✌︎ W E L C O M E !
I’m so glad you’re here. Even though we don’t know each other, I can confidently say that traveling solo remains the best decision I’ve ever made for myself. It’s something I prioritize and always will. My hope is that this short guide gives you the courage to do the same.
Many people in my life have asked, “How do you do that all by yourself? I could never.” Hearing this breaks my heart—especially because these comments often come from women. If this guide inspires even one woman to travel solo, I’ll consider it a success. That said, this advice is for everyone, regardless of gender identity. I want to acknowledge that, as a straight, Caucasian woman with Latin roots, my experiences and perspectives may carry some biases. Keep this in mind as you read, and don’t forget to check out my top travel tips for additional advice—there’s a lot of overlap.
Now, without further ado, let’s dive in.
1. Get a SIM card – Now, there is a reason this is number one on the list, with one condition: If you know you are ALWAYS going to have access to internet/data you do not need a SIM card. This is specific for group travel trips like, EF, Contiki, G Adventures, and others. I wanted to save money in the past and not invest in SIM cards when I was on these trips because the busses had Wi-Fi, the hotels/hostels had Wi-Fi and when I wasn’t in those locations, I was typically around others – so I didn’t feel the need. And also, it was nice unplugging every so often. With that said, it’s very different when you travel completely solo and not with a travel group. One of the first things I do when I arrive in another country is get a SIM card. Being able to use my phone fully in another country is essential – I use it for directions, I use it to translate, I use it to make reservations and obviously any emergencies. Another plus side to using a SIM card is that it saves you time. You don’t have to duck into a McDonalds or Starbucks to get free Wi-Fi and get directions back to your hostel or wherever else you may be headed. And! SIM card’s are typically much cheaper than getting an international plan through your phone provider. The thought of accidentally racking up an expensive phone bill was enough for me to steer clear of using my own SIM. Just remember don’t lose your original SIM card. If you do, when you arrive back home, you will need to get a new phone number and that’s just annoying as hell.
2.Trust your gut– It’s pretty much exactly how it sounds. Your instincts are your ultimate safety net when traveling solo. If something feels even slightly off—whether it’s a weird vibe from a person, a street that seems too quiet, or even a bad feeling about your hostel—listen to it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve avoided uncomfortable situations just by trusting my gut. And I can’t stress this enough – don’t be afraid of offending someone. It’s very common for women to not act on a bad vibe from someone purely because they don’t want to be rude – I am here to tell you, be rude, it’s okay, trust your instincts first. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for taking care of yourself.
3. Make sure someone always knows where you are – I share my location with so many friends I’ve lost count. Always notify a friend or family member where you are going to be (address of stay included), and for about how many days – and make sure to check-in with them. The reality though is that if I go missing in another place, what is anyone back home going to do about it? It’s nice to think someone would go all Liam Neeson for you, but maybe not entirely plausible. So, another thing you should do is to tell someone in your hostel dorm or someone at the front desk where you’ll be in case something happens. This is the main reason I don’t feel that comfortable staying in Airbnb’s by myself (I’ve used them solo before, it’s not “bad” or “wrong”). Many times there is no one to notify at Airbnb’s in case something happens, you could message the host but I don’t actually feel comfortable with that either. So, in the end, it’s up to you.
4. Be open to meeting new people –I am already a social and outgoing person, so meeting new people comes naturally to me. But this does not come easy to others and I realize that this advice is easier said than done. In my experience, the best way to meet new people while solo traveling is to stay in hostels. I’ve learned over the years that hostels are considered unattractive to most Americans. In undergrad, I actually wrote a paper on why. Without going into too much detail, Americans tend to associate hostels with danger. It has a little bit to do with Americans valuing personal space more than most other countries and a lot to do with a scary movie that came out in 2009(?) called Hostel. I can’t tell you how many of my friends refuse to stay in them. So if you’re nervous about them, get over it, they’re probably one of the safest places you could stay. And to be honest, they’re also likely the cheapest, and most fun places you’ll stay too..
5. Learn basic phrases in the local languages – You don’t need to become fluent in French or Spanish (though props to you if you do), but knowing how to say “hello,” “thank you,” and “excuse me” goes a long way. It’s not just practical—it’s respectful, and locals really appreciate the effort. One time in Paris, I butchered “je voudrais un café” (I’d like a coffee), and the barista still smiled and said, “Good try!” Bonus: it makes asking for directions way less intimidating when you’re lost, which will happen. Don’t overthink it—just Google the top five phrases before you land and give it your best shot.
6. Stay flexible – Here’s the thing about solo travel—you get to make the rules. Don’t feel like sticking to your itinerary? Don’t. If you love a city so much you want to stay an extra day, do it. I’ve noticed that when I plan too far ahead, I tend to actually lose money because I cancel reservations and/or change plans so often it doesn’t typically benefit me to plan too far ahead. The beauty of traveling alone is that you don’t have to ask anyone else what they want to do. You’re in charge, so embrace it. Build in some wiggle room for spontaneity—it’s often where the best memories happen.
1. Looking at your phone too much – Especially when you’re walking and trying to get directions somewhere. If it wasn’t obvious you didn’t know where you were going before, it definitely is now. This can be an easy way to get your phone snatched out of your hands or being a target for a local scam. How I avoid doing this is by memorizing the directions one chunk at a time. This can be difficult for me – my memory is shit. But I try my best regardless. And if I get lost in the alleyways of Italy, I’m in fucking Italy – I don’t care. It’s also been a way for me to practice the language of the country that I’m in by asking locals in Italian, Spanish, French or whatever “Which direction is Café Blahblah?” I realize this can be intimidating for some people, but, in my experience, most locals appreciate that you are trying your best.
2. Avoid telling others you’re traveling alone – This is huge. In my personal opinion, most people ask out of genuine curiosity – “how could this young woman be traveling by herself?!” The amount of times I’ve been asked, if my husband is okay with me traveling alone – I don’t have a husband, and even if I did, he better be okay with it. Blah, blah, blah, someone alert the church. What I am getting at is that it is likely most people aren’t trying to kidnap you. But you can never be too careful. Sometimes it’s difficult to lie about this. For example, I had an Uber driver ask me all about my travels and then asked if I was traveling alone when he obviously picked only me up to go to the airport. My solution in this case was to say a friend was meeting me at the airport. But usually if someone asks you, “Are you traveling alone?” it’s easy to say, “No, I have some friends back at the hostel.” And I’ve never really had much more follow up questions than this. If I do, I just make up a fake story about my very real friends that makes it easier. This is more difficult when you’re staying in a hostel because mostly everyone is traveling solo or with a friend. To this, I say use your intuition. You can always tell someone you’re meeting a friend at the next location and you’re just doing this portion alone.
3. Avoid is walking with both headphones in – Talk about being unaware. I love walking with my music in, it makes me feel like I’m in a music video. But in a place you’re unfamiliar, it can be a risky move. You might not hear someone walking behind you or if someone’s trying to get your attention or warn you.