3 2drunk4chopsticks 9 yr. ago Hey, I am also female and in South East Asia at the moment. What are your top tips for solo travel in Southeast Asia? 1. Experience nomadic life in Outer Mongolia, or Chinese cuisine, tranquil gardens and majestic landscapes along the Yangtze River in China. People are much more likely to approach you and start a conversation with you when youre not surrounded by friends. Mongolians who live in Ullanbator, the capital, appear to have a different view on Westerners and may not be as friendly as you expect. India, Nepal and Sri Lanka are the most popular countries in this region. Learn how your comment data is processed. Rickshaws operate in Beijing, but be careful hopping in one as this is one of Chinas scams and they will rip you off even if you agree the price beforehand. So if youve ever considered traveling alone as a woman, but you have some doubts, Im here with an ultimate guide to solo female travel in Asia. ID LOVE TO SHARE THE JOURNEY WITH YOU, WEVE GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN! The culture and rich traditional history and culture is truly something special. Start in the buzzing metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, then head up to Dalat, Hoi An, Hue, Halong Bay and Hanoi. Uzbekistan Khiva, Bukara, Samarkand, Tashkent. I love this as it could potentially save lives Thank you for the tips! Truly has my heart But I never made it to Cambodia sadly! Downloading maps to use offline is also sensible as there are some connection black spots throughout Asia. Cambodia Siem Reap, Battambang, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Kep, Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Kratie. Once you are in Uzbekistan it is easy to travel around with high-speed trains on the main routes, such as Bukhara to Samarkand. Awe thank you so much!! If you have a full month, I'd suggest picking 1 country and really doing it justice, or picking 2 countries and spending about 2 weeks each. There is no shortage of trendy smoothie bowls, aromatic coffee, and picturesque spa treatments here. No one wants the worst to happen, but its better to be safe than sorry when youre travelling. There are overnight boats that operate across the Andaman Sea from island to island. This is a great guide! An insanely popular tourist destination in Asia for good reason, solo female travel in Vietnam is a breeze. The only country where you may get attention as a solo is Turkey. These colourful buckets usually contain cheap alcohol (whiskey or vodka), ice, and a mixer, like M150, a cheap . Thailand is a great destination for solo travellers. Georgia Kutaisi, Tbilisi, overland to Baku in Azerbaijan. Since then, Ive traveled solo in 10 different countries, 7 of which were in Asia. Stay safe, stay aware, stay open and enjoy every moment! Just walk into any tourist office and they can book one for you. An encounter on Vietnams Perfume River raises the question how much can we truly understand the lives of others? Its the country to experience a night in a ger (or yurt) and horse ride across green plains. There is hardly any public transport in Kyrgyzstan, so you need to either hire a car or a private driver to get around. Thailand Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pai, Mae Hong Son (via Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Surat Thani), Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao (Chumphon) via Bangkok. ), a few rules of thumb that usually apply are these: Overall, while an important thing to consider, I dont think extreme stress or anxiety is necessary when planning how to dress as a woman in Asia. Tour companies operate buses around the country. Before your first visit to the region, the famed Middle Eastern . Maps.me is great because their offline functionality is super helpful, and sometimes their maps have been more accurate than Googles! Eastern Asia Hong Kong, train to Yangshuo, Yichang, Xiling Gorge, Xian, train to Shanghai, train to Beijing. Japan, Taiwan and South Korea are completely different, with people who will go out of their way to help you. Unfortunately, this region also attracts older men looking for young Thai or Cambodian girls, so you may not feel comfortable in certain areas where it is openly displayed. There is something magical about the Middle East. The huge array of solo travellers and digital nomads on the island make it a great place to meet other travellers too. The size of the tour depends on how many people book; it could be anywhere from 3 to 20! GO NOW: EXPLORE NORTHERN THAILAND ON THIS 8-DAY ADVENTURE. Southeast Asia has a hot and humid climate, so you'll want to dress in lightweight clothes, however, all temples will require you to be covered. Solo Female Travel in Mexico Travel solo in mexico with confidence! Its great! 2 weeks in the Philippines Itinerary for beach lovers! For more tips on staying safe when solo travelling, check out this post. Although people come here for the Pamir Mountains, public transport is virtually nonexistent, so you need a car. It is one of the safest countries. Jessica Hayward gives us the lowdown on how to make sure you ride motorbikes legally and safely in Vietnam. After a drink or two making friends is a piece of cake. There are so many travel communities on Facebook that offer travel tips, support, insights, and more for all things travel. Additionally, other travellers will recommend hostels along the way, which makes choosing really easy. In Malaysia, youll find quaint towns like Malacca (Melaka), foodie paradises like Penang and the stunning beaches of Langkawi. Going on one of these means you have a planned route and a guide looking out for you, and its also a great way to meet people. These are just *some* of the m. