Planning to travel solo? Here’s 8 things you need to know before you go!
Travelling solo can be the most exciting and liberating experience in life and offers you a chance for self-reflection and self-growth. It can also be the most daunting experience especially if you’ve never travelled solo before.
If you’re planning to travel alone, make sure you’re prepared and inspired to make the most of your trip. We’ve compiled a list of the top eight solo travel tips that will come in handy when you plan to wander and navigate around the world.
Safety Comes First
Safety is one of the top concerns when it comes to solo travel. While it’s always a good idea to be cautious, it shouldn’t stop you from your adventures. Picking the right destination is important as some places are safer for solo trips than others. Travel insurance is also a great option and keeping your friends and family aware of your whereabouts is equally important. In any case of emergency, inform the embassy.
Talk to the locals
One of the keys to having unforgettable experiences is to stray from the set path and try offbeat experiences. Talk to a local and ask them for recommendations on what to see and you’ll find great inside tips and experiences that would further enrich your trip.
Search for shared housing options
Staying in single hotel rooms can be expensive and lonely at times so be open to shared options like hostels and Airbnbs which are excellent for meeting new people. It’s so much easier to interact with other guests and hosts when you’re staying at the same place. After a day of exploration and adventures, it’s a great way to connect with others and share experiences.
Travel your own way
When planning to travel solo, pick a trip tailored to your own personality, something you like most so that you have a great time. If you like socialising, a bustling city like Hanoi or Barcelona is a good choice where you have a chance to explore on your own and also connect with others. Most people who travel solo have their headphones on and engage with other people only they want to.
Experience everything
With numerous local-led activities offered across the world, solo travellers can take part in countless experiences to get a taste of local culture while meeting new people. Learn about the city’s history and its people, go on a street food tour or take a tour of local monuments, there is so much to experience wherever you go.
Take lots of photographs
Photography is one of the best parts of solo travel. With no plans or schedule, one can spend an entire day capturing photos of bustling markets, lovely landscapes and unique structures around. Also, it’s a great idea to capture yourself, whether it’s a selfie or with different background where you plan to travel so always carry a tripod. It’s important to capture the memory rather than feel self-conscious about it.
Join a group tour
If travelling solo, you can join a day tour or group holiday that allows you to make friends on the road. It can be a bit expensive but you’ll always have people around you with whom you can enjoy your holiday with and share adventures.
Learn a new skill
Take a new class, learn a new language or expand your skill by taking up something you have an interest in – yoga, pottery and more. You can also take a semester abroad or enroll in a short program abroad which will give you a different perspective of life and experiences you’ll cherish for life.
Solo travel not only pushes you out of your comfort zone, it also pushes you out of the zone of others’ expectations.
