15 Useful Tips for Solo Female Travellers
If you’ve wanted to travel for a while, what’s stopping you? Travelling the world by yourself is one of the best things you’ll ever do and not only will the whole experience make you appreciate the little things (like hot water), you’ll also return home more confident than ever. But before you take the plunge, here’s 15 top tips that every female should know before they travel:
1. Decide Where To Go
Research the countries before you travel for any areas that you should avoid.
2. Research
Read the local customs and etiquette (check out our country pages).
3. Keep in Touch with Your Friends & Family
Let your friends and family know where you’re going to be even if it’s just a sketchy itinerary. Leave a copy of your passport with family and carry another copy with you but keep it separate from your actual passport.
4. Don't Pack too Many Closthes
You only need enough clothes for a week then you can wash them.
Tales of Israel
- Israel
- 1 week - 2 weeks / From: £ 1000
Sailing Greece - Santorini to Athens
- Greece
- 2 weeks - 3 weeks / From: £ 1000
La Tomatina
- Buñol, near Valencia, Spain
- < 1 week - < 1 week / From: € 50
5. Mini toiletries are Great
A small hotel size shampoo will last for about 3 washes.
6. Take vitamins and supplements
Fruit and heathy food may not be easy to come across depending on where you are.
7. Eat Locally
Eat from outside street sellers instead of nice restaurants or cook your own meals in a hostel kitchen and take breakfast bars with you.
8. Don't Overpack
Only take what you really need – if travelling in a hot climate you don’t need a hair dryer.
Great Britain & Ireland
- Multiple Destinations
- 2 weeks - 3 weeks / From: £ 1000
Learn to Dive (Great Barrier Reef) Australia
- Australia
- < 1 week - 1 week / From: £ 500
Galapagos Island Hopper
- Galapagos Islands
- < 1 week - 1 week / From: £ 1250
9. Plan Your Itinerary
Remember to build rest days into your itinerary. You may think you can do three overnight train journeys in a row but your body may think otherwise. You’ll be thankful of a day to recover.
10. Know Where You Are Staying
Ask your accommodation to write the name of where you are staying in the local lingo (or take a card of the hotel), so you can show someone if you get lost.
11. Currency
When changing money, get as small dominations as possible and make sure you have local currency on you incase there are no ATMs around.
12. Don't Pack Anything Expensive
Leave your expensive jewellery and valuables at home so you’re not a target for crime.
Grand Southern (Start Los Angeles)
- United States
- 3 weeks - 4 weeks / From: £ 2500
Volunteer with a Rural Community in South Africa
- Hoedspruit
- 2 weeks - 6 months / From: £ 250
Wildlife Experience in Kruger National Park South Africa - 12+ Projects!
- Greater Kruger National Park
- 2 weeks - 4 weeks / From: £ 1000
13. Go with Your Gut Feeling
Girls have great intuition so listen to your gut feeling and go with it.
14. Accommodation
Somewhere to stay can be one of the biggest costs. Choose the largest dorm for the cheapest price or try Couchsurfing, staying with locals for even cheaper, (check for recommendations from other female travellers).
15. Make use of any skills you have
If you’re a hairdresser offer your services to other travellers or teach English to the locals. Make money as you travel.
So release that fear and just do it! The only regret you’ll ever have is that you didn’t do it sooner.
By Lisa Eldridge
Some of the best ways to meet people when travelling is by taking part in group activities, you might like to view our budget tours, gap year programs or volunteer programs - both offer a great way to explore the world making new friends along the way.
