Women's solo travel - how to travel alone

Why do women travel alone? There are many reasons for solo travel: no fellow travelers, a desire to be alone, to see the world without the taint of someone else’s emotions, and to listen only to your own desires. But there are so many reasons! The main thing is that you can and should travel alone. I can only speak from my own experience – I’m interested and not bored if I choose safe countries and follow certain rules of solo travel.

I’ll tell you how and where I travel without company.

Why am I traveling alone?

Of course, I travel not only alone, but with my husband, or my daughter, or with bloggers on tour, or with friends. But I try to go somewhere by myself at least once a year. Why am I doing this?

Meeting new people when you travel with someone in a company is much less common. And communicating with people from other countries is very interesting and opens up the world from other angles. I am asked if I would like to talk to someone or just share my impressions of the trip. Yes, I do. But I try to stay in touch and am happy to send photos to my loved ones who are happy with me.

The pace and interests should match. I travel quite a bit, which means I hardly ever sit in one place, I’m always going, going, going. Therefore, it is difficult to find a fellow traveler with the same pace. I’ve already found one – it’s my daughter, but she can’t always come with me. If I have different interests, or my activity does not coincide with others, it is better to go alone.

Your own priorities – no need to adapt to others. I like to do whatever I think is interesting on a trip, without being influenced by the wishes of my fellow travelers. Change plans as you please. Or, in general, following a plan precisely is not everyone’s cup of tea. Yes, as you get older, you start to value your time and your own desires more than others. It is better to sit in a cafe with friends, and traveling is an adventure that should be shared only with those who are on the same page. Or travel alone.

Traveling alone is also an opportunity to be alone, without all the roles we play in our daily lives. It is to stop being a daughter, mother, wife for a while-to be yourself without responsibilities to other people.

It’s worth a try, although you’ll have to take responsibility for everything – from your own decisions and desires to your own mistakes.

My list of safe countries for solo travelers

Every year, each publication makes its own rankings of countries where it is safe and interesting for women to travel alone. I also have a small list of countries that I have collected over 8 years of solo travel. So far, I have traveled only in Europe without regular traveling companions, so the countries I can recommend are located in Europe.

Spain

I’ve been to the country seven times already, walking long distances. Thanks to the hiking routes Camino de Santiago I walked about 1800 km in Spain. For the most part, these were solo trips, except for the fellow travelers I met along the way. Spain is very safe, interesting and cheap compared to other European countries.

Portugal

In this country I walked about 450 km, 250 of which were solo trips along the Fishermen ‘s Trail – Rota Vicente Rota Vicentina along the Alentejo and Algarve coasts. Others were. Camino Portugues which I went with my daughter, so I don’t count them. But it was also safe there, with the only exception being when we met a perverted man between villages, whom I chased away with loud screams. There were no more problems in cities and on the roads – very open people, very pleasant meetings and communication while traveling.

Italy

Here I also walked alone when I was traveling along the path of Via Francigena. And although the route goes through Tuscany, which is very popular with tourists, and Lazio, which is a little less popular, there were stretches of the route where I didn’t meet people for hours. Despite this, I felt very safe outside of big cities, such as Rome. I love Italy because of the hospitality of the rural people, delicious cuisine, beauty, and the opportunity to come here every time, discover something new in this country.

Malta

I had never planned a trip to this country, but you can also travel here safely and safely alone. I walked along the paths along the sea alone – it was very calm and comfortable to be alone. In general, people in Malta are very friendly – the locals’ knowledge of English also gives you confidence when traveling: you can ask any questions and get an answer if your Google fails or there is no connection.

Czech Republic

This country is often included in various rankings of safe countries for female travelers. No wonder – even Prague, where there are a lot of tourists and, of course, pickpockets, is a very calm capital. А neighborhoods and other cities – are no less so. I travel a lot I travel a lot in the Czech Republic – by car and in the cities. It was very calm, and there were no critical problems. The Czechs are very polite and calm(the exception is the homeless in Prague, but you can just walk around them and not encounter them).