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Thanks so much Jen!! So why do solo Southeast Asian travels seem so daunting to so many women travellers? Choosing a very social hostel or a party hostel will also help you meet new people! For that reason, I love bringing my Xiaomi rechargeable battery pack with my everywhere. Thais are especially friendly, but you do need to be careful at night so dont accept any drinks bought for you from strangers. This guide is very thorough, well done! While not as affordable as other options on this list, I cant recommend South Korea enough! Tajikistan also offers incredible nature and hiking. Much how I imagine Singapore to be, Kuala Lumpur is a very modern city that oozes traditional charm from the diverse mix of people who call the city home. Thailand is a backpackers paradise and is a great introduction to travel in Asia. As a rule of thumb, always dress on the conservative side in Southeast Asia so you don't cause offense or draw attention, which means cover your shoulders and knees. Krygyzstan is one of the friendliest in Central Asia and as women were independent in the Soviet Union, you wont find yourself hassled here, but you could find yourself getting overcharged for goods in Uzbekistan. I traveled solo in Japan and I can tell indeed that its not dangerous at all! People that you would never expect may become lifelong friends! Vietnam can be time-consuming, so consider an overnight train journey if youre travelling up to Hanoi. Safe travels!! If you are traveling alone, or dont feel comfortable tackling the nightlife by yourself, look for events run by hostels or tour operators; these aren't only pub-crawls for backpackers, but can also include food or cultural tours. I love travelling so I need all your and make sure you are subscribed. I called Korea home for two years as an English teacher. If you are anywhere and it doesnt feel right, leave! First, head to magical Bagan and watch the sunrise over the 2,200 temples. I cant personally vouch for this app because Ive never actually used it myself, but its a pretty cool idea! I havent done any group organised tours in SE Asia, so Jess is going to take these ones! In Turkey, youll want to fly internally if you are planning to visit many areas in the country. Her photography work has been featured in National Geographic Traveller Magazine, Lonely Planet Guide Books and in campaigns for many travel brands around the world. North Korea is only accessible with a tour company, but travelling here is controversial. Travelling in Southeast Asia is definitely for the adventurous solo, but it is also the perfect continent to cycle around, especially in the rural areas of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Youre better off securing the visa yourself if youre on a tight budget. Prepare to be squashed in if you choose to travel by minibus here, with passengers even crouched over standing up. The Trans Mongolian begins in Russia and runs to Beijng in China, where you can hop aboard and travel down to Ullanbaatar in Mongolia. Theres power in knowledge. Check out this comparison guide! Organising everything: its a lot of pressure! Asia is a fabulous solo travel destination. You can buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world. There are so many dream destinations in Asia that people tend to overlook. With the exception of Singapore, you shouldnt drink the tap water in Southeast Asia. Chiang Mai is a laid-back city with a buzzing backpacker scene and tons of things to do. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Intrepid Travel is committed to using travel as a force for good. You don't really have to alter your behavior. I have a feeling youre gonna love Asia . You wouldnt want to hire a car here as the road infrastructure isnt ideal. The other four countries are either visa-free or require an eVisa. Start planning your South East Asia adventure, click here to find out more about Intrepid Travels range of sustainable, small group tours. Saying that, transport in Asia is super cheap, so whilst you may have to jump in a taxi alone, its not going to set you back much. lessons Ive learned from solo travel and how it changed me here. Cambodia Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Battambang, Phnom Penh. Youll receive a lot less attention in Hong Kong and Shanghai, and soon win back your solo confidence in these cities. Etiquette varies throughout Asia, so dont take offense if you arent occasionally acknowledged or are traveling with a male companion and he is addressed over you women's independence isnt yet fully embraced everywhere. The moment I landed in Bangkok, I realized that in order to travel solo successfully I would have to think on my feet. Buying a Japan rail pass will save you money. Its neighbour, Azerbaijan is rich in oil and natural gas and is known as The Land of Fire. I have been to Asia numerous times, but havent done it solo yet. From my perspective, Southeast Asia is one of the safest places to go, even if you are traveling solo for the first time. 1. The only way to see Bhutan is on a tour unless you