4 Essentials as a Female Solo Traveller

I love solo travel. You are in control of all aspects of your adventure and don't need to wait on anyone to do anything. It's great! But as a female, unfortunately the reality is, we need to take a few extra precautions to ensure our safety when travelling solo or when travelling in an all female group. In today's post, I'll be covering my top five tips to help you get more comfortable with the fact that females can indeed travel solo safely and prepare for your first (or next) solo trip!

1. PRE-BOOK AIRPORT PICK-UP

Airports are always hectic and it's never a good feeling to start off a solo trip not knowing how you'll get to your accommodation, especially when language is a barrier. Always research ahead of time what reliable and trustworthy modes of transportation are. When I travel solo, I typically stay at hostels and they usually have very reasonable pricing for airport pick-ups. This just gives me peace of mind knowing that I can at least get settled to my hostel in one piece safely, and then work out a game plan from there. Alternatively, check for Groupon-like sites that could offer proper airport transfers at a fair price. For travels in Asia, I used Klook a lot for arranging transportation like airport transfers and vehicle hires.

Personally, I stay away from taxis - I don't like the feeling that I can't track myself on a map to know we're heading in the right direction and not knowing what the final price will be. If arranging an airport transfer in advance is too expensive or not an option, I typically research my options for public transit or ride share options like Uber (keeping in mind that I'll need to find wifi).

2. TELL PEOPLE WHERE YOU ARE GOING

No matter if you're going for a three-week backpacking trip through Southeast Asia or just going out for the night alone, tell someone where you are going and check-in with them. This can be as easy as blasting on social media that you're in country XYZ and leave an electronic footprint, or messaging friends and family letting them know you're going to a specific location. Checking in frequently will not only give you peace of mind (consciously or subconsciously) but it also provides a safety net in case something does happen and your last steps need to be tracked.

3. BE PREPARED TO REACT AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE

Walking the streets alone at night can be quite nerve-wracking in your hometown, let alone a city you're new to. If you can, try walking walking in an area well-lit and with people on the street. No matter what, always be prepared to react at a moment's notice if you need to defend yourself. I like to carry my glass water bottle full and carry that with me (it's a pretty heavy makeshift bat if I ever have to use it). I've also held one of my sharper keys in one hand.

Always be aware of your surroundings. Remember your pedestrian safety basics - don't walk with your headphones in, take a look around frequently, don't flash valuables. If you think you're being followed by foot, walk in a well-lit area with lots of people. Slow down your pace and let your follower pass you. If you notice them slowing down their pace as well, pop into a store and wait it out or tell someone. If you're being followed by a car, turn around and walk the other direction (it'll take the car a while to do a three-point turn). Hopefully you never have to use these tactics, but it's always best to be prepared.

4. RESEARCH

Every country has its customs and unique 'dangers' to be aware of. The best thing you can do for yourself is research! I always like to do a quick search of the country's customs, common crimes, and how to stay safe as a solo traveller (even better if I can find a female's perspective). If you're strapped on time, take some time to talk to the locals when you first arrive and get their perspective on how to stay safe as a solo female traveller. Aside from my tips shared in this post, there are so many resources and tips for solo female travelling online. Read a few articles and jot down a list! Also talk to your network of friends and family to see if they have any advice that helped them through their trip.

As you do more research, you'll come to find that there is a growing community empowering females to take on solo travel. Travelling solo may seem daunting and scary, but it truly is not. There is so much in world to see and the experiences you go through solo are unforgettable. Leave a comment if you have any tips on travelling solo as a female!

Safe travel, ladies. You can do it!