Turkey

I can say from my own experience that traveling in Turkey (at least in the southern part along the coast) is safe to travel alone. I did it on the Lycian way from Fethiye to Kalkan. I had to catch passing cars along the way to get to the campsite in time to spend the night. In general, Turkey are very friendly and I felt safe even in the mountains. Therefore, I advise you not to be afraid to travel to Turkey, as all the rumors about this country may be related solely to the rest in all-inclusive hotels. And in everyday life, when you travel around cities, it’s safe, interesting, and delicious.

In general, traveling alone is not that difficult. You just need to spend some time preparing. And preparation for any trip, especially a solo trip, is already half the battle.

What to travel with – backpack or suitcase

It depends on the transportation – if I have a car, I can let you take everything you need, even a tent, to stay in nature. When I travel by bus, train, or plane, I have to rely on my own strength. Of course, you can ask strangers for help – to lift or lower a suitcase from the stairs or luggage rack. But mobility equals independence.

If I plan to move a lot from hotel to hotel, from city to city, I definitely choose small backpacks. This way, your hands are free and it’s easier to carry your luggage behind your back. For short trips by plane, I like to travel with only hand luggage – it saves time and money, because most airlines sell luggage for an additional fee.

For a trip to the resort, I take a suitcase on wheels that is the right size for Priority, so I can take it on the plane as well. It is worth attaching a sign with the owner’s contact information to the suitcase. This way, it will be returned faster in case of loss.

Tip: When sending hand luggage to the luggage rack in the cabin, it is better not to leave large amounts of money, valuables, and jewelry in it. If it’s a small backpack, you can put it under the front seat. The exception is the places opposite the emergency exit: it is forbidden to leave any things on the floor here, regardless of their overall dimensions.

What to take with you on a solo trip

There is no bad season for traveling – only the wrong clothes. Some people prefer to travel in pants, others feel comfortable in dresses – it’s a matter of taste and convenience, as well as traditions in a particular country.

My advice from my own experience is to take as few things as possible. After all, you have to carry them on your back. It’s better to buy something on the spot than to buy too much.

If you are going to a place where it will be warm during the day and cold at night, dress in layers, like a cabbage. This makes it easier to regulate a comfortable temperature – you can put on or take off a sweater or jacket whenever you want. If you’re planning a trip from winter to summer, it’s better to take a train or bus to the airport in lighter clothes than to carry a large jacket and warm boots. Leave with a minimum of things, and when you return, order a taxi home, or ask friends or family to meet you with warm clothes.

If it’s exactly the opposite, you can wear oversized clothes on yourself – even if it’s hot at the airport, it can be cool in the plane cabin, or at least you can take them off.

When traveling, I most often wear worn-out sneakers because I will definitely be walking a lot. I also take trekking sandals with me if I need to go to the beach or walk the streets in the heat. Heels or flat-soled shoes don’t suit me, because they are guaranteed to hurt my calves and soles after the first walk.

The wardrobe should correspond not only to the season and style of travel, but also to the cultural and religious requirements of the country where the tickets are purchased. For example, in Islamic countries, it is better not to walk around with bare shoulders and wear short shorts or skirts. In Egypt, it is absolutely normal to wear European beachwear at the Red Sea resorts. In Cairo, however, it would not only be inappropriate, but in some parts of the city it would not even be safe.

More information: How I travel with small carry-on luggage

Safety in women’s solo travel

I do the following safety-related things to avoid problems while traveling.

I make a rough travel plan

I leave it to my family or friends. If something happens, God forbid, they will know where to find me.

I don’t go out late at night in scary places

For example, in Barcelona, the Gothic Quarter. If the city is safe, I can go for a walk in the evening or sit alone in a bar. I did this in Valletta, Malta, and in many cities in Italy and Spain. It’s better to find a company or just avoid the bad area. This is a very primitive rule, but I always follow it. Even during the day, you shouldn’t walk around with your pockets open, it’s better to hide your equipment deeper in your backpack and carry your money and documents in a waist bag.

I am careful about dating

Although I am a very open-minded person. But I never meet people on the streets when they offer to introduce me. The only exception is communication with other pilgrims on the Camino. There is a different atmosphere there when people are on the same page. But even at the Camino, if I feel that a person is unpleasant to me or has some kind of aggression coming from them, I avoid socializing. But this doesn’t mean that all men are bad and pose a threat – on the contrary. You shouldn’t be afraid of everyone, but you shouldn’t relax either.

