For many women, the idea of traveling alone sits somewhere between exhilarating and intimidating. The promise of independence and self-discovery is strong, but so are the “what ifs” that can hold people back. Still, solo travel can be one of the most rewarding things you ever do, as long as you approach it with intention and awareness.
“So many women are intrigued by the idea of solo travel,” Liz Coffey, founder of On Leave Experiences, told HuffPost. “I hate to see when they talk themselves out of it, worried it feels selfish or isn’t the right time. I like to ask ‘What will happen if you don’t?’ and similarly ‘What will happen if you do?’”
A solo trip can help you reset and return to your everyday life more energized. But it’s still important to be mindful of the potential missteps that can turn a fulfilling experience into a logistical nightmare or otherwise bad situation.
Below, seasoned globetrotters share the common mistakes solo female travelers make ― and their advice for avoiding these errors during your next trip.
Not Budgeting For Safety
“In various Facebook groups I’m part of, I often see posts from women who are mid-solo trip who have run into some sort of safety concern with their accommodations but have no emergency funds set aside to be able to last-minute book an alternative,” said solo travel expert and author Nausheen Farishta. “As women, unfortunately we do have to factor in additional safety precautions when traveling alone.”
She advised setting aside some travel emergency money in case you need to switch hotels, pay for unexpected transportation, or make any other decision to prioritize safety.
“Bring multiple debit and credit cards, ideally from different banks, and keep them in separate places,” said travel blogger Nadine Sykora. “Have Apple Pay set up on your phone if you have an iPhone. Carry some local cash ― not a big amount, just a few hundred should suffice ― and let your bank know you’re traveling to prevent card freezes.”
Travel blogger Amanda Williams also emphasized paying a little extra for safety and comfort.
“If you’ll be arriving to a new place very late at night, I highly highly recommend pre-planning your airport transfer, so you don’t have to deal with taxis or public transit alone at night,” she said. “In general, I’m much more likely to pay a little extra to take an Uber or something similar versus walking an unfamiliar route after dark. I also will pay more to stay somewhere with a 24-hour front desk and security, and bonus if it’s a hotel that requires key card access to get to guest room floors.”
Oversharing With Strangers
“I don’t believe in the ‘don’t talk to strangers’ warning, but when you’re a woman traveling alone, you do want to be a little more wary about sharing too much personal info with someone you just met,” Williams said. “I don’t tend to broadcast right away to strangers that I’m traveling alone, where I’m staying, or what my exact travel plans are.”
This guidance extends to what you post on social media, especially if you have public profiles.
“Women make the mistake of sharing their locations or room numbers while they’re still there. Wait to post on social media till after you leave a place for safety reasons,” said Jen Ruiz, a solo travel expert and author of “12 Trips in 12 Months.”
Packing Too Much
“When you’re traveling solo, your luggage is fully your own to manage,” Farishta said. “This means you’re the only one there to lift it, lug it and watch over it. Packing light ensures you can move more easily between destinations, planes, trains, cars but also to and from bathroom breaks.”
She recommended curating a capsule wardrobe to balance variety with minimalism.
“Keep it light, keep it practical and dress in a way that respects the local culture,” echoed Leigh Barnes, president of Americas at Intrepid Travel. “It’ll make you more comfortable and less of a target for scams or petty theft.”
Pack smart by researching local customs and rules in advance.
“Blending in makes you far less likely to attract unwanted attention,” said Sue Cockell, a travel coach and founder of Sue Where? Why? What? “Learn about dress codes, greetings and etiquette. For women, something as simple as carrying a scarf or sarong can help with modesty requirements and make you feel more comfortable.”
Thomas Barwick via Getty Images
Some of the biggest mistakes solo female travelers make involve overlooking safety.
Thinking Solo Means Disconnected
“Traveling alone doesn’t have to be lonely,” said Justine Palefsky, co-founder and CEO of the home exchange platform Kindred. “The biggest missed opportunity is not leaning into the communities that already exist. There are groups and networks you can tap into in every city that allow you to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures.”
Don’t underestimate the value of connection. Solo travelers can have meaningful interactions that might even turn into lasting friendships. Tapping into the local community or meeting fellow travelers can also offer a sense of reassurance as you navigate a destination.
“Each destination is different and has its unique challenges,” Ruiz said. “By connecting with a woman on the ground while researching your trip, you can be better prepared.”
She suggested looking into organizations like Wanderful or Facebook groups like Girls Love Travel.
“But even without being part of a formal community network, solo female travelers can find connection through activities as simple as becoming a regular at a nearby café, joining a pilates studio or signing up for an art class,” Palefsky said.
