Solo female travel is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be extremely intimidating. Unlike a study abroad, you’re providing yourself with support, and you have to plan everything out. However, also unlike a study abroad, you have near unlimited freedom and fewer obligations. While there is more to think about, traveling abroad by yourself is an amazing experience. Your first time going at it alone can be scary (as can your hundredth!), so we’ve collected some tips below to make your journey smoother.
#1: Research First
Solo female travel in your early 20s is all about research. You’re looking out for yourself, and you want to make sure that you are going in informed, safe, and prepared. This starts with the location. While you might want to travel to every country in the world, there are some that are safer to travel to than others. If this is your first time as a solo female traveler, this is especially important. There are tons of articles on how to pick a place, such as this one and this one. I would recommend comparing multiple articles if you are open to new places. If you are set on one place, be sure to check it anyway, just to be aware.
The most useful statistics to reference are the Global Peace Index and any statistics on gender equality/gender violence. Additionally, it’s useful to do a quick Reddit/Google search of “experiences as a solo female travel in X country,” that way you hear some anecdotal evidence as well. While you should still make up your own mind in the end, it helps to hear from others and to know what you’re getting yourself into.
So you’ve picked a place. Now what?
Once you’ve picked a place, it’s time to delve a bit deeper. I recommend looking up “what to know before traveling to X country/city” or getting a guide book. Especially when you’re on your own, it’s critical to know what to look out for. It is also important to know logistical things. For example, what public transportation is available? What alternatives are there? Are you staying by public transportation? What hours does it run? What is connected?
Side note—I recommend choosing somewhere with good public transportation, especially your first time. It will make it a lot easier, cheaper, and less stressful to get around. It is also generally better to be surrounded by people and in a public space.
Once you’ve figured out transportation, doors to more travel are opened. Now, you can look more into local safety. Is there a particular sort of crime/scam that is common? Are there any areas of the city that you should avoid? Do other travelers have recommendations? Additionally, what are the local emergency numbers? It helps to put these in your phone so that you have them, just in case.
If you have time, and if it is feasible, I suggest learning a few phrases in the local language. This helps you to communicate people and show respect. However, it also helps to make you more aware of your surroundings. This kind of security is especially important, and you’ll thank yourself in the long run for it.
#2: Pack Less Than You Think You’ll Need
This is always a good travel tip. We have a tendency to want to bring everything. While it is good to be prepared, it’s not as helpful to overpack. It always sucks to have a heavy suitcase/backpack, but this time, you’re in your own. You can’t just pass it off to someone else to have a break. Additionally, if you buy things, you have to stuff it back into your luggage. You don’t have the luxury of putting it in a sibling or friend’s bag.
This also helps when taking transportation. If your bag weighs more than the limit, you’ll have to check it. What does that mean for you? More money wasted. On trains and planes, you’ll also have to put your suitcase into overhead compartments. If it’s packed to the brim with stuff, this might be a bit difficult. Maybe you have great arm strength and it’s not a problem, but if you’re like me and it’s difficult to lift a heavy suitcase over your head without hitting people, pack light.
With your backpack, I recommend the same. You’ll be dragging that thing everywhere. You do not want it to be half your weight. The back aches aren’t worth it for that third language book you think you’ll use. I speak from experience. Do yourself a favor and pack thoughtfully.
#3: Be Smart
Even if you are in a super safe country, it helps to be aware, be smart, and take the usual precautions. Unfortunately, nowhere is 100% safe. While most cities in western and Northern Europe have pickpocketing as their major crime, it still helps to not be a target. This goes back to doing your research. What are the local crime advisories? What do people suggest avoiding (certain outfits, actions, locations, sayings)?
Additionally, it helps to be vigilant and follow common sense rules that you would at home. If you have a bad feeling about someone, find an excuse to get away. Don’t bring strangers back to where you’re staying. Avoid drinking too much. Don’t let your phone battery die while you are out. Follow signs, customs, and warnings so that you are safe and/or don’t break local customs. Try not to stay out too late if you are alone. Most of these are common sense and you will probably do them anyway. However, as a solo female traveler in your early 20s, it helps to take the extra step.
