Solo travel has become a trending topic over the years, and it just keeps getting more popular. I love watching solo female travelers take the plunge and embark on their first solo adventure. 

Despite what social media will have you think, solo travel is not exclusively for the young. 

My first solo travel was at 35. I had my brother and sister-in-law plan a four-day vacation without me knowing. The day before the flight, they gave me an envelope with the destination and a weather forecast. I went home, packed, drove to the airport, and opened the envelope to see where I would be spending the next four days.

I don’t expect everyone’s initial solo journey to be as wacky as mine, but it’s important to highlight that travel knows no age group. You can travel the world at 35, 45, 55, and beyond. 

I’m 39 now and still catching flights at least four times a year. I’m past my expiration date on hostels, and I prefer to have my own space in the evenings. I’m out of the club scene and prefer to spend my evenings stargazing (or watching the Northern Lights). I’ve traded my shots of liquor for shots of expresso, and I’m loving this era of my life. 

Travel isn’t solely for the young. You can book a flight anywhere your heart desires, regardless of age. You can travel the world as a 20-something, 30-something, 40-something… or even an 80-something. You might even want to revisit some of the destinations you visited in your younger years — that’s always an interesting adventure. 

This article is for all my women filled with wanderlust. I believe solo travel makes you a more confident individual, just as long as you’re prepared. I’m going to break down some best practices and things to avoid when solo traveling as a female. 

Oh, and my mystery vacation sent me to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Safety for Solo Travelers

First thing first: Google the destination to find out how safe it is. What type of crime does the city have? Knowing what type of crime a city is battling will help you prepare. 

The questions I ask myself before I book the flight:

• How safe is the area?
• What type of crime is there?
• How safe is public transportation?
• Can I walk alone at night?

Big cities will always have some type of crime, but knowing what type of crime is key to being prepared. 

For example, Paris has a pickpocket problem. That’s going to affect you more than, say, New Orleans, which has a carjacking problem. If you’re visiting New Orleans and don’t plan on renting a car, then that’s probably not going to affect you very much. 

But a pickpocketing problem will definitely affect how you make your way through a city. You should use luggage locks on your bags, keep your valuables in your front pocket, and not drape your bag over your chair or set it on the ground while you’re at a cafe. 

Little habit changes can make all the difference in the world. No one wants to end up on the steps of an embassy for an emergency passport. Or worse, at the mercy of the airport TSA trying to prove your identity with nothing more than an ancient library card and an electricity bill. 

Knowledge is half the battle. And you’re a stalwart soldier who came prepared, right?

General Safety Tips for Solo Travelers

• Share your itinerary (or location) with at least one person back home
• Don’t tell anyone you’re traveling alone 
• Trust your gut

99% of the time, your instincts are right. If you get a bad vibe from someone or someplace, leave. It’s not worth finding out if you were right. 

Last spring, I was solo traveling around southern Norway. I was outside of my hotel in Bergen when an older (80+) gentleman and I started chatting. Nothing out of the ordinary, just typical traveler chat. He and his wife were from Florida, and we were chatting about things to do, restaurants to try, etc. 

The next day, I ran into him again. After about five minutes of chatting, he told me my room number. I don’t think I can express in words how terrifying that moment was. We had not discussed our rooms, and I know for certain he never followed me to my floor. My mind was racing.

My first thought: [expletive] I’m going to be on the news.

My second thought: Of course, he’s from Florida.

My third thought: Not today.

I didn’t let on that his words terrified me to my core, though I’m sure my eyes sold me out. I kept the conversation casual and asked to take a selfie with him. I immediately sent the selfie to family and friends back home, with a fairly cryptic message saying to check on me in an hour. 

I later learned that he had asked the front desk for my room number, and they gave it to him. Obviously, I escalated this situation to upper management, changed rooms, and never saw the Florida man again. 

So maybe don’t tell anyone you’re traveling alone — even seemingly sweet octogenarians. I’m extremely lucky with how this situation played out, and it was a valuable lesson to learn. 

The ego boost you get from telling strangers that you’re traveling alone is not worth the potential worst-case scenario. Read that again.

