Have you always dreamt of travel alone, exploring the world and getting to know different cultures but never got a chance because you had family to take care of, work to attend to or simply didn’t have the money? Did you ever think that traveling alone means going through hell? Well, you are wrong.
If you’re reading this, it means you’re about to take your first solo trip. My sincere congratulations! This is an exciting time for you. But, taking your first trip alone can be daunting. You may have worries about safety and how to deal with loneliness. I know because I was once in your shoes.
Traveling alone has numerous benefits which makes it one of the best things a person can do.
10 Things You Need to Know while Traveling Alone
The experience of traveling alone is liberating, and will help you discover more about yourself, the world, and people. And if you are in need of a little more convincing to make your decision final, here are 10 things you should know before going on a solo adventure.
1. Book Your Flight
Are you ready to book your flight? Find the cheapest flights and make sure that you’re getting the best deal – use Skyscanner to find cheap flights and compare flight prices.
If you have time, consider signing up for a last minute travel alert service such as Airfarewatchdog to get the best price on your airline tickets.Once you have booked your flight, it’s time to think about where and how you want to stay.
2. Stay Safe
When you see someone who looks suspicious don’t talk or engage with them. You should also try not to speak with people who are drunk or on drugs as they could be easily provoked and could turn violent if you say the wrong thing. Also, don’t accept rides from strangers as they could kidnap you or rob you.
If a stranger approaches you, be calm and polite, but make it clear that you want them to leave you alone by walking away or ignoring them. If they persist in following you, walk towards places where there are other people such as cafes, shops or restaurants so that they can see that they are being watched by others.
3. Check Visa Requirements
Every country has its own visa requirements, so it is important to check on this before you leave for your trip. Some countries require visas for Americans, but some do not. I made the mistake of not checking the visa requirements for one country and ended up having to apply for a visa after flying over there. It was a hassle, but it was worth it since I got to spend an extra week in this foreign country!
Research every country that you plan to visit. Make sure that your all vaccinations are up to date included COVID Tests. Most countries require proof of vaccination before they will allow you into their country. It is important to do your research ahead of time so that you have everything in order before leaving home.
4. Prepare Your Body and Mind
If you are planning to spend a lot of time alone, you need to be sure that you are in good physical and mental condition. Make sure you have all the necessary vaccinations, and ensure that your health is in a good state so that you can enjoy your travels without constantly worrying about how you feel.
If you are going on a long trip, one way to prepare your body is by exercising regularly and eating healthy food.
5. Get the Right Gear
Gear is important, but I don’t think you need to go out and buy a lot of equipment before your first solo trip. Just get the basics: a good day pack, a good camera (unless you use your phone), comfortable shoes and, if you’re serious about photography, a tripod.
It’s important to have the right camera for your travels, so do some research and consider what you will be using it for. If you plan on taking lots of wildlife shots, you may want one with long zoom. If you plan on taking lots of underwater photos, check out our post The Best Underwater Cameras for Travel.
6. Get Organized
If you are traveling to a destination that requires a visa, make sure you look into the requirements for entry. This can be done on your country’s government website. You will need to fill out an application, send it in with your passport, and pay the visa fee.
In addition to the visa, there are other documents that you will need to bring with you when traveling internationally such as:
Passport – Make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months after your expected return date. Some countries require that you have two blank pages in your passport for entry visas and stamps.
Medical Check Up – You may want to get a medical checkup before leaving for your trip. An appointment with the doctor can be helpful for making sure any prescriptions can be refilled if needed while abroad and getting any booster shots or immunizations you might need based on where you are going.
Copies of Tickets and Reservations – It is a good idea to print off copies of your hotel reservations and tickets to events or attractions. Keep these somewhere safe so if they get lost or stolen while abroad, you have a copy of them back home.
Local Currency – Depending on where you are going, you may need to exchange money before departure.
