travel

The Woman That I Am – I Travel Alone…

woman with a cloth over her head as she stares out

The woman that I am, I travel alone.

I plan my trip.

Pack my bags.

Head out.

Why Do I Travel Alone?

I don’t have to wait around for you to get ready nor do I have to get up when you say so, I travel alone

The freedom and independence to do things for myself

It’s a challenge and helps me to gain confidence.

Yes, the first time you travel alone it is intimidating. But the first time always is. Get over it. You will be okay after your first experience. I love to travel alone now.

Things to Remember When Traveling Alone:

Decide where you want to go and why do you want to go there.  Read up, decide if its actually a place you want to see.

Plan your trip well. Especially the first day. What time will you arrive? Where will you stay?

Plan to arrive in daytime with plenty of time to find the place you are staying at.

Make sure that you pack just enough and no more. There won’t be a knight in shining armor around to pick up and carry it for you! Remember you’re doing this to gain confidence and to challenge yourself.

Find other people in your tribe. There are a lot of women traveling alone. Find them on social media before you go and be open to meeting them at your destination. When I travel alone I find some awesome people.

An interesting way to be local is to do your research and find a local family who can accommodate you. Trip Advisor or Airbnb may help you find them.

Safety First

Do not tell people you just met where you are staying.

Keep your travel documents like ticket and passport in a safe place.

There really is no need to tell your taxi driver or someone you meet on the street that you are alone. Make up a story if needed.

Trust your instincts, if someone seems suspicious, they probably are. I have kept away from some people when I travel alone.

Decide the time you want to go back to your accommodation depending on where you are and who you’re with. If your traveling with other people you met at say, a hostel, you can probably hang out with them a bit longer than you would alone.

Keep an eye on local news and talk to the people where you are staying. They can keep you in the loop if there is trouble anywhere. You get alerted to things like bad weather, unrest and other issues when you chat up people.

There are ways to get around eating alone, if that makes you uncomfortable. You can join a cookery class, a tour group, or even a dinner tour. You will get used to the food situation quickly. The first time is always the most difficult.

Make friends with other women on the trip. I have found some amazing women when on tour. You end up with women friends from all over the world.

Conclusion:

Traveling alone can be a lot of fun. If at first it seems intimidating, do join an all-women tour group to gain experience. There are a lot of them around in cities and on social media. You won’t regret it! Once you do get the hang of it then the freedom you feel will keep you traveling again and again. I travel alone and feel it is the best way to travel. The woman that I am I enjoy traveling alone thoroughly.


This post is a part of ‘The Woman That I Am’ Blog Hop #TheWomanThatIAm organized by Rashi Roy and Manas Mukul #RRxMM. The Event is sponsored by Kraffitti.

The Woman that I Am theme image

85 thoughts on “The Woman That I Am – I Travel Alone…”

  1. I have always envied solo travellers. Though I’ve always wanted to, I never could. Travelling solo is one on my bucket list and this surely is one guide I will keep in my mind before I plan anything.
    As this post comes from an experienced traveller like you, it has a lot of things that a solo traveller should keep in mind while travelling.
    Safety tips, planning your trip, and everything else. Superb post Brinda. This post needs to reach the masses.
    Hearty good luck Brinda 🙂

  2. I think, this post is for me. I never travelled alone not even a local trip. What’s the reason behind it, I don’t know? I feel very delighted and secure while travelling with my husband. It’s not like that I don’t want to do, I never thought about that. Great tips what to do and what should avoid. I loved this side of the womanhood too.

    Deepika Mishra

  3. Wow, I loved the courage you have to travel alone. It takes long to gather this range of attitude and step out from home alone. I love solitude, and I can guess hoe beautifully you enjoy every trip. More power to you.

  4. I’ve always travelled alone for work and as well for a trip and I must say it is an eye open experience. Travelling alone is not for all. If you need endless chit chats or a buddy at your side or any have trouble making decisions it might not be suitable. But if you want to go through real freedom, there’s only one way to find it – travel alone. You go or stay wherever your heart takes you. Out of what I’ve been I should say it is hard work at first, but travelling alone pushes you out of your comfort zone and the world around really isn’t that scary.

