Women are taking the world by storm. According to the George Washington University School of Business, two-thirds of the travelers today are women. The Travel Industry Association reports that an estimated 32 million American women travel alone every year. If you’re a first-time female solo traveler it can seem a bit overwhelming. But don’t worry - Capitol Federal® is here to assist. Here are a few tips on inexpensively becoming a better female solo traveler.
Keep Your Suitcase Light – Leave that extra pair of heels at home. You can easily avoid baggage fees by traveling with only a carry-on bag. Also, with fewer bags, you’ll be able to navigate public transportation or walk to your destination.
Be Friendly – A smile is a friend maker. You would be surprised how much a smile can draw people to you. People will want to show you the best of their country or city and make suggestions on activities to do. Locals are happy to help and to show you around. As always, be alert, and you use your best judgment.
Benefit from Free Tours - Take advantage of free walking tours. This is an inexpensive and safe way to experience the touristy aspects of your destination. Many museums and landmarked sites offer free or low-cost tours. It’s safer to stay in a group when traveling alone.
Write in a Journal – Photos are great for capturing moments, but it’s easy to get obsessed with taking the perfect shot and not living in the moment. Writing in a journal will help you remember all the details of your trip. Writing for five minutes a day will ensure you don’t forget key moments.
Thoroughly Research Your Destination - You can travel better by simply going where the exchange rates lead you. Find a destination that favors the U.S. dollar and offers a good exchange rate. A book or movie might inspire your initial destination plans, just make sure you’re getting the most value. Check out this shortlist of inexpensive solo destination trips.
Be as Local as Possible – Stay local, buy local and meet locals. Avoid mass produced items, they’re typically higher in cost. Instead, buy local goods and crafts, eat local food and stay in locally owned establishments. This will give you the true cultural experience and keep profits in the pockets of locals.
Understand the Public Transit - Riding public transit can be a great way to get to know a city and its culture. Before you go, know how safe it is, how much the fares cost, or how to purchase a ticket if a pass is a good idea. You can even research the basic routes you’ll be taking. If you like the outdoors, a good alternative can be walking.
We hope you found these tips useful. Solo traveling can inspire confidence, freedom and independence. So, enough reading… get out there and explore! If you have any travel tips, please share them here.
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