At a glance
Discover 5 great tips for women who want to set off alone on an adventure, given by Florence, who often travels solo.
Discover Florence Tornincasa's tips below, ***blogger at "Reporter on the road".
***Florence is passionate about travel, writing and photography. On her blog, she shares her travel stories and encounters from all over the world. She also hopes to inspire and help other women travel solo, by sharing her tips and personal accounts.
I love to travel, and I also travel alone quite regularly. I'm not the only one, yet I always get asked the same question: "Aren't you scared of going alone?"
It's true, travelling alone as a woman can sometimes be scary. But it would be far too much of a shame to let doubts stop us from taking the leap.
To help you prepare for your trip or overcome your fears, here are five tips to help you travel alone safely…
5 tips for solo female travellers
1. Do your research on your destination
This tip applies to any type of trip. It's important to research your destination and the various places you want to visit. Before you leave, look into the geopolitical situation or the status of women at your destination.
Also look into the cultural and religious customs and traditions of the countries you're going to visit by checking travel guides (such as the Rough Guide) or travel websites. This will help you know how to dress in certain countries, or whether it's appropriate to cover certain parts of your body (such as your hair, for example). This way, you'll show local people that you respect their culture and traditions.
To help you, you can check a few websites: the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (here), which always gives very valuable information on the current situation in a country, or visit travel blogs where travellers share their experiences (for example, this article, which gives you 20 tips for planning your solo trip to India). Sign up on Travellers Online.
Ask yourself a few questions: What neighbourhoods or areas should I avoid during my trip? What do the accounts of women who went before me say? This way, you can plan your itinerary in advance and get a clearer idea of the places you want to visit, without taking any risks.
2. Choose your accommodation carefully
When setting off on a trip, often for many months, we tend to want to find the cheapest accommodation possible. However, when travelling alone, above all look for safety. Choose your accommodation based on reviews left by other travellers, preferably solo women.
Is the hostel, hotel or campsite welcoming to women and solo travellers? Is it easily accessible? Is it located in an area where you feel comfortable?
Your accommodation can also be a chance to meet other travellers. To travel part of the way together, it's worth choosing carefully.
3. Think about public transport
Train, bus, plane, taxi, bike, tuk-tuk — there are as many modes of transport as there are destinations. When getting around on your trip, make sure to use reliable means of transport. Don't hesitate to research in advance or ask your hotel or hostel for advice; they can always help. In several countries, for example, there are special taxis for women. This is the case in India, where these taxis are driven by women and reserved exclusively for female passengers.
If you're planning to travel at night or take sleeper buses or trains, try to find travel companions to make the journey with you. There are surely other travellers (solo or not) at your hostel who plan to travel at the same time as you, so always ask!
Also don't hesitate to buy your train tickets online or through a travel agency to avoid scams. Keep in mind that travelling alone can make you an easy target, but by being prepared, you avoid danger.
4. Note down emergency numbers and useful apps
Before you leave, don't hesitate to save the emergency numbers (police, hospital, embassy) in your phone. You'll hopefully never need them, but it only takes one time. These numbers are often found in travel guides.
Also remember to note down the numbers of official taxis at your destination. This will help you avoid taking a "fake" taxi or travelling with strangers on arrival.
Find out in advance whether there are official apps you can download before you leave and easily use once you're travelling.
That said, be careful, as your mobile phone is likely not to work outside Europe. So plan to buy a SIM card in your destination country. This will let you stay in touch with your loved ones (letting them know you're safe regularly is important) and be able to call or browse the internet with no trouble as soon as you arrive.
5. Trust yourself!
This is probably the most important tip when travelling alone: trust yourself!
You can be proud of yourself for setting off on a solo trip; and if you also show that you're confident, it'll be much easier for you to connect with locals and other travellers. Be confident and positive, and you'll be able to fully enjoy your trip without feeling scared or unsafe.
Don't forget to also trust your instincts: if a situation bothers you or makes you uncomfortable, leave! If a man is being too pushy, tell him you're not alone. If you don't trust someone, don't tell them you're alone, and don't hesitate to head back to your hotel or call someone.
You're going to have very different experiences in each country. These few tips aren't an exhaustive list. In any case, make the most of your adventure!
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Discover Florence's website "Reporter On The Road", here
