Travelling solo? Solo female travel might be an intriguing idea, but you do need to weigh in all the pros and cons before heading out.
It is nice to read about people travelling solo and staying in 5-star resorts, enjoying fine wine, and making new friends at luxury yacht parties. If you are on a budget it becomes 10 times more challenging to travel solo. If you are a solo female traveller multiply it by another 10 times. I have travelled solo both in India and various countries in Europe. There is one golden rule: you can never be too safe.
If you follow a few guidelines, solo travelling in Europe could be a breeze. In fact, travelling solo to Europe must be on your bucket list. The diversity in the places and the beauty of nature will inspire you to discover a new person within yourself. I have made some beautiful memories while travelling solo. I also met my partner during one of my solo trips. In this post, I will be mostly writing about my experiences of solo female travel in Europe and give some tips on doing it like a boss.
Contents
1. Research your destination well
Check out what the stats say about a country. Although this is just a basic step and may not always be trusted, it is good to know what you can expect.
2. Wander in the day, sleep at night
Some of you may think I am being over-dramatic. But this is a true scenario in most places, if not all. I have been in different cities of Europe and whether it is a bustling city like Paris or a quaint one like Heidelberg, I have noticed one thing is common. As it gets darker, the areas around the main stations and inside public transportation, things tend to get a bit sketchy.
In summer, in most cities of Europe, the sun is out till after 10 pm. So, following this may not be that hard. It is common for people to ask you for money or pick pockets at the stations at night. It is best to avoid giving money to anyone as you are unknowingly letting them know the location of your wallet.
3. Do not carry all your cards and passport
Do not carry all your credit and debit cards with yourself. Keep one Visa or Mastercard along with some cash with yourself. Leave the rest of your documents at your accommodation. If you use an iPhone, pay with Apple Pay.
There are different rules about keeping your passport with you in different countries. I would suggest you make a small copy of your passport and laminate it. Keep it in your wallet. If you are taking trips inside the city and within 10 km radius of your accommodation, you do not need to carry your passport. Instead, carry a laminated copy and a digital one on your phone.
However, if you are making a day-trip to a different city, further away from your accommodation. I would suggest you carry your passport but in a safe or secret pocket in your bag.
You can buy one of these cool anti-theft bags. They come in handy for solo travellers.
4. Respect the local culture
This is the best and most important factor in enjoying solo travel. Respect the people around you in a certain location.
If an Airbnb has certain rules like not smoking in the property, or not making noise after 9 pm, follow them. Some European churches have a rule to cover your knees and shoulder in the premises. Do not fret and just follow it. This will earn you some trust and stop you from embarrassing or uncomfortable situations in a new place.
5. Keep an SOS app and emergency numbers
Keep an SOS configured in your phone so that you can inform a close person in case of an emergency. Save all the emergency numbers of a place in your phone. This may come in handy for you as well as others around you.
6. Have a health insurance
It is always important to have a good health insurance when you are travelling to a foreign land.
7. Must-haves while travelling solo
Carry a selfie stick/ tripod: These are your best bets to have perfect pictures.
Sunglasses: Summer or winter, these are a must-have in your Europe trip.
A Jacket: Preferably waterproof. The weather can change drastically throughout the day, even in summer.
Sunscreen: Especially when you are visiting a beach, you will find them in every shop but the price will be 5 times higher
A pair of sneakers: I personally always have a white Stan Smith sneaker with me while visiting any place. Anywhere you go in Europe, if you do not walk, you will discover only a part of the charm. Keep a comfortable pair of sneakers. Fancy heels, flip flops will not last a day in the cobble stoned alleys.
8. Avoid drinking too much
Do not get too excited when you see a Ladies Night offer on drinks. Having too much alcohol in a strange place almost always does not do much good.
9. Take care of your belongings
Do not trust your roommates in a hostel even when they seem kind and friendly. Always deposit your luggage in a safe locker even if it costs a few extra bucks.
Take extra care of your belongings inside subway stations and public transport. The pickpockets are so smooth you will not even realise your wallet is gone until much later.
10. Stay away from strange people
Be very careful about starting a conversation with a stranger in public transport unless you are 100 per cent certain they are genuine. I was forced into a conversation with a guy who gave me the creeps in an empty train in Brussels. I had to lie to him that I was going to the toilet as an excuse to get down from my train at an obscure station. After an hour, I took the next train. It was a scary experience.
Europe is generally safe. But there are some parts of each city that are not for everyone and also some cities where every place is safe even in the middle of the night. These are some of the precautions I take while travelling solo. I have had beautiful journeys and made wonderful friends while travelling and don’t let this blog be a discouragement for your solo female travel plans. Just keep these factors at the back of your mind and your travel experience will be the best you have ever had.
You may also like: 9 Steps to Plan the best Budget Trip to Europe – Travel Expense Calculator
My Top 3 destinations for Solo Travel:
Based on my experiences, I would rank the following destinations as the top 3 for solo female travel.
