You’ve researched your trip, decided where to go and are ready to book. With so many booking sites out there, it can be overwhelming knowing which ones to use. This page is a list of all travel planning websites for solo travel and the sites which I use to book my solo trips.
From booking flights, hotels, hostels and airport lounges to the more mundane such as insurance and currency, here are my recommended travel resources for solo travel. (If you’re ready to plan your solo trip but are unsure how to do it, read my how to plan a solo trip article).
N.b. By booking through this page you are helping to improve the lives of vulnerable girls about the globe. Thanks for helping! Lisa x
Flights
Skyscanner
I always use this for my flights. Skyscanner is the first site I check because it not only gives me one of the best rates but it also allows me to search for flights with multiple airlines throughout the whole month. There’s even a function to search ‘everywhere’ for the cheapest deals to anywhere (which is brilliant if I’m somewhere and looking for the next cheapest destination). Once I’ve decided on the date that I want to fly, I can add a special alert to get notified when a flight price goes down, so I can book it at the right time and save some cash! * Check rates and availability for all flights
One Way Fly
If you need a flight or accommodation to obtain a visa, One Way Fly is a way of obtaining a real airline flight reservation to any destination or country. I’ve used this several times when I haven’t known how long I want to stay in a country, and I’ve needed an onward flight ticket to enter the country or obtain a visa. Just choose the route you need and you’ll receive your confirmation order the same day. The ticket is valid for 14 days. * Check rates and availability for One Way Fly
Accommodation
Couchsurfing
If you want to save money on accommodation, consider Couchsurfing. I used this in Costa Rica, Paris and Switzerland and had good experiences. Look for reviews from other girls travelling solo if you’re apprehensive about staying with strangers. It’s a good way to meet a local, save money and have a ready-made friend when you arrive in a country for the first time. You do have to be sociable though so if you like your own company then maybe check into Airbnb or a hotel instead.* Find hosts in each country: Couchsurfing
Booking.com
Booking.com is so easy to use and I love this site. They have over 700,000 accommodation so you’re guaranteed to find a bed wherever you want to go. Each hotel is rated with reviews so you can read other’s opinions on location, facilities and check how good the Wifi is (an essential if you’re a digital nomad). The ‘best value for your money’ option helps to narrow down your search, and you don’t pay anything until you check into your hotel. You can get some really good deals on this site, plus you can now find hostel beds on here too. This is my favourite site. * Check rates and availability for Booking.com
Airbnb
Airbnb connects travellers to unique travel experiences and isn’t just restricted to spare rooms in local houses. You can now stay in villas, castles and even find penthouses within your budget. Plus you get the chance to stay away from the tourist areas with a local who can give you inside tips for their city or town, and in some cities, it works out cheaper than a hotel room for one.
This was my preferred site when I was travelling in the Caribbean as hotels were quite costly. Being solo I tend to stay away from the accommodation with no reviews and book the ones which have glowing reviews from other women. * Check rates and availability for Airbnb
Trusted Housesitters
If you miss pets, how about looking after a cat or dog when travelling? Trusted Housesitters is a great platform that I have personally used to cat-sit in a city. You pay an annual fee to join, and then you can apply for housesits around the world. It’s a great way of having some furry company when you’re travelling alone and saving money on your accommodation. Check pet sits through this link!
Tour Companies
See all recommended solo female friendly tour companies under the solo female friendly section.
G Adventures
If you are feeling apprehensive about travelling solo, sometimes taking a tour for part or all of your trips can give you the confidence you need before going it alone. I travelled to Peru, Chile and Bolivia with G Adventures and recommend them as a solo female friendly company. Trips range from active to cultural and cater for all types of solos with a maximum of 16 people (the average is approx 12). They have tours for all ages but specialise in 18-30 adventures.