Money while traveling

When traveling to another country, it is better to divide your “eggs into different baskets”. I bring cash in different currencies and several credit cards. I keep money in different places – a belt bag, a wallet, a backpack, etc.)))

Choosing a hotel or hostel

Instead of free couchsurfing, I spend the night in hotels or hostels. I don’t use this service because I don’t like to spend the night in the homes of strangers. And I don’t like to feel obligated to a host who agrees to host me. It also restricts my freedom of movement – I have to coordinate my arrival and departure times and other things. It’s much easier for me to spend the night in a hostel if hotels are very expensive in a certain city. And most importantly, I don’t feel safe in someone else’s house. That’s why I choose to pay for housing with my own money, not with my own nerves.

About safety in hotels and hostels

Do not carry valuables with you at all times. If the hotel room has a built-in safe, it is better to leave them in it. Even if it is a paid service. Hostels often have individual lockers for each guest, but unfortunately, there are often no locks. I always carry my own lock to lock my locker. Even if the hostel has locks, it will be safer with your own lock. Just in case, make paper and electronic copies of your documents (save them to your phone, your email, or a file sharing service) – if the original is stolen, you will have something to bring to the police.

Hitchhiking

This is another topic in a series of security issues. Whether I get into someone else’s car or not is my own decision, and only I will be responsible for it. You don’t need to look at the world through rose-colored glasses – if you decide to save money on transportation in this way, you should understand that most normal drivers can run into inadequates. I avoid hitchhiking if I’m traveling alone – whenever possible, I call a taxi through the app to make sure I get where I need to go. And when I’m traveling through some not-so-populated places, I tell my husband about the car’s license plate and send the coordinates via Google. It’s more relaxing.

Insurance

It’s impossible to predict what will happen on the road – health insurance is always with me. If I have to go to the doctors, at least the insurance company will pay for it (either immediately or later, reimbursing me for the costs). The main thing is that I will not have to give all the money in the world for treatment. This is not a figurative expression. For example, treatment without insurance in the United States is very expensive. Think about whether saving a few hundred hryvnias is worth staying abroad without the necessary medical care.

Tip: Pack a first aid kit with the necessary medicines that you may need while traveling – painkillers, antipyretics for gastrointestinal problems, personal medicines, antiseptic, plasters – you will have to walk a lot.

Languages and communication

The need to communicate in other languages often stops you from traveling abroad alone. In fact, with minimal knowledge of English, you can no longer be afraid to buy a ticket and travel. It’s enough to read signs at airports, or ask questions in a hotel, bar, or store.

By the way, in many countries, locals do not necessarily speak English. For example, in Spain and Italy, I had to either sign, use an online translator, or ask other locals who speak a little English to make a phone call for me. I’m just not afraid to solve difficult situations if I need to get results.

In addition, in my own travels, I meet travelers from different countries who don’t speak English at all! And yet we still communicate because we have fun together. How does this happen? It’s simple: Google translators, other travelers who can translate, for example, from Italian to English. That is, there are no barriers to communication – all the borders are in our heads.

When is the best time to go on a solo trip

Whenever it’s convenient for you and you feel like it. Don’t look for a great reason or the best time – it doesn’t exist. I generally like to travel alone in the low season – in winter, when there are no crowds of tourists. For me, this is the perfect time to visit a new country and enjoy it without the crowds.

If you planned a trip with someone and your travel companions can’t go. Consider it a chance to travel solo – grab it if you’ve never done it before.

Traveling alone is a great way to get to know yourself and learn that being alone is not boring at all. It’s an occasion to learn to listen and hear the flow of your thoughts, and to ask yourself the most uncomfortable questions to get answers that are important for your life after the trip. In this way, you can learn about your weaknesses and strengths, and realize that there are many others and that you can do anything.

Useful articles and links:

Bus schedule and bus tickets are available at InfoBus.ua
Find train tickets in Europe conveniently on Trainline
Green Card, Car Insurance and Travel Medical Insurance – online on the portal HotlineFinance
Booking of hotels and apartments – Booking.com

Women’s solo travel – my list of countries where and how to travel safely

Why am I traveling alone?