Work Hard, Travel Harder

Traveling is a learning curve and knowing how to go about planning, organizing, and arranging everything to line up is key!

Not to mention, venturing out by yourself for the first time can feel liberating, scary, maybe making you feel anxious, or having mixed emotions.

But, I promise you, you can absolutely do it!

And it is SO worth it.

Then you’ll wonder, “why did this take me so long? When can I do this again?”

Discovering that you are fully capable of being solely independent of yourself is priceless.

No matter what stage you are in your planning process, you might have some questions and I am here to help you.

Here are 5 loaded topics for first-time solo female travelers that I wish I knew years ago!

1. Research the place you are traveling

Knowing where you’re traveling is so important in determining certain aspects of your trip for so many reasons.

If you’re flying to another country/far away state (Alaska or Hawaii) be sure to read up on their most recent covid testing/vaccination policy.
If you’re flying out of the country and have a long layover in a country that is different from your destination, be sure to read the layover country’s latest covid testing/vaccination policies as well.
Having “at-home” covid test kits is a great convenience, but some countries do not accept these.
Do you have to apply for a separate visa to enter the country you’re traveling to?
Some places require a travel visa to visit even if you have a passport.
What are the religious customs there for females?
Will you need to cover your shoulders?
Will you have to cover your hair and/or face?
Do you need to cover your legs above the knees?
Do these customs apply when visiting religious buildings or in public?
If you and your partner are two females or two males, what is the country’s stance on public displays of affection? (unfortunately, not all countries are as accepting as others, so please check!)

I know this seems silly, but these are things most people forget to research!

Do you have a license? You will be asked to present your license when renting a vehicle.
Do you have car insurance? Most rental companies have an insurance policy that you can purchase, be sure you have your own that specifically covers rentals!
**Certain credit cards have their own travel insurance policies. Some will not cover the cost of rental car damage if you purchase the insurance provided by the rental company. It’s tedious, but worth your time to read the fine print!**
MOST of the time, you have to be 25 to rent a car from a rental company.
Some do rent to those younger than 25, but there will probably be a fee tacked on to your bill!
What are the state laws about driving in the left lane on highways for extended periods of time? In some states, that will land you a fat ticket.
What are the state laws about turning right on red?
When flying out of Hawaii, your bags will be searched for any produce, sand, and rocks and can/will be confiscated by the agricultural agency.
If you are driving in and/or out of California, the border patrol will stop your vehicle and ask if you have any fresh produce, too.

Driving around in another country is probably the best way to see all the things on your list!

Taking the train, or driving and riding the train, is also a perfect combination.

But ask yourself before booking:

Are women allowed to drive in this country?
Some countries don’t allow women to drive.
Does the airport you’re flying into have a shuttle to the rental car facility?
Do you have to call the rental facility and schedule a pickup? (make sure you have the phone number or email handy in case your flights are delayed or canceled so you can notify them.)
Is your license valid/recognized in that country?
Is your car insurance valid in that country?
Would it be better to take, or “hire” a taxi?
Uber and Lyft are PRIMARILY in the U.S. and Canada.
Uber DOES operate in other countries besides these, but that doesn’t guarantee a driver will be available when you request a ride.

This is one of the trickier items on the 5 Loaded topics for first-time solo female travelers.

In the U.S. prices and taxes may change depending on the state or city you’re in, but other than that, you should be good to go.

It is customary to tip about 20% at American restaurants unless the gratuity is already included in your bill.
In some countries, it is not customary to tip.
If you want cash on hand, you can go to any foreign exchange desk in the airport.
You can also go to your local bank and request a certain amount of money for the country you are going to ahead of time.
Usually, this takes a few weeks so plan accordingly.
Most countries will accept Visa credit/debit cards.
Depending on the bank, you might be charged for using it outside your home country.
If you’re from the U.S., some businesses do not accept American Express.
You can always google the value of the money where you’re at compared to where you’re going. You might be surprised what your currency is worth.
Look up what countries call their money. In Canada, they reference in dollars, but they do not have $1 bills. They have $1 coins known as loonies and $2 coins known as toonies.

Not being able to speak a different language is totally ok! You will make it!
Personally, I have google translate on my phone and it’s incredibly handy.
It also is a great idea to learn some basic phrases so you can at least ask where the bathroom is or for a glass of water or coffee at a restaurant.
**Sometimes water is not free in other countries like it is in U.S. restaurants**
If you are American, the chances that SOMEONE knows some English where you are is pretty likely.

Whew, that is a LOT to have to think about!

But these are the things I wish people had told me before I started traveling and would have made my life so much easier.

Even if these questions are just sitting in the back of your mind or you make a checklist, they are good to know.

It’s no fun being in the middle of a foreign place and not knowing what the next step is.

Even though it seems like a lot to process, eventually these questions, or questions popping up, will become second nature to you.

Take your time planning and ALWAYS have an open mind.

Hopefully, these 5 loaded topics for first-time solo female travelers come in handy!!