What To Know When Traveling Solo
Words by Christine Van Dyk
Few things are more intimidating than descending the graffiti-painted tunnels of the metro…the noise, the smells, the crowds. Yet for many female solo-travelers, mastering this chaos is a right of passage.
“Public transportation is where I first saw London and felt its energy,” Madeline Coggins says. “I found myself on the Tube watching people: an old lady with her tote bag of books, young girls putting on lip gloss, boys in school uniforms tugging at their ties.”
Learning how to make it from the District Line to the Putney was how Madeline discovered the city beyond the tourist attractions, and how she ultimately gained the confidence to roam the world alone.
How far would you travel to immerse yourself in another culture? How far would you go if you were all by yourself? For Beth Santos, Founder/CEO of Wanderful, a global woman’s travel community, the answer might surprise you.
“I tell people to get on a bus and head 90 minutes from home,” she says. “Sometimes the most valuable travel is the journey across the street. It may seem scary, but your first solo trip doesn’t have to be around the globe. Start by going to a museum or eating a meal by yourself.”
Beth helps women reclaim their spaces, find their voices, and travel the world in her book, Wander Woman. It’s something she’s been passionate about since her first solo trip. “I flew to Lisbon for a study abroad,” she shares. “I missed my flight and spent the night in the airport. I was twenty, without a cell phone, sleeping on the floor. Back then I was used to having things handled for me. In that moment I realized I needed to speak up for myself and do what needed to be done.”
But what are the benefits to going it alone? To begin with, you discover yourself in new ways on the road. In Beth’s case, she was reminded of this when her daughter was 11 months old and she booked her first postpartum trip.
“With a knot in my stomach, I headed for Israel,” she says. “I soon found myself in the airport bathroom crying. Fortunately, that’s not how the story ends. Later that day, sitting in a cafe, I saw myself for the first time in ages and thought, ‘oh, I know her.’”
So much of who we are as women is shaped in our homes, but we meet ourselves in different ways out in the world. When you make your own plans, move at your own pace, and explore what might interest only you, you gain a deeper understanding of yourself.
Another obstacle to this type of travel is a fear of loneliness; but just because you’re a solo traveler doesn’t mean you have to be alone. In fact, we’re often more willing to talk to people and have genuine encounters when we’re by ourselves than when surrounded by friends and family. Guided tours, solo meet-ups, and hostel gatherings are great ways to meet like-minded travelers. All you need is a bit of confidence.
“In that moment I realized I needed to speak up for myself and do what needed to be done.”
“Sometimes things don’t go as planned,” Beth says. “The shuttle isn’t on time, the weather doesn’t cooperate, the show sells out. But faced with obstacles and problems only you can solve, you build faith in yourself.” Part of building that confidence is knowing you have a right to this space.
“Do a Google search of single travelers and you’ll find a specific woman,” Beth says. “She’s 20, blond, and on a mountain. However, solo wanders come from all walks of life—from women just entering the work world to those approaching retirement.”
While social media tells us solo travel is only for Gen Z’ers in Sprinter vans, there isn’t a mold. Travel is a mindset, not a demographic. Here’s how, with a little preparation and grit, you too can ensure your solo adventures are safe, rewarding, and most importantly, possible:
10 Solo Travel Tips
Stay Fit — Being in shape prepares you for difficult terrain and long days of walking.
Pack the Essentials — When you’re carrying your own luggage, it’s important to keep it light and pack layers.
Have a ‘Day Zero’ — Avoid a rigid plan your first day and explore at a relaxed, flexible pace.
Know Your Personal Risk Profile — Knowing if a destination is safe involves some nuance. Your destination, religion, sexual preference, disabilities, and size may all impact how you’re received in certain countries.
Connect With Other Women — Hostels, co-living spaces, and meet-ups, like the dozens offered by Wanderful, are great resources. They provide everything from travel advice to restaurant recommendations and are suitable tour companions.
Wear a Wedding Ring — It’s an unfortunate fact, a fake wedding ring helps you avoid unwanted attention. Men steer clear when they think a husband is just around the corner.
Oversharing – Meet new people but keep important details, like your accommodations and financial information, to yourself.
Health Hints — Be prepared: many countries don’t sell tampons or menstrual cups. In addition, birth control, particularly the morning after pill, is sometimes banned and can be removed from your luggage.
Prepare for What Rubs You Wrong — Summer heat leads to chafing and heat rash so bring topical creams, runner’s glide, or bike shorts for under skirts.
Live Like a Local — Everyday experiences, like visiting grocery stores, bookstores, and public transportation, provide the chance to see what life is really like in a destination.
