Traveling Solo as a Woman in Eastern Canada

Some people may think that traveling alone for the first time is disappointing, as if none of the gang was ready and able to come along! But setting off on a solo adventure in Eastern Canada means having the complete freedom to decide on your pace, your activities and your budget. Imagine never needing to wait up for a travel partner!

Solo travel tips

Safety first

Traveling solo demands a bit of vigilance, especially when you’re on a tight budget. The goal here is not to make you needlessly paranoid, but to develop a little interior radar to help you navigate sometimes bizarre travel situations.

• Trust your instincts: your antennae will usually pick up the right signals. An invitation to share a meal, for instance, can be an exceptional opportunity to taste a bit of the daily life of locals or it could be a trap. In short: your common sense is your best friend.
• Don’t shout from the rooftops that you’re traveling alone. If somebody is insistently bothering you, invent a muscle-bound boyfriend or flaunt a fake wedding ring (it often works).
• Set clear boundaries: if someone invades your personal space or insists no matter how firmly you turn them down, just walk away, impolitely. You don’t owe them any more respect than they showed you.

• Own it, even when you’re not feeling it: walking confidently with your head held high is often enough to discourage ill intentions.
• Avoided isolated streets and pathways: at night in the city, take main streets that are well lit; in the country, plan to return before sundown.
• Download useful apps: Google Maps offline for directions, MeteoCAN or AccuWeather for the weather, and a translation app if ever you’re not at ease in French or English.
• Don’t take unnecessary risks: like following a stranger to an isolated spot or accepting a drink that you did not see prepared.

• Keep your energy up: sleeping and eating well are also key to safety, because we become less alert when we’re tired.
• Tell someone about your itinerary: especially if you’re going on a hike in Charlevoix or Gaspésie.
• Find out about local scams: pickpockets, frauds and solicitations exist all over the world. Get to know the tricks to outsmart them.
• Learn a few self-defence basics: a few simple moves can boost your confidence.

Budget tip: shop locally for groceries (like ByWard Market in Ottawa, Jean-Talon Market in Montreal or the Vieux-Port in Quebec City) and cook at the hostel. It’s affordable and perfect for sharing a meal with fellow female backpackers.

Get around without busting your budget

• VIA Rail is a practical link to Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.
• Orléans Express serves Riviere-du-Loup, Charlevoix and the Gaspésie.
• Use bus lines that that pass regularly enough to avoid waiting too long alone.
• Avoid solo night trips: it’s safer to travel in the day, and you can enjoy the passing landscapes.

Enjoy experiences that won’t bust your budget

Join a guided visit, participate in a guided food, architecture or street art tour to discover the city and socialize at the same time. There are even offers with volunteer guides, which is a nice option to encourage.

Take a seat at the hostel bar or in a cafe and ask the barista or bartender for expert references in the neighbourhood. Take a cooking class to meet people.

Take a hike

• Don’t hesitate to communicate with the youth hostel or bed and breakfast when you leave in the morning so that they can expect you at a specific time.
• Try not to leave before 10 am so that there are hikers who have already passed before you. And return before nightfall to avoid surprises.
• Take busier trails.
• Pack water and snacks.
• Stop at the discovery centre of the park to speak with the staff and find out the most frequented hikes that take no more than a few hours.
• If a trail is deserted (e.g. if there’s just one car in the parking lot), listen to your inner voice and change plans.

Why is it worth it?

Traveling solo with a pack on your back in Eastern Canada is an opportunity to experience the energy of the big cities and the tranquility of the great outdoors, while taking it easy on your bank account. You gain confidence, you’ll have inspiring encounters and enjoy fantastic freedom.

Remember, solo female travelers are intriguing and inspiring. You’re not actually traveling alone, you’re part of a like-minded sisterhood.