I consider myself a balanced budget solo traveler. I don’t have unlimited funds to spend on traveling so I’m always looking for ways to save money. I mostly stay in hostels, I cook some of my own food and I use public transit whenever I can. But there are a few things that I never hesitate to spend extra money on, especially when I’m solo traveling.
Solo travel is amazing, but it’s not always easy. As women we (unfortunately) have to worry about our safety, even in the safest of countries. And navigating a new environment, sleeping in a different bed every night and making decisions all by yourself can become overwhelming. So if there’s something I can do to make my experience safer and more comfortable, I will do that!
If you’re planning your first budget solo trip and wondering what’s worth splurging on, then this list is for you. Although some of these are personal preferences, they have all made my solo trips smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.
Planning your first solo trip? Check out my blog post
9 Tips Every First-Time Female Solo Traveler Needs to Know
Flights that Arrive During the Day
One of my hard rules for solo travel is that my flight must land during the day, not in the middle of the night. Flights that land at a decent time are almost always more expensive, but the extra cost is worth it for the peace of mind and extra safety that it gives me. Almost anywhere you travel, it will be safer during the day than at night.
Landing during the day allows me to safely navigate public transit to the city and find my accommodation in the daylight and without rushing. And if something goes wrong, like a short flight delay or a long immigration line, I’ll still be arriving at a decent time.
Last year when I visited Guatemala solo, I unfortunately had to break this rule because the only available flight arrived at around 10 pm. I was SO nervous to arrive in this foreign country at night, especially because I had to travel 1 hour to Antigua from the airport in Guatemala City. To make sure I got to my final destination safely, I splurged on a…
Private Transfer or Uber instead of Public Transit
In a situation where I have to take a flight that arrives at night, I make sure to prearrange an airport transfer. This is exactly what I did in Guatemala, and although I was still nervous about having to get into a stranger’s car at night, my driver was so nice and got me to my destination safely. When booking a private airport transfer, I use GetYourGuide or Viator and make sure there are some good reviews.
Even if you’re not taking a flight that arrives at night, there are many situations where it’s best to splurge on an Uber or taxi. In certain countries or cities, the public transit system can be unsafe, confusing, and not recommended for tourists. For me, I also consider how convenient it is. If the options are a 90-minute journey on public transit with multiple transfers between buses and trains or a 20-minute Uber, I will splurge on the Uber! Time is money, and I would rather spend my time exploring the city rather that getting lost in the system of buses and trains.
For example, when I was travelling solo in Mexico City, I mostly used Ubers to get where I had to go because they were affordable and I knew the public transit system would be overwhelming. I heard it was mostly safe, but it should be avoided at night and in certain neighborhoods. I took it a few times when there was a direct route to where I had to go. But I was happy when I did splurge on Ubers because it gave me peace of mind while navigating this big city by myself.
Before you arrive in a city, research the safest and most convenient way to get from the airport to the city, and if the public transit system is safe for tourists. It’s best to be prepared and know what to expect before you get there.
A Good Hostel that Feels Right for Me
I love staying in hostels when I’m solo traveling to save money and meet other solo travelers. But over the years I’ve learned that not all hostels are created equal. The amenities, comfort and cleanliness will depend on what you’re willing to pay.
I’m happy to pay a bit more for hostels with female-only dorms, curtains on the beds and en-suite bathrooms. Having those extra comforts can make a huge difference for me, especially on longer trips when a lack of sleep and comfort can catch up to me.
When choosing somewhere to stay I also look at the social vibe of the hostel – is it a party hostel that will be blasting music all night long? Personally, I prefer a quiet hostel that has social events like group tours, so I can make friends without staying up all night.
I always read the recent hostel reviews on HostelWorld and Booking.com, specifcally looking for what solo female travelers said about safety, cleanliness and the social vibe.
Want to stay connected while abroad?
As a solo traveler, staying connected to the internet is one of my biggest priorities. I always want to be able to find my way around if I get lost or be able to deal with emergencies if necessary. I don’t like to depend on finding wifi, so I always buy eSIMs when traveling internationally. It’s a lot easier than having to buy a physical SIM card, which aren’t compatible with most phones these days.
I use the app Airalo, where you can download eSIMs for 200+ countries. My biggest tip – download and activate the eSIM before you board your flight, so you’ll have internet as soon as you arrive.
Booking a Private Room Occasionally
Although I love the social aspect of hostels, as an introvert I sometimes need a break from sharing a room with strangers. So on longer trips I will usually book a private room, either in a hostel or budget-friendly hotel, for 1 or 2 nights a week. Having my own space to recharge, spread out my things and sleep without earplugs is worth every penny to me. And after a few nights to myself in a private room, I feel recharged to meet new people again.
I usually plan my private room stays when I know I’ll need a good rest, like after a multi-day group tour or before an early morning wake up. Or I’ll just book a private room when I can find a cheap one. It depends on the location – sometimes they are way out of my budget – but when I find one in my budget with good reviews, I book it ASAP.
Group Tours to Places I Can’t Visit Alone
One of my favorite things about solo travel is the freedom and flexibility to do what I want, but there are definitely some places that aren’t practical or safe to visit on my own. In those cases, I’ll splurge on a group tour. Whether it’s a guided hike, a boat trip, or a day tour to a remote site, joining a group tour is often safer and easier, since you don’t have to figure out the logistics yourself. They can also be a great way to make travel friends!
I recently solo traveled to Croatia and wanted to visit as many of its beautiful islands as possible. Most of them are accessible by ferry or taxi boat, but I decided to instead book a boat trip in Zadar that would take me to multiple islands in just a few hours. The tour was a bit over my budget but in the end it was worth it for how simple it made visiting multiple islands at once. And it was really fun – I met some other travelers who I explored the islands with and we sailed back to the mainland while dancing and singing on the boat!
GetYourGuide and Viator are great for booking tours ahead of time. But if you want to save a bit of money, try booking tours directly with local tour companies when you arrive in your destination. Ask your hostel for the best company, and visit their office or message them on WhatsApps to inquire about a tour. It will often be a bit cheaper than booking on a third party site.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a budget solo traveler (or currently planning your first solo trip), I hope this gives you some ideas of where you should spend your budget to make your trip better. Budget travel doesn’t mean doing everything the hardest, cheapest way possible. When travelling solo, spending a bit more on things that bring you safety, comfort and peace of mind is the best way to go.
What are some things that you don’t mind splurging on while traveling solo? I’d love to hear your tips!
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This is an excellent list — and I have to agree, flights that arrive during the day can be a big splurge, but absolutely 100% worth it, especially in some places!
Solo-female traveler here too! I agree with all of this. It’s so important to do whatever makes you feel the safest. I’ve also started opting for more expensive options, like Uber or private rooms as I’ve gotten older and require more rest. I feel blessed each time I check into a private accommodation because I’ve staying in some not so nice $5 a night hostels just to travel in the past because that’s all I could afford!
Same here, every trip I tend to book more private rooms because I know I’ll be more comfortable and rested! Hostels can be exhausting.
I agree with you on the private room! Sometimes it’s nice to have your own room just to relax well during trips!
Yep, these are all good reasons to splurge a little! I tend to take public transit if I arrive early… but yeah it’s always soooo much easier to get a private transfer sometimes!
My main splurge is likely to be good food, or experiences (something like riding a gondola up a mountain, or a whale watching tour, that kind of thing…)
Yes to private transfers already arranged! Flights, immigration and a brand new place are stressful enough on their own. Knowing that someone reliable is going to get to my bed (and a lockable room) is always worth the money.