There are a lot of articles on the Internet about the “solo female traveler” but each one misses an important point. Whether female or male, being a solo traveler encourages personal growth and independence.
I find the idea of the “solo female traveler” in itself an annoyance. The idea of grouping travelers by gender is ridiculous. Each traveler’s experience is different, it is entirely individualistic – from the places you choose to visit to the people you meet along the way.
The most disturbing thing about the articles for the “solo female traveler” are the “tips” it often provides: Don’t go out at night; don’t talk to strangers; don’t stick out; don’t stay at small, local hotels; etc. It provides this idea that most people are out to get these women who decide to travel alone.
You should never let fear stop you from doing anything. I don’t promote being unsafe, as all travelers need to be aware of their surroundings and take care of their safety. However, do not let paranoia keep you from doing something you truly want to do.
Everyone who travels solo needs to take personal precautions to make sure they stay safe, no matter what their gender is. I personally have a rule for myself about drinking when I travel solo, so that I’m always aware of my surroundings. It is all about making sure you are comfortable with the city you are in.
A perfect example is my Hogmanay trip in Edinburgh, where I did nearly the opposite of the “don’t list.” I stayed in a small hotel, just on the outskirts of the center of town; I did the Hogmanay activities at night; and I talked to strangers. I was comfortable with this environment though.
More to the point, by staying in the small hotel I was safer than in a large chain. Since the hotel was so tiny, I became acquainted with the owner, who knew I was a solo traveler. He checked in on me each day to make sure everything was OK and I was enjoying my trip. The big chains would not have taken an interest in my wellbeing.
I will always promote staying at local hotels to the big chains, just do your research before booking – read the reviews, look at the location. For many of the big chains you are just a person to fill a room and make them money. For the smaller hotels, you pay for the room, but they treat you like a friend. They are happy to help and recommend places to you.
For anyone thinking that traveling alone sounds like the loneliest adventure, there are always opportunities to make friends. Don’t be afraid to speak with other travelers and the locals, you could be surprised about who you meet along the way.
There are some selfish motives to traveling alone – you can eat what you want, go where you want, and do what you want. There’s no one to compromise with when it comes to planning your days. There’s no one else’s budget to consider.
I’m not promoting only traveling solo, group travel is great too. However, don’t let the prospect of going alone hold you back. Embrace it.
Before traveling alone I was a completely different person. I have become an independent person; learned to calmly handle emergencies; and gained a wider cultural perspective. I have seen amazing structures; pushed myself further than I believed possible; and built lifelong connections. You learn to be OK with those odds-and-ends things you expect others to be there for, like meals.
Traveling alone is a liberating experience, one that has become increasingly popular. And for good reason. I believe traveling alone is something everyone should do. Isn’t it time we all learn to enjoy our own company?
You can follow Caitlin Burns for more travel fun at The Globetrotting Graduate on Facebook at Facebook.com/GlobalGraduate, Twitter @GlobeGrad and Instagram @GlobalGrad. For more about the amazing places she travels, go to her blog, globetrottinggrad.wordpress.com.
