World Travel Guide
First thing
Think about where you want to go and how to finance your trip
Money & Documents
Make sure your passport won’t expire until at least 6 month after your trip ends and has enough empty pages for stamps and visas.
Check Visa guidelines for the countries you want to go to.
Call your bank and notify them about where and when you’ll be traveling so you can use your debit and credit cards there.
Make a few physical photocopies of your passport photo/info page and put them in different places in your bag.
Scan your passport, I.D, Credit Card, Debit Card, insurance card and any other relevant documents front and back – attach the scans to an email on your personal email account so you can access them digitally from anywhere.
Destination Information and Safety
Look up location specific scams, safety tips and information.
Take a glance at the regions current events, any current travel warnings on the US Government website. Read about how female travelers experience the area from blogs of women who’ve been there recently… interpret these with caution since one person can have a much different experience than another and the US Goverment warnings can be overly cautious.
Vaccines
See if you need any Vaccines, visit your Doctor if necessary, get prescription drugs and a Dr. note to carry with the medicine if necessary.
US citizens – go to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on Vaccines, safe drinking water and location specific recommendations and requirements. Some vaccines have a multiple doses months apart so checking this sooner rather than later is a good idea!
Travel Insurance
Look into travel insurance – decide on what kind of coverage, if any, is appropriate and see what your current health insurance covers abroad.
I don’t always get travel insurance but when I do it’s through World Nomads
Travel Books
Buy a travel book with relevant maps, transportation and site/activity information.
(I cut them into sections to make little booklets that are easy to pop in my purse. I stapling at the spine and sometimes put clear packing tape on the front and back.)
Consider buying a pocket size phrasebook if you want to learn more than the basic phrases or are going to areas that speak very little English.
Planning & Booking
Buy/book your initial flight/train/bus ticket or prep/buy the car.
Secure transportation to the airport/station if necessary.
Book or plan your first accommodation, write down the address, directions, phone number, conformation number and mark it on a map.
Research the best ways to get from the Airport/station to your first location.
Do a bit of research on the top places you are going to to, things you want to do and the best ways to get around. Keep in mind you’ll probably get the best advice when you get there from other travelers and locals – all your plans could change… but I still think it’s really nice to come in with some information, just don’t book everything – plans change!
Packing
Bring as little as possible and pack light… I can’t stress this enough. You need a lot less than you first imagine and if you need anything on the road you can almost always buy it during your travels. I lay everything out a week before the trip to see and review it. When you find yourself saying things like just in case… put it back! Only bring the bare essentials, your back will thank you and you’ll have fun buying an adorable umbrella for a dollar on a side street in China when it suddenly starts raining and you need one!
Money and Documents
Passport to enter and leave countries.
I.D. Cards so you have identification your comfortable carrying all the time and to go clubbing with etc.
Debit Card to get money out of the ATM.
Credit Card for emergencies and reserving hostels, train tickets and big items that require a credit card.
Money Belt for passport, cards and money to wear under your clothes when changing locations.
Wallet to carry the days worth of money and coins.
U.S. Cash in Small Bills just in case.
Clothes
I usually bring 6-8 tops most work well for day, night and as pajamas that means they are a comfy material, breathable fabric, and generally a cute pattern; 2-3 of them are black tank tops to wear under other tops or as pajamas.
I bring all neutral bottoms to complement the patterned tops and allow for lots of pairing.
Light weight pants are perfect for temples, churches, chilly nights and buses. I wear the bike shorts under skirts and dresses in case it’s windy, prevents your thighs from rubbing together or on their own to workout. Comfy Shorts and Comfy pants are great for pajamas, lounging, travel and as day time bottoms. Black Clubbing Skirt of course can be used for going out, as a tube top and as a day skirt at certain rare times.
A light neutral colored mid-layer that matches everything for when your chilly.
A Scarf can be a blanket, shoulder covering, eye mask, head covering, pillow, cover up, sarong… the list goes on scarves are amazing.
Shoes
Flip Flops for showering in hostels, beach, short walks and slippers around the house/hostel. Gym Shoes for adventurous activities like hiking and zip-lining, long walks and workouts. 1-2 strapy sandals /walking shoes that are very comfortable, good for day-to-day life and at least one can be worn in dressy/clubbing occasions.
Bags
Carry-on size bag for all your belonging.
Day backpack to put small daily essentials in like your jacket, water bottle, sweater etc.
Small Cross-body Purse is great for carrying the very small items you want easy access to and to be more secure. (For me that’s a map, relevant section of my travel book, notebook, pen, phone, ipod, camera, earbud headphones, wallet, a days worth of money and I.D.)
Toiletries
Shampoo doubles as laundry detergent!
Buy small bottles and replace as you go – not worth the extra wait.
Miscellaneous
Small Lock for your valuables in the Hostel locker and your bag.
Small notebooks are awesome for notes, contact info, maps, translations – it comes in so handy!
Travel Guide book – I cut them at the spine and then staple them so they’re small booklets perfect to grab and go.
It’s nice to have at least one leisure book to read when traveling and to trade with others.
Hand sanitizer, band aids and pain/headache medicine is great for everyone.
Things like bug spray and lotions to sooth sunburn and bug bites can be purchased as needed.
