Just 7 little tips to follow—solo travel can be just as fun for girls too!

▲ Girls can have safe and fun solo travel experiences too. (Photo / Reporter Li Ziyi)

Text and photos /Dextalk – Traveling the World While Chopping Wood and Feeding Horses

Many female readers often say they also want to travel alone, but they’re not sure if they can do it and still think solo travel is a scary thing, believing that no matter how wonderful the outside world is, it’s full of dangers.

When you’re alone, you definitely have to solve all problems by yourself, and there are indeed bad people in the world, but not everyone is bad—there are still plenty of good people you’ll meet along the way. Solo travel definitely requires more effort than traveling with someone, but that doesn’t mean girls can’t travel alone—you can do it if you’re willing.

01 | Try to arrive at the airport during the day

With the rise of budget airlines, more and more cheap flight options have departure or arrival times late at night. Female solo travelers, if possible, should try to choose flights that arrive during the day. It can be quite troublesome if your hotel doesn’t offer a shuttle at midnight—even though you can wait at the airport until morning before heading into the city, some smaller airports don’t even have facilities that allow travelers to stay overnight. Also, people are more fatigued at night, their alertness drops significantly, and they’re more likely to be targeted.

02 | Check reviews, maps, and the surrounding environment before booking a room

Don’t easily believe what’s written on booking websites about being “close to the airport” or “close to the city center.” Many hotels, in order to attract customers, still insist they’re near a subway station, but when you check on Google Maps, you’ll find out they’re not. Spend a bit more time looking at the map before your trip, otherwise you’ll waste even more time when you arrive. It’s also very important to read other people’s reviews on booking websites—you can get a sense of the surrounding environment from those who’ve stayed there and see the actual situation. Avoid staying in places that are too remote—don’t sacrifice peace of mind just to save a few bucks.

03 | Lock doors and windows after check-in and don’t open the door casually late at night

Usually, when you get from the airport to the hotel, you’re eager to lie down or unpack, and you often forget to check the room’s facilities. The first thing you should do after checking in is to make sure the doors and windows are secure and lockable. If someone knocks at night, even if they claim to be hotel staff, don’t trust them right away. Normally, if there’s an issue, the front desk will call your room first. If you’re staying in a mixed-gender guesthouse, also pay attention to the other guests—female travelers are generally better off staying in female-only dorms.

04 | Travel low-key and keep a certain distance from strangers

Try to keep a low profile while traveling—learn how to dress appropriately. You don’t have to wear something overly flashy to take good photos—some simple, understated styles can look great too. Dress like the locals to reduce your “tourist vibe,” making you less noticeable. If you encounter overly friendly strangers, don’t share all your personal information right away. Remember to keep your distance—if they ask which hotel you’re staying at, just give a vague answer.

05 | Keep in regular contact with family

Set a fixed time each day to get in touch with your family or friends, leave emergency contact info, your hotel address, and your general itinerary. If anything happens, they’ll have a rough idea of your location—and they may also reach out to you to check that you’re safe.

06 | Don’t be tempted by small gains and end up suffering big losses

Most people traveling alone are concerned about travel expenses, since there’s no one to split costs with—not even meals. This is why some scammers use low prices to catch your attention. When you see cheap deals being aggressively promoted, stay rational—don’t be tempted by small savings only to end up being ripped off badly.

07 | Don’t be afraid—show that you’re a strong, independent woman

Some say criminals often target people who seem timid or vulnerable. While it’s not 100% guaranteed, since you’re traveling solo, it’s time to show some confidence and courage. You need to believe you can do it, and that you’re strong enough. The law of attraction also tells us that if you’re always thinking about danger, it might actually find you. But if you focus on completing your trip safely and put in the effort to do so, then you will succeed.

These 7 little tips may be very basic, but every female solo traveler should try her best to follow them. What matters most when you’re out and about is to have fun and stay safe.

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