Solo female travelers are a growing and attractive market. In fact, 14% of women travel without the company of family, friends, or a partner. This trend showcases the independence and adventurous spirit of women eager to explore the world on their own terms.
Let’s delve into this phenomenon and uncover the habits, needs, and expectations that define their unique travel experiences.
The Rise of Solo Female Travel
Many women are now engaging in solo travels driven by factors such as self-fulfillment, independence, and a desire to explore the world. Solo travel enables women to be on their own, have control of their itinerary, and interact with different cultures.
The Almawave Group‘s recent analysis of travel trends confirmed that even before the pandemic, solo female travel was becoming more popular. This trend grew as more women chose to travel for personal experiences and well-being.
This has, in turn, shifted attention towards ensuring that women traveling alone are provided with safety and comfort wherever they may be in the world.
Habits and Preferences
Women traveling alone tend to look for places that are secure and friendly for the independent traveler. Hence, countries such as Japan, Iceland, and New Zealand are preferred because crime risk is low and the residents are welcoming.
Female tourists also look for destinations that offer art and entertainment, a healthy lifestyle, and opportunities to spend time in nature. They care about real travel experiences that allow them to interact with locals and experience their culture.
When it comes to choosing a time, most women prefer summer for traveling, and the most popular months are June and September. These off-peak times of the year offer a quieter and often more affordable travel experience.
Tips for Solo Travel
The best thing about traveling alone is that no one will have the exact same experience as you. There will be memories, events, and emotions that will only be yours. However, there are some important considerations that every solo female traveler should keep in mind.
Reach out to Other Female Passengers
One of the first things a traveler should do is research the area before leaving to gauge safety and become acquainted with local customs and traditions. There are a variety of resources available for that, ranging from basic Internet searches and perusing travel blogs to reviewing Global Rescue location reports.
Reaching out to other female travelers who have visited the places is also a smart idea. Various public and private women traveler groups are available on Facebook. You can simply join the community and contact travelers who have visited the places you wish to visit.
Book in Advance
Expert travelers advise leaving some leeway in your schedule to allow for spontaneity—which is often when the best parts of your travels occur. One thing they prefer not to leave up to chance is your nighttime sleeping location. You should always book your stay in advance, especially if you’re going during peak season.
Know Your Ways About
Think about the following: Can you walk around the city you’re traveling to? Does renting a car make sense? Is public transit available there, and if so, how user-friendly is it? Before you go, ensure you’re aware of all these things. You should plan your trips with an itinerary, and a major part of the planning should involve getting from point A to point B. If the city has a metro system, you should use it because it will be affordable and fun. You’ll also meet some interesting people on the metro.
Stay Connected
Another essential requirement for solo travel is connectivity. Being able to check up on family and friends and having maps, guides, and emergency contacts is important for people who are traveling alone. This is where eSIMs come in handy.
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM that allows travelers to activate a mobile plan without having an actual SIM card. This technology is particularly beneficial for solo female travelers. It provides an easy and convenient way to stay connected without the hassle of changing SIM cards.
eSIM apps offer the flexibility to switch between different plans and carriers to get the best coverage and rates throughout the journey. Travelers can choose eSIM plans based on their destination, such as eSIM USA, France, or any other location.
Get a Travel Credit Card
Finally, don’t forget to get a travel credit card. This is especially important for international travel. Ensure that your credit card does not charge foreign transaction fees.
With a travel credit card, you can transfer or redeem points for free or heavily discounted hotels, activities, flights, and more. Investing in a good travel credit card can make travel more affordable and accessible.
Some Final Thoughts
Traveling alone can be scary, but remember that it will only help you become a stronger, more confident, and better version of yourself. Seize the chance to enjoy stepping outside of your comfort zone.
You can achieve great things in life and when traveling alone if you adopt the mentality of “I can handle it.” Go have an amazing adventure now!
