12 Tips for Traveling Solo – Advice from our Favourite Female Travel Bloggers

Taking on Public Transport

Abbie from Speck on the Globe

Planning transportation has a tendency to become a major part of my trip preparation. I want it to be easy, wallet friendly and eco-conscious. I always pack knowing that anything I bring I have to carry or push around myself. If you’re like me, after awhile you’ll have fantasies of throwing a heavy bag off the side of the ferry, so pack smart!

I love taking public transport, it is a great way to get to know the city, it’s budget friendly and bonus, you’ll feel more like a local. Several big cities have free apps that give you maps of their metro lines and transit schedules that you can also use offline. It saves time and you avoid sticking out as a target for pickpockets in the subway while you stand squinting in front of the map next tothe ticket machine. As women I know we hear this ad nauseam but always mind your bag!

Being more responsible about my travel choices and cutting down my carbon footprint has been increasingly more important for me. Using more sustainable public transportation options and avoiding flights if possible has become a big priority for me, especially as a solo traveler.

The Truth about Tampons

Randi from Just a Pack

Randi thought he wanted her money – turns out his girlfriend wanted her tampons!!!

I didn’t realize just how big of a packing mistake I had made until I found myself in a small town in El Salvador going from tiny shop to tiny shop asking for tampons. The looks of embarrassment and slight judgement on the faces of the female shop owners made me realize that I had fucked up. There was not a single damn tampon in the entire town. Apparently making your period a million times easier to deal with was not the norm here. Was I going to have to wear a pad for the first time in…15 years? The absolute horror of the idea was made even worse by the fact that I was in a little beach town, and planned on wearing my bikini as often as I could.

After traveling all over Central America, South America, Asia, and Europe I can say that I learned at least one thing. A very important lesson and a humbling one in some regards. I am VERY lucky to have grown up with easy access to tampons. Most women in the world don’t have that luxury and in some countries tampons are taboo.

So, a bit of advice – pack plenty and buy them in bulk when you find them. Also, you’ll save a lot of space in your backpack if you use the ones without an applicator. If you want to save even more space, help the environment, and spend your money on booze rather than tampons you might want to consider a reusable menstrual cup.

Here’s a webpage that alleviates some of the mystery about whether or not finding tampons are on the same level as running into a unicorn.
http://lipglossandabackpack.com/feminine-hygiene-around-the-world/.

Carry a pack of cards with you – seriously!

Freya from Those Who Wander

For those who find it had to instigate conversation, always have a pack of cards either in front of you, next to you, or on you. I met a woman who would sit at the bar every night with a deck of cards sitting beside her,  it will without fail attract someone to come a chat with you, show them a card trick or play a game, even at a bar – I’ve ended up meeting some of the best people this way – at a bar, hostel and airport.

Try traveling close to home first

Aleah from Solitary Wanderer

If you’ve always wanted to travel solo but haven’t tried it out yet, start small when you do. Take baby steps; travel on your own to the next city or the next state. See if you like it, and what could have improved the experience more. Gradually go farther and farther from home, and longer. That way, you’ll break into the solo travel lifestyle gradually and fully prepared.

Never arrive anywhere late at night

Anita – Live Your Truth

Arriving somewhere late at night could be a dangerous mistake. If you have not pre-booked accommodation, then you do not want to be wandering around late at night looking for a place to stay. You might be lucky and stumble across this beautiful place below, but you might also encounter unwanted danger.

BONUS TIP:

Ease yourself into solo travel by booking a few group tours as well.

Megsy – Backpacking4Beginners

It’s all grand and exciting to head off into the wilderness by yourself. But sometimes baby steps are the key. My first trip abroad I booked a group tour – but I allowed myself a few days solo travel either side of the tour. That way I could wander off and explore by myself, but also have the comfort of knowing I would have a guide for part of the trip to help me out with local knowledge, customs etc.

Enjoy the best of both worlds! Have your independence – but also enjoy a group experience and make new traveling buddies.

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