32 Solo Travel Tips I've Learned As An Experienced Female Solo Traveler
Hi! I'm Kristen, and I recently returned from my third international solo trip. Over the past few years (and many, many travel mistakes!), I've learned quite a few tips and tricks that I think my fellow solo travelers can really benefit from.
So, without further ado, here are 32 of my best solo travel tips:
1.Base your budget on what you prioritize.
For example, I spend more on a conveniently located hotel then save money on transportation by walking and on food by going to the grocery store.
However, if culinary experiences are more important to you, then you might save money by staying at a hostel or a hotel that's a bit further from the city center so you can spend more at restaurants.
2.Use Get Your Guide to find and book fun, interesting experiences.
Last summer, I discovered Get Your Guide while I was already in Scotland, and I was able to book a bus tour to Loch Ness for a reasonable price with only a few days' notice.
So, this year, when I was planning my trip to Iceland, I used the website to book several experiences in advance. It was so easy to find unique things I couldn't find by Googling "cool things to do in Reykjavík," like a horse riding tour in the lava rocks and a guided folklore walking tour. The site also made it easy to book transportation to and from my activities when needed, and all the vouchers were easily accessible in the app.
3.Locally made artwork and jewelry make the best souvenirs because they're lightweight and unique, and buying them supports local artists.
When planning trips, one of the first things I look for is local art fairs and farmers markets, and when I'm walking around the city, I keep an eye out for workshops, craft markets, etc.
At home, I have a gallery wall of prints and paintings I've bought while traveling. It's not like I'm going to fancy galleries and spending thousands — most of them were between $15-30.
4.Use Eventbrite or Class Bento to find cooking classes, art workshops, etc.
Since I'd been to Edinburgh before, I wanted to try something new last summer. On Class Bento, I found a painting class at a community art center in a part of town I'd never been to before. It was so cool to spend a morning with a small group of local artists and learn the basics of a painting style I'd never tried before. Plus, I got to take my piece home.
5.Use TikTok as a search engine to find cool places and experiences.
In Edinburgh, I took a purse-making workshop and a chocolate-making class I found on TikTok. They weren't listed in any of the "best things to do in Edinburgh" articles I found on Google, but they were truly some of the best things there.
6.Get an international phone plan or eSIM and download WhatsApp before you leave.
The first time I traveled abroad with my college, I didn't get an international plan and tried to rely on WiFi — and that's how I ended up lost in London in the dark by myself. So, NEVER AGAIN.
Also, WhatsApp isn't very commonly used in the US, but it's pretty popular outside of it. Not only can you use it to contact people back home without using up your data, but, oftentimes, you can also use it to contact local businesses, etc.
7.Download local taxi or rideshare and food delivery apps before you get there.
Uber doesn't exist everywhere, and even in places that have it, it may not always be the most affordable option. For the most part, I try to walk everywhere, but having city-specific taxi apps for Edinburgh and Reykjavík came in handy when I wanted to visit places that weren't safe or practical to walk to.
Food delivery apps are a great alternative to the expensive trap that is room service, but I like to use them to find nearby restaurants and look at the menu. Then, I put the directions into Google Maps and pick it up myself so I don't have to pay a delivery fee.
8.Try to learn a little of the local language if you don't speak it already.
Traveling to Iceland this year was my first time visiting a country where English isn't the primary language, and my biggest regret is that I didn't try harder to learn some Icelandic beforehand. It sounds silly, but I was unprepared for how many awkward moments I'd have because of not knowing more than "hello."
However, everyone was very kind, patient, and understanding with me, and I learned some basic Icelandic phrases from YouTube.
9.Use compression bags to make packing easier and to keep your suitcase organized.
I'm a severe overpacker with a special knack for making my bags always come in underweight. My secret is compression bags, which help you fit more stuff in less space.
I use these compression packing cubes from Béis, which fit perfectly in my coordinating suitcase.
10.Pack multiple plug converters and a fully charged power bank. Take that power bank EVERYWHERE with you.
The first time I traveled abroad, I wasn't responsible with my phone usage, and it died way too many times. Thankfully I wasn't alone then, but I've been more careful since.
One of my biggest travel anxieties is the prospect of my phone dying because it has my maps, Apple Pay, my plane tickets, and so many other essential things on it. So, I prepare for the worst-case scenario by packing two or three plug converters as well as a fully charged power bank (or two).
Keeping the power bank in my bag has come in handy so many times, especially in the airport and on days where I'm away from my hotel for long periods of time.
11.Obviously, you should wear whatever makes you feel comfortable, but, personally, I feel safer when I feel like I'm "blending in."
Having only traveled to Europe, I've found that jeans and a neutral top or jacket help me not to stick out too much. I don't take many outfit pics, but the brown leather jacket in the picture above is my go-to.
However, "blending in" also includes not acting like a tourist — staying quiet, keeping my expression neutral, not stopping to take a bunch of pictures and selfies, etc.