7. Find the Right Hotels
Do your research ahead of time and find out what kind of hotel will be great for single travelers. Find out if there is a tour guide available at the hotel and if it is included in the cost of your stay.
Find the right hotel. People of different ages are likely to be staying at your hotel, including families and business people. Find a hotel that is ideal for your needs and which provides you with all the comforts that you need.
TripAdvisor is a great website to find hotel reviews and recommendations from other travelers. You’ll find popular hotels on there and if you read through the reviews, you’ll probably be able to figure out if the hotel is worth staying at or not. If you don’t see many reviews for a certain hotel, it might be best to look for another one.
8. Plan Your Trip Activities
Planning your trip activities might be a little tricky as you won’t have anyone to consult with, but what you can do is ask for help from your travel agent. Also, keep in mind that you will be spending a lot of time by yourself, so it’s better if you pick activities that do not involve too much people.
For example, visiting a museum or watching a show. If you decide to take the train, then try to avoid the rush hours, when there are many people.
Depending on your preferences and the budget of your trip, decide what activities to include in your itinerary. You can also consider going on free tours or group tours if it fits into your budget. If possible, try to do some research on what activities are worth visiting in the destination.
9. How to Avoid Being Ripped Off or Scammed
The simple answer is to be smart. Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. As a solo female traveler, you have to be more careful and aware of your surroundings than you might normally be at home.
Here are some of the main ways to avoid being ripped off or scammed:
- Don’t accept gifts from strangers, no matter how nice they seem
- Always keep an eye on your belongings and carry them in front of you if possible
- If someone asks for help—directions, change for the parking meter, etc.—don’t take out your wallet or purse until you’ve answered their question.
- When you’re in public places like restaurants, bars, or public transportation, don’t leave your drink unattended. Remember that you should never accept drinks from strangers either.
- Don’t flash around large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry when withdrawing money from ATMs or paying for things in public places.
10. Stay Healthy on Your Trip
It can be challenging to stay healthy while traveling, especially if you don’t know the local language and customs. Take the following steps to keep yourself in tip-top shape.
Pack a travel medical kit. Consider your itinerary, any medications you’re taking, and any medical conditions you have. Consult with your doctor about what health tools and supplies you should bring along for your trip.
Bring a first aid kit. Even if you’re only going for a weekend trip, a basic first aid kit can come in handy. Be sure to include bandages, gauze pads, antibacterial cream, antihistamine cream, pain relievers, cold medicine, and bug bite cream.
Know where to go for help if you get sick or injured. Find the location of the nearest hospital or clinic before leaving home so you know where to go in an emergency. Learn how to say “I need help” in the local language before leaving home as well.
Avoid eating undercooked foods or food that has been left out at room temperature too long. Err on the side of caution when traveling so you don’t end up with food poisoning or other digestive system problems — it’s better to skip an opportunity than risk getting sick while on your trip.
Why should you travel more?
Like many people, I had always assumed that travel was going to be expensive and difficult; that it would be terrifying to go somewhere on your own without knowing anyone else; that the language barrier would make it incredibly hard to get around and communicate; and that it was better to wait until I had enough vacation time saved up to really do some traveling (spoiler alert: there will never be enough vacation time).
There are so many reasons why travelling is a good idea. It can be a true adventure and it can also help you grow as a person.
- You will learn a lot about the world
- You will learn a lot about yourself
- You will be happier
- You will meet new people
- You will experience new things
- You will feel more confident
- You will gain experience
- You will improve your communication skills
- You will become more independent
How to get around town like a local
It’s important to stay connected with friends and family at home, but it can also help to connect with people on the road. Social media is one way to meet others traveling solo (see below). Another is by staying in hostels and making friends in your dorm room or at common areas. You can even just meet people while wandering around or sitting at a bar or coffee shop.
However, it’s not without its inherent dangers — particularly if you’re a solo woman traveler. In fact, 61% of women are afraid to travel alone. And that makes sense considering that one in four women report being assaulted while traveling or studying abroad.
