Tips For Women Travelling Alone In Europe
Europe is an extremely popular destination for travellers of all ages. If you’re a woman heading out to explore Europe on your own, you may be concerned about your safety. In general, Europe is not a particularly dangerous destination for women but there are some precautionary steps you should take to keep yourself safe and make the most of your trip. Don’t be put off of travelling solo, it’s very rewarding and gives you time to do exactly what you want to, without having to please anyone else. So, whether you’re visiting Greece, France or anywhere in between here are some top travelling tips.
Plan Ahead
The spontaneity of travel can be appealing, particularly if you are leaving behind a desk job and a 9-5 routine. However, travelling successfully requires a degree of planning. By the time you arrive in a new city, it’s a good idea to have your accommodation arranged already. This way you won’t spend hours trekking between hostels with all your worldly goods on your back, trying to find somewhere with a spare room at a reasonable price. As a solo woman, the last thing you want is to be left without somewhere to stay as night draws in.
Keep Your Valuables Hidden
The biggest risk to women travelling alone in Europe is having their bag or purse stolen. It’s a good idea to keep your valuables secure by leaving them stored away. Don’t walk around with your phone out, as it is inviting someone to target you. Avoid carrying all of your money at once if you can, as if you lose your bag you’ll lose everything. Generally, it’s best to exercise common sense while travelling. Leave expensive items at home and keep the valuables you do need with you out of sight.
Meet New People
One of the best things about travelling is the people you meet. Solo travel forces you to get out of your comfort zone and talk to people, otherwise you might find yourself becoming lonely and bored. Make the time to socialise in your hostel’s common room, this way you can find a group to buddy up with if you feel like heading out at night. Remember, there is safety in numbers. If you prefer a female-only dorm room, these are available and are a great way to meet other solo travellers. Other ways to meet people include joining free walking tours, where you’ll find lots of young tourist, or visit cafes or bars which are popular with tourists.
Pack Lightly
If you’re going to be carrying your bag for the next few weeks or months, you want to make sure it is manageable. For this reason, it’s best to keep your packing limited. Bring a three or four different outfits and enough underwear for a week, you can then wash and dry these items in your hostel or hotel room. It’s not glamourous, but it’s better than struggling every time you move on to a new destination.
