Any tips for a first time female solo traveller?

All I wanna say is that "wait until you have a boyfriend" is very stupid and weird advice. It's the 21st century. You're a grown woman. You dont need a male chaperone to do anything.

I'd recommended to start with places where you speak the local language (or the majority of the people you'll meet speaks English/another language you can communicate in) and can blend in to gain a little experience and confidence before trying more exotic places.

Being able to communicate is important, especially if you are travelling alone and blending in (even just appearing to be an expat/exchange student instead of a tourist) can be safer because "female tourist travelling alone" puts a giant target on your back.

I travel solo a lot! But I’m also 52 and have lived all over the world so I’m kind of used to it.

My advice: pick safe countries first to get your feet wet, then branch out! The absolute 2 safest countries on your list are Japan and Singapore. Also, Iceland is very safe. You could literally walk around alone at night and be fine in any of these places! I’m not recommending this - just saying.

I always stay in nice hotels, and I connect with the concierge before I arrive to ensure I get help booking transport, restaurants and activities. They also watch over me while I’m there.

Be aware of pickpockets and petty theft - I carry a cross body bag. When in Paris and other “pickpocket-y” cities, I often wear my purse under my jacket for extra security. Leave your passport in the hotel safe & take a picture of it on your phone just in case. Don’t carry cash - use a debit card to withdraw local currency when needed, otherwise pay with a credit card. Bring 2-3 cards in case you lose one (keep one in the safe). Watch your phone, as it can get snatched out of your hands.

Read the book “The Gift of Fear,” by Gavin DeBecker. It’ll give you confidence to follow your gut ALWAYS. There are dangers in every country, but listening to your inner voice will keep you safe.

I’ve travelled to over 40 countries, mostly solo. I’ve never had a problem. In fact, I feel safer abroad than in the US. This country is violent and full of scary scrotes.

Good luck! Have fun. Share your adventures here with us! 🩷

p.s. Not sure if this applies to you, but do NOT bring drugs to other countries, even if they’re legal in your home country. Rx’s are ok, just bring in the original bottle. Singapore is very strict about drugs - they’ve even executed foreigners for bringing drugs in. Don’t do it.

I love traveling alone! I do it all the time. I go on at least one international trip a year alone and multiple weekend getaways invetween either alone or with my dog. The best way to start is to start small. If you can go to bars and clubs alone, go. Then go to a new town alone. Then go to a new state alone. Then, once you’re comfortable in a different state, try the next closest country. The first country I went to alone was Canada from the US. I’d been international before with my parents, but never alone. Then I just kept doing it. When it comes to places where I don’t speak the language that’s when I stick to tourist areas where they speak English.

Once you feel comfortable just being alone in your everyday life and going out, when you do so abroad it won’t feel weird. Some people think they can just GO and it’ll be fine. But I went on a trip with my sister who had a bf and she couldn’t handle dining or going places alone. So she stayed in the hotel room by herself and didn’t really do anything unless we both wanted to do something together. It was sad. She found she travels well with groups and she did the EF ultimate break tour to London with an excursion into Paris and had a blast. She needed that group though because doing things alone is too hard for her. So. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Personally, your bucketlist looks a lot like mine and I’m saving to go on the EF Ultimate Break: Ultimate Earth tour. It’ll hit like every single bucket list item I have and I want to go in about 5-6 years. It’s like almost an entire two months of traveling and I know it’ll be worth it. I can’t wait to be honest. But yeah, if you’re not good at traveling alone or want a planned out trip just choose a tour group. I recommend EF cuz they’re very popular and I’ve known a lot of people who use them who’ve had good experiences.

Japan is extremely safe for women. Sure, it has its share of weirdos, but you can feel safe walking alone late at night. If you have internalized FDS and avoid men in general, it should be no problem. Let me know if you actually do decide to go there, I can give you some more tips! 🤗

As for HongKong and South Korea - those two countries were okay, but I’ve only visited them for a couple of days so can’t give more details. SK has a huge spy-cam problem and the staff can be rude, but it’s a mecca of K-pop and skincare if you’re into that.

On a side note - why do your parents have such an influence/say over your life? You’re a grow woman ffs, you should be able to do what you want. I understand their concern, but post-poning travel and waiting to get a bf is ridicilous honestly. Statistically, he’s more likely to harm you than some random scrote on the street.

Your parents are weird. What do you need a boyfriend for??? I have travelled solo for over 20 years so you can ask me anything. I am not attractive, though and I am not white so I don't get pestered by men, I am largely invisible unless they want to make fun of me...

You meet people when travelling solo - it's easy and people arrange to do things or you ask people where to go for a drink or good meal and they will invite you. It's much harder to do as a couple. I feel so uncomfortable around couples and it's hard to gauge whether or not they want to be around you or just with each other so I stick to solo people.

I live in the UK. Where in the UK do you want to visit?

I have only been to San Francisco, Sausalito and Los Angeles in CA. All were fine. San Franciscans are a bit wild but it's a good city. I would probably live there if I could get a VISA.

NYC was very noisy especially at night but that's probably what makes it special for some people. I found it overwhelming. I think American men are very different from British men and I see online there are lots of American women who are terrified of men breaking into their cars when they're in them, etc. so I can't help you with that. British men can obviously be violent but I don't think the threat is every second like in the US.

Rome was a great place, lots of great food and lots to do. I don't have any specific advice relating to Rome. I think the men are very forward if they like you and they seem to really like Asian women.

I do think if you are anxious, go to the nearest place to home that interests you, as you said. Test the waters. Make sure people who love you know where you are (I used to give my mum a mini itinerary and it was fun for her to know where i was and 'travel' vicariously through me). Make sure you're never in a situation where a man can 'trap' you. Always know how to escape (and make sure you have enough money on you to do so - different forms of money e.g. card and cash). Always take your passport with you (on your person). I tend not to leave valuables in hotels. Lock your hotel room doors. It's just the usual, really. There's no 'special' advice.

The first countries I visited were Middle Eastern countries because they're generally much more respectful of women, otherwise they'd be in alot of sh-t. My Asian friends (Indian, Pakistani) love Dubai and they have never felt safer than in Dubai. They walked around at midnight. I hate the city (shallow, superficial, showy, not respectful of its heritage, rude non-native men ime) but many like it.

Try to go to Hostels! Some apps like Hostelworld have a solo travelers recommendation. Looks at the reviews and filter for solo friendly reviews. When you there use the app to ask other women to teamup and do things in the area. I've been to Switzerland and Iceland and they are both extremely safe (like most northern Europe). California, USA and Washington, USA (where exactly?) are big states and can be dodgy, also you NEED to rent a car.