16 Helpful Tips for Traveling Alone in Your 20s

I’ve been traveling alone throughout my 20s, and it’s been a wholesome experience. I enjoy exploring new places, learning about the culture, meeting new people, and the best part, getting to experience new things without worrying about what my friends are doing or thinking. However, I used to feel lost at the beginning… no direction, no idea what I was doing, and stressed over things like “Should you travel in your twenties?”, “Can a 20 year old travel alone?”, ” What am I gonna do?” “Am I gonna fun at all?”. And, as this is a common thought, and the reason why I believe you’re also looking for tips for traveling alone… I decided to give you a hand with it! 

Seriously, I love traveling alone. It’s just me, my backpack, and a list of things to see and do. And without the constant need to check in with someone else to make sure I’m doing it “right“. There’s nothing better than embracing the culture wherever you go, meeting amazing people along the way, and getting to experience new things on your own.

However, if this is your first time as a solo female traveler, there are some things you should always have in mind. You gotta think about wi-fi connection, public transportation, the local language, travel insurance, and safety concerns. Plus, so many other things that will help have your best solo trip ever and no stressing out over little things.

Now, let’s dig into it!

16 Tips for Traveling Alone as a Woman in Your 20s

Always Look for Safe Destinations

Traveling solo as a woman can be dangerous. From being alone in the airport to taking day trips to any tourist attraction can be threatening if the country you’re visiting isn’t safe.

So, when you’re planning your trip, do your research on the safety of the destinations you want to go to. That way, you’ll have an idea of what you’ll be dealing with. And you’ll be able to check if you can take public transport alone or if it’s better to take Uber… which is also essential when you’re planning your budget.

You may also like: Best Destinations for Women Who Travel Alone

Stay Connected

One of the solo traveling tips I’ll always give out even if no one asked me, is to get a local SIM card as soon as you get to your destination.

It doesn’t matter how safe the country you’re visiting is, you must try to always stay connected with your loved one. Share your location with them all the time, text them when you get where you’re going, call them, and send pictures all the time.

I know it can seem a bit overwhelming, but being active with them will help you feel less lonely and will help in case there’s an emergency.

Get in Contact with Fellow Solo Female Travelers

Now that I mentioned feeling lonely, my next tip is to get in contact with other travelers.

Most of the destinations have co-working spaces for digital nomads, so if you’re traveling solo as a woman in your 20s, going to one of those places will help you find people who might enjoy the same things as you.

Trust me, it doesn’t matter if you won’t go to work, most of those places are gorgeous cafes where you can get in contact with people who love traveling. (Isn’t it amazing?!) 

So, get out of your comfort zone and go meet some amazing people! I mean it when I say people you meet during your trips can become great friends.

Get in Contact with an Insurance Company

For your safety, whenever you travel (it doesn’t matter if you’re alone or with a travel companion) get in contact with your insurance to see if they cover any accidents while you’re traveling abroad. If not, you can check out this post to find the best travel insurance companies for travelers.

 It’s always important to have travel insurance. We’re not calling bad things to happen, but we must be cautious! 

Get Comfortable with Dining Solo

Something I learned as a female solo traveler, is to get comfortable with eating alone. And let me tell you, this was hard!

I’ve always been the kind of person that feels like everyone is talking about them or that is surrounded by people judging what I’m doing (thanks social anxiety *eyes rolling over here*)  So eating by myself was a challenge when I first started traveling solo.

So, start being comfortable with spending time with yourself during lunches or while having dinner. Practice going to a local restaurant alone a couple of times every month or just start having solo dates! 

You may also like: 10 Solo Date Ideas to Start Embracing Yourself

Get in Touch with Hotel Staff

Another tip for feeling safe while traveling solo as a woman is to be in touch with the staff of the place where you’re staying. This will help you feel less lonely and have some kind of security feeling.

So, as soon as you get to your hotel, try to get to know some people from the staff, but don’t share too much information because, yes, again, we’ve gotta be cautious!

Pack Light

I’m not gonna lie. I used to be an over-packer, thinking I could need so many things during a trip (you know, the anxiety, yay). However, while being alone and having to carry so many things I had to learn to stop taking stuff that I knew I wouldn’t need.

