My Top Female Solo Travel Tips

My top tips for having a perfectly planned agenda, based on my own experience as a female solo traveler.

At first, the idea of traveling alone scared me. I would immediately think of the worst-case scenario. The more I traveled alone, the more comfortable I became. I can proudly say that I have traveled across the country by myself, with my dog and a loaded U-Haul. If I can do it, anyone can. 

My husband, Allen, also has a demanding work schedule. This is another reason why I would usually find myself traveling alone or with other female companions to different states.

Here are 5 the top tips and tricks that I’ve acquired from my own experiences in solo travel.

·      Pack lightly: For my friends who know me well, this was a hard pill to swallow on my cross-country trip. It was completely unmanageable to have multiple suitcases of stuff that could potentially slow me down or distract me when moving from hotel to hotel. For my cross-country road trip, I used a hiking backpack and stuffed it with only essentials. Everything else stayed locked in the car.

·      Share your location: Tell your close family and friends your itinerary and send them screenshots with hotel information. If you have an iPhone, you can easily share your location with those you trust the most.

·      Avoid talking to strangers: This might not sit-well with everyone, especially my extrovert friends. Personally, I always follow this rule. Talking to people you don’t know when traveling alone, in general, can be risky. You may unknowingly share information that you didn’t mean to in casual conversation, such as what hotel you’re staying in, that you’re on a solo road trip, or even that you’re not a local. I keep it short and sweet when speaking to hotel staff, Ubers or restaurant employees and never provide any information. I also always refer to “us, we, our” terms vs “I, me, my”

·      Stick to daytime activities: This was a big one for me when traveling. I woke up early and followed my itinerary, according to plan and always made sure to be back at the hotel before sunset. I also always shared my day-to-day details with my husband, parents and close friends.

·      Be aware, stay alert:  Not to sound like your mother, but this is important. Being aware while traveling solo means, don’t get drunk. Save that when you arrive at your destination and meet up with your friends!

Traveling solo can be scary but the more you’re prepared, the smoother your trip will go. Always be confident in yourself.