• Home
  • Start
  • Articles
  • Deals
    • Trips – Searchable
    • All Trips by Advertiser
  • Stats
  • Insiders
    • Join
    • Members
  • Home
  • Start
  • Articles
  • Deals
    • Trips – Searchable
    • All Trips by Advertiser
  • Stats
  • Insiders
    • Join
    • Members

Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

Sign Up

You are here: Home / How to Travel Alone / Reflections on Women Traveling Alone

Reflections on Women Traveling Alone

Avatar

June 25, 2009 by Janice Waugh

Woman with helmut in austria

Since my first trip I've taken many. Here I am in Austria.

As I take this first solo trip since starting the blog, I find that I’m more reflective on the experience of women traveling alone than I ever was before.

Traveling solo just came naturally to me. From comments received on the blog and Twitter, I realize that it's not natural to every women. Traveling alone, while not really uncommon, is a bit unique.

Table of Contents

  • Solo Travel: It Takes Time to Settle In
  • It Takes Time to Settle into Every New City
  • Following Solo Travel Safety Principles Helps with that Settled Feeling

Solo Travel: It Takes Time to Settle In

For those who are thinking of taking their first trip alone, I want you to know that at the beginning of every trip I’m a bit nervous. At home I rarely go to clubs, restaurants, museums, festivals… alone. I don’t need to. My friends are at hand. But solo travel demands that I break routines and do things differently.

Fortunately, I’m quite happy with my own company and content to sit back and people watch. But, when I want to chat, I am also capable of starting a conversation. A few nights ago is a case in point.

I went to dinner and forgot the typical eating alone prop – a book. But on my way in the door, scanning the restaurant for where I wanted to sit, I noticed a fellow using a Larousse dictionary to translate what he was reading. French, I wondered? This was an avenue in.

After observing him from the bar for a bit, I went to his table and asked if he was from France. He looked at me oddly. “No, I'm from Kansas.”

He was in town for a trade show and trying to dodge his co-workers for some quiet time. I excused myself explaining that when I’m in France I look for opportunities to practice French. I was going to offer him the chance to practice English. But, since he obviously didn’t need that…

But he quickly asked if I’d been to France. “Well yes.” He invited me to join him for dinner and we had a delightful evening chatting about everything from wine, to parenting to philosophy.

It was quite bold of me to ask but shaking off the nerves and doing so was really worthwhile. Success in this situation gave me confidence. I had really settled into my solo trip.

photo, image, cloud gate, chicago

Cloud Gate, aka The Bean in Chicago.

It Takes Time to Settle into Every New City

That was Chicago. Next was Memphis and I had to break the first night jitters yet again.

Memphis is very different from Chicago and the furthest south I’ve ever been in America. I got the lay of the land by going to two tourist destinations: Sun Studios and Graceland. That night, I headed to BB King’s on Beale St.

There were those nerves again. But when my taxi dropped me at the corner of Beale and 3rd they disappeared immediately. The street was closed off and full of tourists. Tourists! Though every local I spoke to assured me that Beale was where they went for the Blues. The upside was that I felt very safe. The downside was that I didn’t really feel that I had found the city. I didn’t yet feel settled.

It wasn’t until the next day that I managed to find more of the real Memphis. By wandering into an architectural firm on the way to the National Civil Rights Museum, I learned more about the city, it’s urban past and future, than anywhere else. I was directed to the areas of South Main and Cooper-Young with suggestions for some great restaurants.

Yes, it takes time to settle into every new city and, sometimes, an unusual strategy.

At BB Kings on Beale St. in Memphis.

Following Solo Travel Safety Principles Helps with that Settled Feeling

The main reason I get nervous at the beginning of a trip or entering a new city is safety. When you break routines and navigate unfamiliar territory, staying safe can be a challenge. And, let’s face it, it’s a bigger challenge for women traveling alone than men.

While there are many safety tips for you to consider it is sometimes easier to follow principles of safety than rules. For example, when I arrived at the Memphis train station at 6:20 in the morning a man immediately came up to me and asked if I needed a cab – which I did. But, instead of saying yes right away, I said I had to go into the station.

What I really needed to do was orient myself. I said I would be out soon and asked the name of the cab company. I was taking my time because I wanted to ensure that he actually was a cab driver and that he was with a licensed company — and I preferred to learn these things from the safety of a public train station. As would be expected, he was legitimate and really very nice. I called him whenever I needed a cab for the rest of my stay in Memphis.

My decision to take pause and orient myself in the safety of the station would not be on any travel safety list. It was an instinctive response based on the belief that:

• Public is safer than private
• I should never rush a decision – especially when I’m tired.

This trip has given me an opportunity to really reflect on how I travel alone, feel safe and make it fun. Sometimes I boldly introduce myself to strangers. Sometimes I’m cautious and make my choices slowly. And sometimes I wing it and walk into an architect’s office.

Last updated: 5th March, 2019

Sharing is caring!

4 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Trips for Solo Travelers

Want More? Join the Insiders

Travel Insurance for Solo Travelers

Stay for Free

Top Categories on Solo Traveler

Solo Female Travel

Road Trips

A Solo Point of View

All Articles

Destinations

Travel Money

Deals

Insiders on Patreon

  • Solo Female Travel Tips: Advice from Women Who Know
  • Road Trips: Tips & Itineraries for Solo Travelers
  • Packing for Travel |
  • A Solo Point of View |
  • All Articles
  • Destinations
  • Travel Money
  • Deals
  • Insiders on Patreon

Contact Us

Publisher Janice: info @ solotravelerworld.com

Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

Get Solo Travel News & Deals

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise with Solo Traveler
    • Create Your Advertiser Account
    • Login to Your Advertiser Account
  • Deals
  • Solo Travel Statistics
  • Media & Speaking
  • Privacy Policy & Disclosure
  • Contact
A Proud Member of the Travel Media Association of Canada
RESULTS MAY VARY (THE DISCLAIMER)

The content of Solo Traveler and any resources published by Solo Traveler are meant for entertainment and inspiration only. Please note that while we have advertising clients promoting destinations, products, services, trips and tours on Solo Traveler and that we endeavour to only work with companies in which we have confidence, we are not responsible for the delivery or quality of their products or services. Every person and every travel situation is different. Your safety, satisfaction and fun traveling solo are your responsibility alone and not that of Solo Traveler, its publisher, editor and/or writers.

PRIVACY POLICY & DISCLOSURE: In accordance with FTC guidelines, I disclose that I may be compensated if consumers choose to utilize links located throughout the content on this site. Additionally, some posts might be sponsored to support this site. Please do the appropriate research before participating in any third party offers. All opinions are my own. Please read our full Privacy Policy here.

Copyright © 2022 · Solo Traveler · Site By RTW Labs

4 shares