12.Bus tours aren't as bad as they sound! They're a great way to see more of the country for an affordable price.
Kristen Harris / BuzzFeed
When I first heard some friends talking about taking bus tours, I imagined a hot, crowded bus stuffed with annoying people and being herded like cattle.
However, I took the plunge after seeing great reviews for a Loch Ness tour from Edinburgh, and it ended up being one of the best travel experiences I've ever had! For less than $200, I got transportation, a very knowledgeable guide, museum entrance, and a boat tour. Additionally, it wasn't straight to Loch Ness — we got to stop at several spots along the way, which I probably never would've seen otherwise. Also, the bus was very roomy, air-conditioned, and quiet. The other passengers weren't annoying at all, and I made friends with the girl sitting next to me.
Similarly, this year, I took a bus tour from Reykjavík through the south of Iceland. For about $100, I got to visit so many beautiful places — and it was way cheaper than renting a car and doing it myself would've been.
13.Be sure to plan a rest day, because if you don't schedule one, your body may force it.
I actually had two bus tours planned from Reykjavík, but after the south of Iceland tour, I knew I wouldn't be able to make it to the Golden Circle tour the next day. After several days of go-go-go, I hit a wall. I was disappointed in myself, but I knew I needed to listen to my body and take it easy for a day.
So, what I wish I'd done is leave myself a rest day in between bigger excursions. After allowing myself to just chill out for a day, I felt so much better and ready to hit the ground running the next morning.
14.Save money on food by going to the grocery store for easy prep meals instead of eating out for every meal.
In Reykjavík, I spent about $110 on groceries instead of $20+ for every meal at a restaurant. Though I did eat out a few times, I pretty much stuck to eating breakfast and lunch at the hotel.
My room didn't have a microwave, so I got things that would fit in the minifridge or the pantry — hummus, carrot sticks, rice cakes, crackers, ham, cheese, yogurt, berries, protein bars, and lots of chocolate.
It also helped that my hotel had continental breakfast, so I saved money there, too.
But here's a bonus tip — use your Google translate app to read labels you don't understand at the grocery store. Otherwise, you may end up with cilantro avocado rice cakes, even though you hate cilantro and avocado.
15.If you're loyal to a certain hotel brand or airline, consider getting a credit card that allows you to build up points towards stays or flights.
I have a credit card for my favorite hotel brand, and by using it for all my typical purchases, I've been able to save about $1,000 per trip by booking with points. Sometimes, on shorter trips, I haven't had to pay for my hotel at all.
16.If you're staying in a big city, try to plan one day where you're out of the city and in nature or with animals. It's such a nice change of pace, especially if, like me, you're not using to the hustle and bustle of a big city.
In Iceland, I spent plenty of time in nature, but in Edinburgh, most of the things I wanted to do were in town. So, I spent a day at the zoo to get out of the city for a while.
17.When following maps on your phone, keep the volume off, and don't stare at your screen the entire time.
What I like to do is memorize the next street I need to turn on, then act like I'm checking a text when I get there so that it's not super obvious I'm following a map.
This goes back to not looking/acting like a tourist. Maybe it's just my anxiety, but having been followed before, this makes me feel like I'm minimizing the likelihood of it happening again.
18.In the airport, wear a fanny pack/belt bag/bum bag/crossbody bag to keep all of your necessities within easy reach.
It's not cute, but my crossbody bag fits my passport wallet, hand sanitizer, money, phone, power bank, disinfecting wipes, lip gloss, aromatherapy pen, ibuprofen, and snacks.
Having all of that easily accessible without having to dig through my carry-on has been such an anxiety reliever. Most of the time, I've been allowed to wear it on the plane, but sometimes, they do ask me to take it off and put it in my other bag before boarding, so just make sure to leave space for it.
19.Plan, but don't overplan.
When I planned my trip to Scotland last year, I spent hours making a spreadsheet of all the coffee shops and restaurants I wanted to visit. But when I got there, I only went to, like, two. Other than that, I ate at the hotel or places I saw while walking around.
As previously mentioned, I ended up skipping one of the Iceland tours I'd booked at the last minute because I was overwhelmed. That was a waste of money.
On the other hand, some of my favorite travel memories are from things I didn't plan months in advance — an impromptu bookstore crawl around Edinburgh, writing in a Reykjavík café with new friends, getting my nose pierced the day before leaving Iceland.
So, what works best for me is planning one or two things to get me up and out of the hotel every day then spend the rest of the day wandering.
20.Get local currency in cash before you leave if you can, or exchange some currency early in your trip.
My bank does currency exchange, so I order about $250 for every week of my trip before I leave. It usually ends up being too much, but I can always exchange it back or save it for my next visit.
When you're in another country, your credit card may not work everywhere. I was very thankful I had cash in Iceland because my card didn't work in many places.
Having cash has also come in handy when buying art because not every craft booth or local maker has a card reader.
Additionally, being limited by cash makes it easier to control your spending, which has been very helpful for me.