  5. I have never experienced travelling alone even though I travel a lot. It really takes a lot of research and courage to do so alone. You have travelled alone and hence your tips are very useful. Very well consolidated.

  6. Amazinggg way of womanhood celebration of from an eye of a Traveller Lady, I have travelled alone many times within India due to my seminars and training, and once or twice international, from USA to India. Brindha ji I am feeling full of zeal now to plan a trip with my girl gang very soon, thanks a lot for sharing such an insightful tips while traveling alone or in group.

  7. Never travelled alone for a vacation, but have been on my own ever since I went to hostel at the age of 17, so travelling back and forth was always alone. And now travel alone for work, conferences etc. I like my solitude then and it’s a great stress buster spending time with self. Loved how you jotted down points for those doing it for first time.

  8. travelling has its own charm and experience. I love traveling a lot. But my travel has been restricted with family only.. I have traveled alone only for work and it was an experience in itself. Ur post is inpiring me to pack my bags alone. 🙂

  9. A very useful post and a great take on the theme, Brindha. Traveling alone is indeed liberating. I just wish Indian travel locations were more solo women traveler friendly.

  10. Insightful post. I haven’t travelled a long distance but yes a few months back I had a chance to travel from my city to Delhi. Short trip but filled me with a lot of confidence. Wish to go on a solo trip. Will keep your post in mind.

  11. Wow, that’s a great and informative post, I so long to travel alone but sandwiched in my family responsibilities not able to take that first foot out. Thanks for sharing the tips and pointers very helpful whenever I plan in the future as safety comes first.

  12. Can’t tell you how much I long to do this….. am not able to because of single parenting and my health, you filled my heart with longing and I wish it was simple for women somehow

  13. Wonderful post!!I have been travelling solo for a long time and it is so liberating..You have given very apt pointers towards solo travelling also.. Best of luck for your future travels..

  14. I’ve always wanted to do a solo trip but I’m very scared. Not sure why? Your tips are very useful and you’ve listed all the possible points that one can think of. Thanks. Let me hope I can get over my mental block and travel alone….

    Janaki@beyondthefamiliar

  15. I have never been for a holiday alone though I feel I should may be try it once. Not sure when I will be able to manage but I am sure these tips will come in handy to me when I do and to anyone who intends to travel alone.

  16. Honestly not travelled alone much, the first time I was nervous but excited. This post was like a reminder to me that I should think about it more often.

  17. Nowadays many people are doing it, solo travelling. You get to do whatever you want, whenever you want and don’t have to depend on other people. Well written. – Yatindra Tawde

  18. What a refreshing take on the theme, Brindha! I have only travelled alone once, but I feel I would love to explore the option as I grow older. Your practical tips and advice will definitely prove useful, whenever I do travel solo next!

  19. I am adding this to my goals this year. I want to go on a solo trip. I want to feel freedom and be the master of myself for my entire vacation. These are amazing tips. It’s a great help for rookies like me who aren’t that well-travelled.
    Urvashi
    #damurureads

  20. These are really excellent tips for travelling alone. I had travelled alone some 20 odd years back. Now I am so much tied up with family responsibilities that travelling is a big thing for me. I do have a looooonnnnnnggggg bucket list to go thru, I am yet to find time for it. Hopefully my plans will come true soon. I really liked this post.

    Meena from balconysunrise.wordpress.com

  21. I am sure, Solo Travelling must be fun but I have never tried it. Thank you for sharing the tips one might need to follow. You go, girl. Keep sharing more! 🙂

  22. I’ve travelled alone a lot but never went on trips where I had to stay back. These tips are very handy and will help in making the most of the experience.

  23. Commendable really loved it to see power women in you as i am really good to connet with you stay blessed

  24. Very useful tips for solo travelers. I have never traveled alone but I can imagine how much one can enjoy this.

  25. That’s a wonderful post to bookmark and I loved your take on the theme. Very relevant and valid points to ponder. This has motivated me enough to plan my next travel soon! Glad you are a part of this blog hop 🙂

  26. A well thought crafted list of pointers that any solo travellers should keep in mind especially women. There were some really good ones like making a story up and not letting anyone know that you are alone or not telling your address and all. Womderful post Brindha ji.
    #RRxMM #TheWomanThatIAm

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