10 Tips for First Time Female Solo Backpackers
Introduction
Solo backpacking is one of the most rewarding and exciting adventures out there. If you are a woman planning to go on your first solo backpacking trip I’m sure you’re excited but also a bit nervous. I definitely felt this mix of emotion before my first solo trip! These 10 tips will help you feel more confident and prepare you for your first solo backpacking trip.
1. Plan, But Be Flexible
It’s important to find a balance between planning and leaving room for spontaneity. Before a solo trip it’s helpful to create a rough itinerary and research destinations you want to visit. I try to find the cities I would like to visit, major attractions, activities I want to do, and how many days I’d like to be in each location. Depending on where you are travelling you may need to book accommodation, attractions or activities in advance. If it’s a busy season or popular destination I would plan a few weeks ahead.
On my first backpacking trip, a 3 week long trip in Europe. I booked all of my accommodation and transportation in advance. It left me with no freedom to change around my plans. I now go with the flow and just plan as I go. As a new backpacker this may totally freak you out. So, I’d recommend booking your first few accommodations and transport so you don’t need to worry at the beginning of your trip. Once you are a bit more comfortable on your own, you’ll slowly begin to trust the process (and yourself) and be okay with being more spontaneous.
2. Don’t Overpack
It can be daunting trying to decide what to pack on your first backpacking trip. The most important thing is that you don’t overpack. Having to repack every few days to go to your next destination is way less stressful and much easier with less stuff. Be sure to bring versatile clothing that can be worn in different outfits and situations. I also think packing cubes are great and help keep your bag organized. I like the MEC and Eagle Creek packing cubes best. Just remember less is more in this situation and it’s so liberating to realize how little you really need to get by.
If you are looking for a full packing guide with more information my post The Ultimate Packing Guide for Female Backpackers :South East Asia may be helpful to you (even if you aren’t going to SE Asia there are some general packing tips you may find helpful).
3. Trust Your Instincts
Above all else your safety is the most important thing. It’s important to trust your instincts and leave any situation you don’t feel comfortable in. The sad truth is that as women we are almost constantly on our toes and watching out for possible threats. This isn’t just the case while we are travelling but unfortunately something we face in our day to day lives. But, it is especially important in unknown environments when we are travelling alone.
Avoid any risky situations and stay aware of your surroundings. Only go out at night with people you trust. Only use trusted transportation, I like apps like Grab or Uber because you can share your location with others. I also like to carry a personal alarm or whistle just in case. It’s good to have a power bank as well so you don’t have to worry about a dead phone and getting lost or being unable to contact anyone.
If you get an off vibe from a person or a place, trust your gut. Even if the situation was harmless it’s always better safe than sorry. Got a bad vibe from the hostel you’re staying in? Forget the money and stay somewhere else. You don’t need to be nice to anybody who’s making you feel weird. The harsh reality is sometimes we have to lie for our safety. Say you have a boyfriend, are engaged, married, have friends in the city or your family lives here. Do whatever you need to do to be safe. I wish this wasn’t our reality and I’m not trying to scare you. These things happen everywhere, we just have to remain especially vigilant when we are alone.
4. Stay Connected
Another way to stay safe is to keep in touch with family/friends. I share my location on Whatsapp or Share my Location on my phone. As I mentioned on apps like Uber or Grab, you can share location with others. I tell my friends/family where I’ll be staying, buses and flights I’ll be taking. I check in via text every few days to let them know everything is going well. It’s a good precaution and gives my loved ones peace of mind knowing that I’m safe. And helpful for me to know somebody knows where I am. If it’s possible I also try to tell people I meet in my hostel where I’ll be going throughout the day. Just a casual ‘Hey I’ll be going to x today. I’ll be back at the hostel this evening’. So someone knows your whereabouts, just in case.
Get a sim card, either an e-sim or actual sim card. This way you don’t have to worry about not knowing where you are or not being able to get in contact with anybody else. I personally always get an e-sim, I can set it up before I get to a new country so as soon I land I’m connected. I love JetPac and Airalo for my e-sims.
5. Learn Basic Local Phrases
You don’t have to learn a new language but knowing some key phrases can help you so much while travelling. The bare minimum is learning Greetings, Yes, No, Please and Thank you. Even if your pronunciation is terrible, locals usually appreciate you at least making an effort to speak their language. I use google translate for any situations that require total translation. It’s not always entirely accurate (some say Deep L is better) but the point usually gets across.
6. Keep Belongings Secure
You want to ensure that all of your belongings stay safe. I recommend getting one or two locks. I like this one because the shackle is adjustable so it can secure onto anything. Most hostels have a locker for your belongings or a smaller lock box/safe for your valuables. If you don’t see any in your room, there may be a separate luggage storage room or a lock box behind the front desk where you can keep your valuables.