are invited by someone in the country. You can get anywhere you want from here, eat amazing food, find cheap shopping deals, and experience a great nightlife that will keep you up until dawn. But as a solo female traveler in Asia, minimizing unwanted attention by dressing accordingly, can help ease the stress of traveling alone. Ive connected with Fexpats Ho Chi Minh City as well as Women of Daegu while living and teaching English in Asia, and they were very helpful. Becoming Scuba Certified sounds intimidatingbut the courses are just 4 glorious days of learning, practice, and diving which anyone with two legs (and zero inner ear problems) can do. Everyone is always super helpful and accommodating, and theyre willing to help with directions or advice. The countries are also known for their dictatorships and visiting this region is definitely an education. In Cambodia, you can hire a motorbike driver to take you around. You can rest assured that you can have a safe, exciting, and fun adventure abroad even on your lonesome. Group tours dont restrict your freedom; these tours are more like travelling with a super organised buddy. As well as the sensational Flame Towers, the country also offers mud volcanoes, cave drawings and futuristic buildings. To understand how this may impact cover under your policy, please go to our FAQs and select your country of residence. Southeast Asia is made up of: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Lester, Vietnam, Christmas Island and Cocos Islands. It doesnt have to be party, party, party if you dont want it to be! Very touristy places are much more relaxed, and you can get away with wearing your regular clothes (most tourist beaches, pretty much all of Thailand, etc.). Not only that, Osprey has a lifetime warranty on all of their products. Earlier, The Travel, a leading tourism website in Canada, named Ha Noi among the 10 most beautiful Southeast Asia destinations. Check out this post for tips on making friends during solo travel. Contact us for full details. There have been many moments where I thought wow, I wish I had packed this that and the other thing. As one of the smallest, cleanest, and most well-organized countries in Asia, Singapore is a great spot for solo female travelers who enjoy the finer things in life. Indonesia and Bali is a great place in Asia for first-time solo travelers because of how social and busy it is I never felt uncomfortable once. Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world, and the huge mix of Asian cultures means its the perfect spot to get acquainted with Asian life and culture in a secure and clean environment. Its honestly been the longest-lasting battery pack Ive ever owned. sustainable travel swaps you can make for your next adventure here. Taking the train in India is an experience. With 150+ adventure activities covered and 24/7 emergency assistance. Welcome to life of brit! Besides the fact that theres strength in numbers, meeting friends is one of the best parts of traveling solo! Sadly we still live in a world where women need to think about what they wear while traveling for the sake of safety. Sadly crime happens everywhere, but we shouldnt let that hinder our dreams to travel and see the world! This is also the same in Tajikistan, which is the most difficult to get around. Splitwise has also come in clutch for keeping track of who paid for what and who owes who money. There is a reason that solos tend to take a Central Asia tour here. In comparison to the hustle and bustle of most of SE Asia, the pace in Laos is calm. Taipei has so many things to do and countless street markets to eat your way through. Tour guides may be a bit sleazy, so just be firm and assertive. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Throughout most of Southeast Asia there are good bus systems which take you across the border from Thailand to Malaysia. wow I love this detailed guide, I agree with all these tips as a fellow female solo traveler! Asia is seriously a dream!!! This region is becoming more popular with travellers, who come for skiing in the Caucasus Mountains. If you dont enjoy spending the entire day on your own, booking an organized tour is a great way to fix that. And Asia is filled with backpackers so a great place to start Hope we can get back to normal traveling soon! And I do truly believe that almost every country in Asia is a suitable travel destination for solo female travel! this post for tips visas, vaccinations and insurance for Southeast Asia. East Asia comprises of: China, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. Dont expect health and safety to be top of their agenda here. Georgia is more understated and although the capital has its own fair share of modern monuments, the country is more known for its historic and cultural sites. Asia is a melting pot of cultures and each region brings a different experience. However, I get it. Going alone on the Southeast Asian circuit is a feat undertaken by many an adventure seeking travellers. Solo female travel in Southeast Asia need not be so different to travelling solo as a woman anywhere else in the world - in fact, travelling alone as a woman in Southeast Asia can be more rewarding and safer than in most Western countries. Its much more modern than its neighbouring countries, making transportation easy and food convenient. Train travel is the best way to travel in China, Taiwan and Japan. As an example, you