Tips on Solo Traveling for Women

2/19/2017

Tips on Solo Traveling for Women

It takes a lot to travel solo. Lot more than what you see in the glamorous selfies. It is even more difficult for women to travel solo. Lot of women are ambitious, but still hesitant to travel solo. Though I'm a solo traveler, I understand it is not everybody's cup of tea or choice to travel solo. I respect personal travel styles and choices. Thanks to all my friends and readers who can appreciate the courage and efforts I put in for my adventures and solo travels.
On request from lot of readers, I'm sharing tips on Solo Traveling for Women. This is not any bible, I'm only sharing what I've learnt through my experiences.

1. Keep friends / family informed about your trip and locations

Always keep 2-3 friends and/or family members informed about your travel plans and locations.
Friends can be a moral support in case of misadventures. You still need to be alert at all the times and choose the destinations carefully.

RavenousLegs - Solo travel tips

RavenousLegs - Solo travel tips

2. Interact with people to understand them before you fix them up for your travel logistics

Being a backpacker, I never book anything in advance except my flights. This might not suit everybody’s travel style. But if you are backpacking, just like me, have short and formal conversations with the property owners or care takers, guides, cab drivers whom you want to fix up for your travel logistics. Observe their body language and try to understand their intentions. If you feel something is wrong, trust your intuition and move on.
I remember an instance when i chose a taxi driver to show me around few places in Ladakh. We got so comfortable with each other on the trip, that he even invited me for lunch at his place on our way back. His wife had kept simple Ladakhi meal ready for us. She joined us for the rest of the trip and carefully dropped me back home.

RavenousLegs - Solo travel tips

RavenousLegs - Solo travel tips

3. Learn about safety measures from the locals

Each place would require different kind of attention for safety measures. I always prefer interacting with decent locals (males and females both) to give me tips on the local culture and traditions.

RavenousLegs - Solo travel tips

RavenousLegs - Solo travel tips

4. Choose your invites very carefully

Never sound easy to people. Your attitude translates into the respect you command. There would be lot of people inviting you to different functions, festivals, parties, gatherings, events at new places. While you might be tempted to accept the invite and experience something new, just be very careful when you choose to say yes to those invites.

RavenousLegs - Solo travel tips

RavenousLegs - Solo travel tips

5. Carry a torch and pre-downloaded google maps

I never carry pepper sprays or knives or sticks during my travels. All I need is a torch and google maps to find my way back home. My brain is alert all the time! In foreign land, it is difficult to get help for directions from people on the road due to language barrier.
Having said that, you might want to be equipped with whatever suits you, including the pepper spray. Whatever it takes!

RavenousLegs - Solo travel tips

RavenousLegs - Solo travel tips

6. Walk around the streets to feel the vibe

If you are a backpacker, just like me, and avoid booking accommodation in advance, I would advise you to keep updated about few areas frequented by travellers. Try reaching to any new destination in the day and walk around the shortlisted areas to get a vibe about the place. Follow your instincts and choose the right accommodation for you.
For travellers who prefer booking in advance, I am not the right person to advise on how to choose an accommodation online. Online reviews can give few insights about the place.
In any case, try and walk around the streets of any new destination, to feel the vibe of the place.

RavenousLegs - Solo travel tips

RavenousLegs - Solo travel tips

7. Enjoy your own company

Learn to enjoy your own company to keep away from the possibility of getting involved into unwanted company of strangers. Engage yourself in meaningful activities like photography, adventures, reading, interaction with interesting people in public places or just silent commune with the nature. Making new friends is always a pleasure, specially on travels, but a "forced" company is a "no-no".

RavenousLegs - Solo travel tips

RavenousLegs - Solo travel tips

Also Read: 5 Tips for Creating Engaging Solo Travel Videos for YouTube.
Suggestions to add to this post are welcome in the comments!

