so, you want to travel solo
so, you’ve decided you want to take the leap and travel solo. you’re about to embark on a life-altering journey; are you ready?
in my humble opinion, I don’t think anyone is ever really ready for their first solo trip, but if you’ve made it this far and found my blog then you’re ready as you’ll ever be!
Now all that’s left is to swallow your fear and go
throw away your expectations and just live a little
this concept can be difficult to master… we are programmed to crave routine, stability, and safety — which are all great things, but not when it comes to traveling solo
going with the flow is the cornerstone of any good solo travel experience — and if you learn to let go just a little you may just have the time of your life
Tips For Every Solo Travel Beginner
Nerves are good To be honest, on my first solo travel trip I cried on the plane, and I sobbed in the airport upon arrival (it was my birthday) I was nervous, and you should be too. Nerves are good! Nerves tell you you’re stepping out of your comfort zone; they signal you to be more aware. When travelling solo for the first time, it’s good to be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times, safety is always first, so take necessary precautions, and know the basics about the area you are visiting (areas to avoid, safety after dark etc.) General rule of thumb is to stay in populated areas, avoid that dark alleyway, that kind of stuff
Find some new friends Just because you’re solo travelling, doesn’t mean you can’t explore with new friends. My all time favorite solo travel experiences were always due to finding amazing new friends who encouraged me to try new things and step even further out of my comfort zone — Friends are good! My suggestion is to stay in a hostel and hang out in the common area, chances are there are loads of solo travelers looking for friends just like you
Be open to all the experiences solo travel has to offer (say yes) You’ve decided to solo travel which means you want to throw away the rule books and have an adventure. If you’re looking for a life-changing trip, you have to learn how to say yes. It was hard for me too, but when your new friends from the hostel ask you to rappel 150 feet down into a glacial canyon in Switzerland… you say HELL YES! Always be smart about what you’re saying yes too, but nevertheless, say yes!
You have access to a ton of resources USE THEM Your phone is a godsend on solo trips, use the hell out of it. If you’re opting for the budget route and ditching a data plan abroad, find your nearest Starbucks and use their free WIFI, if that’s not possible opt for a hotel lobby, if the WIFI isn’t free ask the reception desk if you can pay for an hour of WIFI. DOWNLOAD OFFLINE MAPS, in a pinch, offline maps on google may just save your life. Download an entire city beforehand, and then you can access the maps and search for destinations without using data. Take care of your phone and make sure it’s charged fully before a long day. If I knew I was preparing for a train ride or a day where I’d need my phone from dusk till dawn, I’d carry my portable charger because nobody likes to be lost in a foreign city with no battery; you’ve been warned
Don’t be flashy with expensive items (Jewelry, Iphones, Watches) I cannot stress this enough, sometimes it’s flat out dangerous to flash expensive items, but it may also be culturally insensitive in places where the local population cannot afford such things. Either way, it’s a no no. That being said, don’t be afraid to use your phone when necessary, for maps and communication, but just be aware of your surroundings in those moments. If you’re travelling solo, I’d leave nearly every valuable item you own at home… aside from your phone and possibly a camera, everything else isn’t worth losing. Especially if you’re staying in hostels and sharing a room with multiple strangers, it’s probably best to leave the diamonds at home.
Use your instincts If something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not. Don’t stay at a bar that feels uncomfortable, don’t take advice from strangers that give you bad vibes, if a new friend starts to act shady, ditch them. Trust your gut, it’s there for a reason.
Force yourself to get out there If you’re stuck in a rut while on your trip, don’t stay inside, don’t sleep in, don’t scroll through your friends posts from back home… Get out, take a walk, remind yourself that you’re one of the lucky ones. If you’re really really stuck in a rut, grab a book, magazine or journal, find a café with a gorgeous view or some good vibes and just treat yourself. Sit back, read, or write and order a coffee and a delicious pastry. I promise you’ll feel better, and you’ll feel stronger for overcoming a struggle all by yourself
Lay off the alcohol It’s okay to have fun, but try not to get drunk… It puts you in a potentially dangerous situation, and makes it that much easier for strangers to take advantage of you. Be smart, keep your eyes on your drink at all times, and avoid getting wasted.
Have fun! this is the most important tip — have fun with everything you do! If something isn’t giving you good vibes, move on! And if you find out 3 days into a 2 week trip that solo travel isn’t for you, it’s okay to tap out… you’re never stranded, you can always book a flight home. Just trust yourself, listen to your gut, and enjoy the ride!