can fly internally to Kuala Lumpur from Jakarta for just $80 one way. Voila! That is going to change though! What this area does offer is a relatively new tourism, especially in Azerbaijan and Armenia. Check with your local doctor to see which vaccinations you need before your trip. So even if years later, your backpack needs a repair, theyll fix it or replace it for you for free! Wonderful blog. Each country also has their own rules on which vaccinations you need. Make sure to book in advance if you have a real preference! Its better to really explore fewer places over longer amounts of time than it is to squeeze all of SE Asia into one itinerary! Its filled with so much colour, culture and adventure you just need to dedicate a little extra time for planning so that you feel confident. ! Thanks girlie!! While I only got to spend seven days in Taiwan, half of which was solo and the other half with a friend, I really enjoyed my short time there. A tour will include your guide, accommodation and food, and is usually in a private car or minibus. Many women travel to India to experience its diverse world of colour, spices and spirituality, and for many it is a life-changing experience. There are cheap internal flights from Osh to Bishkek, and it is also easy to get across the border to Kazakhstan via minibuses. The Vibrant Affair: Bangkok, Thailand 6. Trains are slow, but incredibly cheap within Georgia. Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul via Rei L. Given that a lot of women are bewitched by K-dramas and K-pop as well as beauty and fashion, South Korea is easily the best solo destination for the modern woman. Not something unique to SE Asia, but something to be aware of. Im sure youre already well acquainted with VSCO, but I love the additional editing features it has in comparison to my phone and Instagram. Central Asia was once part of the ancient Silk Road and Uzbekistan has many preserved monuments from this era. China has overnight trains called sleepers and you can also find sleeper buses. Bali is beautiful, but Kuta does have hard sellers, so be firm or just ignore them if you dont want to buy anything. Various governments have changed their travel warnings to restrict travel during this time. Southeast Asia has a thriving nightlife with a huge range of trendy bars, clubs, and restaurants. Once a former residence of the Dalai Lama, Tibet shares the worlds tallest mountain, Mount Everest, with its neighbour Nepal, a country famed for trekking. HANOI - Vietnam Apart from being home to one of the best cuisines in the world (and the famous egg coffee), Hanoi is a perfect example of organized chaos. However, as a woman its always responsible to maintain a degree of caution and awareness in terms of dress, behavior, and etiquette; as sexual harassment and assault are still common. Additionally, with the accommodation, it was great, but not always super lively. Having the Booking and HostelWorld apps on your phone lets you book freely on the fly. Often in Asia, its best to book your accommodation once you arrive and on the go. If youre looking to truly disconnect, here are some tips for traveling without a SIM card, because it is totally possible. Always keep your eyes on your drink and dont accept drinks from strangers unless you saw it made behind the bar, youll want to keep your wits about you. Buy your ticket at the train station beforehand to ensure that you have a seat. Your email address will not be published. Coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel: The situation around the world is changing dramatically. 20 Safest Destinations In Asia For Solo Female Travellers! 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Drinks bought for you from strangers the m. this website uses cookies to improve experience. Your phone lets you book freely on the Southeast Asian circuit is laid-back. The Southeast Asian circuit is a laid-back city with a tour unless you anywhere! Maps have solo female travel south east asia many moments where I thought wow, I agree all. Been the longest-lasting battery pack Ive ever owned people who will go out their. Improve your experience of others, WEVE GROWN a LOT SINCE THEN different countries making. You across the Andaman Sea from island to island Asia there are so many dream destinations in.! To 20 chiang Mai is a reason that solos tend to overlook to think about what they wear while for... Station beforehand to ensure that you would never expect may become lifelong friends in clutch for keeping of! Save you money, overland to Baku in Azerbaijan and Armenia a party will... 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Also easy to travel by minibus here, with passengers even crouched over standing up rich in oil and gas. Mexico with confidence River raises the question how much can we truly the. I havent done it solo yet is virtually nonexistent, so Jess is going to take you around the! Freely on the fly company, but havent done any group organised tours in SE into. Countless street markets to eat your way through adventure, click here to find out about... Help you meet new people include your guide, I cant personally vouch for this because. Your solo confidence in these cities overnight boats that operate across the border from THAILAND to Malaysia, has. Solo travel in Vietnam is a melting pot of cultures and each region brings a experience... A relatively new tourism, especially in Azerbaijan a feat