Related Posts:

What it takes to Travel Solo : Motivation and Insights

Debra Schroeder link

3/25/2017 06:01:58

These are good tips. It’s so important to keep everyone informed about where you’ll be and when you’ll be there. Spot on with trust your intuition. That’ll get you out of more jams and keep you safe.Sounds like you found a great family to stay with in Tirthan Valley. In terms of suggestions, I always take a photo of the cabbie’s license and text the info to a friend just in case. ;)

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Anita link

3/25/2017 07:33:18

I am totally in awe of you, I think backpackers are a breed in themselves. I don't think I could ever do that, I am too scared. But I agree with all of your common sense travel tips. I travel solo all the time and I rarely drink (to get drunk) or use any substances, etc.

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Samantha Sparrow link

3/25/2017 11:05:18

I've not yet travelled solo, but I hope to do so this year. Your tips are so helpful, all of them very relevant to me, and especially choosing your invites very carefully and making sure you are safe with the people you choose to reach out to!

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Rhiannon link

3/25/2017 21:40:04

I've been travelling solo myself on and off for the last almost 6 years now and don't think I could have compiled a better list myself :) Number 1 is a bit funny - I always used to tell people when I was getting on buses, expected arrival times etc but once I forgot to tell my friend how South American buses can be kind of unreliable. Anyway, it ended up being 6 hours late arriving and by this point he'd almost called the British embassy!
Also, completely unrelated but I saw a few pictures of the Tirthan Valley when I was in India last year and ever since have wanted to visit so I'm so super jealous of you!

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Vrithi Pushkar link

3/25/2017 22:03:09

Great tips and advice. I have never traveled solo and I am not sure if I can anymore, having a family and kids. But maybe someday i will give it a shot.

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Swati & Sam link

3/26/2017 02:03:58

Some very handy tips. We could not agree more with this. We always ensure that we have an offline copy of Google maps. The best way to see a new place is to walk around the town and talk to the locals. Thanks for the share.

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Riely

3/26/2017 03:33:49

I like your tip about informing close family and friends of your whereabouts. It's hard to know who to trust anywhere around the world and whose intentions are in the right place. Even as a women in your own country, you always have to have your sense about you and be aware that not everyone is looking out for you as an individual. Thanks for sharing your well curated tips as a solo traveller.

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Gina link

3/26/2017 16:51:57

Definitely keeping close friends and family in the know is great because if something happens, someone has tabs on you. Locals are a great resource for safety tips because they would know which parts are dangerous and what you should wear. Like you, I also enjoy my own company and that's what I look forward to while traveling.

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Janine Good link

3/27/2017 05:06:10

These are really great tips! I travelled solo in 2013 and did keep my wits in all the countries I visited. I agree with not getting drunk or high in an unfamiliar place. You are just asking for trouble.

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VIDYUT MAURYA link

6/5/2017 00:30:38

nice to read your post. I have also fond of travel. see my blog www.daanapaani.blogspot.in
regards

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Garima

8/15/2018 23:28:15

M visiting tirthan valley. Can you please share your hosts number. It will be really helpful in terms that u have already stayed with them .

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Morgan Teresa link

11/26/2018 19:39:04

Few women's are solo traveling but solo traveling is not easy for women. Before the traveling is preparation perfect planning is important. Select the right destination and collect the destination info. You share the tips are very helpful. Thanks!

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Author

Namaste! I'm Medhavi Davda.
I travel to Evolve..
In Nature, I confide..
I find my calling in the Himalayas..
In the Oceans, I meditate..

A High-Altitude Trekker & PADI certified SCUBA Diver, I love exploring the heights and depths of the planet with my regular doses of mountains and oceans.

Discovering myself & life through nature, adventures, travels, sports and dance has been an addiction since my existence!

Quite fond of the natural & cultural diversity of India, I've travelled extensively in my own country before exploring international destinations.

I had left my 9+ yrs of career in Software Industry in a quest to make a living out of my passions. I packed my basics in my car (gave away the rest) and lived in different parts of Himachal Pradesh for 16 months. This invaluable time taught me to experience life from a broader perspective.

I'm currently living in Mumbai to work with an Adventure Travel company as a product manager for Scuba Diving. I continue living a minimalistic life.

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