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Female solo travel doesn’t have to mean holding back – read our ultimate solo travel guide for women and discover
how to see the world in all its glory, on your own
You don’t have to find company first to see the best bits of our beautiful world, and if you’re wondering whether it’s weird to travel alone as a woman, here’s your answer: nope, it’s not. You’re not the first person who’s wondered this, and you certainly won’t be the last.
Solo travel as a woman might seem like a scary prospect, but with the right approach, you can do it safely and successfully at the same time. Lots of women travel alone – and they love it! In this guide, we’ll show you the best way to do it.
If you’re new to independent travel, and you’ve never holidayed abroad on your own as a woman, have a read of our guide to discover why, how and where to get female solo travel abroad right.
Why do women travel solo?
There are plenty of reasons why you might want to travel abroad alone.
Perhaps you want to see the world before you settle down. Maybe you want to meet new people or find “the one” who loves travel just as much as you do. It could be “the one” is already in your life but you’ve got different interests and you’re still keen to explore. Or maybe you just want to do something different!
Whatever your reason for travelling alone as a woman, you’ll get to know yourself a whole lot better and grow in new, unexpected ways at the same time. Here’s how:
Solo female travel is empowering
Plenty of women tell us they’re travelling alone to give themselves a challenge and boost their confidence in their own ability.
Lone travel as a woman means no waiting around
Lots of our travellers join our small group tours simply because they didn’t want to wait around for others and wanted to gain some independence.
Female travel alone gives you freedom
Our customers often say they want to travel alone to experience the destinations they really want to see, free of distractions.
…And they all want to do it safely, which is why it’s such a good idea to go down the small group option as a lone traveller. Independent travel with a group means doing all the things you want to, with the reassurance that people around are looking out for you.
Female solo travel with a small group
Our small group treks and trips are ideal for solo female travellers or anyone who’s new to independent travel. Wherever in the world you are, you’ll have the reassurance of a dedicated adventure guide who knows all the best spots (as well as the places to avoid!).
You’ll have the support of people who live and breathe adventure just like you too – your fellow travellers on your trip will be looking to get the same out of the experience as you are. To tick something incredible off the Bucket List and do something life-changing.
At The Buckets List Company, our average group size is just twelve, and around half of these tend to be solo travellers. The small groups mean you’ve got peace of mind that you’re surrounded by likeminded people, but they’re little enough that you can retain your sense of independence and do things to your tune if you want to.
How can you stay safe when you travel abroad as a woman alone?
Solo travel is an incredible thing to do and the life-changing experiences and friends you make along the way will stay with you forever – so long as you look after yourself while you’re away. It’s only natural to feel nervous about travelling abroad alone, so if you’re after some solo travel safety tips, you’re in the right place.
Travel solo safely with The Bucket List Company
Our first aim is to make sure all our clients are safe while travelling and have a fantastic experience. Travelling in a group tour, like one of our Bucket List Company trips, can provide you far greater peace of mind if you’re concerned about your safety as a woman travelling alone abroad.
There will always be other people around, and you’ll have a great guide who knows all the best local hangouts as well as the places to avoid. You’ll get advice on how to stay safe while travelling abroad and how to act politely too. Speaking of…
Looking after your stuff when you travel alone
- Always keep your valuables out of view (better still, leave them at home!)
- Use a bag that can be fastened securely and carry it on the front side of your body
- Leave your passport, tickets and any other necessary travel docs in a safe at your hotel
Solo travel: how to meet new people safely
- If someone’s making you feel uncomfortable, walk away straight away
- Travel with a small group tour to retain your independence and enjoy peace of mind at the same time
- Never share your accommodation details and always make it clear that you’re with a group when talking to someone new
Staying safe while you’re out and about abroad
- There’s nothing wrong with having a drink or two, but don’t lose control
- NEVER leave your drink unattended
- Only eat in busy areas, at the most popular stalls – you’ll have more people around you and you’re less likely to come away with a dodgy tummy!
Cultural differences to consider when you travel abroad
When you’re travelling abroad, the last thing you want to do is stand out or offend somebody. So, before you go there, be sure you know what to wear, what not to say, and the appropriate body language for your destination.
Generally speaking, there are four areas to clue up on before you travel solo as a woman:
- Language – Google the words you should NEVER use and learn a few basic words and phrases like “please”, “thank you” and “I’m sorry”. Always speak slowly and clearly too!
- Clothing – Wear the wrong thing and you could quickly offend a local or find you aren’t allowed into a certain attraction, like a temple. Always best to have something you can use to cover up whenever you go to religious sites – think pashmina.
- Shoes – Removing your shoes before entering a building is a sign of respect in many Asian countries – read up on shoe etiquette before you head to your chosen destination.
- Tipping – Tipping is customary in many countries, whether it’s for a waiter in a restaurant, a driver or a trekking tour guide, make sure you’re au fait with the local approach to tipping, and don’t hold back.
Where are the best places to travel if you’re a solo female?
Wondering which destinations are best for independent female travellers? Over the years we’ve taken many solo women to some incredible and far-flung places around the globe. Every itinerary has been carefully put together and tweaked following their feedback, and we’re confident every single one of our trips will change your life and give you what you’re looking for.
That being said, some destinations might be more appealing to solo travellers than others. Click HERE to take a look at our pick of the best, or scroll to the trip menu at the bottom of this page to view all the trips we offer
Want to read more about independent travel? Click here to check out our top tips for solo travel abroad, or read our most frequently asked questions on Solo Travel Click Here.
If you’re considering travelling abroad as a woman on your own, clue up before you buy your ticket, stay sensible – and then have the time of your life. Don’t let life pass you by!
