airplane picture after hysterectomy abroad

14 Ways To Reduce Travel Anxiety – Solo Female Travel

I’m usually a pretty chill lady. But I did notice that I would get really anxious on travel days.

Ever since I became aware of that, I’ve been quite mindful about it.

The more I’d travel, I’ d try to come up with new coping mechanism.

With time and lots of tweaking here and there, I finally got to a point where travel days are actually enjoyable.

abu dhabi zayed airport terminal indoor decoration

Also yes, I am extremely self aware and I am a total travel princess. 😌

What can a girl say? 💅🏽

I like my creatures of comfort.

They keep my nervous system as relaxed as possible and also enhance the travel experience.

So let’s dive in!

solo female travelers posing in front of the museum of the future in Dubai — My friend from Canada came to visit (Museum of the future)

Pre Travel routine (non-negotiables)

Taking the time to do those little things can have such a positive impact on your travels.

Checking in online

This has become quite a staple in the modern day traveling now.

abu dhabi zayed airport mural greenery and plants — Abu Dhabi Airport

Reserving Your Favourite seats

I always take the time to reserve my seats ahead of time. This is even more important for long flights.

Shout out to fellow window seat girlies.

me eating ice cream at the beach in Albufeira — Late April and this ice cream was melting at a rapid rate

Getting your electronic boarding pass

This makes a massive difference.

What a great way to cut down your time at the airport right?

There’s just something about being able to go straight trough security with your boarding pass already in your hands and not having to waste further time.

Allowing plenty of time for airport formalities

Talking about time…

Yes I know, I know

Spending time at the airport is not fun. But it is far worse to be dealing with a time crunch.

That’s why I recommend allowing plenty of loose. This way you don’t get too worried about delays and whatnot.

Long queue at Bali international Airport immigration — When I was leaving, the computers just went down, so we had to wait 1 hour in the queue for them to go back online 🙂 Bali teaches you to go with the flow

One Bag+

Anyone familiar with the one bag travel style would know what I’m talking about.

I use to be an adamant one bag traveler. As in I would only travel with a backpack.

But When I was going to Bali, I accidentally brought a cary on luggage with a hand bag.

And this totally change my travel style for ever.

Stef barti in a Jungle in Bali — Absolutely magical Bali

I’m still a light traveler but I enjoy the aesthetics of not having a back pack on me. Not only is it more comfortable but it also makes you look so much classier.

Besides, it might be crazy for some but I noticed it did put me in a much more relax mood.

Whereas my energy would be more rushed with the backpack 🤭

Stef Barti and another solo female traveller enjoying a hot air balloon in Cappadocia — Türkiye Girls trip

Not overpacking

A bit related to the previous point, but that’s why I like the extra space.

I make sure not to overpack and leave plenty of space. Not only for me to bring any souvenirs I pick up during my travels.

But it also make going through airport security so much easier.

light packing — I am a very light one bag traveler. At a yoga retreat

You know the part where we have to step aside and remove electronics?

And sometimes they even pull you aside and go through your bag?

Yes that part, I noticed I used to stress so much more when my bag was packed to the brim. Because it was meticulously arranged so I could close it.

Stef Barti doing a street photoshoot in Cavoeiro town — Oh, don’t mind me

But since I started traveling with more space, I am so much relaxed. I totally erased that airport security stress.

The only thing that could make it better is only traveling business 😌 🤭

Stef Barti inside a uber taxi in albufeira — Sigh, I’m lazy. I always Uber and Bolt everywhere

Comfortable Airport Transfers

Book transfer from the airport to your accommodation.

I like comfort and making my life easy. So this is a no brainer

Stef Barti cooking class in Tirana, taking a picture with an Albanian grandmother — The loveliest Albanian grandmother

Prioritizing direct flights

When I was younger, I’d often pick the longest flight because it was really cheap.

Lately, direct flights are so important to me. I just don’t have the patience to drag around anymore.

