People often tend to think that traveling alone is weird, especially when you’re a girl or a woman. But trust me, it’s anything but weird. It is an experience everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. Solo traveling gives you a chance to immerse yourself fully in every moment you spend on the trip.
Why travel solo?
Solo traveling can be a life-changing experience. Many people who have traveled alone describe the experience to be almost religious and full of self-discoveries. Anything you do will be your own, from your mistakes to your achievements. You won’t need to worry about a whole bunch of other people around you or with you. You can do whatever you want according to your schedule and will. There are some cons and concerns regarding solo traveling for sure. Nevertheless, it’s a must-try.
Traveling alone as a woman
When you want to travel alone AS A WOMAN, it brings a lot of issues and concerns to the fore and gives you anxiety the very second you start thinking about it. Let’s face the reality: the world out there isn’t as safe for women nowadays. But, that doesn’t mean you should kill your dreams to be a solo traveler or refuse an opportunity to be one! Here are some tips you can put into play when you plan your next solo trip.
11 Tips for Solo Female Travelers
Do a bit extra homework than usual!
Traveling solo isn’t easy. Anyone can fool you, and you won’t even have anyone to defend you or take your side. So, do a bit extra of the homework than what you do when traveling in a group. Know the taxi fare from the airport to your hotel (there are multiple websites to check the fares and charges). Make a proper list of places you want to visit and how far they’re from the place you’re going to stay. Find out how to reach those places and plan the route beforehand. Basically, take deeper insights about the place and everything about it.
Arrive during the day!
I strongly emphasize this point, ARRIVE DURING THE DAY. For the main part, it’ll be a lot safer if you do so. And another thing, taxi and bus fares are comparatively lower in the day hours. You can observe the route your driver is taking you, and if you get suspicious you can call out for help, it’ll be easier to get any help during the day. Nights are far less safe, the roads are confusing, street lights are blinding. There’s less traffic, and therefore less safety! Let’s play a bit smart, girls!
Extra hotel safety!
Carry your own door lock just in case the hotel’s lock isn’t working. If the receptionist is a woman herself and seems friendly, try telling her that you’re traveling alone, so you need the safest room available (one near the stairs or the elevator is perfect to avoid long walks in ill-lit hallways). Make sure the receptionist doesn’t announce your room number out loud to avoid any unnecessary attention. Ask for female room attendants if possible. You can have a better sense of comfortability with them (but don’t get too comfortable!). Try to get accommodation in solo traveler hotels. Meet other woman travelers and it’s much safer on your trip.
Dress carefully!
No, I don’t want to be a sexist. By carefully, I mean, look out how women are dressing in that locality and try to blend with them. Observe their dressing style, observe how people are used to seeing women in that area, and dress accordingly. You don’t want to attract any unwanted attention, do you?
Don’t be 100% truthful!
It’s okay to lie a bit if it isn’t harming anyone. Don’t disclose that you’re totally new to the place. Ask for directions, but don’t behave like you don’t know anything. You can say something like, "Hey, can you tell me the directions to the cafe? I’ve got a meeting there". Don’t act dumb.
Prepare yourself up!
There might be instances when you won’t have anyone around you to call for help. So just prepare yourself for any kind of situation. Keep the basic necessities in your handbag (pepper spray, some hairpins, or anything you feel would help you in self-defense). I’m pretty confident that you’re capable enough to protect yourself, but being packed is never a bad thing. We don’t want any trouble in our beautiful experience.
Leave your valuables at home!
Not even in the hotel room! Just leave your valuables at home! You don’t want to look like a walking treasure chest! Just take what’s really necessary. Don’t roam around wearing flashy clothes and expensive jewelry. It won’t be comfortable either for that matter.
Know whom to trust!
My parents constantly complain to me about how I trust people in seconds. DON’T BE LIKE ME. It’s good to trust people, but not easily. It can be a really fun experience if you find an unexpected company to explore a whole new place. It feels really blessed when you’re at a place alone, and you find someone like-minded.
Before befriending anyone, please be sure that they aren’t any kind of fraud. And, no matter how good they behave with you, don’t give out any personal information. Even if you don’t find a company (because that’s the whole point of solo traveling), there are always ways to associate yourself with people. Talk to random people in public transportation, cafes, and restaurants. I’m sure it’ll be just as fun.
Learn to entertain yourself!
You’ll meet a lot of people along your way to have an exciting talk and keep you engaged while traveling. But, that will not be the case always. You have to learn to entertain yourself not to regret traveling alone. If you’re a reader, then you’re already all set, carry your favorite books along. And if you’re not, then I highly recommend you to develop the habit of reading. It’ll not only help you on your trips but will also be a great hobby in life. Just carry a book with you wherever you go and you won’t need anyone. But please be careful of your surroundings, don’t drown yourself in reading completely.
If reading isn’t your thing, then try journaling or sketching. Write about what you see and experience, express the beauty of the place, and put down your thoughts about the interactions you had there. It will not only keep a track of your wonderful experience but will also help you recall the beautiful time you enjoyed there! Do something productive rather than playing games on your phone or binge-watching a series.
Keep your Eyes and Ears open!
If someone wants to talk to you or if you feel like interacting with someone, don’t hesitate. Be your best while talking with everyone, especially the locals, they’re the best ones to tell you about everything. They'll offer you the details that not even your tour guide can! You don’t wanna miss out on that for sure. Take a break from technology.
And lastly, Trust your instincts!
Last but not the least, trust your instincts. Do what your gut says. If something doesn’t feel right, get out of there ASAP. Your gut is never wrong!
A lot of these tips apply to a solo traveler in general too, but if you’re a woman, you gotta take those extra precautions.
Hope these 11 tips to take care of while you are traveling solo or alone were worth your time. Happy traveling.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : https://www.sukeindia.com/11-tips-to-remember-while-traveling-solo-as-a-women/