The experience of solo traveling can be exhilarating as well as enriching.
Drawing up an itinerary is a useful exercise, particularly if you’re short on time, but make sure you leave yourself some flexibility. You’ll inevitably want to stay in some destinations longer than you might think.
Here is my ultimate guide for traveling solo:
Decide where you want to go?
The world is your oyster, even when you’re traveling.
Some parts of the world are safer than others when it comes to exploring a destination solo. This may seem the easiest step of all, but it comes with a lot of extra questions. Make sure to be clear on this one because the more you know, the better you can plan and the more expenses you can anticipate.
Pack light
When traveling solo, it’s best to pack light. With long days of walking and only a short number of nights in each hotel, your bag will need to be easy and light enough to carry for long periods. You must pack light, think less, save more, and travel as far as you can. Starts packing with necessary things first and if possible make a checklist and keep adding things to that list whenever you memorize anything. Take the weather into account and pack your clothes accordingly.
Having a ton of luggage or super heavy backpack can put a damper on your travels.
Learn a little of the local language
Make efforts to learn a few words and phrases before you go traveling. Just knowing how to introduce yourself, start a basic conversation, ask them about the city, their culture, etc. People love to know you’re making an effort and doing your best to interact, even if you’re a little rusty.
Book Hotels in Advance
As a solo traveler, the more you plan, the more self-confident you will feel. So have all your hotel booking done in advance and have the address written down as well, you will be more secure that you have a base for your trip where you can relax and unwind at any time.
Know your Budget
Budget is the most crucial part of your planning. Your budget will decide your destination, the type of accommodation, your trip period and sometimes even the mode of your travel. If your dream destination is somewhere very expensive, it will be good to plan and save for it. Always allow a reasonable budget for contingencies while planning for your travel.
Keep extra copies of your documents
Copies of your travel documents are necessary in case something goes missing. You can have all this information on your phone, but in case your phone isn’t working you can show physical evidence of your bookings, reservations, etc. Overall, you should always have all of your confirmation at your fingertips.
Solo travel can be both safe and rewarding, but be mindful of safety concerns just as you would travel in a pair or group. Take care in large cities at night, watch your drinks, be aware of any local scams and keep a close eye on your valuables.
While it’s certainly challenging, the hardest thing about solo travel is making that initial leap to do it. After that, all you need is a bit of know-how and an eagerness to explore with these tried and tested tips, it’s an incredibly rewarding experience.
