Advice From 5 Solo Female Travelers Around the World
I met a handful of other solo females in the past year of traveling and wanted to share some of their experiences of traveling alone. Here are challenges and solo travel tips from some of the lovely women I met on my journey!
Karla Mikulic | Holland & Croatia | @karolinchek
Most Challenging Aspect of Solo Travel:
Planning your trip and doing it. During the planning of my first solo travel, I postponed buying my plane tickets as I was really anxious about traveling so far and alone, but it was definitely worth it.
Travel Tips:
Solo trips require some planning especially if you are going to places that people assume are unsafe. Do enough research or call locals you know living there if any. If you overcome the nervousness, it will be worth your while!
Favorite Place to Travel Alone:
Any place that is hot and warm with a lot of nice beaches! I would definitely recommend Croatia or South Africa.
Kelsey Jane Brown | Kansas City, MO | @kjbayyy
Most Challenging Aspect of Solo Travel:
First, being away from my dog and family. Second, carrying all of my bags to the restroom on layovers.
Travel Tips:
1) Always carry a deck of cards. 2) Consider living abroad. A good portion of my solo “traveling” has actually been living overseas (7 months in Madrid, 3 months in Chile, 5 months and counting in Wellington, etc.). When you spend a decent amount of time in a place, you form a routine and learn to take your time. Go with the flow. 3) If you have the chance to swim in a new location, do it. And get your hair wet.
Favorite Places to Travel Solo:
Senegal, (I wasn’t solo, I was visiting a friend in the Peace Corps) but it remains at the top of my list. Second favorite location goes to South Korea.
Julie de la Rocq | Montréal, Canada | @juliedlrocq
Most Challenging Aspect of Solo Travel:
The most challenging aspect of solo travel was not when I was traveling, but when I was deciding whether or not to go. It took more courage to buy my plane ticket-for-one than the travel itself.
Travel Tips:
Just try traveling alone! If you're a grown up, you can be on your own in any city.
Favorite Places to Travel Solo:
My first and only (real) time was in Italy and it was perfect! I met Steph there 🙂
Emma Donaldson | Sydney, Australia
Most Challenging Aspect of Solo Travel:
Saying goodbye to the people who so quickly become your ‘travel family.' It still amazes me just how quickly you can click with someone on the road while traveling, whether it be hanging out with them for a few days, a few weeks, or for a few months! It’s like a sped-up mourning process of a relationship you've just built with a stranger, sharing so many unique experiences with and knowing fairly well you may not be able to cross paths with them again in the big wide world! Goodbyes are never easy, and they most certainly don’t get easier the longer you travel.
Travel Tips:
I have traveled as a couple, with a best friend, in a small group, in a large group, yet my single most favorite way to travel is on my own. One of my favorite things about solo travel is meeting so many people. Purely by being alone, you are more inclined to smile at that stranger, say hello to that person on their own at the hostel or take the local's advice on the best watering hole! I still get those slight butterflies every time I leave my current ‘travel family’ and am back on my own to my new and next destination, but as soon as I reach that place I walk straight into a smile of another new stranger with exciting adventures just ahead!
Favorite Places to Travel Solo:
Colombia: inexpensive, diverse scenery and welcoming people.
Ruby Bains | Vancouver, Canada | @anritoit
Most Challenging Aspect of Solo Travel:
Safety isn’t guaranteed no matter where you are, but you can’t always wait for everything to be “safe.” When you are thrown curve balls left, right and center, being on your own in a different country forces you to buck up and deal. You will (or should) comprehend that this is life, no matter where you are. There will be good times and bad times; your perspective towards any situation is what results in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Travel Tips:
You can travel with very little money. If you run out, work in the country you’re in i.e. the hostel you are staying at. 2) Travel lighter. 3) Try Couchsurfing. Meeting and staying with like-minded people feeds my soul! 4) Know that when you stay in hostels, you get what you pay for. Know that you're sharing the space with potentially 18 other people, so bring earplugs. 5) Be okay with being by yourself. It allows you to understand what you’re fully capable of.
Favorite Place to Travel Alone:
South America. The entire continent was a pleasure to witness—beautiful land, amazing people, and great food. Travel via plane, bus or train presented none other than the expected issues such as delays and technical problems, but if I was upset in the moment, I would always come to realize it is what it is.
Want more travel advice and tips? Connect with me!
Till next time,
- Steph