Accommodations
Hostels
Great budget friendly accommodations that generally attract young, fun internationals. I love staying in hostels a few tips/questions…
Read the reviews, make sure it has a good rating.
Look at the facility pictures.
Does is have your ‘musts’ (mine are wifi, good location, cool vibe & affordable – while others might say privacy, free breakfast and hot showers)
Location – Is it’s in a safe neighborhood?
Is it close to the things you want to see and do?
Does it have good access to public transportation?
Research and Book at..
Friends / Family (Self explanatory)
Couchsurfing
Network of people usually travelers providing and receiving free accommodation around the world. Couchsurfing is an awesome option just – read the reviews and be sure to give back in some way by helping out around the house, cooking meals or giving a gift.
Airbnb
Great website were you can rent out a bed, room, apartment or even a house.
Transportation
Flight
My favorite search engines/ Apps for flights
For the initial Flight shop around
Book your flight on Tuesdays or Wednesdays
Depart on Tuesday or Wednesday
Returning on a Monday is generally cheaper.
Local budget airlines are great if you’re light on luggage but read the
regulations carefully. A few are… AirAsia, Easyjet, Ryanair, Spirit,
Virgin, America, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines.
Local Transportation
Travel books, hostel staff and other travelers can tell you the cheap and safe ways to get around.
In some regions buses may be the only option, other times there are a ton of transportation options.
Road Trips!
Find a dependable car
Discuss how you will split driving time
Gas costs
Rental costs
Music choices
“Traveling around the world is statistically no more dangerous
than traveling across your hometown”
– Rolf Potts
Solo Female Travel Safety
Solo travel is incredible and a ton of women are out there right now traveling around the world. You can watch and read their many many YouTube videos, books and blogs which inspire, educate and entertain!
If a short little American girl that brings a mini hair-straightener everywhere she goes can do it… so can you! My first major solo travel experience was a two month trip in Southeast Asia when I was 23. I felt extremely safe and had the time of my life!
The most dangerous place I’ve been to is probably my birthplace Chicago. Traveling safely as a solo female traveler mainly comes down to common sense and a bit of area specific research.
Don’t let random people or loved ones discourage you, especially if they don’t travel or haven’t been to the area themselves in the few years – they mean well and think they know what’s best but it generally is not coming from a rational place or research – it comes from irrational fear, movies and hearsay. Everyone in my life was terrified when I went to Southeast Asia on my own but I did my research was right and it was perfect for my first solo trip!
Reading books about real girls traveling that I could relate to like “The Lost Girls” and “A good Girls Guide to Getting Lost” inspired and reassured me. Blogs like Adventurous Kate, That Backpacker and The Blond Abroad did the same.
A personal email from ‘That Backpacker’ Audrey Bergner saying that traveling solo in Southeast Asia was not only safe but amazing was the last nudge I needed to calm my nerves and take that amazing leap to solo travel!
Most of these will sound like basic common sense… because that’s usually what you need in most cases.
Don’t wander around by yourself after dark.
Avoid questionable or high crime areas/neighborhoods (ask locals/ the staff where you’re staying)
Go on guided tours, take public transportation or go sightseeing with other travellers while you’re getting to know the area.
I stay in mixed gender Hostel dorms mostly because they’re lively and fun but when I was first getting used to hostels I stayed in all-girl dorms. Now, if I’m in a mixed dorm and get an uncomfortable feeling about a roommate I can always switch rooms – switching rooms is usually no big deal – I’ve never felt unsafe before but I have changed rooms for other reasons (broken shower, to be in the same room with friends etc.).
Don’t accept drinks from strangers or drink to much with new acquaintances. You don’t know if they are the kind of people who might leave unexpectedly and you want your wits about you to get back home.
Follow your gut, if you have a bad feeling about the people you’re with or the situation get out of there, better safe than sorry or spend a little extra money for a taxi to be on the safe side.
Is the area safe overall for women and travelers right now? – do a little research on the area.
Top Resources
These are some resources I mentioned throughout the guide all in one space plus a few more!
Websites
Vaccine and Health info – http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
USA Gov Travel info – http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel/International.shtml
Travel insurance – http://www.worldnomads.com/
Tips/advice
Trip Advisor – http://www.tripadvisor.com/
Lonely Planet Thorn Tree – https://www.lonelyplanet.com
Flights
Packing
Blogs / Youtubers / videos / advice
Adventurous Kate: http://www.adventurouskate.com/
Nomadic Matt: http://www.nomadicmatt.com
Audrey Bergner aka That backpacker: http://thatbackpacker.com/
Hey Nadine: Website: http://www.heynadine.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/nayders07
The Blond Abroad: http://theblondeabroad.com/
Travel Memoirs
Vagabonding – Rolf Potts
Travel tips, inspiration and resources – I highly recommend!!
The Lost Girls – Jennifer Baggett, Holly C. Corbett, Amanda Pressner
Travel memoir by three friends who did a round the world trip
together.
A Good Girls Guide to Getting Lost – Rachel Friedman
Travel Memoir of a girl who traveled in Ireland, Australia and
South America.
Travel Guide Books
There are many companies who make travel books my favorite are
Lonely Planet
Rick Steves
I get these because they are a quick way to get
An overall perspective on a country
Money exchange rates
Top things to do and see
Maps
Transportation information
A brief history’s
Cultural differences
Information on when things are open and how much they cost.