You can also meet fellow travelers or talk to locals through guided tours or cultural workshops.
“Chatting with local guides, hotel staff or other travelers is one of the safest and smartest ways to get real tips on where to go ― and where not to,” Barnes added.
Under-Researching Accommodations
“Women make the mistake of feeling safe just by virtue of being in a hotel,” Ruiz said. “Always go the extra mile by searching reviews for key words like ‘safety,’ ensuring your room is at least on the second floor, closer to the elevator so you don’t have to walk down a long hallway to your room every time and alert everyone on the floor you’re alone, and make sure the front desk attendant doesn’t verbally share or announce your room number but writes it down instead.”
Don’t forget to research the location of your accommodations to determine the best areas to stay.
“This is partially a safety thing, but also partially just a convenience thing,” Williams said. “Yes, of course I would recommend solo travelers, and especially solo female travelers, do a bit of research on the safest neighborhoods to stay in when visiting a new place. But you also want to keep in mind the overall vibe of a neighborhood in the day and at night.”
For example, the downtown area of a big city might totally empty out after 6 p.m. and become a ghost town.
“I look for neighborhoods that will be lively throughout the day and evening, and I also like to stay somewhere that’s walking distance to at least a few cafes and restaurants ― and bonus if I’m also close to public transit,” Williams said.
Similarly, you want to be mindful of your arrival and departure times and consider if you can arrange transport through your hotel.
“Arriving or departing to or from an unfamiliar destination after dark can add a layer of stress, confusion and threat that’s better avoided,” Farishta said. “Remember, it’s not just about the airport being too quiet. You’ll also be relying on transportation to and from your accommodations, possibly conducting currency exchanges or ATM withdrawals, etc. ― all better handled during bustling daylight hours.”
Overplanning
While it’s helpful to do research and make some reservations and plans in advance of your trip, you don’t want to overdo it.
“One of the biggest mistakes women make when traveling solo is overplanning every detail,” Cockell said. “It’s natural to want to feel in control, but when your itinerary is too packed, you leave no space for the unexpected moments. Some of my most memorable experiences have come from getting lost, changing plans, or simply saying yes to something spontaneous.”
She recommended building a loose structure that allows room for surprises and magic. Resist the urge to try to “do it all” as well.
“Many travelers treat their journeys like a to-do list, racing from sight to sight to make sure everything is ticked off,” Cockell said. “My advice is to slow down. Choose depth over distance. Schedule in time to spend an extra day somewhere that speaks to you. Remember that the true joy of travel isn’t about how much you see, but how deeply you experience it.”
Fiordaliso via Getty Images
Solo travel doesn’t have to be lonely and disconnected.
Ignoring Your Gut
“As women, we’re often taught to be polite ― not only out of societal niceties, but also for our own safety,” Farishta said. “This tendency can sometimes lead to us ignoring our own, powerful intuition. Practice checking in with yourself in your daily life, even before your solo travels. Get in the habit of trusting your gut, not questioning it. Give your intuition permission to be ‘irrational’ or ‘illogical.’ It doesn’t have to make sense to your mind.”
Indeed, your gut can be your strongest safety tool, so listen to it and remove yourself when something seems off. Don’t worry about coming off as “rude.”
“If a situation, person, or place doesn’t feel right, trust that instinct and walk away,” Cockell said. “You never owe anyone an explanation for protecting your own peace.”
Understand that you’re allowed to change course at any time, and the entire trip doesn’t have to be solo.
“If something feels off, don’t force it,” Sykora said. “Change accommodations, skip a city, or add on an organized tour for a more complicated leg of your trip or anywhere you feel less than safe. You don’t have to be alone the entire time.”
Assuming It Has To Be Unattainably Expensive
“When you’re covering accommodations on your own, hotels and short-term rentals can feel like paying double,” Palefsky said.
Instead, you might consider channeling Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz in “The Holiday” and doing a home swap to save on accommodations.
“By home swapping, female solo travelers can travel more and take longer trips, saving their travel budget for experiences and activities,” Palefsky said.
You can also spend less and have a more special experience by opting to travel beyond the biggest tourist hubs.
“Solo travelers often default to major cities because they feel ‘safer,’ but smaller neighborhoods and local communities often offer richer, more meaningful experiences,” Palefsky said. “Seeking out these areas can open up opportunities for solo travelers to immerse themselves in the culture of the local community.”
Not Being Present
“Another mistake is not being where your feet are,” Coffey said. “A change of location is great, but to get the most out of it, we need to be intentional about being present.”
She said she asks her clients “What do you need to do to be present?” a few days before they travel.
“We miss out if we’re stuck in our work inboxes or constantly checking in at home,” Coffey said.
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