u/Hairy_Yak_6735

1. Choose your destination with Intent. You can travel better simply by understanding why you want to go where you want to go. Dig down. The initial inspiration may come from a book you read or a movie you watched, but surely there’s more to the story. Understand your intent, what’s drawing you to the destination, and you’ll have a more enriching travel experience.
2. Plan your first night well. At minimum, have a place to rest your head on the first night of every destination on your trip and plan to arrive by mid afternoon. It’s important to have the time to find your hotel or hostel in daylight and time to change your accommodation if you determine that this is not the place for you.
3. Visualize the necessities but no more. Traveling solo does require attention to details. Visualizing how the practical aspects of your trip fit together, from departure to transfers to accommodation, help you travel with less stress. But stop imagining what the trip will be like at that point. Be open to opportunities as they arise. It’s impossible to travel without any expectations of a destination, however, the less you are driven by specific expectations the freer you will be to travel in the moment.
4. Pack light. You’re going to save money and be more mobile if you pack light. It requires a bit more planning to have a wardrobe that stretches from hiking boots to high heels but it can be done. Choose a base color (black, brown, beige, navy), a contrast color (white, beige…) and a color or two to accessorize and pull it all together.
5. You do not have to eat alone. From cooking classes to day tours to themed dinners, there are so many ways to have company over dinner if that's what you want.
6. Protect your documents, cards and cash. Keep your passport and other important documents secure. Have backup copies on you and at home with your trusted contact.
7. Meet other women travelers. You can build friendships with women around the world. My favorite way is by staying at hostels.
8. Stay local, buy local, meet locals. By planning well you will have a better understanding of how to be supportive of the local economy. Buy local crafts, eat local food, stay in locally-owned accommodation so that the profits don’t leave the country. And as you do all of this, connect with locals. This will give you much on which to reflect.

I’ve traveled across most of Europe over the last few years, I’ve been to Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and more recently, some of the Eastern European and all Baltic countries. Most people there are nice. But the people in Latvia are so unforgettably friendly and left a great impression.

I don’t see Latvia mentioned much in the “friendliest countries” threads on here. If it is, it’s usually lumped in with Estonia and Lithuania as part of the “cold Baltic block,” or assumed to be quiet and reserved. But after spending a month between Riga, Cēsis, and a few other smaller towns, I can say with complete honesty that Latvians were some of the kindest, most respectful, and quietly helpful people I’ve met in Europe.

Morocco, specifically Marrakech, is very safe. When I visited, many people were out even at 11pm to the point where I did not feel uncomfortable should something happen to me, because there were so many people around. It felt like the day time basically. Morocco is also known for being very safe. We asked multiple guides what they thought of us walking at night, being in certain areas, etc. and they said the entire inner ring (like the ring of the highway on the map) of Marrakech is very safe.

I know safety can be very situationally dependent but in general, I think Marrakech is a perfectly safe destination. I never felt uncomfortable while there. As long as your daughter has her wits about her and doesn't act openly lost or confused in public she will be okay. Everyone I interacted with was very kind. No heightened threats compared to another European city such as Paris or Madrid. I hope this helped! Marrakech is a beautiful city and one of my favorites thus far. I hope your daughter has a great time.

I’m curious how many of us here are 30+ and still very much into traveling.

If you’re in your 30s or close to it, what’s the most important thing you look for when you travel now?

For me, my priorities have definitely shifted since my 20s, I’m still down for adventure, but comfort, good food, and experiences that match my energy are becoming non-negotiables.

Would love to hear yours. What’s the thing you refuse to compromise on these days?

Where were you treated the best and worst?

I'm on the first solo trip ever as a 55 year old woman. I've always traveled with my husband and kids, brother and sister, grandkids or on girl's trips. I am always the person in charge of logistics, and itinerary planning. But I never get to do what I want, as I'm more of a go with the flow type.

I planned my first trip ever with no one else along. I am so relaxed. I really should have done this years ago.

