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The amount of people packing up their bags and leaving their comfort zone behind to embrace solo travel is at an all time high. While solo traveling isn’t something that is unheard of or new, it has become more welcomed throughout society over the past couple of years. With advanced technology and a sense of independence on the rise, booking that trip for one no longer brings about a crazy sense of concern. I remember my first solo trip: My nerves were high, but my excitement was higher. One trip turned into two, and the rest is history. Once you start traveling solo, it’s difficult to want to stop.
The thought of enjoying your own company, whether that means waking up and going to explore or sleeping in without having to worry about what others want to do is a feeling that one can’t begin to describe. It’s a nice mixture of refreshing and freeing, to say the least. You just simply have to experience it for yourself! Whether you start out small or big when planning your destination, it’s always important to have a game plan to ensure your planning and travels are well executed.
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Planning your trip, budgeting your money and prioritizing safety precautions – all of these matter and make up the blueprint to having both a safe and enjoyable solo adventure. If you’re ready to live life on the edge and exude extreme confidence as a solo traveler, keep scrolling to uncover an ultimate travel guide guaranteed to prepare you for traveling alone.
1. Budgeting 101
While saving isn’t everyone’s strong suit, practice makes perfect. If you know there’s something you’re looking forward to, it’s always important to set some money aside to cover all necessary payments prior to the trip and during the trip. Choose your location and from there, get pricing for your flight and lodging. Depending where you are traveling to, you can sometimes find a package deal where both flight and lodging costs are combined. Once your travel is solidified, you can move on to creating an itinerary. This is where the fun and extra funds come into play. Transportation, meals, and entertainment costs are all important things you need to incorporate into your budget. Figure out how much you want to spend and set aside a little more in case of emergencies. Once you have solidified your plans, continue saving up until you’re ready to book.
2. Become Familiar With Your Destination
Whether you’re traveling internationally or staying in the country, it’s important that you familiarize yourself with your solo destination. Usually when traveling amongst others, educating yourself on the final destination prior isn’t necessary. When traveling solo, it’s nice to know a bit of background information including important landmarks on where you’re traveling to. Getting familiar beforehand will give you the security and confidence you need for a stress-free trip.
3. Find and Join Solo Traveler Groups on Social Media
Thankfully we live in an era where social media has its perks. Traveling solo doesn’t mean you have to spend the entire trip alone. While you should always use your own sound judgment and take the necessary precautions, you’re not the only solo traveler out there. Thanks to Facebook groups and endless Instagram and TikTok pages, there are several ways you can meet others.The best trips are when you go solo, but leave having made lifelong friends. Even if the communication ends the moment you board your flight back home, meeting up with other solo travelers during your travels is always great!
4. Let’s Get Packed Up
While some dread packing for a trip, it’s a huge and important part of the process. Comfortability is extra important when traveling solo and that looks different for each traveler. For some, packing their favorite slippers may bring them that sense of comfort, whereas for others it may be an extra form of identification in case anything goes wrong. A few must-have items you should definitely throw into your bag consist of a mini first aid kit, extra toiletries, extra undergarments (you never know), comfortable shoes, a lock for your suitcase, cash because it’s good to have on hand, and a universal travel adapter for charging your electronics. If you are infamous for overpacking, this is not the trip for you to do so. In this instance, less is more.
5. Walk It Out
If it’s walkable, do yourself a favor and walk. Not only will you save money walking to certain hot spots around your destination, but it also gives you an opportunity to explore and see what’s around. That’s the whole point of traveling, right? At night, taking public transportation or grabbing a taxi is a great option when it comes to practicing safety in unknown territory.
6. Take Time to Learn The Native Tongue
If you happen to be traveling to a place where the native language is not English, you want to keep in mind that there may be a language barrier and sometimes that can be somewhat difficult, especially for those traveling solo. Making sure you’re aware of what language is spoken where you’re traveling to is very important. You also may want to download the Google Translate app and make use of the DuoLingo app to get a bit of practice prior to your trip. Even if you only learn to say simple greetings, it’s a step in the right direction.
7. Ask The Necessary Questions
Utilize your voice and your phone. If you’re unsure, ask around. Be approachable and wear a smile. Standing around looking confused can sometimes bring about the wrong stares from the wrong people. Always make sure your phone is fully charged before spending a day out and about, so if you need to look up anything specific or make a call, you can do so. Traveling solo can be daunting when it comes to getting around, but you were confident enough to go on this amazing trip, so use that same confidence and ask questions whenever they may come up.
8. Go Into Town and Explore
Although you’re a tourist, you don’t have to stay on tourist territory. Get out and explore. No matter where you’re traveling, try to go beyond the tourist areas. That’s usually where some of the hidden gems and authentic culture are located. This is also where you will usually find a unique blend of shops, restaurants and history. Even if you choose not to spend any money, take in the scenery, observe the culture, and enjoy your exploration.
9. Keep In Touch
Your family and friends will probably be worried about you, especially if this is your first time traveling solo. Share your itinerary that includes your flight and lodging info, plus be sure to reach out as often as you can (whether that be by text, a voice call or email) to let them know you’re safe at each transition. Depending on your travel destination, be aware of travel fees when making phone calls. If possible, check to see if your phone carrier offers VPN (virtual private network) throughout your travels. This will ensure that your phone is protected and your information is kept private. Most importantly, invest in a portable charger to ease your worries on the road.
10. Embrace the Solitude
Do you hear that? It’s the sound of solitude. You’re all alone and you’re doing amazing. Whether this is your first solo adventure or your fifth, use this allotted time to focus on yourself and the journey ahead. Use your mornings to rest a bit longer or to wake up early to pray. Spend time journaling in a serene setting. Whatever your vice, this is your time to level up self-reflect. Get outside, take the tours, order for a table of one, meeting new people or enjoy the amenities offered with your lodging. Whatever you choose to do on this trip, be sure to make the most of it.
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