Travelling alone as a female
Isn’t scary? Isnt boring? So brave!
These are the common reactions when I say that I travelled alone to Europe. Yeap I am a female.
Why did I do it? - It has always been on my bucket list. (Everyone should have a bucket list! It gives you something to look forward too, something to work towards to) The chance came when I had to go to Europe for work but I couldn’t find anyone to travel with. With a “free” airticket, why give up the chance?
Was it scary? Nope, not at all. There are many articles on the www. about travelling alone as a female. There isn’t anything special you have to do or look out for, rather, they should be things you usually do when you travel anyway.
Read reviews in detail and do not get distracted by just the price. I understand that the temptation of cheap accomodation is great, especially when travelling on a budget. And hey, its only to sleep right? What’s the big deal? In my opinion, it is a big deal! Getting a good night’s rest is important when you have just arrived from another timezone, or to prep you for the whole day(s) of exploring to come. You do not want to wake up with bed bug bites which will leave you scratching for the rest of your trip.
Bring along your own padlock. While it is the common travelers rule to not steal from another traveler, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Many hostels offer locker services but you have to supply your own lock.
I have a personal preference - Ensuite female-only toilets. It is just me maybe, but being able to have a good shower with privacy at the end of the day is comfortable.
Hostels are a good way to meet people from other countries while BnB are a great way to meet locals. I have met some really lovely people/hosts using airbnb.com.
Its may be strange to some, but travelling as a sole female traveler, I have met more solo female travelers than male ones! Maybe it is my character or that as a solo female traveler, you tend to look out for others of the “same kind”. I have met female travelers from all nationalities, Canada, Korea, Israel, Belgian, Thailand and so on. I have remain good friends with a couple, with channels like Facebook, there is no reason not to!
Was it boring? It can get a little boring walking around on your own, but you plan your own time and itinerary. Lots of freedom and less distractions. You will meet new friends along the way. And if you like, you can go exploring with your new friends the next day. One particular downside of travelling alone? You rarely see yourself in your photos ;p
The usual don'ts you follow in your home country apply when travelling
1) Do not leave your belongings exposed
2) Do not fall asleep on public transport (even though it can be very tempting to). You may say that you are a light sleeper and so on, but never underestimate the ability of pickpockets. They are the pro.
3) Do not walk into dark alleys. Self-explanatory
4) NEVER lose sight on your belongings.
Be alert even while reading the map. Try not to stop and look at your map for too long on the street. One gets extremely engrossed when we are trying to figure out directions. That is when you lose sight/focus on your belongings.
Be careful of crowds. Have your belongings infront of you at all times. I hug them close to me when I am walking into a crowd.
5) Do not drink too much alcohol. The temptation to party and cheap alcohol (in some places like Berlin and Prague) is great for some but when you are drunk out cold, you have NO IDEA what is going on. There have been countless of cases about ladies being raped and so on after partying. I stayed away from drinking while I was out and only drank when I was back at my accommodation.
6) NEVER think, “This will never happen to me” or “I wont be so unlucky”. If you have read stories about something or if your instincts say no, then DON’T. The most important rule - Better to be safe than sorry.
- Do your research. Traveling to a new country is not a walk in your neighbourhood park. Google the country you are going to. Travelling is a very popular thing to do worldwide, and with the internet these days, there would be plenty of reviews from people who have traveled there. The chances are, the questions/concerns you have. someone else would have had/asked them too.
- Have your embassy’s number in your phonebook. When trouble arise, they are your best bet.
- Have (at least) a photocopy of your passport with you at all times. Some say it is safer to keep it with you, some say it is safer to leave it locked at your accommodation. I decide when I get there. Some places check your ID when you use your credit card too.
- Keep only a decent amount of cash with you. While it may be more economical to take advantage of exchange rates at money changers than that or a bank, the risk of losing your money is more expensive than the difference in exchange rate.
- Budget airlines like Easyjet are EXTREMELY particular (anal I would say) about their baggage limits especially for handcarry. Follow them strictly (both in terms of weight and dimensions) or buy check-in luggage. I have seen them stop a lady from boarding just because the front pocket of her backpack wouldnt fit into their box. That annoying metal rack/box thingy. You wont want to miss your flight and ruin your travel plans just because your bag don’t fit their box.
- Have a basic emergency kit contain plasters and basic medications. Like I have said earlier, you can never predict what happens in the future. Food poisoning, flu, fever, rash etc. They can just happen. If you are travelling to a country whose language is the same as yours, you may be able to get medication from the pharmacy easily. But if you are not, then trying to read the ingredients/instructions written in a foreign language when you are ill would be a near impossible task. Let alone trying to communicate with someone else who doesn’t speak your language. Having the basic medications would help allay the symptoms before it gets worse. I usually carry painkillers (paracetemol etc), anti-histamines (they are good for flu and allergies), charcoal pills (for indigestion) and pills for vomiting and diarrhea. If you are in doubt over what to bring, consult your local doctor. He will be able to recommend what is necessary.
I am not sure if I will travel alone again but I am glad that I did it once. Make travelling alone on your bucket list, it would be an amazing experience :)
vaporwave
blakekathryn
jbbartram-illu
areudirty
