Candid Club

I was 18 when I left the Philippines and moved to the U.S. on my own. I didn’t have any family or friends waiting at the airport, no one to even help me figure things out. I was nervous, homesick, and honestly just trying to get through each day without getting lost or breaking down.

That was my first real experience of what it means to be alone in a new place. Not just for a vacation, but for real life. And looking back, that chapter taught me a lot about surviving, but also about showing up for myself. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was the start of everything I now carry with me every time I travel solo.

Since then, I’ve taken myself on trips. Not the curated Instagram kind (of course, that too) but real ones. Last-minute flights. Hostels I had to convince myself to feel safe in. Days where everything felt magical and others where I felt small and out of place. Through it all, I’ve learned how to make solo travel work for me. Not at all fearlessly, but at least intentionally. And that matters.

If you’re a woman, especially if you’re Filipina like me, you’ve probably been told to always wait for company. Wait until it’s safe. Wait until someone can go with you. But the truth is, you don’t always have to wait. You just have to prepare differently.

So this is for you. If you’ve been thinking about going somewhere on your own, or already have a trip booked but feel unsure, these tips are here to walk beside you. It’s nothing fancy. Just the real stuff that’s helped me, and maybe will help you too.

1. Download the essentials before you leave

Before you travel solo, make sure you’ve downloaded what you need in case you lose signal or don’t have Wi-Fi. These are my go-to downloads:

• Google Maps: Download the map of your destination so you can access it offline
• Transport apps: Grab, Citymapper, or whatever works locally—download in advance, and take screenshots of routes or instructions
• Travel documents: Screenshot hotel details, passport info, and flight confirmations
• Entertainment: Save playlists or podcasts to pass time during long waits or solo meals

2. Save key locations on Google Maps

One of the most useful solo travel hacks is saving important places on your map so you’re never fully lost. Pin these in advance:

• Your hotel or Airbnb
• A nearby café or coworking space
• A grocery store and pharmacy
• The airport or station
• A safe public place you can retreat to if needed (like a library or mall)

This makes navigating less stressful, especially if you’re tired or disoriented after a long trip.

3. Stay in central, walkable areas

When booking accommodation, location is everything. Look for places close to cafés, transport stations, and grocery stores. I avoid areas that are too isolated or too touristy.

• Check reviews for mentions of safety and noise
• Use Google Street View to get a feel for the surroundings
• Avoid booking places just because they’re cheap if they seem far from everything

Being able to walk to what you need, especially in daylight, makes a big difference.

4. Always carry a powerbank

Your phone is your map, translator, wallet, and emergency contact. Never let it die. I always carry a fully charged power bank and my cable, even on short outings.

• Keep it in your day bag with your essentials
• Charge both your phone and your backup every night
• If your phone is older, consider carrying two power banks

4. Dress in a way that blends in

This doesn’t mean you have to change your style, but being mindful of local norms helps you feel less like a target.

• Look up how locals dress, especially women
• In more conservative places, pack a scarf or light cover-up
• Wear comfortable shoes if you’ll be walking a lot

The goal isn’t to hide but to move through the place in a way that feels respectful and low-stress.

5. Use your phone’s built-in emergency info features

Avoid putting sensitive data on your lock screen. Instead, set up:

• Medical ID (iPhone) via the Health app
• Emergency Information (Android) via Settings > Safety

Add a local emergency number, allergy info (if needed), and your emergency contact’s number. First responders can access this even when your phone is locked, without exposing everything else.

5. Use ride-share apps to check local prices, even if you don’t use them

Grab, Lyft, Uber, and other apps show you real-time fare estimates. If a taxi quotes you double that price, you’ll know.

Bonus: Even if you walk everywhere, these apps are useful for last-minute exits when you’re tired, lost, or uncomfortable.

6. Split emergency cash in odd places

Avoid keeping all your money in one wallet or pouch. Hide small amounts in:

• A tampon wrapper
• An old pill bottle
• A flat envelope in your journal
• The battery compartment of a portable fan or mirror
• Inside a sock

It’s not foolproof, but if your bag gets lost or stolen, that spare $20 can get you out of a jam.

7. Walk with purpose, even when you’re lost

One of the easiest ways to avoid drawing attention is to look like you know where you’re going. If you’re unsure of your route:

• Walk toward a landmark or open café
• Step inside to check directions discreetly
• Never stop in the middle of a sidewalk looking confused

Fake confidence buys you time and space to regroup safely.

8. Take a walking tour as recon

On your first full day, join a free walking tour or local guide. It gives you:

• A feel for the layout of the city
• Ideas for where to eat and avoid
• Subtle safety tips (like where to avoid at night)
• A chance to ask locals low-pressure questions

Show up, observe, and take mental notes.

9. Leave a fake “back soon” note in your Airbnb or hotel

It’s a small but smart deterrent. Write a casual note like:
“Went to the market. Be back around 4 — J.”

Leave it on the desk or kitchen counter, where it’s visible from outside. This makes it look like you’re not alone and not gone for long, even if you’re gone for hours.

10. Keep a private story, album, or digital diary for your real moments

Solo travel can be full of weird, random joys you don’t need to post publicly. Start a photo dump album just for you (or your closest friends) to keep the good stuff without the pressure.

Traveling alone as a woman can be overwhelming in the beginning, but it gets easier the more you do it. You learn how to trust your instincts, adjust when things go wrong, and enjoy your own company.