Last Updated 3 Nov 2026 · Nonsense’o’clock
For a lot of South Asian women, solo travel isn’t a rite of passage. It’s something most of us fight for. I’ve now been to 36 countries, many of them alone, but it took me years to take the first step.
In this post I’ll share why solo travel as a South Asian woman felt so out of reach, the summer in Turin that changed everything, what I wish I’d known before my first solo trip, and the safest places I’d recommend for your trip if youre thinking about leaping solo sista’
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Why Solo Travel Isn’t a Given for South Asian Women
Many people don’t understand that travel isn’t a rite of passage for South Asian women raised in overprotective or controlling households. It isn’t a right. It’s a privilege to step out and explore a world that many family members would turn their noses up at, seeing it as a horrific and expensive ordeal. Why would you want to see the world when you can admire the stunning blocks of concrete from the windowsill of your jail home?
I grew up very overprotected. As I watched my female peers marry into their traditional, floaty lives of happiness in happyland, bearing happy children, I wondered why I didn’t want the same thing. For a long time I tried to shame myself into being the perfect South Asian daughter. My story isnt all sob sob, i was privellged enough to go on a few holidays with. myfamily when i was younger, but they were hard earned, once yearly nuggets of gold, travelling along was unheard. ofin my community, in my extended family and in my immediate damily. there was no representation whether it was online or in person, and that was enough to convince me that i was weird to wonder what it would be like
Why I Took the Leap: A Summer in Turin
That perfect-daughter image started to crack in my third year of university. My very respectable pharmacy degree (the only part of my choices that felt respectable) took me to Turin for an Erasmus placement.
I spent three months in the grand old city, home to the Museo Egizio, the second-largest Egyptian museum in the world. I ate stomachfuls of gelato for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In between, ( i high recommend the biscuit, white chocolate, vanilla gelato combo). I went to daily lab work I had absolutely no interest in. Watching beakers of substances swirl around in centrifuges just didn’t tickle my repressed sense of adventure.
Still, it was the best summer of my life. I was unshackled from acting as the precious only daughter, and I got to be more of who I wanted to be. I realised travel was what I wanted to do, whether alone or with friends. I remember one weekend specifically, two wekks into my move. toitaly where i realised i could genuinely do whatever. iwanted. I quickly searched all the cities close to turin and realised most of the major ones were only 1-2 hours by train, and that was enough to put a spring in. my step and go, asking friends wasn’t even possible, as there were none to be found in italy.
My First Solo Trips Around Italy
My first city was Genoa. I’d booked a very questionable hostel down a very shady-looking alleyway, but the food was great. One evening I followed the sound of music and ended up at a random Arab-themed party by the shore, and that was when i started to fall in love with the possibilities of what travel could offer. beautiful moments of humans being human amongst the chaos that life hurls at you.
After that I ventured to Venice, Milan, Lake Como, Pisa, Florence, all five villages of Cinque Terre, and Verona. I learned to navigate the tram systems, and by the end of the three months I could get away with a sentence or two in Italian. If I’d had the money, I wouldn’t have gone home at all. My dfavourite had to be the beautiful villages of cinque terre, and one day i would love to go back and hike the trail. Its true what they say that each village held its own charm. And. ifyou visit, dont skip out on the seafood.
Finding halal food as a solo traveller in Italy
I survived mostly on pizza and pasta, because I didn’t find much halal food, i couldnt cook and what else would you want in italy?! i did feel the raging stinging burn of not having so many options available, as someone who loves and appreciates the london food scene
Where Were All the Other Brown Girls?
As I toured Italy, I noticed one vital thing. Where were all the other brown girls? I didn’t see a single one the whole time I was in Turin. I didn’t see many online either, in the early days of YouTube and a very basic-looking Instagram. I still felt very out of place.
In Genoa, I sat down next to a boy called Jesus (pronounced Hay-soos). He told me he was surprised I’d chosen to sit next to him. When I asked why, he said people in Italy didn’t sit next to him because he’s Black.
That was when I first saw that travel was so much more than meandering through the streets of a new city.
What I Wish I’d Known Before Travelling Solo as a South Asian Woman
Not telling my family I was travelling alone
Eventually the fear mongering got to a level where i was so p*ssed off i decided to just gallavant away with myself – and that was the best decision i made, because as much as family love is great, it can also be a hindarance to what you have to offer to this world. I spent years feeling guilty, but had i not stuck to my guns i probably wouldnt have the confidence to navigate the world as. ido today. My advice to you is to let a safe person know, go and then tell them when you come back. If you want to.
Staying safe is mostly common sense
Hostels were the best decision i made, making friends was so easy. Having said that, read the reviews carefully. Always let someone know where youre going, these days my friends have my location on their phones under ‘find my iphone’. Dont flash around your chanel lipstick and prada bag.
Aside from that youll be surprised to know that in many countries the colour of my skin tone, in some did make me stand out but in others, it helped me blend in.
Practising my faith on the road
I am proudly muslim and some of my best trips have been experiencing ramadan abroad, having said that, adding mosques to your itinerary is a great way to combine both. judge the country, if youre likely to be arrested for taking ‘ the world is your prayer mat’ quote to seriously, stick to a private more secluded area. i always use mosques as my safe haven if im in trouble,
Where to Start: The Best First Solo Trips for South Asian Women
If you’re thinking about your first solo trip, start with places known for being safe and easy to get around. These are the ones I’d recommend.
Switzerland
Anywhere in Switzerland, really. Lucerne and Zurich were my favourites, and Interlaken is a must if you enjoy the outdoors. Switzerland ironically had some of the best lebanese food ive tried. Theres no shortage of halal food.
Lisbon, Portugal
A haven of things to do, and so safe.
Luxembourg
A quick flight from the UK and very safe, although. itcan easily seen in a day or two. and the food is not that exciting to experience. I have a full video itinerary here
Italy (speaking from experience!)
Cities like Venice, Milan and Turin, plus Cinque Terre, are so well connected and so much fun to travel through.
Barcelona, Spain
ofcourse beware of pickpocketers but GLORIOUSLY the spaniards are so loveable how could. itnot be on the list. it has beautiful mountains near by, a stunning location with everything from food to shopping to history and architecture.
If you want money off any tours you book, use my GetYourGuide code HINASLOWTRAVEL5, so I can earn a stunning commission of a grand total of 0.25p.
Solo Travel as a South Asian Woman: FAQs
Is it safe to travel solo as a South Asian woman?
yes depending on you choosing the right location, not flashing around your prada bag and just being respectful. ofthe locals and the traditions and customs.
Where should I go for my first solo trip?
I would always recommend switzerland, if there was a country to represent the character the ‘perfect girl’ – it would be switzerland, she also gives off majorly clean girl aesthetic vibes.
How do I convince my parents to let me travel alone?
Your answer: you ask them once, if they say no, you. go anyway and tell them when youre back. its the best way of showing people youre capable and increasing your own confidence
Is it easy to find halal food in Europe?
Your answer: It is getting easier, alot of halal places only go by the name instead of actual credibility. i found the balkans alot more halal food friendly.
Where I Am Now
So here I am, 36 countries later, a few extra grey hairs that hold. atonne more experience. And hopefully i am on my way to many more as I start travelling in my 30s. This time I’ll be blogging as much of the detail as I can.
Alongside the plethora of guides, itineraries and places to eat, I hope this blog gives other women the inspiration to take the leap. In a few years, I want to see many more desi women and people of colour exploring the world solo.
If you’re planning your first solo trip, tell me where in the comments. Follow @hinatravells on TikTok for the full itineraries