Generally, people look forward to spending time with their friends and family. One of the most preferred ways to spend a good time with your near & dear ones is to go on a vacation. Well, this experience can be utterly fulfilling and undoubtedly rewarding.
Furthermore, it also helps you strengthen your relationships. They say it’s not about the destination but about your company. What could be more enriching than spending vacation time with your dear ones? – Nothing. But to your surprise, some people find solo trips more eye-opening and extraordinary than family trips.
Let’s dig deeper into why travel solo.
Solo Travel consider the best way of indulging in oneself. With this, we refer to instances like the freedom to rest when needed or rush into adventurous things when you’re feeling adventurous. One of the primary benefits of solo trips is that you own all the mistakes or little wins you’ve experienced. It’s all about you; you’re not liable for making or ruining someone’s day. Solo trips focus on you and your ability to share new things.
Solo Travel Tips
Well, solo travel can be one of the most amazing experiences of your life. But, to make things crystal clear, this type of traveling comes with some challenges. There are always two sides to a coin; solo trips are the same. On one side, they can be fun and spiritually enriching, while on the other, there are several concerns attached to them, like loneliness, safety issues, and single supplement charges.
You can overcome these challenges only if you take some time out from your busy schedule and put some effort into planning your trip intelligently, which will help you save your hard-earned money. people who have tried traveling solo for the first time expressed this experience as religious and spiritually fulfilling. Besides this, some have experienced the liberty to do whatever they want.
For instance, have you ever wanted to try paragliding, deep-sea diving, or just practice yoga? If yes, solo trips are your golden chance to pick any activity and sign up for a class. When you’re done with that, you can take some time to meditate or introspect while sitting on a beach or a hill.
Pick Your Destination Smartly
While choosing your destination, don’t go on what people have suggested. With this, we don’t mean their suggestions are not appropriate. But we want you to know your preferences and decide upon a particular destination. Think if you like beaches or mountains. Safety is a big concern if you’re planning a solo trip.
Pack Relevant Staff
Don’t carry unnecessary stuff while traveling. Pack things that are relevant to your destination. Before packing your property, ensure to check the weather forecast over there. It will help you in packing appropriately. Also, check whether the country you’re visiting is following any dress code.
Research and Proceed
Don’t just arrive at the destination without any plan; it will be your worst decision ever. It is utterly essential to do your homework before you reach your goal. Always check the cost and time it will take to get from the airport to the hotel or city. As a solo traveler, you must be more alert, as taxi drivers are likelier to deceive people on solo travels.
Seeking the Appropriate Accommodations
Always book a hotel for the first few days of your stay, as it will make your journey easier and safer. While booking a hotel, ensure that the one you’re opted for has a 24-hour front desk. With this, you’ll not have to worry about arriving late.
Arrival in Daytime
When you’re on a solo trip, ensure you reach the new destinations in daylight rather than at night. Avoid traveling or reaching your destinations at night, as several areas would not be safe for solo traveling.
Don’t Rush
Once you have reached your destination, don’t rush to see places without resting enough. When traveling solo, it is advised to give your body some time to adapt to the new environment. Avoid doing too many activities during this time.
Solo Trips don’t have to be alone.
Whenever someone hears of Solo Travel, all they can think of is being alone in an unknown place. But why stay alone when you can meet new people and know about their culture? Traveling solo helps you in being more approachable toward new people.
Buy Smart Travel Stuff
With technological advancements, the concept of traveling and luggage has also changed. Always look out for bags that have hidden pockets where you can keep your valuable things like cash or cards. Avoid keeping expensive stuff in your purse.
Carry Important Address
Ensure to keep your hotel card with you. It can be helpful in a situation where you need to remember the address. You can quickly get a cab or bus and reach your destination with a visiting card.
Always Appear Confident
No matter where you are, always walk and talk with complete confidence. This technique helps avoid unwanted attention. If there arises a situation where you’ve lost your way to the destination, it is advisable to ask the restaurant owners or shop for directions.
