Handy tips for a first time solo female traveler
Last updated on May 17th, 2026 at 06:07 am
I so often get asked questions about traveling solo that I wrote this post to give you some useful (I hope) tips for a first time solo female traveler.
Travelling solo as a woman can be a genuinely empowering experience. Its a chance for you to explore the world on your own terms, discover all sorts of stuff on the way, and grow in confidence and independence.
I do know that going it alone for the first time can be intimidating, and anxiety-making as well as exciting. But I want to encourage you to go anyway – despite any nerves or questions going round in your head! You may decide it is not for you after you have tried it, but you might also never look back and keep going….
These are some key tips to help make your first solo adventure go safely, go smoothly, and I’m pretty sure it will also be unforgettable!
1. Start with a safe, solo-friendly destination
The first of my tips for a first time solo female traveler is pretty key! Choose your first destination well.
Pick a place or places that are known for their general safety, are easy to travel in, have plenty of other backpackers or travelers, and generally have friendly locals. I have written a post with more detail of 10 good countries to start with e.g. Japan, Portugal, and New Zealand. But you might want to stay closer to home and start with a solo trip exploring in the familiarity of your own country. Either way think about where you make your first trip.
You might also want to choose a country that speaks English or another language you speak. Most countries these days have a lot of English speakers, but not all, so make sure you aren’t going to have a major language barrier for your first trip. Japan, for example, these days has everything signed in English as well as Japanese in places like train stations and hotels, and there are a lot of English speakers around, so the language is not going to be a big issue. Plus they will always want to help you and go out of their way to do that!
2. Know you wont be alone!
There are people everywhere and even if you are a shy, introvert, or socially awkward there are ways of meeting people, connecting with locals and making friends – even travel buddies – while you’re on the road. Hostels are key, but group tours, volunteering and social apps are some of the other options.
Rather than go into more detail here – read my post on meeting people and making friends as a solo traveler.
3. Think about where you are going to stay and book the first few nights
Hostels are key for backpackers. You feel way less alone and its the best place to meet other travelers – including other solo travelers. And its fine to be a backpacker at any age. Sure, the people in hostels are generally younger but they are also generally very open and willing to include you in conversations, going out, or even traveling together for a day or two no matter your age. I can say this with absolute certainty given my experiences in hostels happening right now (and I’m over 60).
If the thought of a dorm horrifies you, remember you can have the best of both worlds – the social atmosphere of a hostel and separate sleeping! Most hostels have private rooms these days as well. Read more about this in my post on meeting people and making friends as a solo traveler.
Book the first few nights of your trip before you leave and know how to get there from the airport, train station etc. It just makes life easier to know where you are going to stay and what you’ve got to do when you arrive to get there.
4. Book flights or trains that arrive early or middle of the day
Don’t book flights, buses, trains that mean you arrive late at night in a new destination unless you absolutely have to. It just adds to stress and potential danger. If you do have to arrive late at night, use taxis, uber or the equivalent, or a well reviewed reliable shuttle service etc direct to your accommodation.
Make sure your accommodation are aware of your arrival time and will not be locked up – leaving you stranded on the street. Check this before you book.
5. When you get there – keep your accommodation secure
Make sure your accommodation is your safe and comfortable haven as such! It plays such a big role in your trip even though you might initially think its only a bed. So consider it one of the top tips for a first time solo female traveler!
- Read the reviews thoroughly and especially check what other female solo travelers have said. This relates to safety (is it in a safe neighbourhood and is it run well) as well as cleanliness, comfort and the social atmosphere.
- Book a female only dorm if that makes you more comfortable – although usually its more about a lack of male snoring!
- Arrive at a new destination well before dark. Daylight gives you a better sense of the safety of a place.
- Don’t ever tell strangers where you are staying.
- Carry a portable lock for your locker for gear and valuables.
- Ask the hostel staff about safety in the local area.
6. Do your research, but leave room to move
Knowledge is power!
And planning is key to have things go smoothly – but don’t over-plan.
Research local customs, language, local transport, areas to avoid, and the average costs so you have more awareness of where you are going and how things work there.
A couple of big ones here are to:
- Know roughly what its going to cost and work out how long you can stay with the budget you have. Always leave some extra money for emergencies, and just for the odd day you need to splash out. Know what money you will be using and a rough conversion to your own money which will help you keep track of costs and make you look more aware and familiar with the local area to any vendors you are buying from!
- Check local customs for dress codes and take appropriate clothes to dress respectfully if its different from your normal. Also check local customs for things which may seem normal to you but are considered impolite in the country you are visiting.
- Find out the best options for the area for booking land transport e.g. Flixbus is a good option in Europe, and, 12go in south-east Asia – for buses.
- Learn a few key phrases in the local language if you’re heading to a non-English speaking country. Even if they generally speak English, they will really appreciate any small effort you make to speak their local language and its not hard to learn, please, thank you, hello etc before you go!
Also research what you want to do in a city or country. What interests you? Have a rough idea of what you want to do and where you want to go. There is a ton of information on websites like this one, Facebook groups, Instagram, TikTok etc. Make use of it!
At the same time I strongly recommend you don’t over-schedule. Some of the best travel times come from spontaneous trips with others you meet, or to places someone tells you about that you didn’t know about before.
7. Pack Smart and Pack Light
You alone have to carry your luggage and manoevure it on cobbled streets, on and off buses or trains etc etc. So pack light. Pack way lighter than you think you need. Honestly you can always buy another t-shirt if you really need one.
Stick to clothing that can be mixed and matched. Stick to lightweight – whether its for warm or cold. Breathable fabrics are good too – especially in hot destinations.
Always include a scarf or sarong (great for covering up in religious sites or staying warm on transport). A sarong can double as a towel as well.
