As referenced in my previous post, solo travel has been an extremely formative experience for me, and I firmly believe that everyone should, at some point in their lives, travel alone to get to know themselves, reflect on where they’ve been, and establish a vision for where they’re going. Traveling alone, especially for women, can seem daunting, but if you plan and prepare accordingly, you’re going to set yourself up for success on the trip. Here are my tips for females on how to travel alone for the first time.
Before You Embark:
Be honest with yourself about the timeline
Solo travel can bring up unexpected, and sometimes uncomfortable, feelings, and though you’ll make friends along the way, and have your phone to keep you connected to the outside world, it’s really important to know your limits. You might want to keep your first trip to just a couple of days to see how you respond, as opposed to jumping off the deep end into a two-week mega excursion.
The first time I traveled alone, I went to London. I would’ve loved to stay a week, but being alone for that long felt daunting, and I opted for four days instead. This time frame felt more manageable to me. Everyone’s boundaries are different, and if you feel comfortable enough with yourself to handle a longer trip the first time, then kudos to you and bon voyage! However, if you’re a first-timer considering whether to opt for more time away or less, I would recommend starting with a shorter time frame and building up stamina for a longer trek next time.
Go somewhere you know the language
For first-time solo travelers, there is already a lot to prepare and think about both before and during your trip. You do not need the added stress of trying to learn the basics of a new language. Keep it simple and travel somewhere where you and the people around you can communicate with ease.
Additionally, solo traveling as a woman who does not speak the language of the place she’s visiting can, unfortunately, raise safety concerns. Not only are you alone, but you’ve also been identified as an ‘other’ by the fact that you’re speaking another language. I firmly believe there are mostly amazing people out there, but there’s no need to attract the not-so-great people on your solo trip. Save the language barrier for your next adventure, when you have a better idea of what to expect and can focus more energy on learning how to communicate in the lead up to the journey.
Do your due diligence
If you’re traveling to a city, research different neighborhoods well in advance so you can find one where you’ll feel comfortable walking around, especially at night. You want to make sure that, while on the trip, you can relax and enjoy without having to worry (too much) about what’s going on around you.
The same goes for activities- book tours you feel comfortable traveling to, and doing, alone. Especially on your first solo trip, you’ll be far enough out of your comfort zone already that you don’t need to push yourself over the edge by trying to go on a day trip 3 hours away that requires 3 bus transfers in different remote regions. Instead, maybe take the day trip 2 hours away that only requires a train.
If you’re going somewhere more rural (say, the desert), look for camp sites or other lodging that’s listed as ‘family friendly,’ and try to find places that perhaps aren’t in the middle of absolutely nowhere. You’ll feel more comfortable and there will be people around who can help in case of an emergency.
If you’re planning to hike alone, get on AllTrails and map the route in advance. To build up your confidence, start with a 3-mile hike the first day, and save the 8-mile hike for the second. This also goes without saying, but while you’re on the trail, if you ever feel unsafe or like you might hurt yourself, TURN BACK. The last thing you need is to try and determine how to rescue yourself, or flag down help, on the trails.
Plan full days
You traveled here alone to see, do, and experience everything YOU want- make sure you take advantage of this time and live out the trip to the fullest extent. In London, I went to every museum possible during my stay. In Sedona, I hiked twice a day. Not only did you take this trip to live it out to the fullest, but down time also breeds intrusive thoughts of fear and loneliness, and those are not welcome on your trip!
On the Trip:
Stay as disconnected as possible
This is YOUR journey and YOUR time to reflect, re-energize, and reconnect with yourself. There’s no way that’s going to happen if you’re on FaceTime with your loved ones back home the entire time. If you feel lonely, lean into it, push through it, and get to the root of why that is and how you can dispel this limiting belief.
The most beautiful part of solo travel is the ability to get to know yourself better and recognize the amazing things within your capability. You have the power to do absolutely anything you want, and this is the time to show yourself what’s possible when you rely on YOU.
Don’t be afraid to eat alone
Eating alone at a sit-down restaurant was my biggest fear the first time I traveled alone. I was so incredibly nervous that people would think I was a loser or didn’t have friends because I was by myself. I worked up my courage for three days before finally, on the last night of my trip to London, I ate at a table alone in an Italian restaurant. I brought my book, ate a good meal, and left feeling incredibly proud of my growth.
The reality is, no one cares if you’re eating alone or not. In fact, if there’s a family in the restaurant too, they’re probably looking over at you with ENVY that you get to sit quietly and enjoy your meal while they’re trying to prevent their children from wreaking havoc in a public space. Be confident in yourself and who you are and know you deserve to sit down and revel in the ambiance whether you’re with someone else or not.
Document your adventure
You’re learning so much about yourself during this precious time- don’t forget to write it down! You can look back when you get back to your daily life and be inspired by the amazing experiences you created for yourself! My travel journals are some of my most prized possessions.
If you’re not a journal person, take pictures to document this time, or make a video montage. Whatever your creative outlet, use it to document this time so you remember your journey.
Post-Trip:
Brag about your trip to your people
You just went completely out of your comfort zone, experienced some incredible moments, and pushed through difficult thoughts to create a formative trip you’ll remember forever. Don’t be afraid to show off a little bit when you get back! The worst thing that happens is you inspire someone else to go on a solo journey all their own.
No matter how old you are, how anxious you are, or how firmly you believe you can’t do a trip alone, you can make this happen. I promise. Use these tips to guide you on your first time on a solo trip, and from there, use your imagination to determine what else is possible. Subscribe below for more solo travel content, like what to pack, where to go, and how you can make the most of the experience.
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