So I'm a dumbass who thought he booked tickets to go to Machu Picchu, but it turns out I forgot to pay, and my reservation was cancelled 5 hours after I made it a few weeks ago. And for those of you who don't know, Machu Picchu is basically booked weeks in advance and I'm leaving Peru before the next spot is free. But I didn't realize this until I was at the train station and decided to ride the train and test my luck, which didn't work. And now I'm sitting in a restaurant in Agua Calientes contemplating my poor attention to detail lol. Though on the plus side, I was able to snag a table with a good view, and the train ride itself was fun.

Anyways, it would make me feel a lot better to hear about other mistakes people made, ideally of this same nature.

Sorry to bring up the obvious here, but I want to share this with other women solo travellers who fixate too much on "which destinations are safe for women". I learned on my recent solo trip that it isn't the destination you should be so focused on in terms of safety.

I travelled solo to Norway last month and for all of the trip, Norwegian men never gave me a hard time and were nothing but friendly and respected boundaries.

The people who would continually hound me, follow me, or try to advance friendly interactions: other travellers (a mix of tourists, expats, or other short-term travellers). I won't name where they're from because it's not fair to portray "all people from ___" do this. I think anyone from any country will try to push boundaries.

So I've come to take "countries that are safe for women" with a grain of salt. Sure, don't visit a country that's actively going through a war (unless for humanitarian efforts). But I don't think we should choose a solo travel destination based on its supposed "safety rating", or judge based on the locals that live there and their cultures and customs.

I'm curious – women solo travellers – could you think back to times when you were made to feel uncomfortable, unsure, or unsafe – were they locals or were they other travellers/passing through? What were those destinations?

I know as women, we’re constantly given a long list of things to do to stay safe. I thought it’d be helpful to share some personal safety habits we follow. I’ll go first:

• I never announce my travel plans on social media. I’ll only tell a few close friends in person and wait until I’ve left a place before posting
• I always prebook a taxi service from the airport to my accommodation. I know I’ll be exhausted after a flight and don’t want to deal with negotiating with taxi drivers or figuring out public transportation in a new place. It’s more expensive, but worth it for peace of mind
• I avoid hailing random taxis and stick to Ubers, Bolts, or official metro systems whenever possible.
• I don’t drink (very allergic to alcohol), which naturally eliminates some risks. But even if I did, I’d never accept drinks from strangers or leave mine unattended. (Ie don’t take shots from randos at resorts)
• I never tell strangers I’m traveling alone. If someone asks, I mention that I’m meeting up with friends or family soon. The only time I share that I’m solo is when I join group tours and meet other solo travelers in the same boat.
• When meeting new people, I always choose public places during the day. By the time it’s dark, I’m already back at my accommodation and ready to sleep.
• When choosing to go to a place, I normally read blogs and watch videos from a woman’s perspective during my research process just to get an idea for how they felt
• I pay attention to my surroundings, especially at my hotel or Airbnb. I take note of familiar faces, notice if anyone seems to be watching me too closely, and make mental notes of exits and safe spots.
• I always keep my phone charged and carry a portable charger. If I’m in an area with spotty service, I download offline maps
• I try to blend in and avoid looking too much like a lost tourist. If I need to check my phone for directions, I step inside a store or cafe instead of stopping in the middle of the street.
• If I feel uncomfortable, I trust my gut and remove myself from the situation immediately even if it feels rude. My safety is more important than politeness.

Would love to hear what safety habits others have picked up!

I am going through a breakup and I feel the need to leave and travel. I want somewhere with lots of things to do and see that is safe and budget friendly. I would leave mid July.

I am genuinely interested in your travel tips- what not to do. Lol. Where did you want to go so badl,y and when you finally made it, it was just "meh".... not worth it.
For m,e it was Santorini. Went there recently and it was so packed that you could not enjoy anything. The cool photo spots are too packed and we could not find a cute, cool spot to just enjoy and relax....

I think everyone has that one dream place they want to see but haven’t been yet.

For me, I’d say it’s Norway

What’s your dream destination you are waiting to explore?

Research your destination's safety landscape Before you go, look into areas to avoid, local customs around dress and behavior, and common scams targeting tourists. Join online communities of women who've visited that destination their firsthand advice is invaluable. Apps like Sitata or iOverlander can give you real-time safety updates.

