Do you
love to travel but can’t seem to get your friends, family or spouse to plan or
embark on a trip together with you, then this post is for you. A solo trip is one where you plan and embark
on the trip all by yourself. Embarking
on a solo trip can be scary and overwhelming.
It’s a general believe that having
someone to travel with you feels like a safety net, so when you decide to go on
your own, that safety net disappears. However, this should not be the case. You can find other ways to feel comfortable
and enjoy traveling solo.
Traveling by yourself enables you to rely on yourself, which
builds self-confidence and shows you that you’re stronger than you thought you
were. It’s also wonderful to travel
alone because you decide how to spend each day. You choose what activities to do e.g. Where to
eat, go or visit; and you also set the timelines. You don’t have to compromise
like you would when you are with a travel partner(s).
From
my experience, you’re more likely to meet other travelers when you’re traveling
by yourself. This provides an awesome
opportunity to network as it makes you more approachable, and you’re more
likely to approach others. When you have a travel partner, you probably won’t
feel like reaching out to talk to someone new.
One of the biggest challenges of traveling solo is making the decision to go- to
book your flight, make hotel reservations and pack your bag. The reality of
solo travel is very different to what most people think, and maybe can be
completely different than even you can imagine.
Based on my experience, here are a few tips on what you need
to know about taking a solo trip.
1.
Plan Ahead
Planning things out before embarking
on the trip will help you feel more in control. Research your destinations so you know what
part of town to stay in. You don’t have
to map out every single detail of your trip though. Leave some room for
flexibility and spontaneity so you don’t feel so constrained when you arrive.
It’s good to know what you want to see while you’re there, but you don’t have
to schedule it all out.
Take a moment to see my earlier post
about how to plan a fun trip, as all the tips
provided therein applies whether you’re traveling by yourself or with someone
else.
2.
Be Confident
Being on your
own in an unfamiliar territory is as frightening as it is exciting. Hence, adopt a secure and open posture when
you go out to explore. You’ll look more approachable
to the right people and not an easy target for the wrong people. It’s okay to be a little scared as this keeps
you on alert, however, endeavor to maintain a confident and cheerful outlook. Smiling goes a long way, especially if you do
not understand the local language. Remember, not all locals are looking to take
advantage of tourists, and a smile can lead to a friendly encounter or a good
conversation.
3.
Blend in or “Acclimatize”
The way you
look / dress can easily be an indicator that you are a stranger. It’s no gainsaying that standing out too much
as a foreigner can attract distasteful looks or even tourist scams. Hence, blend in as a local and you’ll be able
to observe so much more of your host country or locality. As much as possible, dress the way locals
dress. I am not saying you must change your wardrobe entirely cos you are
planning a trip, but a little change in dressing may be required. Avoid flashy
and expensive dressing / jewelries so as not to attract undue attention of crooks.
In addition to the way you dress, endeavor
to talk at an appropriate volume and learn to listen and watch. Also, try to learn a few words in the local
language as this helps to create an amiable atmosphere.
4.
Be Security Conscious
As
daunting as travelling alone may seem, do note that traveling solo isn’t any
more dangerous than traveling with someone else. It’s true you won’t have someone there to look
out for you but realizing you can look out for yourself is exhilarating! Nonetheless, it is necessary to be cautious
about your surrounding at every point in time.
I am not saying you should be paranoid, nervous or visibly anxious as
you move around, but the need to be careful cannot be over emphasized. You need to find out the local customs, rules
and regulations (simply put – Dos and Don’ts) of the community as ignorance is
typically never an excuse. It may also
be too late to explain yourself as a stranger.
The best people to seek advice, direction or clarification from are
security personnel, airport attendants, waiters, hotel receptionists, etc.
Avoid
keeping all your cash in one place. As
much as possible, split your money and other valuables in different places to
avoid being stranded in the case of any eventuality.
Don’t get drunk on alcohol when travelling
alone. If you drink
too much when you’re with a friend, you know they’ll take care of you, but you
don’t have someone to look out for you on a solo trip. Hence, try to avoid alcohol (if possible) or
know your limits.
It
is also very important to occasionally check in with someone at home, so they
know you’re safe and having a good time. Share information about your current location
(if you are touring different cities or places), hotel addresses, flight
details etc. A quick text message or
call does wonders to ease the
fears of family and friends at home. If possible, mail them some fun pictures as
this goes a long way to relieving their tension. Afterall, why worry over
someone who is having fun.
5.
Explore and have Fun
Don’t stay indoors
in your hotel, watching a movie or on social media. Get out there! You did not
come all the way to lounge indoors but to explore— go wander the streets, walk
down alleyways, check out a market, hike to a park, hop on trolleys and trains,
get a bit lost (a bit I said…lol). You
might have days where you don’t feel like leaving your hotel room because it
feels too overwhelming. Push yourself
out the door and go sit in a public square or at a cafe or at a park. You can read
a book, enjoy a coffee or a soda, while you relax and watch the city go by.
It can be a
bit lonely sometimes, but the best way to get past the initial loneliness is to
put yourself out there. Whether it is on a walking tour, or at a local
restaurant, it never hurts to strike up a conversation. Try to talk to other travelers, whether
they’re solo travelers or not, though other solo travelers might work out
better for you. Even if you’re nervous about approaching people, remind
yourself that you never have to see these people again, so why care what they
think! Who knows, they might turn out to
be fun, interesting people. New friends, even just a friend for the day, can
make the best travel memories.
Booking a day
tour is also a good way to abate loneliness. Spending a few hours with other
travelers who want to learn about the city or try a new activity or taste a
local delicacy gives you an instant connection since you’re experiencing the
same things together.
Explore the local
cuisine and endeavor to ask the waiter about how it’s made or what it's made from. Depending on your system, be careful
not to be too adventurous in this regard as it might have some unpleasant repercussions….
I’m sure you know what I mean! Remember to take pictures of these new cuisines
as they form a fond part of the memories.
It’s really not difficult to
embark on a Solo trip. It feels liberating to be on your own and it doesn’t matter what other
people think. Towards the end of
your trip, give yourself a treat. It
could be a cup of ice cream or a nice meal or a special souvenir to celebrate yourself for traveling alone. It’s indeed a great accomplishment!
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