As a sustainable travel company, they also have their own non-profit organisation ensuring the communities touched by tourism benefit from the opportunities it provides. Find out why I and other Girls about the Globe recommend them in this review. Or click on the following link for all their tours * Check rates and itineraries for all G Adventures tours
TruTravels
TruTravels knows that not everyone travels the same way, so they’ve created four different travelling styles and trips for all kinds of travellers. Their Classic trips are for backpackers with authentic experiences in beach huts, homestays and hostels. The Flashpacker is a bit more upmarket with comfort and style.
FitVentures are for the fitness solo wanting sunrise yoga and beach boot camps. Then there are SailVentures for flotilla parties and sailing to deserted beaches. Their tours are for any age and they give back to projects around the world and plant a tree for each booking. * Save 10% discount when you enter the code “Girlabouttheglobe10” when you book! * Check rates and availability for all TruTravels tours
Day Tours
Get Your Guide
Get Your Guide helps you to find top-rated activities and day tours in worldwide destinations. Choose from whale-watching cruises, snorkel trips, ATV adventures and so many more. If you’re planning on visiting a worldwide city, Get Your Guide also offers city passes and skip-the-line tickets for museums. There are many to choose from and it’s really simple to use. Just check the reviews, price and availability then book online. * Check rates and availability for all Get Your Guide tours
Viator
If you are looking to book a day tour, Viator has plenty to choose from. As a TripAdvisor company, each tour is handpicked and pre-vetted to make sure you get the best experience. From tours to museums and bus passes, you’ll find every kind of activity and tour possible, whether you prefer sightseeing, water sports, or just tasting the local cuisine.
What I also love about Viator is that many of their deals can’t be found anywhere else. Plus they also have 24-hour global support before and during your trip. * Check rates and availability for all Viator tours
Retreats
Book Yoga Retreats
I love this platform. I booked my last yoga retreat in Portugal through them and found it really easy to use. They list yoga and meditation retreats all around the world so you can find the perfect duration for you whether you’re searching for a 2-day weekend retreat in Portugal, a week retreat in Indonesia or two weeks in Costa Rica.
Search by days, destination, price or most popular. A retreat is a great way to escape the stresses of life and meet like-minded solos too. * Check rates and availability for all yoga retreats
Sim Card
Simlocal
Looking for a sim card when you travel? Being able to be online when you travel really makes a difference when you travel alone. It’s easier to connect with family and friends, you can navigate yourself around without having to find offline maps and you can find out what time the next bus goes when you’re at the bus stop. Being able to have a sim card for each country was a total trip changer for me. * Check all sim cards
Volunteering & Working Abroad
Global Work & Travel
If you’ve ever dreamed of working abroad, maybe as an au pair, volunteering with sea turtles in Costa Rica, the Big 5 in Africa, or teaching English to children in Thailand, Global Work & Travel are the company to do it with.
They have 1,200 partners around the globe so you can travel to Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand plus more. Trips last from 2 weeks to 6 months and they offer a range of lifetime experiences with glowing reviews and 24/7 support. * Save £50/$60/€60 with the code ‘GATG50.’ * Check rates and availability for all opportunities worldwide
Travel Insurance
True Traveller
True Traveller is my favourite insurance and one which is perfect for those who don’t know how long they will be on the road. You can create a tailored insurance policy with extras such as baggage, cancellations and all types of activities, or just opt for medical insurance. They also allow you to buy a ticket when you are already on the road or extend it if you decide to stay longer (which I’ve definitely made use of). * Click rates and availability for True Traveller insurance
SafetyWing
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance Essential is a great choice for digital nomads and long‑term travellers. It is affordable and flexible and starts from just $62.73 every 4 weeks. SafetyWing is ideal for longer-term travel as they give you the freedom to travel the world and is not restricted to one country (they have 180 to choose from!) Plus it works like a 28-day subscription model that you can cancel at any time. So if you decide that you’re homesick and want to stop travelling for a while, you can fly home and cancel your insurance. * Click rates and availability for SafetyWing insurance
World Nomads
I have also used World Nomads and found their service really easy to use. World Nomads is also for independent travellers and is available in over 150 countries. Their insurance also allows you to purchase insurance once you’ve left home. What I also love about this company is that they have The Footprints Network, a community that helps you give back to projects and make a positive difference in the world. * Check rates and availability fo: World Nomads insurance
Travel Cash
Revolut
I always recommend taking at least two cards with you when you travel. One of the cards that I always pack is a travel cash card. Revolut allows me to charge up my card on my phone app. Within minutes I can transfer money from my bank to my card and then change the currency to the country that I’m in. I can also pay on my phone if I don’t have my card too. The app sends me a text first to confirm the transaction when I upload money but I wouldn’t be without it! * Check rates and availability for Revolut
Transport
Discover Cars
Sometimes you just don’t want to take a tour and may prefer to hire a car instead. Discover Cars is a platform where you can search, compare and save money on hiring a car. They work with 500+ partners in more than 145 countries.
