Top 10 Travel Tips for Women

I travel abroad solo, that's my life. As a solitary women traveler I have ventured through Brazil, South Korea, India, Mexico and other foreign countries. Here are my top 10 insider tips on things you should know before traveling abroad alone. Armed with these top 10 tips for first time traveler, you are guaranteed to have an easier and safer time abroad. Or you can disregard them and then think about how right I was when things go wrong you could have easily avoided.

Reservation for the First Night: Although it might cost a little more than waiting until you get there, make a reservation for the first night of your stay. This is especially important if you arrive to your international destination late in the evening or in the middle of the night. Reduce stress.

Money: While abroad, make sure you always have more money than you need. Don't listen to popular travel guides that tell you to carry around as little money as possible. When you travel alone, the trick is to make sure you always have enough emergency money to take a taxi back to your accommodation hidden in your bra, sock or money belt.

Shoes: Bring practical shoes such as Keen sandals or Merrell hiking boots or sport sandals. Walking shoes appropriate to the weather of the country you are visiting are essential. Remember, shoes take up a lot of room in your back pack.

Pack Light: When you travel alone abroad it is essential to pack light. No one is there to help you with your bags. Heavy bags give you sore muscles and an aching back. If you have more luggage than you can easily carry it hinders your ability to jump out of a taxi if the driver starts harassing you.

Accommodation Address: Always carry the address of your accommodation with you. Take a business card or write it in your notebook. Have the address available in the native language of the country you are traveling to alone. For example, in China, make sure you have the address written down in Chinese and your native language.

Back-up Bank Card: When traveling alone abroad, make sure you have a back-up bank card. Carry this card with you, but separately in another bag. Or leave your back-up bank card at home with someone you trust who can send the card to you by overnight mail in a hurry if you need it.

Visas: Make sure you have all the visas required for your trip by contacting the embassy of each country you will touch on your trip abroad alone. This includes countries where you have to change planes. Visa regulations change constantly and sometimes without notice. The travel blog you read from last year or last week may not have expired information.

Check for Local Holidays: Check the local calendars for your destinations abroad before you travel. Holidays and celebrations in foreign countries are an opportunity for a cultural experience, but more importantly it may be difficult and expensive to find accommodations and bus or train tickets.

Make a Copy of Your Passport: Make a copy of your passport before you leave on your trip. In case anything happens, this make-shift document can make your life a lot easier until you get your new one.

Especially for Women: If men ask, always say you are married and not traveling alone. Unless you think he is hot and you are looking for action, then say you are here with a group of friends and they will be here any minute or you are on your way to meet your husband.

*Please feel free to post a link to this article on your blog or website. For more expert travel insight on India, South Korea, Argentina and other countries, click on my name "Tesl Goddess" at the top of this page.

References:
Journey Woman, Safety Tips for Women