After finishing my classes at the University of Oxford, I hopped on a train to solo-travel around Scotland! The thought of being a female solo-traveler was slightly intimidating, but I was determined to go to Scotland. And I’m SO glad I did, not only because Scotland is my new favorite country, but also because it was such an empowering experience!
Solo-travel can be intimidating, especially for women. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to miss out on the fun of traveling alone just because I’m a woman. So here are a few things I learned from traveling alone to Scotland that might make you feel less nervous!
Tip #1 – research your destination
I had a pretty detailed itinerary of things that I wanted to see while I was in Scotland, where they were, and what they would cost. My phone had actually just broken a few days before while I was still at Oxford, so I ended up in Scotland alone without a working phone! So I relied completely on my map of Edinburgh to navigate, and this is where my research came in handy!
It actually was really easy to get around Edinburgh with just the map, and it helped me realize that I’m confident and smart enough to get around by myself!
Tip #2 – be confident
Confidence was one of the biggest things I learned while solo traveling. I’ve always been independent, but this took it to a whole new level. I can’t even tell you how empowering it was to learn that I can book lodging, train tickets, plan a trip, navigate a new city with only a map, and eat alone.
I found that confidence is also important in staying safe. You’re less likely to be targeted by pickpockets or anyone else if you don’t look vulnerable or lost. Walk with purpose and fake it till you make it! 😉
Tip #3 – bring a money belt
Having a money belt just made me feel more comfortable. I wore it around my waist and could keep my passport, some cash, and my credit card in it so that if my purse was stolen, I would still have the most important things. I actually didn’t use it as much as I thought I would, but I’ve heard that in some countries it’s more necessary to wear a money belt.
Tip #4 – find a room that you can stay in alone
I was willing to stay in a hostel while solo traveling, but I ended up staying in cheap student housing in Edinburgh that I LOVED because I had my own room and a shared kitchen. It was just really nice to come home to a safe space at night, and I knew all day that my luggage was safe in the room. I highly recommend finding a cheap place like that or an Airbnb if having your own room makes you feel more safe!
Tip #5 – befriend locals or other travelers
Making friends with locals and other travelers was actually one of my favorite parts of the trip! On my trip to the Scottish Highlands, I got to know a couple from Massachusetts, and when we were back in Edinburgh, we met up again to do the Potter Trail Tour! And while I was in Inverness, I got to know a sweet Scottish women named Hazel, and two other bed & breakfast guests from Australia. It’s so great to meet such a diverse group of people while traveling!
Few things will make you feel more comfortable when traveling alone than befriending people! However, I also tried to stay away from mentioning that I was traveling alone, just in case, until I trusted the person. I typically didn’t stay out late at night, didn’t drink, and just trusted my instincts. Safety has to come first!
But I found throughout the trip that people were more trustworthy than I had initially thought, which was an encouraging insight into our world where sometimes we only see the bad news!
I think that every woman should take the chance to travel alone if you can! Being a female solo-traveler was an empowering, beautiful experience that I’m so grateful for.
