I have been travelling solo since I was 19 years old. I was always a little self-willed and independent, which happens when you grow up with a grandmother and also happen to be an older sister. Those who know, know that that combination comes with a built-in independence very early on. Add boarding school to the mix and you are basically raised to figure things out for yourself.
My first trip was to London, to live there. At 19 years old. It was one of the best periods of my life. I learned how to book flights, get a visa, navigate a city, survive by being smart, and ultimately thrive and have the time of my life.
Being female and travelling solo brings a lot of security concerns, and that is usually the first thing that turns people off. But there is so much to it once you have done your due diligence. Here is what I have learned across years of solo travel, across multiple countries and continents.
Do your research properly
Be smart about where you get your information. We are in the era of fake news and exaggerations, especially on social media. I say this as a South African who regularly sees sensationalised and outright inaccurate coverage of this country. The most reliable source for safety information is your own government. Check what their official recommendations say about your intended destination and go from there.
Book your flights as early as possible
Early bookings save a significant amount of money, and everything else flows from there. I plan and book 100% of my travels myself. No travel agencies. I am my own travel agency, which takes a lot of research and planning. The sooner you lock in your travel dates, the more time you have to research your destination and connect with people in that area.
Register your trip with your government
Once flights are booked, register your travel details with your country's international relations department. In South Africa, DIRCO (Department of International Relations and Cooperation) has an app that makes this quick and simple. Registering means that if anything happens to you abroad, your government has the information they need to assist you.
Take your accommodation seriously
Accommodation is one of the most important bookings you will make, outside of flights. This depends entirely on your preference, but for me, comfort matters. I do a lot of outdoor and physical activities, which means I genuinely need to rest and recover in between. I love a stay that ranges from comfortable to outright luxurious. It is not indulgent. It is part of how I travel well.
Use trusted platforms for activities
There are plenty of reputable sources for things to do. What you want to avoid is falling prey to a scam in a foreign country. The platforms I rely on are Airbnb Experiences, Viator, Booking.com, and GetYourGuide. Airbnb Experiences in particular has been in my toolkit for years and has never let me down. I plan my activities with a detailed itinerary, but that is also just my personality. Some people prefer to wing it and that works too.
Arrange your airport transfer in advance
Upon arrival, I always recommend booking a pre-arranged transfer rather than trying to figure it out on the ground. I have used welcomepickups.com and Booking.com for this. It removes a significant amount of stress from those first hours in a new place. Outside of Europe, where trains and public buses are reliable and well-signposted, getting from the airport to your accommodation in a developing country can be genuinely complicated. Local taxi dynamics vary by country, and rideshare apps like Uber are not universally welcome or available. Knowing your transfer is sorted before you land is one of the simplest ways to start a trip well.
Getting around is easier than you think
This is the part most people stress about, and it does not have to be that way. A little research goes a long way. Europe has some of the most intuitive public transport in the world, with excellent apps to guide you. Many cities now accept contactless payments on public transport, which makes life considerably easier. In other places you will need to buy a physical ticket. Either way, staying calm and using your head will get you where you need to go. And if you get lost, trace back from where you started. Getting lost is not failure. It is part of it.
Start where you are
The best way to get comfortable with solo travel is to get comfortable with yourself outside of your comfort zone, and you can start doing that right now, wherever you are. Can you go to a restaurant alone? A movie? A day excursion? Can you sit with your own company and be okay with it? Start there. Practice relying on yourself for a good time before you ever board a plane. By the time you land in a foreign country, it will already feel second nature.
Solo does not mean alone
I always say that just because I travel solo does not mean I am alone. The activities I choose almost always involve other people, whether that is a guided hike, a cooking class, or a group tour. Do not be afraid to strike up a conversation. People who are travelling are curious in the same way you are, and the similarities you discover between yourself and someone from the other side of the world are genuinely one of the great surprises of travel. Some of my most meaningful friendships have started with a conversation during a group tour. That is one of the best parts of doing this.
Trust your instincts above everything
Research is the foundation, but your instincts are your strongest tool on the ground. If something feels off, it probably is. If a place feels wrong, leave. Keep your cash in small quantities and smaller denominations. Keep your phone on your person at all times. Do not leave your drink unattended around strangers. Always let someone know where you are.
These are not rules designed to frighten you. They are habits. And once they become habits, they become second nature.