Being Loyal to a Hotel Chain

It might seem strange that I'd still be a fan of hotels after I almost became a victim of human trafficking, but hear me out.

Small businesses will always trump large corporations in my mind. I would much rather stay at a locally owned guesthouse than a high-rise hotel, but over the years, I’ve had to reevaluate that idea. Location plays a big role in whether I’m going to book a hotel or an Airbnb.

Don’t get me wrong — I still favor local businesses every chance I get. But if I’m thinking long term, it makes more financial sense to become a member of a hotel chain that has hotels in areas that I visit. 

While most folks would rather spend their summers near the equator relaxing on a Caribbean island, I prefer to travel in the winter. I’m a Northern Lights junkie with a passion for Arctic travel, so winter is my time to shine (or freeze). 

When I realized that I’d be committing every winter to Scandinavia, I knew I had to find ways to do this on a budget. Scandinavia is already one of the most expensive areas in the world, and doing it alone with no one to split costs with… well, we just had to reevaluate some things. 

Scandic Hotels is the largest hotel chain in Scandinavia. I became a member a few years ago, and I exclusively stay in Scandic hotels whenever I’m in Norway, Sweden, or Finland. Through my travels, I've earned enough points for a few free nights to redeem the next time I’m in the area. 

I still use local guesthouses for more remote areas, but hotels are my go-to when I’m arriving in a city.

Once you see a pattern in your travels, see what hotel chains are best for you. It may not help you now, but if you’re going to commit to traveling more (and you should), having a hotel membership will benefit you in the future. 

Stateside, there are plenty of hotel chains to work with. Wyndham Hotels is the leading hotel chain in North America. With over 7,000 properties, you’re sure to find one near you. Marriott, Hilton, and IHG are all top hotel chains in North America, too.  

For my budget solo travelers, Hostelworld is a fabulous resource. You can read reviews of potential hostels, connect with other members, and find some of the best hostels in the world. Female solo travelers 35+ can absolutely stay in hostels; do not lean into any other narrative. I would recommend reading the reviews first, just to make sure the hostel vibe fits your vibe.

If you’ve got a travel credit card, it’s worth checking to see who your credit card is partnered with. For my Chase Sapphire Preferred, Hyatt and Marriott are the way to go. American Express partners include Hilton, Marriott, and Radisson. I’d argue that it’s better to transfer your portal points to the hotel chain, but that will quickly get us off-topic. 

Hotels are also much safer for solo female travelers. You have someone at the front desk 24 hours a day, anything you need is just a phone call away, and hotels are generally in downtown areas where you’ll also have public transportation. Plus, many offer free breakfast in the mornings.

Public Transportation

Public transportation can be a hit or miss, depending on your destination. Research how to get around a city before you arrive. If you’re not renting a car, you’re at the mercy of public transportation, and that can make or break your stay. 

It’s also important to check how safe the public transportation is. Are pickpockets a problem? How reliable is the public transportation? Make sure you check routes and timetables. Few things will ruin your day faster than taking a bus to a location, exploring the area, and then realizing you missed the only bus back to your hotel. 

Many cities have their own app you can download to get around easier. Little things like this that you can do before you arrive will put your mind at ease and make your solo travel much less stressful!

Taking Tours

I’d prefer to let someone else do the driving when I’m on vacation, so tours are a no-brainer for me. Yes, tours are a fabulous way to see the sights, but they are also a fabulous way to meet other travelers! Some of the most insightful, inspirational conversations I’ve had while traveling have been with my seatmate on a tour. 

For me, I always find at least one adventure where someone makes me wear a helmet. There are so many types of tours, including food tours, walking tours, history tours, and more. Viator is a great resource for seeing what tours are available, but you can also use Trusted Tours, Kayak, and TripAdvisor. There are even Airbnb Experiences you can take! The options are endless here. 

Solo travel looks different for everyone, and there are no wrong answers. Whether you want to stay in hostels or high-rise hotels, everyone should take at least one solo trip in their life. Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks — this is your story.

If you need some travel inspiration, let Only In Your State be your guide. We have a vast treasure trove of amazing adventures you could take, covering everything from hidden gems in Alaska to incredible beaches in Florida. Safe travels, my friends!