My Top Affordable Solo, Female Travel Essentials

July 19, 2025
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When travelling solo as a woman, there are a few essentials you should pack to keep yourself safe and have a seamless trip. These essentials don’t have to break the bank though. Here is a list of my top budget travel essentials for solo, female travellers.

I have now been solo travelling for over three years and recently visited my 35th country. In that time, I have learned all the top items I need to bring on any trip as well as how to do so while on a budget.

Here are my affordable travel essentials as well as some frequently asked questions about solo, female travel at the end:

Table of Contents

Budget-Friendly Solo-Female Travel Packing Essentials

1. Phone and Power Bank

You will likely already have a phone and it really is a lifeline when solo, female travelling. From safety to camera to e-reader to emergency aid, your phone is your most important travel companion. That doesn’t mean you will be constantly on it and missing out – it just means you can stay safe and informed throughout your travels.

You should get a Sim card or E-Sim as soon possible when landing in a new country. I usually use Airalo and get my E-sim prior to my flight.

In addition, bring a GOOD portable charger – they are budget-friendly and a life saver. When solo travelling and your phone dies, you have no one else to fall back on so be prepared!

I would also highly recommend adding a phone strap to protect your phone from falls and theft. Mine has saved my phone countless times.

2. A microfibre towel

If you are budget-travelling, you need to bring a microfiber towel. It will save you money when e.g. a hostel only offers paid towels or you need a beach towel. I never travel without mine and it has lasted me years so far.

You can find some super affordable ones here.

3. A Pashmina or Sarong

The most versatile travel must-have of all is essentially big sheet of fabric, but make it beautiful. Both a Pashmina or Sarong are ideal for this and you can find them super cheap in many countries.

I have used mine as a beach towel, bunk bed curtain, temple cover-up, skirt, blanket, head cover and more.

4. Hiking sandals

Hiking sandals have been my go-to shoes for countless trips. They are waterproof, sturdy and SO comfortable. And thankfully, they are actually pretty affordable.

My favourites are Tevas and you can find them starting from just around $40 for the basics or $50 for the Hurricanes which I have and LOVE!

5. Solid Shampoo and Conditioner

Initially, solid shampoo and conditioner may seem more expensive than their liquid alternatives, however they will save you a ton of money long-term while travelling.

They don’t take up much space or weight in your bag meaning you can pack lighter and reduce bag costs. They last SO much longer. You can take them on multiple trips and never worry about your liquid allowance. Nowadays, I never go on a trip without these in my bag.

I love LUSH’s products, but you can find more affordable alternatives here. Don’t forget to get containers for them.

6. Baby/Antibacterial Wipes

Every time I forget to bring wipes on a trip I regret it without fail. Whether I need to remove makeup, clean a dirty plane seat, wipe my hands before eating, remove sweat, clean a spill in my bag,… Bring wipes!

7. Earplugs and Eyemask

When solo travelling, you will often stay in hostels – whether for budget reasons or to meet other travellers. A good night’s sleep is really important to make sure you are ready to tackle the next day and don’t burn out. On my first solo trip, I had so many sleepless nights that I eventually had to put a stop to my travels and stay in one place for a while to recover.

Two of the things I now always carry with me to avoid this are good earplugs and an eye mask, both super affordable – may seem basic but they are truly the things that will keep you sane in hostels. Some people also like noise cancelling headphones to play music or white noise.

Buy good Earplugs here
Get my favourite eye mask here

8. Secure Cross-Body Bag

In my opinion and experience, a cross-body bag is the most secure bag to keep on you with your valuables. It is difficult to remove and you can keep it at the front, meaning no one can get to it without you noticing.

I always wear the Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag which is already so affordable, but you also find similar bags here on Amazon. An additional safety tip is to have a small carabiner to secure the zip to the strap.

9. Padlock

This is something that I always forgot on my first trips, however it really is one of the cheapest ways to keep your valuables safe.

A padlock has many functions when travelling. If you are carrying a lot, it can secure your bag with the most valuables in it. If you’re staying in hostels, you will need it to secure your locker or suitcase. If you’re checking luggage, you may want to lock it.

10. First-Aid Kit

Bringing essential medication, bandages and trip-specific medical items (e.g. altitude sickness tablets) is oftentimes cheaper than buying them at the destination. This is especially true if you aren’t going to be in bigger cities.

