“You travel alone?” – Jap.
“As a woman ???” – Jap. Correctly identified. I have boobs and a vagina.

At the beginning of my trip, this lack of understanding from other travellers or locals really unsettled me. Of course, this kind of question helps a lot when you are really afraid to go alone. #ironieoff
But now I know that it was the best decision for me to take this trip on my own. In this post you can find out why I recommend everyone to travel alone. And even as a female, that’s wonderful and easy going – there are also tips for women traveling alone.

It can be scary to travel alone – especially if you’ve never traveled alone before. But being on your own strengthens your self-confidence, broadens your perspective in all situations and creates memories that will last a lifetime.

As a solo traveller you are on your own in many situations. I was really scared of it at the start of the trip. At first I suppressed the fear with my excitement somehow. But then the fear is suddenly real. For example, if you are alone on your way to your hostel in the evening and it is actually not dangerous, because you are walking along the main street. But you are afraid because you are alone. And that’s a totally unhealthy attitude that makes you even more vulnerable.

Fear is a natural human instinct that should protect us from everything. It’s okay to be scared before you start your first trip. But even if you decide to start as a solo traveller, you face your fear and risk something. Because the hardest decision you make as a solo traveller is to book a single seat on the plane and pack your bag.´

You will ultimately learn to survive during your trip. You learn who you can trust, how to meet new people who may even become friends and you learn how to find your own way. Every time you go somewhere else you learn to be more independent, confident and above all in tune with your emotions and desires. As cliché as it sounds, but you find yourself in the right way (seriously!). And this gives you an enormously new and positive charisma.

You wake up and it’s all about you. What do you want to do where and when today? In this mass of unlimited possibilities you get to know yourself in a completely different way. You reach the limits of what you like and what you don’t like. And there is no one who directs you in one direction or stops your motivation. Do you want to eat Pad Thai for the fifth time a week? Get Pad Thai. Do you want to leave the concert? Just go. Maybe test yoga tomorrow? Do it. Still not in the mood for Indonesia? Book a ticket to the Philippines.
You don’t have to compromise or pay attention to another person’s desires. Now you can do your own thing: Have fun with this ego trip!

In the meantime you can see the world around you. If you travel alone, you have the time to just sit and look at things that are going on around you. For example, watching the happy, scurrying dogs on the beach or the squeaking child who is just being thrown into the next wave by his dad. Sometimes the everyday life can be incredibly beautiful.

The biggest mountain why many people don’t dare to start solo travel is the fear of being alone. I was really worried about it when I travel without friends or family. But I can reassure you: you are never alone while traveling. You are constantly surrounded by people. And suddenly you get to know the greatest travel friends in the middle of the street. You really have to avoid the street and everyone to be really alone.

During my time traveling alone, I was amazed at how many people spoke to me compared to the time I was traveling with friends from Germany or in a group from the hostel.
As a solo traveler, you are automatically much more open minded and you become more sociable and friendly. I tested this a few times at home when I was alone. Have a chat on the train with the old lady who is sitting next to you or with the nice waiter who is serving you. This can create really great conversations and maybe you will sweeten their day just as much as your own.

On your solo adventure, you will definitely tend to spend a little more money on yourself than you normally would. It doesn’t matter whether you treat yourself to a Thai massage or the fourth beautifully frothed cappuccino a day — you invest everything in yourself. You don’t have to do anything particularly epic. Just find out when you feel most relaxed. This can be a day at the spa, a long walk, a long bath with a face mask or simply snuggled up in bed reading a book. If you don’t know what exactly is relaxing yourself, try out a few things and challenge yourself to go to the sauna for the first time, for example. Maybe it feels strange at first, but in the end it is the greatest thing for you to sit and sweat next to the sympathetic grandpa on the wooden bench and keep silent.

