Solo travel, especially amongst women, has witnessed incredible growth in the past few years. If you’re an avid explorer and traveler by nature, solo travel is truly one of the best things you could do for yourself. With the absence of rules or a co-traveler to accommodate, you’re able to roam freely around your destination. These solo travel tips will have you setting your own itinerary experiencing the world in another way.
Here’s Solo Travel for the Soul – Tips to Surviving a Trip on Your Own:
Pick a Good Location
First things first, there are absolutely no guidelines to how far across the world you go to be considered a traveler. I fully believe you can have just as meaningful of an experience by traveling in your own country. It’s all dependent upon the mindset you use while traveling.
As far as choosing a destination goes, it’s completely okay if you don’t feel ready to conquer a whole new continent on your own. Start off slow by venturing out around your local area. With that sweet taste of solo exploring, you’ll eventually want to go bigger with your destination.
Remember to research destinations as much as possible beforehand. Scan Pinterest and TripAdvisor for ideas. Talk with bloggers and experienced travelers about the safety for solo wanderers in the location you’re looking at.
Be Cautious Yet Confident
The moment I tell people I’m heading off on some solo travels, I get a serious amount of flack. Within minutes I hear their solo travel tips in the form of horror stories and exclamations about how this world is ‘too unsafe for a woman to go off alone.’
To me, there’s a fine line between being cautious and paranoid. While we definitely need to be aware of our surroundings at all times, it shouldn’t be so much that it’s transformed into a fear of the world, thus preventing you from having incredible experiences.
When you tell people you’re heading out on a solo trip, it’ll always be met with some sort of apprehension. The truth is, you’re no less safe traveling on your own overseas than you are in your hometown. There’s always a chance of something happening anywhere in the world. Be smart, keep your wits and be cautious yet confident.
Have a Plan
One of the biggest issues I struggled with before solo traveling was feeling anxious about being by myself. If you’re feeling the same way, alleviate that is by making a detailed plan for your trip. While you don’t have to adhere to the itinerary completely, having a template for your trip will ease your mind. With that newfound calmness, it’ll help ensure you to have the best possible solo travel experience.
Connect with Other Solo Travelers
Although you’re traveling alone, sometimes connecting with other travelers is a good way to spice up the trip. I’ve met many fellow travelers while exploring the world and was so surprised by how much we had in common. Because of that, we created long-lasting friendships, even keeping in touch through social media.
Funny enough, one of my best friends was made through a trip I took solo. I met up with Cam (camonthegeaux) for a trip to Scandinavia. We spent 2 weeks traveling around Norway and Sweden before departing ways for the rest of our solo travels.
Read More: 10 Days in Scandinavia
Use forums or apps like MeetUp or Bumble to connect with fellow travelers. Searching social media like Instagram and joining in tour group excursions are other good ways to find some friends.
Hostel Accommodations
Hostels are perfect options for solo travelers and backpackers to connect with one another. Sharing a room with other travelers, you’re almost forced to find common ground with those around you. Hostels also put on social events for their guests for everyone to get to know each other better.
Have Access to an Emergency Fund
Financial security is something I focus on a lot, especially when I’m traveling alone. We can’t always predict the negative things that could happen. Take it from the gal who’s had her fair share of unexpected expenses while on a trip. A day before going to Greece my checking account was hacked and drained. Luckily I had a savings account to fund my trip but it was still an inconvenience!
Having access to an emergency fund is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself while traveling. If you are carrying cash, be sure to keep it on you or in a safe place.
I hope this inspires at least one of you to head out on an adventure! Trust me, I know just how intimidating solo travel can be. Once you get your feet wet, you’ll be ready to dive completely in!
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