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So, you finally did it. You booked the trip, packed the bag, boarded the plane and now you’ve arrived.
Cue the solo travel jitters.
If you’re on day one or two of your first solo female travel experience and feeling anxious, homesick, or unsure of what to do next, take a deep breath. This feeling is more common than you think, and it doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice. It just means you’re doing something big and brave and your heart and mind are catching up.
Here are some gentle, helpful ways to ease into your first solo trip and start feeling more like the confident, curious traveler you set out to be.
1. Prioritize Rest and Recalibration
Jet lag doesn’t just make you tired, it can also heighten emotions, especially when traveling alone for the first time. A good night’s sleep or even a short nap can shift your whole mood. Don’t pressure yourself to do everything right away. Rest is part of the journey.
Solo Tip: Step outside for a slow walk and some sunlight to help reset your body clock. No agenda needed.
2. Feed Your Body, Feed Your Soul
When you’re tired, hungry, and in a new place, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Prioritize a healthy, comforting meal and plenty of water. Something as simple as a smoothie, warm soup, or fresh local dish can ground you.
Solo Tip: Eating alone on a solo female trip might feel intimidating at first. Bring a journal or a favorite book to ease into the moment.
3. Book a Solo Photoshoot – A Confidence Boost for First-Time Solo Female Travelers
One of our favorite ways to embrace solo travel is to schedule a photoshoot.
Services like Flytographer or local Airbnb Experiences are perfect for capturing your journey while connecting with a friendly local.
Solo Tip: It’s not just about the pictures. It’s about celebrating you and starting your solo travel journey with something memorable.
4. Meet a Local Who Speaks Your Language
Social interaction, even in small doses, can be incredibly grounding. Booking a local guide through Tours by Locals or Airbnb Experiences can give you a safe and relaxed way to explore your destination with a friendly face, especially helpful for women traveling alone.
5. Escape (Mentally) with a Book or Podcast
Not every moment needs to be filled with sightseeing. Sometimes, just curling up with a podcast or book can reset your mind.
Try these:
- Women Who Travel (by Condé Nast Traveler), inspiring stories from female travelers around the world
- Alone Time by Stephanie Rosenbloom or Brave Enough by Cheryl Strayed, perfect reads for solo female travelers
6. Connect Virtually — Therapy or Online Travel Communities
If anxiety is getting the best of you, you’re not alone and you don’t have to navigate it by yourself. Virtual therapy services like BetterHelp, Talkspace, or Cerebral can connect you to licensed therapists from wherever you are.
Prefer to talk to fellow travelers? Post in the Solo Female Travelers or Girls LOVE Travel Facebook groups. These communities are full of supportive, encouraging women who’ve been exactly where you are now.
7. Give Yourself Permission to Do… Nothing
There’s no “right” way to do your first solo trip. Don’t feel like you need to fill every moment. If you want to take a bath, nap, scroll your phone, or just chill…do it. That’s part of the beauty of solo travel: you make the rules.
One More Thing: This Will Pass
That fluttery, nervous feeling? It fades. Often by Day 3, your shoulders relax, your confidence builds, and your curiosity takes the lead.
You’re not just traveling, you’re growing.
And every woman who’s embraced solo female travel has had a moment like this.
So go easy on yourself.
You’re already doing something powerful and unforgettable.
Want More Support?
Explore our Travel Resources page for checklists, safety tips, and first-time solo travel guides.
You’ve got this. And we’ve got you.