Traveling alone as a woman — is that really such a big concern? For many people that’s a huge thing, especially when you read the headlines about the terrible things that happen in the world every day. Yes, we women are vulnerable. But we can still show character and strength as well.
Ladies, I can assure you: the worries disappear as soon as you arrive at your destination. Here are some tips on how to overcome negative confrontations as a female solo traveller.

SAFETY
The security concerns are probably one of the biggest fears you have as a woman. Of course, this is not baseless. Criminals look first for travellers who need protection – in many countries: the women.

TIPS: In general, leave the important documents such as your passport in the hotel or hostel safe. I usually don’t even take my credit card with me and just try to have enough cash with me. There is less damage with a stolen bag and you still have the option to withdraw money.
Eye-catching clothing and large accessories should also be avoided, especially in poorer areas. Otherwise you present yourself directly to the criminals.

UNWANTED ATTENTION BY MEN
The next worry that some women (Yes, me too) will have is that in some countries men can be pushy or even aggressive.

TIPS: Dress more conservatively. It doesn’t always have to be a short Hot Pants — a chilling Aladdin-Pants also look stylish and attract less attention to your great curves. If someone talk to you intrusive anyway, respond with certainty and confidence.
I was surrounded by quite a few men at a bus station in Malaysia. And those who know me know that I like to smile a lot. At that moment I simply let the arrogant, tough tourist hang out, who knows exactly where to go. The boys quickly lost the interest in me. By the way: Meanwhile my heart almost jumped out, because I was so nervous.
If you don’t know what to do anymore, just go straight to the nearest restaurant or speak to other tourists.

BE STRANDED IN UNKNOWN LOCATIONS
Of course this can also happen to men. But it is actually the case that you are addressed more quickly as a woman if you look around confused and searching.

TIPS: Just make sure you always have an emergency plan. No Internet? For example, make a note of your travel insurance emergency number in advance and call them from the next phone in a restaurant.
Often the locals come to you with good intentions and want to help you find the right way. You will also quickly develop a feeling for who really wants to help you in the situation. If you are unsure, just pretend you know exactly where you want to go and head to the next public area. There you will definitely find employees who will be happy to help you.

IMPORTANT: Although it is important to be careful, it is also important to know that not all locals try to cheat or bother you. They are often just as interested in your culture as you are in theirs. After all, they are locals — they can help you in the best way in many situations 🙂

HIGHER COST
A disadvantage for travelers on a lower budget is that traveling alone is almost always more expensive than traveling in pairs or in a group. Taxi rides or private tours to a lookout point add up to the costs that you have to pay as a single traveler. This sentence from the taxi driver: “Are you alone? That’s expensive …” Sucks always! As a result, I really missed some places in Thailand, because there were no public transport.

A hotel is also more expensive. It is very rare to book a single room. In my hotel in Bangkok I had TWO king size beds. Theoretically, four people could have slept here and shared the costs.

WHO TAKES THE PHOTOS?
Yeah. Taking photos while traveling is such a thing in itself. In Chiang Mai I asked seven (!!!) people if they could take a picture of me in front of a temple. And everyone said no. 😀 What’s wrong with these people?

I have my tripod with me on a few day trips, but it takes a lot of time to set everything up every time instead of just being photographed by another person for two seconds.

TIP: It’s best to ask people who are traveling alone. Often they are also solo travelers and you can take photos of each other.
And because I believe in karma, I often offer other solo travelers to take photos of them on my own initiative.

At this point a huge thank you goes to Kais. I traveled with him for four weeks and he made whole series of pictures of me with a lot of patience at every photo spot. ♥

Just try traveling alone – even if it is only for a weekend at the beginning. There is nobody who can distract you and you have enough time to deal with your thoughts and yourself and to reflect on situations.
If you don’t like it – not bad either. Traveling alone is not the thing for everyone. But most important is: If you should ever be alone again at some point (maybe only for dinner in the next café), switch off the thoughts that the people around you might think negatively of you or think it’s strange that you are sitting alone at the table.
Just enjoy your time with yourself.

Lots of Love ♥