Solo female travel is amazing. Heading off to a new destination alone can be nerve-wracking at first, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. As a travel addict, I decided long ago that I couldn’t spend my life waiting for travel buddies to come join me. Of course, I love a good girls’ trip and traveling with friends is wonderful, but I don’t hesitate to jet off alone when the opportunity presents itself. Here’s my top advice for solo female travelers. 

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1. Give Yourself Time To Recover From Jet Lag

Jet lag can make you feel groggy, confused and emotional. When I fly long haul, I always designate the first night of my trip solely for sleep and jet lag recovery. It’s only natural to want to squeeze every second out of your trip but trust me, you’ll enjoy yourself a lot more once you’re fully rested. 

2. Pack Cover Ups 

It’s sad but true that women are asked to cover up a lot more frequently than men at sites of cultural interest. I always recommend packing breathable, flowy cover up items such as shawls and sarongs. You can often rent these at the entrance, but you don’t know how sanitary they are. Best to bring your own! 

3. Trust Your Intuition 

Being safe is more important than being polite. If your gut tells you a person, place or situation is bad news, get out ASAP. It’s better to be safe than sorry. I’m all for being respectful of others, but politeness ceases to matter when your intuition sends you warning signals. 

4. Be Aware of Local Scams 

Scams vary from place to place, so it’s important to know what petty criminals are up to in your chosen locale. In Southeast Asia, for example, phone and bag snatching is common. Meanwhile, in many European cities, conmen distract you by grabbing your wrist and making a “friendship bracelet” whilst their accomplice lifts your wallet. Thieves are nothing if not creative, so be sure to do your research. 

5. Use Ride Hailing Apps 

No matter where you go, it pays to be cautious when using taxis – especially as a female. I always use ride hailing apps like Uber and Grab where possible because the fare is decided before you get into the car. I’ve never had a problem using either of these apps, but should there be an issue, you’ll also be able to report your driver to the company. 

6. Carry Your Hotel’s Business Card With You 

I always pick up my hotel’s business card upon check in. That way, if I get lost and there’s a language barrier I can quickly show a driver the address without having to hand over my phone. 

7. Use a Dummy Wallet 

This piece of advice for solo female travelers is especially relevant when you’re exploring a big city or driving a moped in a country with corrupt traffic cops. Hide most of your money somewhere secret, such as a money belt, but have a small amount in your bag to placate thieves or cops demanding a bribe. They won’t believe that you’re not carrying any money on you, but it’s very plausible you could be running low on cash. That way, you can get rid of them without paying out too much. 

8. Buy a Local SIM Card 

Buying a local SIM and plenty of data makes life so much easier. You’ll be able to get directions when you’re lost, call an uber from anywhere and call your hotel if you need assistance when you’re out and about. 

Make sure your phone’s unlocked before you travel. You’ll usually have to pay a small fee and wait for up to two weeks, so plan ahead. If it’s not possible to unlock your device, I recommend buying a cheap backup phone to use whilst abroad. 

As a side note, make sure you’ve got a decent phone case to protect your device.

For more travel advice, check out this article on my top 10 common sense travel tips.