might find that you want to spend less or more time somewhere than you anticipated.

These are some of the things I do on every solo trip.

If time allows, I prefer to plan as little as possible. On long trips (several months) I won’t book anything other than my transportation there and back and a hostel for the first couple of nights. That way, I’m free to build my trip as I go. For shorter trips (two weeks or under) I’ll sort all my accommodation in advance.

A little city trip is a great way to dip your toe into the solo travel pool. Here’s how you plan a solo city trip.

Locals and fellow travelers have the best tips, so don’t just blindly book everything your guidebook or a blog (yes, even mine) suggests. That’s why I also don’t go on organized trips, I hate to be tied to an itinerary. I do look up a few things that I really want to do, but rarely book them in advance, unless it’s something that books out quickly. Leaving your itinerary open allows you to take full advantage of surprise deals and offers as well.

Be careful

So, you don’t need to worry. Solo travel is perfectly safe, even as a woman alone. Statistically speaking, women are most likely to be harmed by a partner or someone they know. So technically, traveling alone is the safest thing you can do.

But, unfortunately, we live in a world where bad things happen. So while it is safe to travel alone, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful. As a solo traveler, no one else is responsible for you, so your safety and well-being should always be your first priority.

Here are the main problems you may encounter while traveling:

• Food poisoning
• Getting lost
• Tourist scams and rip-offs
• Pick pocketing
• Viruses, bacteria and parasites
• Accidents (traffic, surfing, hiking, etc.)
• Sexual harassment and assault

Many women fear that by traveling alone they’ll be more of a target for predatory men or even sex trafficking. Thankfully, those odds are in your favor. As scary as “Taken” is, it is far from realistic. As long as you practice the same caution as you would at home, you’ll most likely be fine.

Here’s how to stay safe while traveling.

Safety while traveling is a lot like safety in your day-to-day life, with a few minor exceptions. Whereas you may know your home quite well, your unfamiliarity with wherever you are traveling makes you more vulnerable. Stay vigilant and pay attention to your surroundings. The more confident you look, the less of a target you are. Learning some self-defense moves is a great way to build skill and confidence.

Don’t forget about your health! Follow these tips to stay healthy while traveling

That being said, there is a big difference between being careful and being fearful. Don’t let your fears or those of others (especially concerned friends and family members) hold you back. Embrace your sense of adventure and don’t be afraid to try new things. Most people are good and instincts are better than you think. Travel will teach you that.

Trust that things will work out

Something will go wrong on your trip. That’s a guarantee. I have never been on a trip where everything went off without a hitch. That’s just not how travel, or life, works. It happens whether you travel with other people or travel alone.

But to be honest, while they may be stressful in the moment, those mishaps often make for the best stories. You may be close to tears as you watch your plane take off without you, but once you’ve rebooked and had a coffee, you’ll be ready to laugh at it.

It’s one of the things that scared me most about solo traveling: “What if something happens, and I’m all alone?” But I quickly realized that you are never truly alone. Everywhere I’ve been, there have always been people eager to lend a hand or help me out. From friendly locals in Laos helping me find my bus to a fellow backpacker who brought me my passport when I left it at a hostel. Or the picture above, taken right after I climbed up a 100-meter rock slide while having a panic attack. It was hard and scary, but I got through it.

I love the quote:

“Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

John Lennon

And it applies so perfectly to solo travel. In my experience, there is no hurdle too big to overcome, nothing that can’t be solved or fixed. Whatever happens, you will figure it out and find a way. And often, things work themselves out. Especially when you trust in the good of people and are willing to ask for help.

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I hope I’ve managed to convince you to travel alone. It’s something everyone should experience once, to show you just how strong, and capable you are. And even if you decide afterwards that it’s not for you, at least you gave it a shot. Solo travel is such a rewarding experience, especially as a woman. And it’s also just a lot of fun. So if you’re itching to explore the world, but have no one to go with, why not travel alone?

What fears are holding you back from traveling alone? Or what tips do you have for solo travelers? Let’s talk about it in the comments.

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