Lessons I’ve learned from being a solo female traveller

After over two years of travelling alone, I’ve established that solo travel can be done in two ways; ‘independently’ or ‘with a group’. Yes, a ‘GROUP’ – hear me out! From my experience, independent solo travel is when you plan and navigate the trip all by yourself and group solo travel is when you travel alone but join a pre-organised group (like a guided tour or travel group) and you share the journey with other solo travellers. Either way, both options give you the choice of exploring the world, and both are incredibly rewarding. So many people defer their trips because they don’t know the different solo travel options available to them. They have concerns about feeling lonely, personal safety, costs, language or cultural barriers and of course, unforeseen circumstances. They feel they have to travel independently for it to be deemed ‘solo travel’. Yes these are all real concerns and pressures, but they should not deter you from making that trip. While it’s totally understandable to feel apprehensive before embarking on a new adventure, it’s also important to embrace this feeling and recognise that stepping out of your comfort zone often leads to the most memorable experiences. While I started my travelling experience with independent solo travel, I often recommend that people start with group solo travel if they are nervous. This eases people in to solo travel and helps that fear or apprehensiveness dissipate. I advise people that after a couple of group trips, they will be ready to navigate a trip entirely by themselves.

The Benefits of Group Solo Travel

Travelling alone but with a pre-organised group has lots of great benefits, so it’s no surprise that it’s a popular option with many people. Travelling with a group means you have a planned schedule with set accommodations, activities and most of the time, meals. It allows you to meet other solo travellers which may lead to new friendships. The pressure is taken away from you when you travel with a group, as your tour organiser usually handles all the logistics of the trip. As well as this, you will have an increased sense of security and support as you travel with a group. You know what they say – safety in numbers!

What I Love About Independent Solo Travel

In my opinion, travelling independently without the company of a group is incredibly freeing and exciting. When you travel alone, you travel on your own terms. You get to do what you want when you want – you do not have to stick to a set schedule or plan. You can connect with people if you wish or avoid them completely. The experience inspires you to grow as a person as it gives you multiple opportunities for self-discovery. You gain confidence as you understand yourself better. Travelling independently forces you to overcome challenges on your own, showing what you are truly capable of. Overall, you become a more interesting person.

Top Tips to Travel Independently

For some people, enjoying an independent solo trip comes naturally. For others, they may have to work a little harder to have a good time. There are a few things you can do to ensure you enjoy independent solo travel, but the main advice I would give is to not put pressure on yourself. Travel is all about enjoying life and experiencing new people and cultures. You want to spend this time relaxing and being comfortable, not worrying or fretting. Remember that this trip is yours – it’s all about you and what you want to do. So, make sure you do your research to find out what kind of trip you fancy. Is it downtime you are looking for? Is it a creative experience you need? If you know people who have travelled to a particular destination before, talk to them. I have sent so many Instagram messages to different people asking about their experiences. This is effective as you gain firsthand knowledge from people you trust. I use this method to clear up any concerns I may have about safety or other. It also helps when planning logistics – you will find out what is and isn’t for you. I am quite an introverted person, but I always know when it’s the right time to push myself and chat with strangers. So, I would highly recommend you learn this skill. I’m not saying it’s easy, but after some time you will pick up on the techniques of an extrovert. This is important and can be so advantageous for your trip, if not your life! It’s also vital to learn to be flexible. There are times when your schedule or itinerary will need to change. Opportunities arise, so go with the flow if you are comfortable. For example, when I travelled to Brussels in Belgium, I had two days planned in the city. On my second day, I impulsively decided to travel to Bruges instead. It was the best decision I could have made, as Bruges is a fantastic historical city in the northwest of Belgium with medieval architecture, amazing canals and even better hot chocolate. Flexibility aside, make sure you allow yourself time to relax and settle during your trip. Travelling by yourself requires more energy than if you are with someone else. The pre-trip anxiety can leave you a little drained, so take some extra time having your coffee or hot choc in the morning or plan a relaxed visit to a museum or market. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Standing around looking confused or overwhelmed might attract the wrong kind of attention. Go into a restaurant or store and ask someone for advice or guidance. Being proactive will help keep you safe. I find taking day tours brilliant to socialise and interact with new people – not all solo travellers are loners! These day tours give you a new way to explore your destination and will also give you a mini break. You can focus on enjoying the tour, while the guide runs the logistics. Just because you’re travelling solo doesn’t mean you have to stay in at night. There are many options for things to do in the evening, just remember to limit the alcohol intake and not stay out too late! Be aware of your surroundings always.

What If You Don’t Love Solo Travel?

Let’s face it, everyone is different, and you might not enjoy travelling by yourself. Some people like companionship and want to share their experiences with friends or family. That’s perfectly understandable! However, before you give up entirely on travelling alone, I would suggest you be patient. You’re not going to fall in love with solo travel on the first day of your first trip. You need to give yourself time to settle into your destination and build up that confidence. If then you’re still not loving it, at least you gave it a go!

My Top Places to Visit

For me, I felt safest when travelling Europe. I love the Scandinavian countries, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. While there, I felt incredibly safe on my own, even late at night. For anyone starting on their independent solo travel journey, I would recommend you start with these countries and work your way through your list from there! This article has been published on RTE.ie – read it here. Read more of my travel tips – Surviving Pre-Trip Anxiety When Travelling Solo and Safety Tips for Solo Female Travellers. I also have a section dedicated to destinations I have travelled to – read them all here.