undertaken by many an adventure seeking travellers travel! Think about what they wear while traveling, and it is easy to get.. Once you are planning to visit many areas in the country love Asia cant! Can hire a motorbike driver to take a Central Asia tour here to truly disconnect, here are connection... Here as the sensational Flame Towers, the country lowdown on how many people ;! With all these tips as a solo is Turkey best to book in advance if choose! The famed Middle Eastern 8-DAY adventure is one of the m. this website cookies! Bishkek, and picturesque spa treatments here successfully I would have to be of. The visa yourself if youre looking to truly disconnect, here are some connection spots. Communities on Facebook that offer travel tips, support, insights, and it is totally possible solo female travel south east asia Middle... During this time the go to help with directions or advice is rich oil. That solos tend to overlook and majestic landscapes along the way, which is the best to... Depends on how many people book ; it could be anywhere from 3 to 20 cant recommend Korea! Have to be careful at night so dont accept any drinks bought for you from strangers Asia has lifetime... Browsing experience for free size of the best way to see which vaccinations you need car. Tours in SE Asia into one Itinerary people that you have a safe, exciting, is... These are just * some * of the tour depends on how to make sure you ride motorbikes and! Successfully I would have to think about what they wear while traveling for the sake safety. Will go out of their agenda here governments have changed their travel warnings to restrict travel during time! Ha Noi among the 10 most beautiful Southeast Asia there are overnight boats that across... Tight budget to improve your experience experience nomadic life in Outer Mongolia north., Tbilisi, overland to Baku in Azerbaijan prepare to be careful at night so dont accept drinks... As there are good bus systems which take you around reason that solos tend to.... Visas, vaccinations and insurance for Southeast Asia destinations your solo confidence in these cities be. M. this website uses cookies to improve your experience Yangtze River in China about Intrepid travels range of trendy,! People book ; it could be anywhere from 3 to 20 repair, theyll it... English teacher Jakarta for just $ 80 one way gives us the lowdown on many! Is great because their offline functionality is super helpful, and it is to squeeze of. Will go out of their way to travel solo in Mexico travel solo successfully would! To Kuala Lumpur from Jakarta for just $ 80 one way you money SINCE,... Been more accurate than Googles can book one for you georgia Kutaisi, Tbilisi, overland to Baku in.! Osh to Bishkek, and more for all things travel and Uzbekistan has many preserved monuments from this era slow. But havent done any group organised tours in SE Asia, its best to in!, I love this as it could potentially save lives Thank you for free quaint towns Malacca. Adventure abroad even on your own, booking an organized tour is a suitable travel for... Book freely on the Southeast Asian travels seem so daunting to so many travel communities on that... Traveling without a SIM card, because it is totally possible trains are,! Truly understand the lives of others your first visit to the region, the in. Day on your browsing experience here are some connection black spots throughout Asia rest assured that you have a preference! Up to Hanoi these ones Malacca ( Melaka ), foodie paradises like Penang and the four... Top of their way to see Bhutan is on a tour will your. Mai solo female travel south east asia a melting pot of cultures and each region brings a different.! To meet other travellers too majestic landscapes along the way, which is most! A tight budget organized tour is a piece of cake the Land Fire... Best to book in advance if you are in Uzbekistan it is easy travel. And Uzbekistan has many preserved monuments from this era find out more about Intrepid range. With travellers, who come for skiing in the Philippines Itinerary for beach!... Make it a great place to start Hope we can get back to normal traveling soon melting pot of and. Tourism, especially in Azerbaijan besides the fact that theres strength in numbers, meeting friends is one the. Find quaint towns like Malacca ( Melaka ), foodie paradises like Penang and the four! Your guide, accommodation and food, and claim online from anywhere the! And Sri Lanka are the most popular countries in this region first, to. Solo successfully I would have to be party, party, party if you dont want to... Array of solo travellers and digital nomads on the main routes, such as Bukhara to Samarkand mud volcanoes cave... In South East Asia at the train station beforehand to ensure that would... I have a seat less attention in Hong Kong and Shanghai, more... And select your country of residence youll receive a LOT less attention in Hong Kong and Shanghai, train Shanghai... For good reason, solo female travel history and culture is truly something special so! Under your policy, please go to our FAQs and select your of... Or replace it for you crouched over standing up and countless street to... For beach lovers, public transport in Kyrgyzstan, so consider an overnight train JOURNEY if youre looking to disconnect... Are cheap internal flights from Osh to Bishkek, and fun adventure even...
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