Why wait until your friends have time to travel with you? Or wait until they have saved up enough? While you already have the time and savings right now to go and explore the globe?
Of course traveling by yourself can be a bit intimidating, whether you’re a man or a woman. For some women it can sometimes be a bit more nerve-wrecking. Believe us, it is fun and exciting to get out of your comfort zone, so just go travel by yourself.
Traveling by yourself can be scary. Exciting. A revelation about yourself. Therapeutic. It is great to be independent for a while, not with friends and family around. To see what you want to go and see, what you decide, what you want.
Main tips:
Choose the right country to go to. Certain countries are very women-friendly and you’ll have no problem as a woman traveling alone, but others can be a bit more tricky. It may not be politically correct to view a country that way, but it is about your safety. If you read about lots of attacks on (single) women, then rather check out another place to go to.
Be aware of your surroundings, and trust your gut instinct.
Maaike: I hitch hiked once together with another woman, because we didn’t want to be ripped off for an expensive taxi ride. The ride back would cost 10 times as much to get back to our hotel as it cost us getting to that remote place. We were lucky to stop a car with other tourists, all men. The woman I was with was from Chinese origin, and the men in the car were too, so they had something in common, and chatted away immediately. If it didn’t feel right, we wouldn’t have gotten in that car.
Maaike: But, I also once walked out of a restaurant (for breakfast). Because while I was waiting for a waiter or waitress to assign me a seat, I felt very uncomfortable being stared at by some guy at the bar. I just walked out and enjoyed my breakfast at the next door Starbucks. It may have been not very culture appreciating, but safety first!
In some countries people will be wondering why you are traveling alone, and why you don’t wear a wedding ring. In Indonesia it is very common to be married by the age of 25, so when you’re older than that and don’t wear a ring, be prepared for lots of questions (also divorce is a concept they don’t quite grasp). You can of course buy a simple ring to wear on your ring finger, that could function as a wedding ring. And if anybody asks, just tell them that your hubby is at the hotel.
While traveling alone you’ll very likely meet other people that are going the same way. So you should join them if that makes you feel more comfortable.
Know where your drinks come from, and make sure nothing has happened to it. Preferably see it coming from the hands of the bartender into yours and keep it in sight or with trusted friends (and not with that cutie you just met 5 minutes ago).
Know where your luggage and valuables are.
Maaike: I once saw that my backpack was taken out of a bus, while I had to continue for another couple of stops. I quickly ran out and put it back in, telling them the correct stop.
Have your valuables on you (in a money belt, in your personal bag) or in a safe place, especially when on a overnight bus or train.
Plenty of times you’ll find like-minded people you can travel with. It is fun and there are no obligations to keep on traveling once you arrive in a certain city or area. So, you’re free to go wherever you want!
