Conquer your fear: 4 tips for solo women travelers

Feb 5, 2010 3:01:10 AM

Laura Sullivan
Lonely Planet Author

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Lonely Planet produced this article in conjunction with our partner, Self Magazine. Take our travel poll to see what kind of solo traveler you are.

I used to be scared to travel alone. Now I jump right in.

Before spending a year studying in Turkey, I had never traveled solo. But after a few months, I needed a break from fellow students, some confidence to believe in my independence, and a bit of pampering. So I went out on my own for a weekend getaway: jumping on a 12-hour overnight bus to the Pamukkale natural springs. And I learned it wasn’t all that scary.

Today I sit on a plane, heading out of Melbourne, Australia, where I just spent two weeks at Lonely Planet headquarters. I’m stopping by Sydney to sneak in a few nights of solo travel. And it got me thinking – when and why do I like to travel alone, and where and how do I like to travel alone? And what do my friends and associates think?

I put out the question to some Facebook pals and came up with a wealth of good tips for the budding solo woman traveler:

1. Benefit from business

Always try to tack on some travel before, during or after a business trip. My recent trip to Australia is ending with a gorgeous beach getaway on Bondi Beach.

Here are some other tricks friends have used:

A teaching engagement in Rome coincided with Venice’s Carnival for a consultant friend. Always up for a party, she tagged on a few extra days to check it out. A search on eBay secured her a ticket to one of the famous balls, a trip to a New York costume rental place found her a gown, and a mask was easily obtained upon arrival in Venice. Her ensemble made the crowds more welcoming, and she quickly found her dance card full.
A conference in Las Vegas found another friend escaping a few miles out to Red Rock Spa to shed the pounds from Sin City. Speaking of which, my second tip is…

2. Splurge in the spa

Getting worked to the bone, with no time to eat healthy and exercise, is just not good for the soul. The best way to unwind: spa, spa, spa.

If you’re looking to get some great value, walk away from your hotel: often you’ll find dedicated day spas that offer indulgence for a fraction of the price your accommodations would charge you.

Another great tip is that spas abroad can be far cheaper than what you’d pay for the luxury at home. For example, in Malaysia a high-quality treatment at a five-star establishment, complete with massage and body scrub, can run as low as $75. You’d be paying upward of $350 for anything comparable in the USA.

3. Join the group

Solo travel is extremely rewarding, but too much isolation can drive you crazy. Taking package tours right and left defeats the purpose of traveling alone; and the idea of a group tour can conjure up images of smelly busses, old people and umbrellas. However, a well-chosen group activity can make your trip. Think of companies like REI Adventure Travel, which offers exciting, high-quality group experiences. Try a bike ride through Hungary and the Czech Republic, a multisport adventure in Japan or (my personal favorite) a hike through the Haute Route in the Swiss Alps. It’s just that much easier, and less intimidating, when you are sharing the experience with newfound friends (and professionals are there to sweat the details!).

4. Don’t fear the far

Admit it: many American girls are a tad timid about traveling alone, let alone to faraway places. In reality, it’s not that daunting – and well worth it. Here are some tricks of the trade:

Read about the culture before you go to understand about safety and dress. Once you’re there, be flexible: you’ll meet more people and learn when and how to find the secret, but safe, spots.
Keep your wits about you. Don’t do anything that puts you at risk, such as being out alone and inebriated well after dark. The same things that invite trouble at home are risky abroad.
Stay in a smaller boutique hotel where you can get to know the proprietor. When you book at a restaurant, share your full name and the fact that you are traveling alone – you may get to chat with the chef and even get some free food!
Don’t let your fears be a barrier. In destinations such as Southeast Asia, many locals are genuinely friendly and curious when confronted by solo women travelers.

So how and why do you travel solo? Lonely Planet and Self would love to hear your perspective. Please take a moment and share your thoughts.

Laura Sullivan is the vice president of marketing for Lonely Planet’s Oakland office. She is a passionate traveler whose favorite journeys include road trips across America, hiking in Switzerland, beaching in Buzios (Brazil) and sailing the coast of Turkey. Her business card includes a picture of her grandmother, a pioneer of the Chick Trip way back in the ’30s (driving across the States with three other single gals), and she is quick to remind you her grandfather helped design Boston’s Freedom Trail, long before 30 Rock’s Tracy made it a household name.

