Traveling solo for a woman can be an exciting, thrilling time. People seem to be easier to meet, destinations are at the tip of your finger, no waiting for an answer from your travel partner on where to go and what to do! Here are some tips to make a solo adventure fun and feel a little more secure!

1. Just because you start off alone, doesn’t mean you have to remain alone! Don’t hesitate to meet fellow travelers or locals. This is one of the great reasons for single women to stay in hostels, if that is a comfortable option for you. There are lots of other travelers to meet, many of them single travelers, and age at a youth hostel doesn’t seem to be a limiting factor any longer. There are many hostels in Europe, some are privately run, some are members of IYH. Don’t hesitate to share information that you’ve picked up along the way! But don’t forget to use your wisdom and common sense.

2. Arrive at your destination by mid-afternoon if possible.This gives you a bit of daylight to get adjusted to your new surroundings, get oriented to your neighborhood and the place where you are staying.

3. Men hissing in European countries is the same as men whistling or catcalling in the US, even though it sounds more hostile. Ignore them.

4. Treat your money, and your day bag, the same as you would at home. Moneybelts, fannypacks, and daypacks worn on your front instead of your back, mark you instantaneously as a tourist. If you treat your wallet/money as you do at home, you will be comfortable with your system and less likely to be seen as a potential victim. Plus, carrying crap around all day is just one more way to retain unwanted heat next to your body. Travel light to stay cool.

5. Keep your face out of the maps. Being a single woman and checking maps while you are on the street marks you as a tourist and a lost soul and a potential victim. Getting your day oriented from your hotel/hostel room or your table at lunch allows you to keep focused on wanderings rather than looking lost.

6. Get an easy to manage wash-and-go hairstyle, get used to wearing little or no make-up and leave your jewelry at home. Travel is so much more fun if you aren’t too concerned with what you look like and you won’t be noticed as much without jewelry on.

7. Walk with confidence but not with arrogance. Act like you know where you are and are familiar with your surroundings.

8. Take a book to read and/or a journal to write in. This comes in handy when you are dining alone, or taking a break in a park or the back of a cathedral.

9. Travel light, so you can keep an eye on your bag(s) when riding the trains. I always put my bags either in the seat and on the floor next to me, or if the train is crowded, I put the larger one in baggage rack at the end of the car facing me so that I can keep an eye on it. If I have to check a bag under the bus, then I try and sit so that I can keep my eye on the baggage container when the bus stops to let passengers on and off. On the trains and buses I always keep my luggage locks on.

10. Wear sensible shoes! and respect the dress code of the country you are visiting. It won’t hurt to wear pants or a skirt instead of shorts or wear a sweater over your tank to keep your arms covered.

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