21.Learn the words that are different in British vs. American English, even if you're not going to the UK or the US.
I don't know what it's like in non-European countries, but knowing the British version of certain words was very helpful in Iceland. To be frank, I was very grateful I knew that "WC" meant bathroom.
It was also helpful when reading menus. For example, I knew "rocket" meant arugula and that I didn't want to eat anything with "aubergine" (eggplant).
22.Go to free museums and libraries for bathroom access.
Outside the US, there aren't as many free-to-use public bathrooms, so be on the lookout for museums and libraries. While you're there, check out the exhibits!
Of course, not all museums are free, so be sure to check the price of admission before going inside.
23.Choose a landmark or memorable place as a point of reference to guide you back to your hotel and other places you frequent.
In Edinburgh, I could easily find my way back to my hotel from the castle and around town from St. Giles Cathedral. In Reykjavík, I could find my way anywhere from a large ad featuring Jennifer Lawrence. Pick a point of reference that works for you.
24.Save your money on high street/the main tourist area and venture slightly off of it to find more local, handmade things as well as cheaper, better food.
When I was in Edinburgh last summer, I really wanted a claddagh ring. There were plenty of options in the touristy shops along the Royal Mile, but when I ventured a few streets away, I stumbled on an artist's workshop and bought the perfect ring from the man who made it.
Similarly, I was wandering about in the rain when the sign for Edinburgh Street Food caught my eye. The food was wayyyy better than anywhere I've eaten along the Royal Mile.
25.In the airport, try to use the bathroom before going through customs because that line is LONG.
This is a mistake I always make. You won't save yourself anytime in the customs line by waiting until you're through to use the bathroom. You will likely be stuck in that line for hours, and because you're by yourself, you can't have someone else watch your stuff and hold your place while you skip off to the restroom.
26.Don't post where you are in real time, especially if your profiles are public.
Also, don't post where you're staying until you've left!
27.Stay hydrated.
When I travel, I try to always carry a water bottle with me. If my reusable bottle won't fit in my bag, then I'll refill a plastic water bottle from the hotel and take it with me. I also bring Liquid IV with me and try to drink one a day.
28.Leave the giant backpack at the hotel and carry a smaller bag or totebag instead.
Your backpack may be handy, but it screams "tourist." Personally, I prefer to use a small purse or totebag.
29.Make sure your glasses, hearing aids, or any other medical devices are good to go before you leave.
My glasses were kind of wobbly before I left for Iceland, but I figured it'd be fine. However, they ended up breaking at a service station in Vik while I was on my bus tour. The convenience store didn't sell eyeglass repair kits, and the closest thing I could find to a tiny screwdriver was a corn cob skewer from the American barbeque party section. As you might've expected, it didn't work.
Thankfully, I could still see enough to function, but it was very stressful. Conveniently, there was an optician near my hotel, and they only charged me, like, $5 to fix my glasses.
It's a funny story now, but in the moment, I was really worried I'd have to spend the rest of the trip with a monster headache from not having my glasses. So, please, learn from my mistakes, and don't put off fixing any medical devices before your trip.
30.Don't worry about other people judging you for being a solo traveler, because I assure you they're not.
I used to work in hospitality, and I met multiple solo travelers every single day. Oftentimes, they'd be embarrassed about being a party of one, but I assured them that plenty of other people were also there by themselves.
When I've traveled alone, the only reaction I've gotten is, "Oh, do you live here?" or "Are you a student?"
31.Expect bumps in the road and mentally prepare yourself to adapt.
For my Iceland trip, I was most excited about Blue Lagoon because I've wanted to there for about ten years. However, I had to cancel my booking last-minute due to volanco-related closures. I was sad about it, but obviously, the safety of the people who live and work there is more important than me having fun.
So, rather than wallow in disappointment, I booked a reservation at the Sky Lagoon (which was closer to Reykjavík and not affected by the volcano) for the next day. It ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip. Plus, I can always save up and go back to Iceland for Blue Lagoon one day.
As an anxious over-planner, the biggest lesson I've learned is to be mentally prepared for plans to change. My schedule is not gospel. A bump in the road is simply an opportunity for a new adventure.
32.If you want to solo travel but are scared or nervous, start local!
I went to college in Florida, so my first solo trips were day trips to Orlando and Tampa. I planned them around things I wanted to do but none of my friends were interested in, like book signings and concerts. Then, when I lived in Orlando, I did a lot of solo theme park days. It helped build my confidence and independence and taught me to be comfortable on my own.
Then, I "graduated" to domestic solo trips and went to LA by myself.
Two years ago, I took my first international solo trip to Edinburgh. I felt comfortable because I'd already been there with friends in college.
Going to Iceland by myself this year was a major step, and I don't think I could've done it if I hadn't started small and worked my way up. I had to learn how to trust myself and how to enjoy time alone.
What solo travel tips do you have to share? Let me know in the comments!
