I’ve decided to dedicate this post to all the women who have wanted to travel alone, but are holding themselves back. As a woman, when you mention traveling alone you’ll likely hear one of two things, “be very careful” or “you’re so brave”. Don’t get me wrong, both statements are entirely true, but it makes it seem as though traveling alone is dangerous.
I recently went on a five week backpacking trip to Thailand and Cambodia. I’m not going to lie, I was a bit nervous before leaving. Like most people, I had no idea how the other side of the world would be, and knowing I would be there alone wasn’t helping. The minute I landed and arrived at my hostel, I laughed and thought to myself, why was I so nervous? Both Thailand and Cambodia were very safe and easy to navigate. All you need to do is stay alert and make sound decisions!
If you’re looking to pack your bag and hit the road, read below. It is the reassuring post every female traveler should read before traveling alone.
The Big 3 for a Solo Female Traveler
1. Be aware this includes being aware of your surroundings, people you are with, and your items. It also means taking the time out to find out information about emergency services (ie. 911), neighbourhoods to avoid, and sharing your location with someone from home. You can’t prepare for every single worst case scenario, but you can certainly take the proper measures to avoid a bad situation.
2. Know your limits its easy to get overconfident. Just because you think you can, doesn’t mean you should. This holds true to walking home alone late at night, trusting locals, and drinking excessively. Most incidents will happen when you let your guard down. Have your fun but remember you take full responsibility for every decision you make.
3. Go with your gut you just know sometimes. I’ve had multiple instances where I’ve decided to leave because I wasn’t feeling the vibe or I felt a bit uncomfortable. When you’re alone, these feelings are heightened and it is always best to follow them. Sometimes you don’t need a full explanation, a bad feeling can be enough for you to flea the scene.
The key to traveling alone is being open minded and flexible. You are responsible for how much fun you will have. Make the most of every situation, rain or shine, and I guarantee you will have the time of your life!
Don’t waste any opportunity to travel because you have no one to go with. Experience what the world has to offer – you won’t regret it!
Jamie Mistry