Do you feel so caught up between work and errands that you don’t get a second to yourself?
If you’re stuck in an endless cycle of work, eat, clean, sleep, you may not even know who you are anymore. So, what you can do to get out of this rut?
Traveling is a great way to shake things up and get out of your comfort zone. You can explore new places, and finally start checking things off that bucket list. While traveling is always fun with a friend, traveling alone can be a good way to find yourself.
Solo female travel has grown in popularity in recent years. It can be daunting and stressful, but so rewarding. However, there are some safety precautions you should take before you go on a solo trip.
Do you want to know what they are? Keep reading to discover 8 tips for women who want to try traveling alone.
1. Know the Safety Hazards
One of the most important female safety tips when traveling solo is to pick your location wisely and research the heck out of it. Come up with a list of possible destinations, then check the government’s travel advisory website. If you see “do not travel”, it’s probably best to cross it off your list and go somewhere safer.
Once you’ve picked your destination, look at what cities you want to go to. See if any are considered dangerous and make a more detailed safety plan. This may include avoiding being out after dark, avoiding staying in a bad part of town, or skipping it all together. Keep an eye on the news to see if there are any updates. If your TV signal isn’t clear, you can get more info on TV aerial installations to stay up to date.
2. Tell Loved One’s Where You’re Going
Once you’ve picked a location and created an itinerary, make sure you give a copy of it to your loved ones back home. This should include the dates you’ll be in each city, where you’ll be staying, and the phone number for your accommodations.
You may even opt to make a plan, such as sending a text every evening, so your family knows you’re okay. If anything does happen to you, they’ll be able to tell authorities where you were staying, when you arrived, and when you should have left.
3. Leave Your Expensive Clothes and Jewelry Behind
Did you just by a new designer purse?
While you might want to show it off, it’s probably best you leave it at home. If you waltz down the streets wearing expensive clothing and jewelry, you’ll become a target for potential robberies and pickpocketing. This is especially true if you’re a single woman traveling alone. Avoid the potential hazard and leave the flashy things at home.
4. Blend In
Wearing designer clothing isn’t the only thing that can put a big red target on your back. Thieves and criminals also tend to look for the clueless tourist as an easy target, so you’ll want to do your best to blend in.
Plan what to wear by researching what people in that city wear. Mimic the local style and act confident. Try not to look like you’re lost (even if you are). Instead, ask a local business owner for directions or hail a cab.
5. Stay at a Hostel
When it comes time to choose your accommodation, consider staying at a hostel. Don’t let horror movies like “Hostel” trick you into thinking they’re dangerous. Most hostels are safe and geared towards younger travelers. Many places will let you stay in an all-female room or a private room.
Not only will you save money, but it also opens up the chance to make new friends on your trip. There’s power in numbers, so making new friends may help keep you safe. As with any other type of accommodation, make sure you pick one with good reviews and stay out of bad parts of town.
6. Don’t Trust New People Too Easily
While making friends can help you stay safe, it’s also important not to trust new people too easily. When you’re a single woman traveling alone, don’t tell any strangers where you’re staying. Don’t let them hold your phone, passport, wallet, or anything else of importance.
If you’re trying to make some new travel buddies, spend time with them during the day in busy tourist areas before going out after dark or leaving the city with them. If anything seems off, trust your gut and make friends elsewhere.
7. Keep Your Hostel’s Business Card with You
One of the simplest and most useful tips for traveling alone is to grab your hostel’s business card and keep it with you at all times. This way, you’ll have their address and phone number. If a cab driver doesn’t recognize the name of the hostel, you’ll be able to tell them the address. If you get lost, you can call the hostel and ask for directions. One small card can be a huge lifesaver.
8. Invest in an International SIM Card
Speaking of making phone calls, investing in an international SIM card is vital when traveling alone. This nifty little card will allow your phone to make calls while abroad. That’s right, without it you may not be able to call family or your hostel if you need help.
There are a few different options you can choose from. If you want to travel to several different countries, an international SIM card is the most convenient option. However, if you’re staying in one country, you may want to get a local SIM card. Make sure you unlock your phone and it’s ready to be used abroad before you leave.
Safety Tips for Single Women Traveling Alone
If you’re desperate to get out of your rut and have some alone time for self-reflection or self-discovery, you may be planning a solo trip abroad. While many women choose to travel this way, there are still some dangers of traveling alone. Be sure to follow our safety tips to make sure your trip goes off without a hitch.
Did you find this article helpful? Check out our travel hacks blog page for more great posts like this.
