Learning to get comfortable being by yourself can be challenging. Here, the Lonely Planet team share their advice for women traveling solo. Covering everything from making friends to personal safety to crying in public, most of these tips work well for anyone who finds themselves adventuring unescorted.
1. Ease into it, even for an afternoon
Doing activities alone can feel intimidating at first. It’s a muscle you build over time. Start with a solo day trip close to home or an afternoon wandering a museum you’ve always wanted to visit but didn’t know who to go with. When I backpacked through Australia and New Zealand/Aotearoa, I tacked on extra days at the end of group tours so I had solo time to explore (and decompress!) after nonstop socialising and being “on”. I’d already acclimatised to the new-to-me destination while travelling with the group, which meant I had more confidence and knowledge to navigate the streets on my own. – Deepa Lakshmin
View image in fullscreen ‘Some of my absolute favourite parts of a trip have been … sitting alone with a good book on a largely empty beach.’ Photograph: Westend61/Getty Images
I’m not quite 100% to the point where I’m ready to dive into a solo trip, so I like to carve out a day or an afternoon of “Rachy Adventures” when I’m travelling with friends or my wife. Said adventure often involves a croissant and an overpriced latte. Some of my absolute favourite parts of a trip have been a rainy afternoon spent wandering alone in Boston, or sitting alone with a good book on a largely empty beach, taking in the waves. – Rachel Lewis
2. Consider staying in hostels
Hostels are a great way to meet people, especially fellow solo female travellers. I truly believe you’re never too old for hostels.
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