NOT QUITE A STAYCATION, BUT CLOSE ENOUGH
Right before Covid hit, I booked my first female solo travel adventure and decided on an AirBnB trip a state away. It wasn’t too far from home, but it was just far enough.
It was not my first time traveling as a solo female, but it was my first time staying in a new city where I didn’t have anyone local that I knew.
Here are my 10 practical tips for female solo AirBnB travel. Ya know, just in case you ever find yourself needing to book a solo getaway, STAT, to a new city where nobody knows your name.
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, WHICH MEANS I’LL RECEIVE A COMMISSION IF YOU PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINK, AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
Article Quick Links
Why I Decided To Book A Female Solo AirBnB Adventure
The Covington, KY AirBnB Video Tour
Join 2019 me for a walk-through, silent tour of the AirBnB I booked for my stay. Tap on the image below to view the video.
Fun fact about me: I’m also an illustration artist and I’m working on launching a new brand centered around children’s books and more fun stuff! My AirBnB tours are a part of my studio series, as I LOVE booking new places to write, draw and gain inspiration. HeyHappyHello Co
Full Photo And Written Honest Review coming up, next!
Join 2019 me for a walk-through, silent tour of the AirBnB I booked for my stay. Tap on the image below to view the video.
Fun fact about me: I’m also an illustration artist and I’m working on launching a new brand centered around children’s books and more fun stuff! My AirBnB tours are a part of my studio series, as I LOVE booking new places to write, draw and gain inspiration. HeyHappyHello Co
Full Photo And Written Honest Review coming up, next!
TIP 1: Do your location research before you book your AirBnB Travel Trip
I fully utilize Google’s Instant Street View when I am planning my trip. This is especially true when I’m going to be visiting a new area that’s unfamiliar to me. If you’re interested in a cute little place or room that you find on AirBnB’s website, you can click the map information to get an approximate location. You won’t receive the direct address until booking confirmation.
How To Research AirBnB Locations
TIP 2: Pre-plan any activities you would like to do while you’re in the area
Knowing the purpose behind your trip, before you book it, may sound silly. But sometimes we don’t completely think about what we want our trip to look like until we are there. I’m talking mostly to the wanderlust loving traveler who is more spontaneous in nature, than the Type-A planner. You’re the kinda person who gets up and goes! I wish I was more like you. I’m the crazy planner!
If you’re wanting to travel for a one night stay like me, in order to get away from the happy chaos of your normal day-to-day, then perhaps you’ll want to stay in and enjoy the quiet. Gosh, that was N-I-C-E.
If you’re planning to do anything outside of the house/room, then definitely think about restaurants, attractions, events, shopping and anything else you could possibly do in the area and how you’ll be getting to those locations.
You May Also Like:
A Covington, KY AirBnB Tour & Honest Review
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
TIP 3: Reach out to the Airbnb host with any questions prior to booking*
TIP 4: Think About Parking, Transportation Required And Plan Ahead
This one is super important as a female solo traveller. You definitely don’t want to find yourself carrying luggage (or photo and video equipment on top of luggage in my instance) for miles upon miles. I actually did this when I traveled to New York City for the first time in the late Summer of 2019 when it was dreadfully hot. Carrying heavy bags that didn’t have wheels was not my smartest moment.
I hadn’t traveled by air in a decade, okay, give this girl a break. I’ll tell ya about that trip in the near future, too. It was very, well, interesting. Anyway, I had a huge lapse in judgement for my NYC trip, but I am thankful for the tough life lesson. I kept this in mind for my solo trip to Covington, KY, and made sure to consider parking ahead of time.
The cute little one bedroom apartment that I booked was located on a busy street, but they did have a private parking space located right across the two-lane road, in a private lot, that was wide-open and well-lit. I could keep an eye on my car from the front window of my AirBnB and I knew I wouldn’t be going back to the car til checkout the next day, so I felt good about this particular scenario.
I’m so glad I went with that place, vs the other cute one I was considering. It turns out that the other place didn’t have parking at all. It was street-only and a “good luck if you can find a spot” type of situation according to the reviews. I may be alright with that scenario if I wasn’t traveling alone or was not new to the area, but since I WAS solo AND new to the area, knowing my parking situation ahead of time took all the anxiety and nerves away.
I knew what to expect, which gave me a sound, peace of mind.
TIP 5: Review AirBnB house rules and book your stay
TIP 6: Plan To Arrive During Daylight Hours
Traveling to a new place can be daunting to a solo female traveler who isn’t used to a wanderlust kinda lifestyle. Arriving in the daylight makes the entire arrival experience so much easier! It’s difficult to find your way around a busy city, in the night time. If you’re going for a more rural area, then you may be able to navigate just fine in the dark. But it might be a safety risk, if you’re solo.
Safety, first is my motto when traveling solo.
I know that it would make me feel incredibly uncomfortable to travel alone to an area I wasn’t familiar with, firsthand, during nighttime hours. A lot of AirBnB Hosts have a 4pm check-in time. But sometimes you will see 3pm. You can also reach out to the Host ahead of time to request an early arrival, although if they are booked with someone else the day before you’re set to or wanting to arrive, the chances of early arrival (with a fee) is highly unlikely.
TIP 7: Utilize Convenience Services If You Change Your Mind About Leaving Your AirBnB
TIP 8: Clean up as you go
TIP 9: Triple Check Each Area For Personal Belongings Before You Lock Up And Check-Out
I did this for each space in my AirBnB, but I still forgot some things. Perishable things, so it wasn’t a huge deal, but damnit, I left my wine and left-over chipotle bowl. Yes, you guessed correctly; I forgot to check the fridge.
Aside from that, I triple checked each space because I would have been devastated had I left any camera or video equipment, my expensive iPad or my favorite pair of pajamas. Ya feel me?
TIP 10: Enjoy Your Solo Time!
Save 10 Practical Tips For Female Solo AirBnB Travel For Later
Did you know – By pinning this article to your favorite Pinterest Board, you’re helping Girl Planted reach new eyes. I really appreciate this kind gesture that takes just a few moments of your time and would give you a virtual hug if I could!
