So…you’re finally doing it...You’ve booked your first-ever solo trip! Equal parts exciting and terrifying, right? Every solo female traveler remembers that mix of nerves and butterflies before taking the leap. But don’t worry—you’re not alone. Traveling alone doesn’t mean traveling lonely, and for starters, you’ve got us to help you get ready for your trip, and root for you as you go!
This post is packed with practical solo female travel tips to help you stay safe, meet people, and actually enjoy the ride. Whether you’re heading to Bali, Barcelona, or Bangkok, these are the things every first-time solo traveler should know.
10 Things Every First-Time Solo Female Traveler Should Know
1. Book Your First Two Nights
You don’t need a rigid itinerary, but having a safe landing spot for the first 48 hours will calm those arrival jitters.
2. Pack Light (Lighter Than You Think)
Trust us: no one cares if you re-wear outfits. The best thing you can do is to build yourself a capsule travel closet, aka, a collection of travel-friendly basics that you can mix and match.
3. Choose Social Stays
Hostels, co-living spaces, and boutique guesthouses with common areas are goldmines for meeting fellow travelers. Bonus: Bring facemasks or candy from your home to break the ice!
4. Share Your Location With Someone You Trust
A simple safety step: let a friend or family member follow your travels via Google Maps, Find My iPhone, or Life360.
5. Fall in Love With Eating Alone
Order the noodles. Drink the wine. Read a book, journal, or just people-watch—it’s a solo travel rite of passage. Yes, it feels a little daunting at first, but you’ll fall in love with the ritual of having a meal by yourself, we promise.
6. Join Solo Female Travel Communities
From "Solo Girls Travel" to “Girls in Bali” and “Girls in Seattle”, Facebook groups are full of women just like you—sharing tips and making plans.
7. Be Flexible With Your Plans
Missed buses, canceled ferries, sudden rainstorms—welcome to travel. The best stories come from detours. So plan ahead, but don’t forget to leave space for happenstance and impromptu adventures.
8. Document Your Journey
Journal, make photos, create vlogs…Solo travel isn’t just about the places you see—it’s about watching yourself grow.
9. But Don’t Forget to Remain Present
Take the photo, film the video…and then put your phone down. It’s tempting to fill the spaces with your phone when you’re traveling alone. But if you’re going to be doom scrolling on social media, you might have as well stayed home. Put your phone down, marvel with the world in front of you.
10. Trust Your Gut (Always)
Always, always, always trust that little voice inside of you warning you if something feels off…That voice is never wrong. If something doesn’t feel right, politely say no, leave the situation, and remember: your safety > someone else’s feelings.
Your first solo trip won’t be perfect—but that’s kinda the point. You’ll learn, you’ll laugh, you might cry once (or twice)—but you’ll come home with stories, confidence, and a version of yourself you didn’t know existed.
Find more travel tips, for first-timers to seasoned travelers alike in Alexa's book The One-Way Ticket Plan: Find and Fund Your Purpose While Traveling the World.
Ps. We're proud of you for taking the leap! 💗