Table For One, Please: A Guide to Solo Female Travel
The first time I travelled solo was at the tender age of 10. My mom put me on a train from my hometown in Germany to Munich to visit my aunt. I still remember the excitement (mixed with a tiny bit of anxiety) when we reached the train station. I felt all grown up and independent, only half listening to my mother’s instructions about not accepting anything from strangers and listening for the terminal station announcement “München Hauptbahnhof!”. I got on the train in my “Sunday best”, waved to my mom as it pulled out of the station, and was then immediately overcome by this immense sense of wanderlust. I relished how independent and empowered I felt at that young age and it never went away.
Decades later, I’ve been on countless solo trips since, much to my mother’s chagrin. I’ve found that this independence tends to surprise others. Comments like “Wow, you’re so brave”, “Don’t you feel unsafe?”, or “Isn’t it lonely?” are often the standard response. There are so many benefits to travelling on your own, least of which being the absence of coordinating destination and time with others. If you already solo-travel, you know what I mean. If you haven’t but want to, or don’t understand the appeal of it, read on. You just may discover solo travel for yourself.
WHY TRAVEL SOLO
In my experience, here are the top 5 reasons to travel solo:
Because the world tells us that women shouldn’t.
It helps mitigate FOMO and puts you in control rather than a position to compromise.
It’s easier to meet and talk to people, yet also lets you be as introverted as you want.
You’re your own best company and deserve quality time with yourself.
There’s empowerment from the discomfort and relying on yourself.
STAYING SAFE TRAVELLING SOLO
It’s important to keep in mind that bad people live everywhere, not just in far-away destinations. The unfortunate truth is we are raised to always be vigilant and to take responsibility for our own safety, which can serve us well with travelling. We just need to extend our precautions from home to wherever we travel and tweak them according to custom and culture.
Here are some easy-to-follow rules to stay safe:
Don’t get intoxicated (with anything) when out alone. Having a glass of wine or beer is fine, just don’t ever lose control.
Always try to figure out where you need to go before you arrive somewhere and look confident when you get off a bus/train (shoulders back, head up).
Try to avoid arriving anywhere after dark.
Stay up to date on some self-defence moves, just in case.
Every woman has her own set of rules, everyone has a different comfort zone around what it means to feel safe. There are a myriad of articles online that outline safety tips and apps for solo female travellers so do your homework and find what works for you.
WHERE TO GO
My first response to this question is: whichever destination interests you most! But if you’re a little nervous about your first trip, here are some considerations to make the plunge easier:
Choose a destination where your first language is also spoken, or at least is prevalent, to avoid language barriers. It’s so much easier to figure things out when you can communicate without the need for body language.
Choose a destination that has similar cultural norms to your home and rates high on the gender-equity index. You’re less likely to feel out of place as a solo-travelling female. Exploring your own country can be a great option for your first solo trip!
If you’re nervous about heading out into the unknown by yourself, opt for a guided group tour as part of the trip to get your feet wet. You won’t have to figure out logistics and it’s easy to meet like-minded travellers, while still having ample opportunity to spend time alone. There are companies that specialise in women-only group tours, like the Solo Female Travelers Club (who also run a fantastic Facebook Group).
Budget is, of course, also a consideration. When travelling by yourself, the per-person price tag is always higher because you’re carrying the burden of fixed-cost components like hotel rooms and transfers yourself - reflected in the dreaded single supplement when opting for group tours or package vacations. Countries in the developed world tend to be more expensive, and the exchange rate, especially for us Canadians, is always a consideration. Post-covid travel demand has also driven up prices in many parts of the world. This makes the case for destinations that may contradict the above considerations, but if budget is a major concern, look for countries that offer more bang for your buck.
Travelling solo has become a big part of my life. And although sometimes it’s nice to experience things with my family, friends or my partner by my side, I still get the feelings of independence, freedom, and sheer joy of wanderlust when I set off into the world by myself. So what are you waiting for? Take a chance and cross the dream destination off your bucket list solo style.
ABOUT ANJULI
Anjuli Bhatia has spent the last 15 years specializing in Canada as a destination with an emphasis on wildlife viewing experiences. She owns and operates Canada Revealed, a boutique trip-planning service, specializing in authentic & immersive customized itineraries to Canada.