Being a solo female traveler was always something that touches my nerves, mainly because I’m not used to traveling alone. The first destination of my solo female travel was India, so that leads me to be even more scared. Why? Well, I guess that most Europeans share the same idea about India as a bad destination for female travelers.
I will talk about my experience as a solo female traveler in Southeast Asia.
I confess I was pretty scared with this idea, but I thought that at least after India I will be prepared for everything. I also have no idea how is this world of solo traveler, so I didn’t know how easy it is to find other partners in crime. If you are stressed about traveling alone, and thinking about not doing it because you will have no one to share thoughts and experiences, forget it.
.If you are a solo traveler, be ready to not be alone most part of the time. There are so many other solo travelers (you have no idea how many), and some with the same fears as you, that will approach you easily because you share the same state of mind.
It’s very possible that sometimes you want to be alone and you actually can’t as you are making so many different connections. Sometimes you even have to choose which group you will join today.
.To avoid being alone, book dorms instead of solo beds. You will meet a lot of people while sleeping in dorms and your bedroom fellas are more likely to be the person with whom you will spend some days exploring the area.
Don’t be afraid of mixed dorms. The only difference here is that you can’t undress in your room. Guys are pretty good roommates too.
.You can also find your partner for the day while having breakfast. Join the same table as other solo traveler and make friends!
.Another way to meet new people and share experiences for long days is on bus rides. In less touristic places, where you are likely to be the only tourist on board, if there is actually another tourist, you will connect as probably this person is the only one speaking English around.
.Don’t prepare or plan things too much. There is a big chance that you will meet someone that will make you wanna change plans. Either you are going for the same destination, or because you are enjoying each others company so much that you wanna travel together from now on.
.Being a solo traveler leads you to be more open to meet new people and don’t rely on your friends. You can make all your own decisions without pressure from someone else. You are totally independent!
.If you are in trouble alone, there will always be a nice local or other tourists willing to help you.
.If you are not so adventurous, don’t get out of money. Money can be very helpful for solving things easier in case you are under too much stress and don’t care about money anymore.
Most of all, be open to meet new cultures, ideas, ways of living and acting and always wear a smile and everything is gonna be ok. If you are embracing your trip with the right spirit, you will enjoy it fully and it’s possible that traveling alone will be the best trip ever and once you start, you will want more solo trips.
-There are other more effective ways to find a travel partner, for instance: facebook groups. There are several facebook groups for travelers community that you can join. People are sharing experiences, advice and, recommendations there. You can also ask who will be in your area at the meantime and voilá, you can get a travel partner.
–Volunteering was the way I found to not be alone in India. Despite the fact that my plan didn’t happen as I predicted, I didn’t spend so much time alone… Volunteering is one of the best experiences I carry from my trips because you are getting involved with the locals in a way that travelers spending a few days in the area can’t. You understand the countries better, and their people. You start loving it and feeling it like it’s home. And you are not alone! You can do it through WORKWAY where you can also see which other “workawayers” are next to you and even meet them!
If you feel ready to embrace this travel style, start setting your destination and buy your way to a one of a kind experience at @momondo, #owtravelers e #admomondo by clicking HERE!
Don’t skip that dream trip because no one is joining you!