Copy of Essential Documents
You must have heard your parents saying this particular thing a thousand times. Well, we’ll repeat it too. It is important to have a copy of your important documents like your itinerary details, passport, driving license, etc.
Carry a Map & Transportation Schedule
When you’re alone in a foreign land, always remember to carry a map with you. We know what you’re thinking right now; who has a map in times of Google Maps? Well, Google maps work wonders, but what if you get stuck in a place without an internet connection? That’s where the physical map comes in. Before leaving your hotel or other destination, check the bus and train schedule.
Pick the Right Person
Sometimes, people opt for solo travel, but then after some time, for some reason, they wish to have a travel buddy. Well, it’s not a bad idea to have someone who can accompany you, but remember to ask them important questions, like their budget for the trip.
Safety Essentials
Carrying a safety whistle with you no matter where you go for a solo trip. Well, you must be thinking, what is this stupid thing? But let me tell you, it can come in handy to scare ill-intentioned individuals and to be tracked if kidnapped or lost somewhere.
Keep An Eye
When traveling with lots of stuff, you must keep all your bags and luggage in sight.
Opting for Travel Apps
While you’re traveling solo, you must get proper information about the travel apps and communities that provide help to travelers who are in need. Some of these apps are Couchsurfing, HereToMeet, etc.
Local Interaction is a must.
Solo travel doesn’t mean you’ll not meet new people. You must get into the sharing economy to meet new people and learn about different cultures. Some of the finest options for dining with locals areBonAppetour and EatWith. If you wish to stay with locals, there’s no better option than Airbnb.
Travel Insurance
Whether you’re on a solo or family vacation, you are always prone to unforeseen situations like falling sick or getting injured while traveling. Several other problems, like missing luggage, stolen purse, etc., could crop up. For such cases, you must always opt for travel insurance.
Opportunity to Explore
Solo travel is your chance to explore places. While traveling solo, you’ll have to overcome several challenges to reach your destination. Each challenge will provide you with an opportunity to learn and grow.
Know The Place Thoroughly
Before moving out of your accommodation, always ask for a map with marked areas that are safe to visit and those that are not. These things matter a lot when you’re on a solo trip because you’re on your own, and there’s nobody to help. Remember not to hold the map while you’re walking as it will give hints to people that you’re a tourist and are not well-versed in the location.
Change your Can’ts into Can
One of the primary rules on which solo travel works is the ability and wish to try different things. While you’re traveling abroad, make sure you try everything with a positive attitude. It will enrich your experience as a solo traveler.
Carry a Professional Camera
If you love clicking pictures, you must buy a professional camera for your journey. Clicking good pictures becomes an utterly tricky task when you’re traveling solo. To overcome this challenge, you must purchase a Sony RX or a Joby SLR GorillaPod. It will help you in taking better solo pictures.
Invest in a Quality Flashlight
If you’re going for a camping trip or hikes, you must invest in flashlights. There could be instances where you might have to stay in a place with no electricity, and that is when flashlights can come in handy.
Carry Your Books
It’s always a good idea to have something to read, be it a magazine or novel. It can come as a rescue when you’re alone and getting bored.
Try New Things
To make your solo trip memorable, try doing new things and gain experiences from them. Be it taking a new class, going on a hike, or trying fresh cuisine.
Don’t Tell Everything
While on a solo trip, open up to other people only to a certain extent. Because you’re never aware of other people’s intentions, not everyone who looks innocent is one. If you’re staying with a group of solo travelers, you can disclose it to them but never do the same with strangers. Always tell them you’re traveling with your husband, wife, or friend.
Reflecting on Oneself
Solo Travel is the best time to cherish and strengthen your relationship with yourself. It is one of the biggest reasons why people go on solo trips. It is the best time to reflect on your feelings and desires without interruption.
Initiate Writing Process
People experience so many emotions while they are on a solo trip. But sadly, they don’t have their loved ones with them to share it. In such situations, you can start writing blogs, or you can also share all your experiences on social media. With this, you’ll maintain an excellent social media presence and let your family and friends know your whereabouts.
