I'm here to give you some tips for women traveling solo. A few weeks ago, I took my first international vacation by myself. In fact, it was my first vacation alone ever. Ever since I graduated from college (maybe even high school), I had the desire to take a trip alone somewhere overseas, partially for the adventure and partially to see if I could. Good news, I did it and I had an amazing time! I traveled to Amsterdam for a week, and it was life-changing. However, being a young twenty-something woman traveling alone, I definitely had to be careful. Here are 7 tips for women traveling solo.
This is one of the most important tips for women traveling solo. I know this seems obvious, but sometimes we go into “vacation mode” where we are relaxed and happy and forget that bad things can happen. So always stay diligent. Take note of the people around you, and if you feel uncomfortable, seek help.
If you don’t speak the native language, there are a ton of great apps, such as Google Translate, for that! I recommend doing some research and seeing which app is best for you.
If you ever feel uncomfortable or threatened, just go to the US Embassy and they can help you. For US Embassy locations you can visit their website.
Whether it’s via text, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc., just make sure there is someone who is keeping tabs on you (think, safety net!). Let them know when you are in for the night and keep them updated on your whereabouts periodically throughout the day. That way, if they do not hear from you they can alert the authorities.
While I won’t necessarily say don’t go out with the hot guy you meet in the cute little café, I will say proceed with caution. It is definitely a risk, and I always say trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. If you do decide to go home with the guy, refer to tip #4 and let your bestie know and maybe even send her your location to be extra safe.
There are so many options to feel connected when traveling solo such as Air BnB, VizEat, EatWith, the RedZone Map, Meetup, etc. These apps are also great because you can read reviews and people are verified so you can feel safe.
Make memories and have the best time! Be smart, but not scared. Enjoy your adventure!