So, when you’re planning your next solo trip, try to pack things you can reuse or that you can easily combine. For example, some neutral bikinis that you can exchange the pieces or some basics that you can use for any unplanned activity.

Don’t Plan Too Much

One of the best tips for traveling alone I could give you is to just follow the vibes. The best part of traveling solo is your complete freedom on the itinerary! Thus, don’t be afraid of going to unplanned local events, or to a restaurant you didn’t know about just because it’s not on the to-do list.

I mean, don’t get me wrong, planning is excellent since it gives you an idea of what you’re doing and when you’re doing it. However, don’t get too stuck on it! Want to visit that cafe a local told you about? Go! Want to see that museum you didn’t know existed? Get in line!

Don’t plan too much and enjoy the beautiful part of doing unplanned activities with someone you met on the trip! And thank me later 😉 

Learn Some Expressions in the Local Language

You don’t have to learn a language to travel, but it’s helpful to know some expressions.

I know that you’ll find many people who speak English abroad. However, when you tell the locals any expressions in their language, they feel so touched! That’s because many times they are forced to learn basic English just to serve the tourists. So learn at least how to say hello or ask for directions!

It’ll even make you feel more in touch with the culture you’re visiting. Thus, don’t be afraid of making mistakes, and go get it! 

Don’t Trust Anyone

Alright, I know I said you should get in contact with the staff and other solo female travelers, but that doesn’t mean you should trust them 100%.

You never know the true nature of anyone, not even the people you hang out with, so the only person you should genuinely trust is you (and always listen to your gut!). Hear me out, as a solo traveler, you must always listen to your instinct, it’ll always alert you if something’s wrong.

Make Copies of Your Documents

Another safety tip for solo traveling is to always have copies of your documents. You never know what could happen, if you lose your purse or if it gets stolen… better take care of your things before it happens!

So, always have copies of your documents, and keep the original ones in a safe place, like a safe deposit box. Many of the hotels you stay at have these in their rooms, so take advantage of them. 

Keep Your Money in Several Places

Following the previous tip, never keep your money in the same place. That way, if you get stolen or lose anything from your purse, you won’t be left without money.

So always keep money in your purse, and your cards, leave some in your hotel room, and try to have only what you need in cash. So if something happens, you can block your cards immediately and won’t lose any money.

You may also like: 12 Travel Essentials for Solo Female Travelers

Consider an Organized Tour

If this is your first time traveling alone, you can consider taking a tour with more people or from an agency. Like that, you won’t have the stress it takes to plan a trip and won’t feel as alone as you would when traveling solo.

So do your research on which are the best tours in your destination, make sure you check if they’re scams or real, and get in contact! Trust me here, you’ll feel so much safer if you travel with a group tour the first you visit a new country.

Never Drink Too Much Alcohol

If you travel solo you must take care of yourself. I know alcohol can be a fun way to have a good night, but you won’t have family or friends nearby. So, be careful with how much alcohol you take… and never drink from the same cup if you leave the table!

It doesn’t matter how safe the country you’re visiting is, never drink from the same cup you left alone. You never know who’s checking on you or if someone has bad intentions. Keep yourself safe!

Be Comfortable With Your Own Company

I once read “You’re not traveling alone, you’re traveling with yourself” so when you’re taking a solo trip, you must get comfortable with being by yourself. Eating alone, walking, being by yourself at a bar… are just some things you’ll have to be okay with.

That’s why I believe traveling solo in your 20s is one of the best ways of practicing self-love and self-confidence.

You may also like: Why You Should Travel Alone in Your 20s

As solo female travelers, we must keep ourselves safe and always be in touch with the people we love and who are waiting for us. So, try to always keep in mind safety travel tips whenever you’re planning a solo trip.

And this is it! I hope these tips for traveling alone help you plan your first (or maybe just next) trip. And with it, create great and unforgettable experiences!

You may also like: 
–12 Travel Essentials for Women Who Travel Alone
–Why Traveling Alone in Your 20s
–The Best Destinations for Solo Female Travelers

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