Share your itinerary and check in regularly Give a trusted friend or family member your full plan accommodation details, transport bookings, and expected locations day by day. Set a routine check-in schedule (e.g., every evening). If you deviate from your plan, update them. Tools like Google Maps location sharing or the bSafe app add an extra layer of security.

Trust your gut and set firm boundaries early Your instincts are your best safety tool. If a person, place, or situation feels off leave without explaining yourself. Solo travel means you'll meet a lot of people, and it's completely fine to be friendly but vague about details like where you're staying or traveling alone. A simple "I'm meeting friends later" can deflect unwanted attention.

About to take my first solo trip in ages and trying to avoid the rookie mistakes. Curious what lessons you’ve learned the hard way so I can (hopefully) avoid a few myself.

For me: always pack painkillers! You never know when you’ll actually need them. AND screenshot directions before leaving Wi-Fi - saved me more times than I can count.

We were having a heated debate in a hostel the other night about the differences in solo traveling between men and women.

Of course there are the obvious differences in feeling safe, but i'm curious what you think are the key differences, and if it depends more so on the place.

Thought it could be an interesting discussion to continue on here!

Sorry to bring up the obvious here, but I want to share this with other women solo travellers who fixate too much on "which destinations are safe for women". I learned on my recent solo trip that it isn't the destination you should be so focused on in terms of safety.

I travelled solo to Norway last month and for all of the trip, Norwegian men never gave me a hard time and were nothing but friendly and respected boundaries.

The people who would continually hound me, follow me, or try to advance friendly interactions: other travellers (a mix of tourists, expats, or other short-term travellers). I won't name where they're from because it's not fair to portray "all people from ___" do this. I think anyone from any country will try to push boundaries.

So I've come to take "countries that are safe for women" with a grain of salt. Sure, don't visit a country that's actively going through a war (unless for humanitarian efforts). But I don't think we should choose a solo travel destination based on its supposed "safety rating", or judge based on the locals that live there and their cultures and customs.

I'm curious – women solo travellers – could you think back to times when you were made to feel uncomfortable, unsure, or unsafe – were they locals or were they other travellers/passing through? What were those destinations?

Hey All,

I've done quite a bit of solo travel over the last few years, so I thought I'd share a few tips and experiences I've had over the years.

1. Don't worry about meeting people. Tons of people travel, especially on certain circuits like Peru/Ecuador, most of central and western Europe, South East Asia, etc, that you'll be rolling in new friends by the end of the trip.
2. To find those friends though, make sure you book good, sociable hostels. I'm wicked cheap, so spending $18/night instead of $12/night is painful. But if you're traveling alone, meeting people in the hostel is crucial (for me at least), so I've found it's generally worth a few extra bucks.
3. Enjoy your time alone to reflect and learn more about yourself. I always find one of the best parts of traveling alone is that I learn a lot about myself while interacting with totally new environments. It's a lot of fun!

I guess all this is to say that you should definitely travel solo at least once if you have the chance, and hopefully these tips make it easier. Cheers.

When I’m in the States I’m such an introvert. I get awkward approaching people, I overthink what to say and I usually just keep to myself, making small talk feels uncomfortable and I never know how to start a conversation without sounding weird.

But the moment I land in a new country it’s like something in me flips. I talk to people on the street, in museums, coffee shops, bars anywhere. I feel lighter and way more open like all the social pressure just disappears. I don’t worry about saying the wrong thing or looking awkward, I’m just myself and somehow that version of me is way more confident.

And every trip it happens the same way I meet someone random, we start talking and next thing I know we’re exploring a neighborhood together or grabbing dinner like old friends, my awkwardness flies away and I actually enjoy being social. Why is it so much easier to talk to people abroad than at home?

I'm on the first solo trip ever as a 55 year old woman. I've always traveled with my husband and kids, brother and sister, grandkids or on girl's trips. I am always the person in charge of logistics, and itinerary planning. But I never get to do what I want, as I'm more of a go with the flow type.

I planned my first trip ever with no one else along. I am so relaxed. I really should have done this years ago.