Keep Your Family Informed
Always keep your family informed about it no matter where you are in this world. Be it your accommodation address or your flight details, share everything with your family.
Leave Document Copies
Before commencing your solo travel, always make copies of your important documents like passport, driving license, ATM, Credit card, etc., and leave one copy at your home. At the same time, the other ones can be with you in your bag or at some hidden place. Never place originals and copies of your documents in the same bag.
Live Freely
Solo travel gives you the ultimate freedom to explore and live your life to the fullest. There is no one around to ask you questions about anything. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want, without giving any second thought.
Stay Alert
It is normal to be distracted while exploring a new city or country. But doing so will be your biggest mistake. Pickpockets are always looking for opportunities to rob new travelers by distracting them. When on solo trips, be alert of your surroundings.
Group Up Smartly
Solo Travels are meant to be alone, but there’s no harm in traveling with a group of solo travelers. Being with a group allows you to meet new people and listen to their unique stories. But it is not always necessary to travel in groups; you can detach yourself from them whenever you want or feel like it. You can be in a group when going for a hike, and while in a city, you can have some alone time.
Blend In
Every city or country has its own rich culture. You should always find ways to know about the culture of the places you visit. The best way to do so is to try local dishes, interact with locals, and take cultural classes. When you’re on a solo trip, you’ll have a better chance to interact with local people.
Act as Local
Whether traveling solo or in a group, please don’t make it evident that you’re a tourist. With this, we mean to ditch that funky and Disney-based t-shirt or fanny pack. These things are enough to let people know that you’re a tourist. Try to dress up casually or, more likely, as locals.
Hire a Guide
There’s hardly any fun visiting local monuments without knowing about their history. To learn about such things, you must hire a local guide. It is a must for a historical place as many stories are attached to such monuments. Mostly all of the cities in the world offer tourist guides. It works best when you’re on a solo trip and need a companion.
Adapting the Lingo
When you’re visiting a new place, it’s a good idea to carry a dictionary or take the help of Google to translate to learn a bit about the local language. You can pick a few words or essential phrases that will help you communicate with local people. It is crucial in situations where you need help with solo travel. For example, ordering food, asking for directions, or asking for the nearest washroom.
Experience Everything
Traveling solo is the best time to make unforgettable memories. One of the best ways to do so is to do something adventurous and thrilling. But remember to try things that are within limits and not stupid. Before taking up any adventurous sports, always think about your safety.
Self – Defence
One must know how to defend yourself. Whether on a solo trip or a family one, you should learn self-defense. You can join classes to learn its tricks and save yourself in harsh conditions.
Drink Responsibly
There’s no harm in having fun or gulping some drinks. But it is important to drink responsibly and not get too drunk. Because then you’ll need someone to be with you and take care of you, which is impossible on a solo trip. So, think before you drink.
Be Fearless
Do you want your solo travel to be fun and exciting? If yes, then replace your fears with curiosity. When you’re curious about something, you’ll go to several places. Try everything that scares you, like skydiving, bungee jumping, or deep-sea diving.
Follow Your Instinct
You must always listen to your instincts in every situation in your life. Do what your heart says. If something feels right, do it right away; if it doesn’t, never do it.
Lookout For Common Spaces
If you wish to meet new people, you must ditch living in a hotel and opt for a familiar place like a hostel where you’ll have TV lounges, movie theaters, and planned outings with all members.
Be Flexible
Before traveling to an entirely new destination, you must always make up your mind to be flexible and go with the flow. Your rigidness may ruin your trip and lead you to miss life-changing experiences. Try to blend in with the new culture by understanding its roots and those who follow it.
Vigilance is the Key
No matter how unique and safe your hotel is, it would help if you still used in-room lockers and safes. With this, only you’ll be able to unlock the room. It is essential to use this when you’re on a solo trip.