Bring multiple cards! I’ve lost both a credit and debit card while travelling in the past year. But luckily, I have had extra. If I have two credit cards and I’ll keep one in my backpack and another in my personal bag. This way if either gets stolen or lost I still have at least one card. I also recommend having a digital scan of your passport and a printed copy just in case you lose it. Try not to bring any expensive/valuable jewelry because it’s just an unnecessary risk.
Be sure to do research on the place you are going and make yourself aware of common scams that occur there. Also be aware if you are going to a place where pickpocketing is common. Use locks on your bags if possible, pickpockets will see it and figure you aren’t worth the trouble. Keep your belongings where you can see them and be aware of your surroundings especially in crowded tourist spots.
Having travel insurance is also a must. This has protection for your belongings and yourself. I’ve heard too many horror stories to risk not having it. I’ve used World Nomads Travel Insurance and you pay everything upfront, good for when you have a set amount of time you’ll be travelling. I’m now using SafetyWing because you pay monthly, which is good if you don’t know exactly how long you’ll be travelling.
7. Choose Accommodation Wisely
You can choose to stay in a hotel, airbnb, homestay, or a hostel. I personally think hostels are the best for solo travellers. They are usually the cheapest option. But, more importantly you’ll meet other solo travellers. A lot of hostels offer activities and events making it easier to make new friends. But, be aware some hostels are party hostels and you don’t want to end up there if that’s not your vibe.
I like to use HostelWorld to find hostels to stay in. It’s the easiest way to compare prices, amenities, location, etc. between hostels and read reviews. The app also has a social feature that allows you to message people who will be staying in your hostel at the same time. This way you can already meet people before even arriving there.
To pick the best hostel for me I try to find one that is rated at least 7/10 on HostelWorld. I look for a convenient location usually close to the city center (Note: Some cities are huge so be aware of what they are actually referring to by ‘city center’). I read reviews to make sure it’s clean, safe and has a nice atmosphere. Also, know that if it is dirt cheap the amenities probably reflect that (I stayed in a $1/night hostel and it was not pleasant to say the least). Try to find a nice middle ground and of course it will depend on your budget.
8. Budget for the Long Haul
You need to choose a budget that works for you. This will depend on where and for how long you are travelling. I use the app TravelSpend to track all my spending. There is a free version and premium version. I’ve been using the free version and it’s been perfect for me. You enter your total budget and length of your trip and it will give you your daily spending limit. You enter in all of your expenses every day to keep a record of how are doing with your budget. You need to track all your expenses in order to stay on track of your budget!
So how can you make that money last? Stay in affordable accommodations like hostels, eat cheap meals like street food or cook some meals in your hostel. Go on free walking tours or free activities you find. Also, if you are a student you can use your student card to get discounts on entry fees to some attractions or activities.
It can be hard to budget and feeling like you have to say no to some things. But, it’s important to manage your money so that you can pay to do the things you really want to do. It’s okay to splurge some days but know you’ll have to do less on others days to even out the budget.
9. Be Open to New Experiences
The coolest thing about solo travel is you can do anything you want to do. So get out of your comfort zone! Try new foods, try a new activity and say yes to new experiences. Not everything you’ll try is going to be your thing but isn’t it so cool that you did try! I find the most random things you say yes to are always what leads to the best memories. So say yes as much as possible.
It can be scary to be alone and not have the safety net of your friends. But, it’s also one of best parts of solo travel. Nobody knows you, nobody expects anything from you. You can be whoever you want to be. Of course you should be yourself but maybe give yourself an upgrade. If you are shy maybe now you’ll act confident. Life isn’t so much of ‘faking it till you make it’ but faking it until you are it. This is the time to be whoever you want to be. And 99% of the people you’ll meet you’ll never see again so who cares. Do you!
10. Embrace Slow Travel
It’s really exciting to see new places but remember you’re not just here to tick off a list. It’s easy to get burnt out if you don’t give yourself the time to really be present where you are and if you’re constantly moving. Usually at the beginning of your travels you are looking forward to where you’re going and you don’t appreciate where you are. If possible take it slow, this doesn’t have to mean staying somewhere for a long time but actually slowing down. Don’t over plan your days and try to rush to see things just to see them. Keep your options open, have at least one day a week (depending on your schedule) without having strict plans. Maybe check out a nearby cafe and see where the day takes you from there.
And I hate to break this to you but it’s impossible to see and do everything. You could be in a city for a year and still have places you’ve never visited. Decide what’s important for you to do and see. Don’t go to a random touristy place just because you ‘should’ do it. Make a list of things you really care about seeing and doing but, keep time open for spontaneity. Sometimes just walking around can give you a real feel of a city vs a crowded tourist trap full of foreigners.
Conclusion
Solo backpacking really cemented my love for travel and I hope it does the same for you. Just remember to plan, but be flexible, don’t overpack, trust your instincts, stay connected, learn basic language phrases, keep your belongings secure, choose accommodation wisely, budget for the long haul, be open to new experiences and embrace slow travel. I wish you the best of luck!
