Last Updated: 10/12/20 | 12. oktober 2020

Kristin Addis from Be My travel Muse writes a guest column featuring suggestions and guidance on solo female travel. It’s an essential topic I can’t adequately cover, so I brought in an expert to share her guidance for other solo female travelers!

There are a lot of unknowns before you travel solo for the first time, like whether it’s going to be safe, how to find others to hang with, and how to choose where to go.

While solo traveling is an incredible chance to be the architect of your own adventure, to see the world on your terms, and to get to know yourself, it can be scary, exhilarating, and bemusing all at the same time.

As someone who has been traveling and blogging about it for the last eight years, I’ve seen all sorts of questions from first-time travelers. numerous of them are the same questions I had when I first started.

Today, I’m going to answer the 10 many common questions female travelers have so as to help minimize your anxiety and inspire you to get on the road quicker!

Solo female travel question #1: What is the one thing you know now that you wish you knew before you started?
I wish I knew back then that I didn’t have to tension so much about meeting people.

It’s normal to be scared of being alone, but the reality is that when traveling, it’s possible to meet much more incredible people than you could’ve ever imagined. Travelers are extremely friendly people.

Even if you’re socially awkward, it’ll work out.

There are so numerous other solo travelers out there that you tend to find each other. It’s as easy as sitting in the common room of a guesthouse and asking the person to your best where they’re from or joining activities that allow socializing, like a walking tour.

As much more and much more women travel solo, it is now simpler than ever to meet girls who are just like you: fearless, adventurous, and also on their own.

One thing I really appreciate about traveling is how much less shy it has made me. I used to find it hard to speak with people I didn’t know, and now I’m a lot much more confident. That has been a substantial benefit of solo traveling.

Solo female travel question #2: have you ever canceled a trip because you felt a place had become too dangerous?
The best thing to do is to make the choice on depending on the severity of the situation. It’s hard when all you see in the media are images of destruction, but remember, this is how they sell their stories.

If you feel like it would be dumb to put yourself in harm’s way, then don’t go. but if it seems like an isolated incident, ask yourself if one bad story ought to scare you off.

There are numerous places that are ideal for solo female travelers that are safer than the media makes them out to be.

Solo female travel question #3: What are some of your techniques for deflecting unwanted attention as a female on the road alone?
The many effective technique for deflecting unwanted attention abroad is to learn about the modesty requirements and the implying of gestures before you check out that country.

In Nepal, Indonesia, and Malaysia, for example, it is essential for women to wear things that cover their knees and shoulders.

That’s true in numerous countries and covering up is typically a sign of showing respect.

It’s also essential to avoid getting too intoxicated or going out alone after dark in certain areas — which goes for both sexes — and always remain respectful but demand respect as well.

Solo female travel question #4: As someone who is planning her first solo long-term travels, what is the most essential bit of guidance you could give?
Be as prepared as possible. That doesn’t imply planning out every little thing that happens during your trip, but rather being financially secure, having things like travel insurance, visas, and a technique for earning on the road all in mind before going, and reading up on customs and scams first.

It’s all about doing everything you can to tie up loose ends at home before you go, so that you can be present when you are on your trip.

Solo female travel question #5: Do you know of any networks where women can find female traveling buddies?
You might be amazed by what already exists in your personal network. put up a Facebook post to see if your pals know anybody in new places you’re traveling to. even if your pals aren’t the type to travel, you might be amazed by who knows whom and where.

Specifically for women, there are now amazing online forums specifically created for solo female travelers, such as: BMTM Solo female Traveler Connect. It’s where women can share their travel plans, ask questions, and connect with each other in their travels. It’s comforting to have a sense of belonging and meet like-minded women that you can deeply connect with, especially if you are new to solo female travel!

You can also join regional Facebook groups like Chiang Mai digital Nomads and Backpacking Africa where the locals and expat communities can offer much more (and typically better) recommendations in the area.

There are new apps as well, like Tourlina, that are developed to connect solo female travelers, but I have not personally tried it, so I cannot comment on how good it is (or isn’t).

