As a solo female traveler, traveling solo can be nerve-wracking, especially for those who haven’t traveled solo before. If you’re planning to head out to your next destinations as a solo female traveler, whether that be by choice or because friends canceled at the last minute, you're bound to have some questions. Don’t stress! Traveling solo is a great way to explore new places. Below are some common questions and answers to help you out on your next solo trip.

10 Common Questions For Solo female Travel

1. What are the ways a woman traveler can connect with others on the road?

If you’re heading out for your solo trip, you might be worried about meeting other people along the way. Sure, traveling alone can be fun and exciting, but sometimes a human connection is needed. So how do you connect with others on the road? First, let us say no matter the situation you find yourself in always trust your instincts.

Strike up conversations with people at local bars and cafes. It may seem intimidating at first, but you’ll find most people are friendly regardless of the location.
Try booking your accommodations via the Couchsurfing app. This app allows you to find a couch to stay on in someone's home or apartment. You can, of course, see reviews before you book your stay. The home/apartment owners are usually around, so you can spend time getting to know them and have someone to spend some of your time with.

2. What are tips for keeping costs down?

Traveling can often get pricey, especially if you’re heading somewhere internationally. Here are the best solo travel tips to keep the cost down.

Look for free activities. Include as many free activities as possible. This could include hiking, walking through the park, exploring the area on foot. There are many options for free activities that will keep you entertained and keep your bank account happy.
Book an alternative accommodation. Hotels can get pricey—check out hostels or Airbnbs as a way to save money on your trip. You’ll find these options to be more budget-friendly.

3. How can I eat alone if I hate it?

Eating alone can seem like a daunting task. You can imagine yourself hiking alone or exploring alone, but eating at a restaurant alone can feel like it’s a whole different level of intimidating. Here are a few tips to help you through this activity.

Bring a book. This might seem like an odd note; however, if you find yourself bored or nervous, you can escape for a few minutes into the book. By the time you get a few chapters in, you’ll have your food in hand and be enjoying it.
Facetime a friend. If you are really stressed about this situation, bring your phone and prop it up on the table. You can Facetime or Skype a friend during your meal. You’ll feel like someone is with you and not like you’re eating alone.

4. I’m concerned about safety. Is there anything I can do?

Being concerned about safety while solo traveling (especially as a female) is a valid concern, and there are multiple ways to protect yourself while traveling. Below are some ways you can prepare yourself, so you feel more in control.

Plan, plan, plan. Make sure you plan out your activities and accommodations ahead of time. This will allow you to check ratings and feedback on hotels and activities before heading there. You’ll be able to see if spots are in a safe part of town.
Tell your loved ones where you’ll be. Make sure your friends and family know where you will be during the trip. You can give them a copy of your itinerary.
Explore during the day. Most often, exploring during the day is safest. It is never recommended to go out alone solo during the night regardless of the destination. Make a local buddy and have them tag along if you must head out at night.

5. How can I get some decent vacation shots – with me in them – if traveling solo?

Getting decent vacation pictures of yourself while traveling alone can be frustrating. You can, of course, take selfies. Though who wants to take selfies for the whole trip? Try some of the below options for better pictures.

Invest in a tripod. (Check out our two favorites here and here )This will immensely improve your photos. You’ll make sure the pictures aren’t shaky or taken at an angle.
Get a remote for photos. Some tripods come with a remote – this is highly recommended. You’ll be able to snap pictures at the exact moment you want without having to run back and forth on a timer. (Check out our two favorites bundle here and here )

6. What to do if I feel unsafe when I get there?

If you feel unsafe when you arrive, there are a few options you can take. It’s never a good feeling, especially if you’re traveling solo to your destination. Look through the below to help prepare yourself.

Trust your gut. If you feel unsafe when you arrive – trust your instincts. This is a big one. If that means you need to swap to a different hotel or accommodation, do so. Your safety is important.
Reach out to family and friends. If you’re feeling unsafe, call your family and friends right away. Even if it’s just jitters, let them know where you are and if you’re changing your plans (like shifting to a new hotel).

7. How can I find other solo female travellers?

If you’re looking to meet other solo female travelers, there are a few options for you. Don’t believe me? Check below.

Join Facebook Groups. There are many Facebook groups now that cater to females only. This is an excellent way to meet other ladies who are traveling. Join ahead of time to start building your connections.
Use travel apps. In this day and age, there are multiple travel apps to meet people. Most will let you filter by who you’re looking to meet, aka you can search for other solo female travelers. You can try the app Meetup, which also hosts events. Of course, make sure to meet in a public space for the first meetup.

8. Why should I travel solo?

When most people think about traveling, they immediately picture themselves traveling with friends or family. This is a great idea. Though, there are benefits to traveling solo. Here are some of the top reasons you should give it a try.

Choice of activities. Traveling alone offers you the chance to choose all of the activities. You get to do the things you want to all of the time—no more sitting through events aren't enjoyable for you.
Stepping out of your comfort zone. The best reason for solo travel is that you get to step out of your comfort zone. It pushes you to try new things and meet new people – things you might not have done if you were in the comfort of your friends and family on the trip.

9. Should I take a group tour as a solo traveler?

This is an excellent question and one that can be answered with a resounding yes! Why not? Here are a few reasons you should take a group tour as a solo traveler.

Meet other travelers. This is a fantastic way to meet people– both solo travelers and those in a group.
Explore in a structured way. If you’re nervous about exploring on your own, this offers the chance to explore in a more structured way. Plus, you can ask your guide any questions that might pop up.

10. How much of the solo trip should be planned?

The answer to this will vary depending on who you ask. In order to be traveling as safely as possible, most, if not all, of the trip should be planned out. Below you’ll find a few notes on planning out your trip.

Plan most of the trip ahead of time. Planning allows you to budget better and lets you to give your friends and family an itinerary ahead of time. You can feel more confident traveling as your loved ones will know where you are.
Allow for some flexibility. Of course, if your plans change, don’t fret. There may be a day where your tour gets rained out or an event gets canceled. Sometimes, going with the flow works as well. Plus, new friends you meet along the way may want to take you to a cool new café or activity. Allowing for flexibility during travel is a great way to try things you otherwise might not try.

Solo travel can be scary and intimidating but also exciting and refreshing. With the above questions answered, you should be able to travel by yourself with confidence. Plan out your next solo travel trip using the above advice, and it will be your best trip yet!

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