I notice that the more I reduce my travel day and time spent at airports, the less travel anxiety I get.

picture of a beautiful sunrise in the plane — On my way back home from the hysterectomy, This sunrise got me super emotional

Transport app & Taxi as much as possible

Again, it’s all about comfort.

Yes I was very aware that taking a taxi in Istanbul wasn’t the best way to get around and that the metro was more efficient.

But at the same time, nothing will ever come close to the comfort level.

Taking a selfie at Bovilla lake reservoir in Albania — Just wow ( bovilla lake Albania)

And now that I only strictly use taxi app such as Bolt, Gojek and Uber, I don’t have to worry about getting scammed.

No more having to deal with unscrupulous shady taxi drivers. It’s been smooth sailing on that front.

Get an E-sim prior to arrival

Don’t you love modern technology?

E-sim totally changed the travel world.

I always make sure to get some of that internet juice locked down way before I even arrive at my next destination.

That way I know I can start using taxi services and just feel more safe in my new country, while settling in.

getting an electronic Sim card online — This was ridiculously easy

Don’t you just hate chasing for wifi?

Or when you land to a new country and the airport does not have any wifi? Or they make it ridiculously hard to access?

Or even worse, ask you for a local phone number? 😒

Yeah! No more dealing with any of this, thank goodness. 🤗 💅🏽

the beautiful lush garden at the ortakoy cafe towards the right

Arriving during the day time

Another thing that removes travel stress.

Especially for my ladies doing solo female travelling.

I recommend arriving during day time as much as possible.

Friendly Albanian girlies at ice cream parlour — The new generation ( in Tirana) is so friendly and total vibes check 🙂

Yes I know it’s not always possible due to flights availability.

But whenever it is, choose this option. You end up feeling so much safer arriving in a new country during the daytime.

This allows for you to get a better sense of your surroundings while you are getting settled.

picture of Stef Barti with the beautiful Santorini caldera as a backdrop — The beautiful caldera in Santorini

Avoiding going out at night

That one is pretty self explanatory.

There is no reason to put yourself at risk.

I avoid going out at night unless I am with a group of highly trusted friends.

stef barti watching the sunset in Santorini — The beautiful sunset in Greece

Following the dress code of the place

Listen, it is what it is.

The world operates differently depending on where you find yourself.

So when in Rome, just do as the Romans do so you try to blend in as much as possible.

This is all in the name of keeping you safe.

Of course, some places, you won’t really need to worry about this at all.

But if you find yourself planning a trip to, let’s say, Istanbul, then yes, it would be wiser to be a little bit more mindful.

Stef Barti trying on linen dresses at Samara Store in Ubud Bali — So many beautiful dresses in Bali

Summary

In this blog, I have shared all my top travel tips. By following these, I have been able to remove my travel anxiety on travel days.

Also allowing you to elevate your travel experience and make it more enjoyable.

Now I am not saying that you need to do exactly the same things I do. That said, I hope that this blog helps you stop getting stressed on travel day.

By being mindful and with a few adjustments here and there, you too, can eradicate your travel anxiety.

On that note, get out there and be the badass woman that you are.

Go explore the world and cheers to many adventures to come.

Picture of Stef Barti at an Armenian wedding dressed fashionably — It’s time to thrive girlies!

Solo Female Travel Resources

Women Self Love Wellness Retreat

I am so passionate about women empowerment. Everything I do is based on this. I want to see more women embrace their authentic selves. Trust me life gets so much better.

That’s the main focus of my self love women retreat. In this Wellness retreat, we go deep. I really love to connect with my fellow sisters. That’s why I only do small groups of 10-12 women.

This retreat is an invitation to embody your feminine and to dive into radical self love. Growth and shedding past limiting beliefs is the focal point.

We do this through various workshops, wellness practices such as breathwork and lots of somatic movement.

picture of stef barti dancing in garden and happy

As a dance teacher, of course we will also be using the power of dance and music to process, release and shed things that are holding us back so we can be born again.

Welcome to our transformational retreat where the focus is all on YOU.

Not only that, but we do it in style and comfort.