I usually just use a small ziplock bag and fill it with essential medicine that I already have at home as well as anything additional I might need for that specific trip.

11. Universal Travel Adapter

A universal travel adapter won’t set you back more than $10 but it will save you SO MUCH money long-term. The amount of times I bought the wrong adapter and had to buy one in the country or simply forgot mine is embarrassing.

This one will work anywhere and is super useful to have.

12. Hangable Cosmetics Bag

Another item I wish I had bought much earlier is a cosmetics bag that has a hanger. If you are on a budget and staying in hostels, the hanger is key in keeping everything clean, organised and accessible in the showers.

13. Flip Flops

Adding on to the shower theme, the most affordable and versatile shower shoes you can bring are Flip Flops. Even Havaianas only cost around $10. You can wear them in the shower, on the beach, as indoor shoes in hostels and more.

14. A Cap

This is something that you likely already have at home and is a must to bring for any trip, except maybe the deep winter ones. I use caps for sun protection, to hide my hair and face in situations where I feel a little on edge (e.g. alone on public transport in Chile), to cover greasy hair (keeping it real) and more. My cap is something I wear almost every single day while travelling.

FAQ about Solo, Female Travel

How do I deal with loneliness while traveling alone?

When I first started solo travelling, meeting people felt super difficult. Even in hostels, everyone already seemed to be in their little groups and I was struggling. I remember being on week 3 of my Australian East Coast trip and calling my mum sobbing because I felt so lonely.

The more I solo travel, the more I have learned about loneliness and making friends. First of all, I am much more comfortable being with myself now. If I don’t find anyone to hang out with, that is okay. FOMO is sometimes still there, but I always remind myself that I am doing my best.

I usually do meet other people though. A good way is booking hostels with activities as it is SO easy to meet others during say a trivia night or a city tour. Another great way is choosing a female dorm – I often find myself bonding quicker with the girls in there. I also use Bumble BFF. That may sound awkward but I have met some of my now closest friends on there and it has been so great while travelling, especially if I am longer in one place. Finally, Facebook Groups – there are hundreds of travel groups out there and so many other solo travellers just waiting to meet you!

Sometimes though, loneliness prevails. Over the years I have learned that when the feeling refuses to leave, it is my time to go home. It’s a sign from my body that I need a break from travelling and constantly meeting new people. I need familiarity and my family. And that’s okay! Trust me, it took me a while to learn this but stopping a trip early is not failure, especially if it has already been a few months.

What are the benefits of solo travel as a woman?

I have grown immensely as a person since I have started solo travelling – in my overall confidence, trust in my own abilities and also people skills. Making friends used to be hard, now I am very comfortable talking to new people and have met so many of my closest friends while travelling. The best part about the people you meet while travelling is that they have a similar mindset to you and also often a lot to share about their own culture and traditions, meaning your worldview opens up a lot.

Travelling solo also means I get to choose where I go when, I can change plans last-minute and if I don’t like something, I will simply leave. These are all things you can’t do as much when travelling with another person. In addition, you get a lot of time for self-reflection but also to take in this new destination. I have noticed that I experience a place much more intensely when I am solo travelling, compared to when I am with e.g. friends.

Overall, I think solo travel truly changes you as a person. Once you have navigated a new country by yourself, you feel like you can do anything. I would recommend any woman to solo travel at least once in her life! Learn to trust yourself and that you don’t need anyone else to do things for you. Obviously it is nice to have someone else to rely on, but solo travel teaches you that it is not necessary – and that will change your whole perspective on life and relationships.

How do I choose affordable but safe accommodations?

The first thing I do when choosing accommodations in a new destination is research the area. Which areas are safe for tourists, especially solo travellers. There are usually lots of resources about these things. If you are unsure, you could also reach out to accommodations for advice.

Second, I usually stay in hostels or hotels that are rated well amongst solo-travellers. This is so I can meet other travellers but also so I know that the location is good etc. Hostel dorms are usually your cheapest option though some countries also have affordable AirBnBs – for those I always make sure it is a female host.

Reviews are crucial!! Check several sites such as booking, Google, Tripadvisor, etc. Some red flags are people talking about stuff being stolen, no women leaving reviews, bedbugs and any negative comments about staff. A huge red flag for me is also when a hotel responds rudely to complaints – it’s unprofessional and will probably affect you if something goes wrong.