For those women who are planning a long term solo travel trip, there are many different things that you can expect to encounter, and the simple act of traveling as a woman alone will often be a surprise to local people in some places. In certain cultures, particularly outside the western world, many people may make an assumption that you will either be traveling looking for a man, or that your travels are sponsored by somebody else who is funding your travel.


You can expect to be asked questions and may have to overcome some people's surprise that you are funding your own trip and traveling solo simply for the joy of travel, but this is something that can be done in most cases.

 

Dress Conservatively And Respect Your Surroundings And Local People

Learning about local cultures will often be a big part of the motivation to travel solo, and having local people genuinely responding to you with warmth and friendliness certainly won't happen if you are dismissive of their cultures. Try to avoid dressing too revealingly or ostentatiously where possible, as being subtle and understated will show respect and can help to avoid the wrong kind of attention too. Show the right level of respect without being too deferential and this will help to show the local people that you are interested in their culture without sending out the wrong messages.

 

Have An Answer To Questions About Why You Are Traveling Solo

Some people who do start conversations with you may have preconceived ideas about why they think you are traveling, and having a good answer about why you are exploring will certainly help to change those ideas.

These conversations are a great opportunity to show what you are really there for, and your passion for exploration will really come across. This should help to engage local people and other travelers alike, and will also help you to find like minded people who share your enthusiasm for your destinations, as well as helping to dispel a few myths some people believe about female solo travelers.

 

Do Not Believe The Hype About The Risks Of Travel

While there is the occasional horror story that will make international news coverage, the fact is that the vast majority of solo female travelers explore without any trouble at all, with little more than occasionally encountering the odd pickpocket. As long as you remain aware of your surroundings and do not drink to excess among your new friends, you will usually find that the journey is perfectly safe.

 

Understand That The Cultures You Encounter May Not Have The Same Traditions

The idea of women traveling the world alone is one that is completely alien in many male dominated cultures, and the harmful stereotypes about female travelers may be something that you encounter. While you shouldn't be forceful in pushing your views on others, simply explaining that you come from different traditions, but are open to learning about other cultures may help to thaw the ice. In some cases, you may not be able to convince local men that you are genuinely traveling for the joy of the journey and to explore, and in this case it may be best to find other people to talk to.

 

Be Open, Be Polite, Be Firm

Because of the stereotypes that are held about female travelers in some countries, you may need to ward off some men who may think that female travelers are promiscuous or are looking for local men. In this case, simply be firm and say no, and try to avoid any actions or statements that send out the wrong message. Being polite and firm should get the message across, and if you do feel as though you are in a situation that you aren't comfortable with, look for a local official or a cafe where you can move into a public area where other people are also present.