From a young age, I always loved to travel – it seemed that life was better, more exciting, and so much richer when exploring new places. Even just taking a short trip to “the states” was always an exciting adventure for me!

I grew up in a small town in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, isolated from the rest of the world (the nearest town with a population more than 20 thousand was a 4-hour drive away). So we traveled. Not always far and not often, but whenever it was possible. When I was 4, my uncle fell in love with a woman from Jamaica and our entire family took a trip there. I fondly remember the warm sandy beaches and smiling locals with colorful ways of speaking. That planted the seed. Later, when I was 16, I spent a year in France on a Rotary exchange program, one that offered all sorts of support to travel around Europe with my fellow exchange students and classmates. This is when the seed blossomed and I became travel obsessed! From then on, I’ve taken every opportunity to travel to Europe, throughout the U.S. and Canada, and the Caribbean. I have dreams of seeing Central and South Americas and Africa and Asia as well, but those dreams lay in my future for now.

I want to tell you about how I learned to travel alone and how it has opened the world to me.

Not everyone prioritizes travel.

And that’s okay! We all have different priorities in life. I’m sure it’s significantly more difficult and expensive to travel with children, so I’m lucky I don’t have them, in a way. And many of my past partners have just preferred to stay home, where it’s comfortable and safe and known. I too am drawn to this safe space of home. I love my home. It’s my sanctuary! But every few months I get the itch to explore, to see new vistas, to experience new things, to eat new foods, to meet new people, and to learn new languages! The world outside of my known space calls my name!

Practical Tips for Staying Safe and Happy While Traveling Alone

1. Stay Connected with Your Smartphone

This is the most important bit of advice I have for traveling alone. A smartphone is my lifeline when I’m traveling solo. I always ensure I have a data plan everywhere I go. Sometimes that means buying a local SIM card when I arrive, but lately, I use an international phone plan with unlimited roaming. This way, I’m never out of reach if I need directions, need to make an emergency call, or want to share my adventures on social media.

I always download offline maps on Google Maps just in case I lose reception. Having a map helps me explore confidently and ensures I can find my way. I also drop pins on my map to mark places I want to remember, like a favorite café or a bus stop and I collect them like souvenirs.

Another invaluable safety tool is location-sharing apps. I use apps like Find My Friends or WhatsApp to share my live location with friends. They know where I am in real time, and if anything feels off, I can alert them.

And having access to translation apps, emergency numbers, and local taxi services makes navigating a new country easier and safer. Finally, I keep a note in my phone with crucial details, like the address of my accommodation, the local embassy number, and important phrases in the local language. I make a note of local emergency numbers because 911 is not universal!

2. Embrace Group Activities

I’m not a fan of group travel, but I do love participating in activities with other people, making new friends, and learning about other cultures on my travels. Scheduling fun things to do with groups is the best way to avoid feeling lonely and to enjoy some local adventures. I’ve done horseback riding tours, cooking classes, cathedral visits, mountain hikes, kayaking trips, and even art classes like macramé, metal work, and pottery. Almost every time, I make new friends and often hang out with them afterward. It’s a great way to create memories and bond with fellow travelers. You can find these one-day group activities on apps like Airbnb Experiences, Viator, and Get Your Guide.

3. Share Your Adventures on Social Media

Journaling and posting about my experiences on social media helps me feel connected to my friends and family when I am alone. Really, sharing photos and stories in real time makes it feel like they’re traveling with me. It’s also rewarding to receive encouragement and excitement from them. And I know that many times I have inspired my friends to plan some solo adventures of their own.

4. Bring the Experience Home

One of my favorite ways to extend the magic of travel is by bringing back local food and alcohol to share with friends. Hosting a small gathering where I cook dishes inspired by my trip and share my stories is so fulfilling. It creates a full-circle moment where the adventure lives on and deepens connections with the people in my life. It’s kind of like living through the adventure all over again but with them!

5. Mix Up Your Accommodations

Sometimes I book an Airbnb where I stay in a room in someone’s home, which is a fantastic way to meet locals, hear stories, and forge friendships. Other times, I prefer having my own space to recharge. When dining alone, I’ve learned to enjoy the experience. I pretend I’m a food critic or someone fancy and soak up every delicious bite. I often sit at the bar, where it’s easier to chat with other people dining alone, hear their stories, and enjoy some company.

6. Cook Your Own Meals (Sometimes)

Staying at an Airbnb with a kitchen is one of my favorite ways to travel. I save money and avoid dining alone at a restaurant every night by shopping at local markets and cooking my meals. This also gives me a chance to try local ingredients and flavors in a way that feels comfortable and nourishing. And it’s so much fun to me to experiment with cooking new foods!

7. Make Connections Before You Go (and While You’re There)

One of the best parts of traveling alone is meeting people I’ve connected with online. As a potter, I’m part of a global pottery community on Instagram and Facebook and over the years, I’ve built friendships with artists worldwide. Meeting them in person has been a wonderful way to deepen those connections and turn acquaintances into true friendships. It’s a special experience to visit their studios, exchange stories, and share our love of clay. If you have a hobby or special interest, consider looking up people who share your interests in your travel destination. And if you’re not sure, there’s always the Facebook group Grrls Love Travel, a whole network of women around the world making it safe for women to travel and providing resources, connections, and get togethers!

Traveling alone as a woman has its challenges, but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences. Be keeping an open heart ready for adventure and a taking a few safety precautions, it can be a life-changing way to see the world, build confidence, and create incredible memories.