Tips for Backpacking as a Solo Female

So, you’re planning a backpacking trip as a solo female. Good for you. Ignore the sideways glances and pestering questions from concerned friends and family, people are always wary of what they don’t know. You got this.

You don’t need to follow the footsteps of Gertrude Bell or Ida Laura Pfeiffer to have a soul-filling backpacking experience. All you need is a week or two off work, a good backpack, comfortable walking shoes and the spirit of adventure to guide you. You’ll find just as many female as male backpackers on the road, but it doesn’t hurt to take a few extra precautions.

Satellite Phone

If you’re going into a remote area without cell reception, it’s a good idea to carry a fully-charged satellite phone with you. Chances are you won’t ever think about bringing it out, but if you do, you’ll be grateful you have it.

Make Sure Your Hostel is Highly Rated

HostelWorld is a great way to find highly rated hostels with hundreds of reviews for each listing. This way, you’ll ensure you’re staying in safe lodgings with other like-minded travelers.

Join Tours

Your hostel will most likely be able to help you book tours and excursions in group settings. Not to mention, you’ll meet many fellow travelers this way. Tours are ideal for exploring places you may not feel comfortable traveling to on your own.

Have Someone Know Your Whereabouts

Whether this be a boyfriend, friend or family member, it’s a good idea to give someone a heads up of where you will travel. One way to do this is by sharing your location on your phone with that person during your travels, since your plans will likely change and a set schedule is tough to stick to.