Solo female travel question #6: how do you deal with loneliness?
Loneliness gets to me about as typically as it used to get to me before I started traveling.

I think it comes down to remembering that life is still life and there are up days and there are down days. It can’t all just be ideal all the time, and traveling won’t change the nature of being alive. It’s a terrific chance to get to love the time spent with yourself, and that’s a benefit of solo traveling at times.

Solo female travel question #7: have you found it challenging to speak with locals?
Talking to locals is one of the safest things you can do because they are the ones that know about the area and can tell you where to check out and what to stay away from. Bonus: I practically always get really good info about where to eat or where to go next when talking to a local person. Det er det bedste!

Couchsurfing, talking to the owners of your guesthouse, or hanging out in the places were locals hang out and eat — and especially showing an interest in their culture — are all terrific ways to meet and chat with local people.

Solo female travel question #8: Do you notice female inequality when you travel solo? Do you get the same treatment and opportunities as male travelers?
There is certainly inequality in the world for females, but the good news is that we are also living in one of the most progressive times to date, so I think it’s an exciting and essential time to travel.

There’s also a lot of benefit to being a solo female traveler. The locals tend to really look after us solo travelers and typically take us under their wing.

A lot of incredible things can happen when you’re solo because you’re totally free to be completely open to serendipity.

And while I’m sure this happens for men as well, I can say with certainty that traveling solo as a female opens up doors that wouldn’t open when with a group or in a duo. So numerous times there will be room for just one on a motorbike, or a plus one at an event, and you never know what exciting things that might lead to.

Solo female travel question #9: Is there a particular age (or age group) that you would recommend for traveling solo?
Slet ikke! people of all ages and of all walks of life travel, and there is no magic number for when you ought to travel solo. You ought to just do it when you have the opportunity and the desire to.

If you are an open, curious, and friendly person, your age doesn’t matter.

Solo female travel question #10: Do you ever think to yourself, “Shit, what am I doing? Shouldn’t I be back home now and own an house or house or something?”
Every now and then I have a little existential crisis, but I completely had that back when I did have an house and a 9-5 job. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that I’m always going to pause and question things every now and then. possibly that’s just part of being human.

I think the way it’s typically done best now is backward. staying in one place when I’m young and fit and then traveling the world after I retire and can’t do as numerous crazy things just looks like the reverse of what it ought to be. I’m just pleased I found a way to get around that.

So no, I don’t tension about not having a settled life, because I just wanted to have freedom and to be able to choose whatever is suitable when it’s the best time.

***
What will your experiences be when you decide to travel on your own? You might say the same thing as I do, or you might have a different opinion entirely, but you practically certainly will not know until you go.

But I put my money on this: before long, you’ll find that the same things are true about solo travel: that it isn’t too lonely, and it won’t seem so daunting and scary as it all did at the beginning. It’s all about just taking that first step and embracing the adventure.

Kristin Addis is a solo female travel expert who inspires women to travel the world in an authentic and adventurous way. A former investment banker, Kristin has solo traveled the world for over eight years. You can find much more of her musings at Be My travel Muse or on Instagram and Facebook.

Book Your Trip: Logistical suggestions and Tricks
Book din flyvning
Find a low-cost flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches sites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book din indkvartering
Du kan booke dit hostel med HostelWorld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the most affordable rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t forget travel Insurance
Travel insurance will safeguard you against ilLess, skade, tyveri og aflysninger. Det er omfattende beskyttelse, hvis noget går galt. Jeg tager aldrig på en tur uden den, da jeg har været nødt til at bruge den adskillige gange i fortiden. Mine yndlingsfirmaer, der tilbyder den bedste service og værdi, er:

Safetywing (bedst for alle)

Forsikre min rejse (for dem over 70)

Medjet (for yderligere evakueringsdækning)

Klar til at booke din rejse?
Tjek min ressourceside for de bedste virksomheder, der skal bruges, når du rejser. Jeg viser alle dem, jeg bruger, når jeg rejser. De er de bedste i klassen, og du kan ikke gå galt ved at bruge dem på din rejse.