Traveling by yourself is one of the most eye-opening and exhilarating experiences you’ll ever have. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is terrifying at times, invigorating at others, but always worth it. Traveling alone as a woman can definitely be stressful, but with proper care and self-awareness, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t allow yourself the chance to experience a life-changing adventure. 

Accommodation 

• Do you want to stay somewhere long-term or short-term? If you’re looking to travel to multiple locations during a span of three months or less, hostels and AirBnB are the way to go. If you’re interested in a long-term experience in one place, check out sites like AuPairWorld and Workaway—they’re great options to immerse yourself in one place while not paying rent.  
• Read the reviews before you commit to staying anywhere! If you Google or Facebook-stalk them and can’t find proof that they’re a real person, don’t stay there. If they message you and ask to host you outside of AirBnB, don’t stay there. Look for reviews from other female solo travelers. If someone had a bad experience, they’re much more likely to write a review. 

Logistics

• Assume you won’t have Wi-Fi to check an address or get directions. Before you leave, take screenshots of maps around where you’re staying. 
• Google Street View everything you can, like the route from the train station to your hostel. 
• If you’re allergic to something, memorize how to say it (or at least spell it) in the language of the place you’re traveling to. 
• Do a bit of research on public transportation there: is it closed on weekends? What are the hours? How do you pay for it? 
• Find out what time sun sets and rises.
• Memorize the country calling code.
• Most importantly: make a master itinerary with flight/train numbers, estimated time of arrivals, confirmation numbers, directions, addresses of where you’re staying, and contact info for those places. Keep this in a plastic sheet protector in your carry-on in case it gets wet! 

Packing

• Unless you’re going to High Tea, you don’t need heels. Save space for items you’ll use every day. 
• When you finish packing, make sure you can lift everything you’re carrying to at least shoulder-height—you’ll have to put your huge American bag on tiny international storage racks. 
• Assume that things you need will not be convenient to buy. Depending on where you’re going, things like tampons, Benadryl, and sunscreen might not be available all the time. 
• If you’re planning to shop (come on, be honest), make sure to leave room in your suitcase so you don’t have to ship stuff home or pay the excess baggage fee. 
• Never keep all your eggs in one basket—make sure you're strategic about where you keep money and other important items. What happens if all your cash and credit cards are in your wallet and your wallet gets stolen?

While you’re there 

• Know your limits: sleep, alcohol, how much you can carry at one time, etc. You’re on your own, and you’re the only one who knows exactly what you’re capable of. 
• Charge your electronics whenever you get a chance, even if they’re at 80%—you never know when you’ll find your next outlet! (If your device is battery-compromised, you might want to get a portable charger or a battery case before you go.)
• Safety > comfort. If you’re someone who easily falls asleep in the passenger’s seat, drink caffeine or do whatever you have to do to stay awake on public transportation. 
• If you’re lost, be careful who you ask for directions and how you ask for them. Don’t look like a tourist and keep checking your phone or map. It might be worth buying a newspaper to put your map in if you have to keep looking at it. 
• Follow the lead of locals. What are people wearing, how loudly do they speak, what’s considered inappropriate there that people here wouldn’t think twice about here? 
• Pay attention to anti-American sentiment. If you hear or sense that people are antagonistic towards Americans, say you’re Canadian. Everybody likes Canadians. (Totally works if you’re from the West Coast and don’t have an accent.)
• Be open to meeting people and making friends—that’s what you’re there for—but also be wary of anyone who goes out of their way to talk to you specifically because you’re a woman on your own. 
• Part of growing up female means feeling like you’re always supposed to be helpful, friendly, and honest. You are under no obligation to be honest to a stranger who seems like they don’t have your best interests at heart. You do not have to say you’re traveling alone, where you’re staying, or even that you’re lost.  Your safety is your top priority—making strangers happy is not. 

Take in the experience as much as you can. You might never get to do this again, so stay safe, but make sure you’re living every day to the fullest!

Image by Hana Haley