But with careful precautions and some common sense, there’s no reason why traveling solo should be unsafe for women.
Tips for staying safe and avoiding danger
If it’s your first time travelling solo, you might want to pick a country with low crime rate and high tourism level so that you won’t feel too lost or too exposed. For example, countries like France, Canada or Italy are great destinations for solo travellers because they have great public transport systems and the crime rate is relatively low (especially if you stay away from big cities).
The best travel apps for the new traveler
GPSTrail –
GPSTrail is one of the most important apps for traveling solo. It’s a real-time tracking app that shows your current location at all times, allowing you to share your location with friends and family members who can follow along on their phones as well.
You can use it to send messages or photos while still keeping your phone in your pocket, which is something other similar apps don’t allow. The app even has an activity feed where friends can post comments, photos and predictions about where you are right now.
Google Translate
Google Translate makes things easier for travelers who are visiting countries where English isn’t mainly spoken. With this app, you can just type in a word or phrase and get an instant translation in more than 100 different languages. You can also use Google Translate when reading menus at local restaurants or even when talking with locals who don’t speak English well.
Hopper
Hopper is a handy app that tells you the best time to buy a flight. Once set up with your departure and arrival destinations and dates, Hopper will send you alerts on when to book flights at the best prices. It’s essentially a booking assistant in your pocket.
Packing Lightly
Pack light and bring only what you need. Bring a light backpack or small bag, and don’t pack more than you can carry. Take all of your valuables with you, such as jewelry and electronics, when you leave your hotel room, even if it’s just for a short time. Only carry money for one day, and keep it hidden. Never leave personal items unattended in public places, such as bars or restaurants.
Keep your head up and look out for tourist traps.
Solo travel is for the brave. You need to be ready for unexpected moments when you will feel like turning back home, but half of the fun is in pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and seeing how you adapt.
To make sure you have the best time while traveling alone, here are some tips to help you along the way:
1-Make detailed plans, but stay flexible
2-Talk to people
3-Be mindful of your belongings
4-Stay safe at night
How to stay healthy while traveling.
Safety is a valid concern when it comes to traveling in general. However, it is important to keep a few things in mind: First, this world has more good people than bad people. Second, there are places that you should avoid when traveling whether you are alone or with friends. If you can’t trust your instincts, then trust your gut. If you feel unsafe somewhere, then leave that place and find another one.
Sure, there will be times where you feel lonely when traveling alone. You may even wish for some company at times; but after a day or two of being on the road, you will realize that travel is the best cure for loneliness. It’s all about finding new things to do, meeting new people and embracing the solitude that comes with solo travel.
This is how you should Travel Alone and Explore the world
Traveling alone can be a great way to see the world and meet new people. Not only do you not have to worry about keeping someone else happy, you can indulge in your own interests and do what you want.
First, if you’re staying in a hotel or hostel, utilize the concierge. They will know the best places to go and what to avoid. If you are renting an Airbnb or something similar, make sure that the host is there to greet you when you arrive so that they can show you around and give you tips on things to do.
Second, don’t be afraid to venture out alone. This one may seem obvious, but it can be hard for some people. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and explore places that interest you.
Third, make sure that your phone is always charged and working properly. You never know when you might need it!
Fourth, remember that it is okay if something doesn’t go according to plan or if there are some hiccups along the way.
Conclusion
It is said that traveling alone is dangerous, it is said that you are up to be robbed. But consider one thing first if there was no such thing as traveling alone, most of the travelers would not have experienced these beautiful place. Traveling alone will make your journey more memorable and rich with experiences.
It will take time initially to get adapted to it but once you are in the comfort zone you will love it explore the world.
This is an excellent article with very good points. It makes going anywhere seem less scary, and actually more exciting and interesting. If you have been wondering what it takes to go travel the World by yourself and discover the many wonders out there, this article should prove one of the best things you could read to prepare not just mentally, but physically as well.
Very helpful article for traveling alone
Thank You