What are tips for traveling solo?
- Plan and strategize
- Remember: safety first
- Go out there and explore more
It’s fun to travel especially with friends and family, but what if you want to try doing it alone? Whether you have the best travel WiFi hotspot in Europe to ease your worries, or the whole map of a particular city in Asia to get you anywhere, to travel alone sounds like an intimidating experience in life.
Actually, that’s a misconception! A lot of people, especially the young, want to experience traveling the world on their own. It’s not bad to crave for ‘alone time’ in your excursions; in fact, announcing a solo travel journey shows your willingness to learn and practice independence. If you’re having doubts on pursuing an escapade on your own, here are 3 tips to help you get started on your journey:
Plan and Strategize
This is a canon rule for all your family and friend getaways, so it should also be a top priority when planning on a solo trip. It’s arguably more important when it comes to solo travel because this time, you’re not just going to be the person who asks where the group is going next, instead, you’ll be the one solely in charge of where you want to go and what you want to do.
Start by thinking thoroughly where you want to travel and do proper research. By research, it doesn’t mean going as deep as the history of the country or how the locals act, you can find that out when you’re there. Rather, it means giving enough time to fully strategize on how you can maximize your stay in a country or particular destination. This is called making an itinerary and is one of the first lessons you should pick up whenever you’re traveling either alone or with a buddy.
The itinerary should include, first and foremost, your accommodation/s. You may have chosen areas you want to visit in a country, but where will you stay? How much will these hotels, hostels, vacancies cost? Have you checked out the accommodation’s features and offers? It’s ideal to know most, if not all, the perks your accommodation has to offer so that they won’t fail to meet your expectations when you get to the actual place.
You should also plan which specific tourist destinations you want to check out. This comes with the proper knowledge of your length of stay and the budget you have set aside to visit certain areas. Arrange them from which you want to see the most to least. Look up the different restaurants, items, entrance fees (if any), and transportation so you can be fully equipped and orderly instead of getting frazzled and panicking over every minute decision.
Remember: Safety First
When you go out by yourself in our own country, people will always remind you to be careful and look out for yourself. What more when you visit a foreign land? No, don’t be scared and back out just because you’re going to a place in the world that you have never been to, just remember to keep safety a priority.
Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Bring your important documents for identification. It’s not enough to just have them scanned on your devices, so it’s advisable that you bring the original copy with you. Familiarize yourself with the area, and if possible, know the culture. Sometimes, ignorance of the country’s culture could lead you to trouble. If possible, communicate with the locals and don’t be afraid to ask questions or directions. It’s better to try and talk rather than not knowing what to do or where to go. With the best travel WiFi in Europe or anywhere else in the world, you’ll have no problem keeping a list of the country’s emergency numbers.
Lastly, keep in touch with your family or relatives back home, especially when you have no relatives who live in the country you are visiting. Let them know from time to time where you are, what you are doing, or where you plan to go next. This isn’t just about sharing with your family the experiences you’ve been going through, it’s also letting them know that you’re alright and where to find you.
Go Out There and Explore More
Be free, don’t be disheartened of the possible misadventures or challenges a first-time solo traveler may run into. Every little moment you will encounter—may they be a bad experience or a surreal encounter counts for growth and learning. It’s what you see and felt during those times which counts for the most.
Key Takeaway
Traveling is a beautiful way of encountering life beyond where you are right now. Although there is a saying that it’s more fun to travel in groups, find time to learn the wonders of touring by yourself. It’s a tremendous achievement, and it’s a way of somehow finding yourself through a series of rendezvous.