A few other essentials not to forget:
- An adapter for any electronics
- A small first-aid kit
- Reusable water bottle – with a good filter if you are going to a country with non-drinkable tap water
- Locks for your backpack or hostel locker
- Copies of your important documents – especially copies of your passport and ID (digital and printed)
- Comfortable shoes and lightweight flip flops or similar to wear in showers, hostels etc!!
Psst….Sign up for our occasional newsletter and get our printable Packing List as well as other useful lists!
8. Stay Connected – and consider how much you want to share your plans or check in
Buy a local SIM card or use an international plan to have access to maps, translation apps, and emergency contacts. I use yesim e-sims wherever I go. They are a Swiss company and may not be the absolute cheapest but do have very good coverage everywhere I have used them!
This is important for your own safety and for dealing with unexpected situations arising like canceled or delayed flights or trains.
Let someone back home know where you’re going and consider checking in regularly with a quick “Hi – all is good” type message. Leave a copy of your important documents with them as well – your passport being key.
You can use apps like Find My or Life360 to allow trusted contacts to track your location – but that’s really up to you.
9. Make sure you have travel insurance!
Don’t even consider leaving home without it! It may seem like a waste of money – until you need it. And it gives you peace of mind no matter what!
I have three family members and friends who have literally been saved by their insurance. All three had serious life-threatening injuries and were in hospital for months in the country they had the accident in, and then had to be repatriated. One from Paris to NZ, one from Colombia to Australia, and the third from the Philippines to Ireland. All three needed a nurse and first class to be able to make the journey, and that was after months in hospitals. They would have never had the care they got without the insurance. The alternatives don’t bear thinking about!
BTW – two were hit and run accidents – literally breaking every bone in their bodies, and one was a hiking accident – falling down a cliff.
10. Trust Your Gut and Stay Aware
Your instincts are powerful—listen to them. If a situation or person feels “off,” remove yourself and don’t for a moment apologise! Don’t worry about being “rude” or “overreacting.” Prioritize your safety and comfort above everything else.
- Say no to an invite that doesn’t feel right.
- Keep your valuables close, and avoid flashing expensive items or large amounts of cash.
- Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night or when using public transport.
- Change plans last minute if needed
- Walk away from overly persistent vendors or strangers.
- Always walk with purpose, even if you’re a bit lost. (And if you are – zip into a café or shop to check your map instead of standing on a street corner.)
One of the joys of solo travel is meeting people from all over the world. Hostels, walking tours, and cafes are great places to connect with other travellers. Just be mindful about who you trust, especially when it comes to sharing personal details or accepting invitations.
11. Take Advantage of Technology
There are plenty of apps that can make solo travel easier and safer – transport and accommodation apps being the first that come to mind. This is a not just one of the key tips for a first time solo female traveler, but for any traveler. These are a couple of basics I never go without (but I notice a lot of people do)!
- Maps.me or Google Maps – for offline navigation – I actually use both. See my post on How to download google maps and use it offline
- Google Translate – for language barriers. I always download the language I need before I travel so I can use it offline. See my post on how to download a language and use it offline.
- Moovit - available in 101 countries – it prices and accurate departure times of public transport, often when Google doesn’t.
- AllTrails – because I am a hiker – but this may not apply to you!
12. Work out how you will manage your money
I always take a little bit of cash. US dollars, or Euros are my usual base currency as these are easy to exchange in most places. I also take some of the local currency if it is available to get me going.
After that I use Revolut for purchases using my virtual card or on my phone (Wise is also good), and I use ATMs for cash withdrawals. I avoid using ATMs in supermarkets, train stations etc. as they almost always have hefty fees. I use a bank ATM to keep the fees relatively reasonable.
If you can get a bank account that does not charge you to withdraw cash from a foreign ATM – then grab it!! One way is to choose a bank that is part of the Global ATM Alliance. This way, you can save up to $5 per ATM withdrawal.
Finally you can use a travel money card from your bank or other source. Be careful of the small print and things like inactivity fees!
Have back up cards and keep these separate from any you are using daily. If you do have the misfortune of loss or theft, then you wont be in such a bad place.
13. Know you can take time out and treat yourself sometimes if you need a break!
Some days you might feel lonely or awkward or just fed up! That’s normal. Solo travel isn’t about being perfectly happy all the time – it’s about having the guts to do it anyway. And sometimes you just want a break from it, or some home comforts. Allow a bit of budget for this if you are going for more than a week or two. This is one of my most important tips for a first time solo female traveler!
You might take yourself for a massage or to the hairdresser, or go to a fancy restaurant, or even a nicer than normal hotel for a night or two. Its okay to want some comfort sometimes – or a break from the hostels or just from traveling. Allow for it and do take a break!
Final Thoughts
Traveling solo doesn’t mean being alone. It means choosing your own travel adventure, on your own terms. Put these tips for a first time solo female traveler into action – and give it a go. You are going to come out of it stronger and more confident in yourself, and with plenty of stories to tell!
So go ahead—book the ticket. Pack the bag. Go with curiosity, stay safe, and remember: you are your own best travel companion.
You’ve got this!
P.S. If you’ve got a question, worry, or story from your first solo trip, please drop it in the comments below—you’re not alone, and your experience might help someone else take their first step.
Planning for your trip
These are a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels, and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content – and at no extra cost to you. Cheers!
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains
Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith.
Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!
Related Posts
Worried about traveling solo for the first time?
How to meet people and make travel friends as a solo traveler – no matter how old you are?
10 great places to take your first steps as a solo female traveler
How to download google translate and use it online or offline
How to download google maps and use it offline
….and if you’re on a budget….
How to sleep for free and meet the locals when you’re traveling!