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Comments

8 February 2010 5:53PM clairealgarme Report this comment
I have done several solo traveling, especially when it's a business trip. But no matter how used I am to it, there's always a mixture of thrill and fear lurking within me. Last year, I tried to overcome my apprehension when I traveled to the US for the first time by taking the train from LA to San Francisco all by myself. It was enjoyable and I got to meet new friends along the way.
10 February 2010 1:18AM taxidiotissa Report this comment
It’s nice to read encouraging stuff about solo women’s travel. I am relatively new to it and interested in any recommended source giving advice beyond the obvious. Since solo women travelers are a discreet but rising international trend, I wonder about whether it is time (and how) to increase awareness locally about women travelers’ specific concerns that might gradually lead to travel/tourist policy adjustments, wherever needed.
10 February 2010 2:13PM americangirl_4travel Report this comment
I have not done any solo traveling. I am sixteen right now and Graduating a year early. It is my mission to go to Australia, but I would just like to ask the general public,what kind of jobs are big on traveling. The hobby of traveling is rich to the soul, but hard on the wallet. What would you frequent travelers recommend?
11 February 2010 10:36AM mtnlya Report this comment
Splurging in the spa and joining a group have nothing to do with solo travel. Solo travel is about independence and exploring things on your own. You can read my response at http://itraveldame.com/responding-to-lps-tips-for-solo-women-travelers/
13 February 2010 4:39AM sawayaka Report this comment
Um, Splurge in the Spa comes in at #2? Nice stereotyping, LP! I hear men like massages, too...
I prefer traveling alone and have done so around East Asia, SE Asia, the Subcontinent, Australia etc. Besides the major benefits that come from solo travel be you male or female, I think the best thing about traveling alone as a female traveler is that you meet many more local people since you'll seem quite approachable. Not everyone you'll meet means well, true, but that's no reason to exist in a bubble of fear and paranoia!
When I was 23 and making my way around rural Japan alone, people just wanted to take care of me since it was so surprising that a girl should be out on her own like that.
17 February 2010 8:14PM worldgal Report this comment
If your traveling alone make sure that there is a lock on the door and keep the door locked. Also, if a window does not lock change rooms. If someone ask you if your alone think twice before you answer yes.
17 February 2010 10:55PM racharach Report this comment
I remember the first time I traveled solo. I was 20, I'd just completed a semester in Thailand, and I had 2 mos. to travel. The first days were miserable. I went to Laos and felt so alone. I was ready to quit when I met a fellow solo-er. Finally connecting with someone gave me the courage to continue, and I went on to spend the next 2 mos. solo in SEA and NZ. That 1st trip was full of ups and downs, but it helped me make a decision last fall to travel alone in S. America for 3 months. My parents were edgy, and I was scared.
But I went. I was cautious, especially in the beginning when I was adjusting, but it became easy. If I was lonely, it was easy to make friends. There was always someone there to chat me up when I was feeling my lowest. I met other women traveling solo, and I met people who were shocked that I was alone, which only made me feel more empowered! With common sense and a healthy dose of adventure, optimism and perseverance, traveling solo as a woman is the best!
18 February 2010 2:35AM suizy Report this comment
This has been such inspiring reading material, thank you ladies!!
AMERICAN GIRL - where abouts in Australia are you hoping to be based? I guess you'd want to see all of Australia at some stage. If you're looking for work, your best bet is to stay in the CBD area of all the cities. Hospitality jobs especially in Melbourne and Sydney should be very easy to come across. If you love the beach and sun, the majority of cafe/restaurant employees on the Gold Coast (Queensland) are travellers. A great experience would be to work on one of the many islands around the Great Barrier Reef - you stay and work there for a few months and get to meet some really fun people and you're only a ferry ride away to some the the worlds best beaches!! I hope this has helped! Travel safe and have fun! you'll love Australia!!
Suze
18 February 2010 4:55AM photosbypat Report this comment
I have traveled the world by myself and just love it. If I had to depend on people to travel with me, I would never leave the house! A lot of people cancel at the last moment or just plain change their minds, never have the money or the time or the courage to travel period! I am the total opposite of that and travel whenever and where ever I please. I love being self-sufficient, independent and am very proud of my choices of travel. Of course you have to be aware of your surroundings and have basic common sense. I have never been frightened or harassed in my travels and find most people are very helpful when I need it. Coming and going at my pace is a wonderful thing! I dont have to answer to anyone! YEAH!!!
21 February 2010 12:51PM teksiz87 Report this comment