#4: Have a Check In Person/Location Sharing
While you might be physically on your own, you still have a support network. Whether it’s a friend, a parent, a sibling, or a co-worker, you should have someone who you check in with regularly. If you can, you should also share your location with them on something like Life360 or Find my Friends.
Chances are very good that nothing will happen. However, on the off chance that something does happen, you have your contact who can back you up. If they know your general plan and what time you intend to be home, they can also ensure you’re safe. This is especially important if you decide to go out with new people or go on dates. Additionally, if you plan on going out alone at night or going to a disco alone, you should really take advantage of this. Once more, it helps to feel secure in the plans and forward thinking that you have done.
#5: If Possible, Plan Ahead
Take it from me. Travel becomes much easier when you plan ahead. It helps to know that you’ll have a roof over your head each night, that you have a train or plane ticket, and that you have a certain next destination. Some of us love to see where the tide takes us. This is great. However, especially when you’re alone, it’s best to have at least a skeleton plan or an outline.
This allows you to save money (especially on accommodations and transportation!). It also helps with your check in person, as you won’t have to remember to check in so much if they have your itinerary. There will be many things that you will stress about as a solo female traveler (most of them aren’t actually a big deal), so get some stuff out of the way early on. Buying tickets, booking places, signing up for any tours you want to do, checking weather, etc. all help to avoid surprises and keep you on track.
If you’re more like me and aren’t the best planner when traveling, try to stay at least two days ahead. This makes it so that you’re not panicking the night before because you don’t have a place to stay. It also makes it so that your people at home aren’t panicking on your behalf. Additionally, if there’s something like inclement weather, cheap ticket prices, or closures, you will be able to adjust accordingly.
#6: Be Prepared for Loneliness
This isn’t to scare you. It’s just a fact, and it’s part of the growth and self discovery that you experience during solo female travel. Naturally being alone can lead to loneliness. You’re experiencing all of these amazing and new things by yourself. Sometimes, you’ll wish that you were sharing it with someone. You’ll doubt yourself. You’ll sit in your hotel or AirBNB at times and wonder why you didn’t just find someone to go with.
But then you’ll think of the flexibility, the adventure, and the liberation that comes with solo female travel. Especially in your early 20s, you’re just getting to explore the world, and it is so freeing and empowering to know that you did it yourself, paid for it yourself, and paved your own way (without compromising!). There really is nothing as satisfying as that knowledge. So while loneliness is something that you should expect, it is also a sign of the progress you’ve made and the growth you’re experiencing.
#7: Try to Meet Others
Travel is wonderful and rewarding and liberating as a solo female traveler, but it can get lonely. This is a great time to try to meet people. There’s something so freeing about being abroad by yourself. You feel more confident, less attached to any conceptions others at home have about you, and more open in general. This is a great attitude to have when meeting others. If you have the chance to meet other solo female travelers, this is even better, as you’re in the same boat!
Hostels are an easy way to meet people because they have a higher concentration of young people and solo travelers. Tour groups are another great way, as there’s more potential to meet solo travelers. Additionally, there are some social media opportunities on apps like Facebook, MeetUp, or Bumble BFF where you can either meet someone or find a local group. Be vigilant on these and let your check in person know, just in case! Once more, while there are opportunities to meet others, you should exercise caution and common sense.
A Final Word
As a solo female traveler, you will face challenges and you will feel pride that you’ve never felt. It might not be easy to do everything on your own, but it will be so worth it in the end when you look back on the memories you’ve made. While you prepare to go abroad, remember to plan ahead, use your support network at home, and research, research, research. Going in with knowledge and not being surprised is crucial to your success. You’ll thank yourself for it later.
Do you have any tips about being a solo female traveler in your early 20s? Share them below!
