Solo travel can be an exciting, intimidating and even life-altering journey. When traveling alone, many find typical travel activities, such as staying at a hotel or eating at a restaurant, to be an eye-opening experience of challenge and growth. If you are even considering a solo trip in the near or distant future, read on for a comprehensive guide on how to prepare, what to expect and how to make the most of this life-changing adventure!
Methods of Solo Travel
Solo travel is a surprisingly broad category, with variations from social-oriented trips to total isolation. If you are looking to meet people and make friends, you may want to consider joining a solo travel group. Many travel companies offer such excursions, such as single-focused women’s tours, business networking trips and health-focused wellness retreats.
If you want to travel on your own time and schedule, but are still looking to socialize, I recommend booking a cruise, day tour, or even just a hotel room in a big city. This way, you are still choosing your own adventure with ample opportunity to make friends along the way.
Some solo travelers are intentionally looking to take a break from their busy social life and find some quiet time to reflect inwards. Camping, hiking and exploring isolated locations are all great travel methods for a mental reset. It is especially important to research and prepare thoroughly before such trips, as they tend to be more physically strenuous, with little access to emergency services.
Destinations
The world is packed with awe-inspiring destinations for every type of traveler, from the relaxed beach-lounger to the adrenaline-seeking skydiver. If you have ever browsed the world of social media travel for any amount of time, you are familiar with the overwhelming sense of endless options out there, most of which you will likely never have the chance to experience.
If you are planning your first solo trip and don’t know where to start, choose someplace familiar and comforting for your first experience. Many first-time solo travelers feel nervous and overwhelmed with the prospect of traveling alone, so finding a place close to home, where you are familiar with the culture can help soothe those nerves. This way, you can try solo travel on a smaller scale and decide if this is something you would consider pursuing more in the future.
For those looking to dive right into adventure, research destinations known for high ratings regarding safety, cleanliness, hospitality and exploration. New York, Singapore, Japan and Portugal are some examples of popular destinations for solo travelers.
Safety
As with nearly every exciting opportunity life has to offer, there are risks involved with travel, so safety must be prioritized. This is particularly true for solo travelers, who often find themselves alone in a foreign culture, where the rules and standards may be different from their home country. Exploring the topic of travel safety to its full extent is a massive undertaking that goes beyond the scope of this article but allow me to share a few of my top suggestions.
First, be sure to include an emergency kit, extra cash, a spare credit card and copies of all important documents when packing for your trip. You may also want to consider purchasing a VPN to download on all devices, as well as travel insurance and a pre-paid phone, if necessary.
The decisions you make when planning and booking your trip can greatly impact your travel safety. For example, I highly recommend thoroughly researching your accommodations in advance. Examine reviews and images for red flags, such as hygiene, cleanliness and surrounding area. I know how tempting it is to cut corners on a tight budget but remember that no amount of savings is worth comprising your personal safety over.
Daylight hours are typically the safest timeframe for travelers, so when booking flights, aim for those that land during the daytime and avoid activities that will have you out alone late at night. If public transportation isn’t a safe option, stick to licensed taxis and rideshares. Once you arrive, don’t forget to keep your friends and family updated with frequent communication and location sharing.
Finally, and most importantly: Follow your intuition. If something feels dodgy, take immediate action and remove yourself from the situation. Only when you are confident you have taken all necessary steps to prevent harm will you feel comfortable to properly enjoy your trip, so remember to pay attention to your surroundings, be alert and stay safe!
Last Few Tips
We have covered the major topics of methods, destinations and safety for solo travelers, but here are a few last-minute tips to consider before you go. First, research your destination by reading articles, joining online groups and downloading travel guides before you go. Such resources can be a great method for meeting like-minded travelers and finding new experiences you may not have otherwise known about. Once you have an idea of what your trip may entail, list the top activities you definitely don’t want to miss. Reserve as many in advance as possible, while leaving time for rest and spontaneity.
Once you have reached your destination, take actions that will push you outside your comfort zone. This is your opportunity to meet interesting people, try new foods and possibly pick up an extra skill, so take advantage of the occasion. In addition, I strongly recommend limiting social media while on your trip. Make use of your devices’ airplane mode, do not disturb or app limits, to avoid doom scrolling and unrealistic comparisons. As I mentioned in my introduction, solo travel can be a life-altering experience, so it is important to stay in the moment if you want to make lasting memories!