I used Discover Cars when I hired a car in Crete and received quick and efficient service. They speak several languages and you can search in all currencies too. You do need a driving licence and credit card to be able to hire a car and there may be a minimum age too. * Check rates and availability for worldwide car hire
Airport Lounge
Priority Pass
Priority Pass is a global airport lounge membership programme that gives travellers access to more than 1,500 airport lounges and travel experiences in airports around the world, regardless of which airline or class you’re flying.
Instead of waiting at the gate, you can relax in quieter spaces with complimentary food and drinks, Wi-Fi, charging stations, and sometimes even showers or spa services. They are ideal for us solo travellers looking for a more comfortable airport experience, especially if we have long layovers, or a delayed flight. * Book your airport lounge
Visas
iVisa
If you need a visa for a country, iVisa takes away the stress of applying for a visa. They offer letters of invitation and help process your visa applications to various countries around the world. They offer more eVisas than anyone else and have thousands of good reviews on TrustPilot.com. I have personally used them for a visa and found their process really quick and effective. They offer visas for various nationalities and it’s really easy to check if you need a visa on their website. * Save 10% off their visa services through this link
N.b. I work with trusted partners who maintain strict privacy and data protection policies, and their policies may be different from the terms provided here. For more information on our visa service partner, visit https://ivisatravel.com.
Airport Resources
Hoppa
You know the feeling, you arrive in a new country after a long flight with people shouting “taxi, taxi.” You’re told not to get into an illegal cab, but you’re tired and don’t know what to do. That’s where pre-booking your airport transfer comes in. Hoppa makes your experience so much easier, and although it’s more expensive than a local bus, it will give you peace of mind, especially if you’re due to arrive after dark. * Check rates and availability for Hoppa transfers
Luggage
Send My Bag
If you’re looking to relocate or spend a few months in a country and don’t want to spend a small fortune checking all of your bags onto the plane, you can send all of your bags to your destination instead! This service is perfect for students or expats especially if you can’t bear leaving your shoe collection or books behind! (get 5% discount off your first order!) * Check rates for Send My Bag
Travel Products & Travel Books
Find all travel products from high-performance clothing from Patagonia to a comfortable travel bra for your valuables. I’ve included all my recommended products that I use on my solo trips.
VPN: Surfshark
For those of us travelling to countries where WhatsApp calls or social media is banned, having a VPN means the difference between calling home, staying in touch with friends and watching our favourite programs that remind us of home.
Surfshark are an award-winning VPN service that offer 24/7 privacy protection so that you can enjoy secure online adventures no matter where you are in the world. * Save 50% off through this link!
More Travel Products!
Whether you are going away for a week or planning a trip for a year, choosing the right travel products can be essential for your trip. They can help you pack lighter, make your trip easier and once you’ve bought them, you’ll be wondering how you ever managed without them. From backpacks, head torch, travelling towels, money belts, fleeces, packing cubes, sleep masks, and sleeping bags, here are my pick of the best travel products that have been tried and tested during my solo trips around the globe. * Discover all recommended travel products
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