As solo travel continues to grow in popularity, it's essential to learn how to do it effectively.
To get you on the right track, “Good Morning America” tapped Lale Arikoglu of the “Women Who Travel” podcast to break down everything from general advice to safety tips for solo travelers.
One of her top tips is to sign up for a walking tour or class to immerse yourself in the culture. She said it was also a great way to meet people along the way.
However, if you're looking for more structure, some tour operators have created self-guided tours.
Arikoglu said that if you like cruises, “don't rule them out.”
“More and more lines have launched single surcharge fares that target solo travelers,” she said.
Alternatively, she advised finding a travel company that runs small-group tours for women, like AdventureWomen.
Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers
Tip #1:
Share your location with friends and family. Also, if you're hiking outdoors, stay on busy trails and don't go off-grid. If you get injured, you may need someone to help you find yourself easily.
Tip #2:
Don't post on Instagram or geotag in real time if you're traveling alone: this means sharing your location with strangers.
Tip #3:
If you do not speak the language of the place you are traveling to, allow yourself to use a translation device such as the Vasco V4 Language Translator Device.
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Top products for solo female travelers
From a security standpoint, the Garmin InReach Messenger, which looks like a mini satellite messenger, is a great choice, according to Arikoglu.
“If you are in a place where there is no cell phone service, whether you are in the city or in the woods, it can send SOS alerts to the specific numbers you have configured in the device,” a Arikoglu said. . “And it's very small, so you can just take it with you. You can let family and friends know you're okay or send them your location information.
She continued: “Plus it has a weather update, so if you're alone and need to prepare for rain or snow, you can have that alert with you.”
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Garmin inReach Mini 2 Satellite Communicator
PlayBetter Garmin Fenix 7S Pro
“An essential item for a solo traveler is a power bank (or even two),” Arikoglu said. “In daily life you might rely on others for a phone charger, but when you're traveling alone it's not very safe or very smart, and also not very useful when you need to check or remind you how to get back to your hotel.”
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Arikoglu also recommends having a durable and long-lasting backpack, because when you're alone you'll need to have your hands free.
“A Cotopaxi travel bag is a great option. It basically feels like it's designed for all occasions,” Arikoglu said. “It's the kind of backpack that you can open with a zipper and it lies flat, so you can see everything at once. It has different compartments that you can use for dirty clothes, clean clothes or simply to separate two different parts of your trip. like a beach part and a city part. It's very ergonomic. It distributes weight better and it's great for hiking because it's waterproof, but also good for traveling in town and basically any type of trip.
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Cotopaxi Allpa 28L travel bag
Having comfortable, easy-to-wear pants is also essential for solo travel. Arikoglu's recommendation for bottoms is Shop Duer's No Sweat Everyday Pants.
Available in black, green or beige, these pants have a ribbed waistband and drawstring for an adjustable fit. They're also designed with plant-based lyocell for antibacterial and moisture-wicking properties.
Sweat-Free Everyday Pants – Laurel
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