Women Traveling Alone
Benefits for the Woman Who Travels Solo
Nov 1, 2006 Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen
Women traveling alone can be intimidating -- especially as a single woman in a Muslim or third world country (because fewer women travel alone there). But the benefits for the woman who travels solo are numerous: freedom to explore your new surroundings, a sense of independence, and a boost of self esteem. The trick is to prepare yourself to travel solo -- and the three tips below will help immensely.
Women traveling alone gain self confidence, increase self esteem, and have a deeper experience.
Women Traveling Alone
Traveling alone was one of my favorite things to do: I explored Israel, Europe and parts of Africa alone. Then I got married, and am no longer a woman who travels solo. That's good in many ways, of course - but part of me misses being a woman traveling alone. My hubby and I recently returned from a two week backpacking trip in Israel and Turkey. Before this, I’d almost always traveled solo as a single woman to countries in Europe and the Middle East. Each trip by was fantastic and safe, even when I hitchhiked and traveled solo to “scary” places like Egypt, Israel, and Kenya. I met other women traveling alone, which made my trips more interesting and comfortable.
The benefits for the woman who travels solo are numerous and exciting.
Benefits For the Woman Who Travels Solo
As a woman traveling alone, you are:
- More likely to be approached by the locals. As a woman traveling alone, you'll be more involved with new people.
- More likely to experience local culture through invitations to people’s homes when you travel solo. Women traveling alone receive more invitations to dinners and events.
- Free to spend as little – or as much – time in museums, shops, or ruins as you wish. A benefit for the woman who travels solo is taking her time.
- Able to spend as much – or as little – money as you want on food and accommodations. Women traveling alone are on their own budget.
- Free to leave a location whenever you want. A benefit of traveling solo is freedom.
- More likely to hang out with other travelers, thus broadening your experiences. Women traveling alone are often invited out with other groups or solo travelers.
Is it safe for women to travel alone? Yes, if you do the research before you go to prepare yourself to travel solo. As a woman traveling alone, you must take the same precautions as women traveling with partners.
Don't forget that your trip will be a self-fulfillng prophecy. That is, if you prepare for loneliness and frustration, then that's what you may get. If you prepare for adventure, then look out!
Women traveling alone: prepare to miss these benefits of traveling with partners:
- Someone to nudge as you gawk at a 2,000 year old amphitheatre. Women traveling alone may miss this benefit.
- Safety (depending on the whims and desires of your traveling partner). Women traveling alone may feel unsafe at times.
- Another set of eyes, ears, brains, and nose with which to experience the nuances of the culture. Women traveling alone may miss a thing or two - or they may see more because they'll be more focused.
- More exotic and delicious food to taste at mealtimes. Women traveling alone can't taste others' food!
- Bartering support when you buy local souvenirs. Women traveling alone may miss this support.
- Security – if you become ill or lose your passport, you have someone to lean on. Women traveling alone may feel insecure or uncomfortable in this situation.
I wouldn’t want to travel without my hubby -- but I don’t regret one minute of traveling solo.
Women traveling alone: three things you can do to prepare yourself to travel solo
- First, try “baby steps” such as eating out, going to movies, or taking a road trip alone. Women traveling alone enjoy being alone at home, too. Traveling solo starts small.
- Second, talk to other solo travelers – you’ll gain confidence and wisdom from their experiences. Traveling solo involves others (ironically). Women traveling alone are comfortable with new people.
- Third, rest assured that other travelers will be quick to welcome you on their adventures, especially when they know you’re traveling solo. Women traveling alone are usually welcomed.
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Women Traveling Alone: Benefits for Solo Travelers
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