I am about to travel (mostly) alone in less than 2 weeks, to Rome. I am taking a group, but they all have friends and partners going, and our group is not all together all the time. So most of the time I'll be alone, and I am excited. I'm 54 and like to have a good time, but I don't want to be pitied or get myself in danger. Any tips?
4 March 2010 3:02PM rachel028 Report this comment
I work throughout Asia, and one great tip I received when I first started out was whenever I hop in a taxi by myself,I pretend to make a phone call to someone who is waiting at my destination. Even if the phone is turned off, it still lets the cab driver know that someone is waiting for you, and can discourage any ideas they may have. Also, if another person hops into the taxi, immediately get out, as this can (and has) ended badly in countries like India.
13 March 2010 7:31AM moommoom Report this comment
@teksiz87. when will you travel to Rome? I travel alone too, about 2 weeks in Rome.
22 March 2010 3:44AM emerson85 Report this comment
I love to travel alone. But I also love to have company to share the experience with. So I try to travel solo and then meet new people to travel with along the way off and on. Its more exciting that way.
9 April 2010 6:52PM onetree Report this comment
Best piece of advice I ever got after years of travelling sole was this. Buy one of those simple triangular door stops available from a DIY stores, or make one yourself from wood. Small and easy to carry it will stop anyone opening your door from the outside. Door locks can be a bit dodgy in hotels etc.
13 April 2010 3:10PM annaheim Report this comment
I am such an advocate of solo travel, but my parents and family often worry about me. My first solo trip was to Zanzibar and I'll never forget it. I recently returned from Uganda, where I started out with friends but stayed on a week by myself. It was so rewarding and I loved the independence and freedom. I don't take any risks ever--taxis after dark and all that. And as for my worries about getting lonely? There are ALWAYS loads of other solo travelers about!
13 April 2010 10:57PM ealaspada Report this comment
Dude. If I read one more post about female travelers that mention the word "spa," I might have to go insane. Some of us do like to actually experience the *country* we're in without having to do our nails.
16 April 2010 1:17AM specklefreckle Report this comment
Great tips. I've travelled SEA, S.America and Europe both alone and with others - but you meet many more people alone, and what else are you supposed to do? Sit at home just cos you're a girl? I'm not denying there have been scary moments but nothing major. Top advice: just look like you know what you're doing, even if you don't; ask local women if you need help; and get some of the language basics. Replying in Nepali to a guy who proclaimed I was his girlfriend to his pals was one of the better moments...
4 May 2010 4:56PM princess_ebby Report this comment
I have backpacked around Europe and travelled to China solo and I can't stress enough what an amazing experience it is to do so. You meet amazing people and you get to do what YOU want! It amazes me how many of my girlfriends have said "I couldn't do what you did" Who wants to sit at home and wait for someone to want to do the same thing! You'll be waiting forever. Best tip I could give is do your research before you leave home and utilise the internet because there are some truly great resources like Lonely Planet's thorn tree forum out there to help you!
4 May 2010 8:55PM earthgipsy Report this comment
You can do it ladies. I've been solo travelling for 35 years now, started at 18 years and have since backpacked around the world - I love it. Have experienced a few "close encounters" but if you do your homework, take practical precautious and use your common sense all's well. I always meet many more people solo travelling, which is 1/2 the fun.
5 May 2010 12:33AM homebaseseattle Report this comment
I've traveled on my own quite a bit. Most of my friends don't seem to want to go the same places I do or have different priorities on time and $..and as several of you have said, who wants to just sit home? The spa suggestion doesn't do a whole lot for me. Why go to a spa (which I can do at home) when I'm out exploring somewhere new? Although I did experience the full Baden-Baden experience, including wandering around naked except for flip flops. :-)
My biggest recommendation when traveling solo - talk to people! I've met some interesting people in cafes and on trains and on benches waiting for a bus who I probably would never have bothered to talk with if I'd had a traveling companion with me. Great way to meet people in that culture.
5 May 2010 2:59AM txtenista Report this comment
i want to travel solo abroad especially to the UK or the islands here in the US, the only thing stopping me is i don't like flying in the air for more than an hour and...i'm afraid i will like it too much to ever wanna come back...
22 July 2010 12:13AM sjgochenour Report this comment
This article is not helpful. Given the title, I thought it would give concrete tips about not being fearful about traveling into potentially dangerous locations, not tell me that I should spend money on a spa. (Excuse me? How is this applicable to all women solo travelers?)
This article also does not address any fears that might actually stem from bad experiences traveling -- it assumes that every woman ever must be automatically fearful from the get-go. Last summer I traveled alone to Japan for three months and was completely fine. This summer I am in Madrid, which really didn't scare me until I got mugged. I was hoping to find some advice about how to better protect myself.