Solo travel is a great way to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Moreover, you control your plans, schedule, and itinerary, and it’s easier to make your travel arrangements. With the right steps, you can even save more while getting to meet new people and make new friends. Solo travel is also an excellent way to discover new things about yourself and gain independence and self-confidence. Seeing these perks, it’s no wonder that solo travel is a popular trend in 2022. Admittedly, setting off alone can be daunting, but you can ace it with the right steps. Here’s how to travel solo and enjoy your experiences.
Select your ideal destination
Indeed, all destinations aren’t the same; some are more suitable for first-timers than others. Fortunately, you don’t have to choose a distant country if you aren’t prepared. You can start by visiting states in your country that you haven’t been to before. If you wish to travel to a new country, experts advise choosing a foreigner-friendly destination. These locations have systems and infrastructure designed to cater to travelers’ needs, making exploring them easier. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about drawing unnecessary attention to yourself.
You also want to factor in the language before deciding where to go. As a tip, choose places where you’re familiar with the languages to make your travel less stressful. Your safety is also essential when traveling, especially now that you’re going solo. Therefore, it’s essential to thoroughly research your chosen destination to ensure it doesn’t have a high crime rate. You can also pick a location based on your interests. For instance, you’d prefer the beach if you love marine life. Consequently, avoid isolated areas with long commutes; instead, consider centralized locations for the best results.
Familiarize yourself with your chosen location
You’ve decided where you’d like to visit for your first solo trip. The immediate step is to acquaint yourself with your chosen location to know what to expect. You’ll feel more prepared and less overwhelmed to explore the place. If you’re traveling to a new country, you want to be abreast with the travel document, passport, and visa requirements to make your entry less complicated. Fortunately, you can get the needed information on the country’s website, so keep this in mind. Consequently, understand the locals’ way of life and what’s considered appropriate or not. For instance, certain countries may not be used to wearing short outfits, and you’re bound to stand out if you go about in such attires.
You’ll also find it helpful to research the best areas to lodge in and know common scams travelers can encounter to ensure security. Fortunately, several resources are available to understand your chosen destination, one of which is Wikitravel articles. Wikitravel can give you accommodation and safety tips, what to do at your destination, etc. You can also consider emailing travel bloggers for tips about navigating your location. Additionally, you can watch youtube videos, ask questions on Reddit, or read local news sources. Sites like TripAdvisor, Couchsurfing, Lonely Planet, and Culture Trip are great resources for detailed information, so you can leverage them for the best results.
Plan your itinerary
It’s not unusual for first-time solo travelers to feel overwhelmed and intimidated since they’re visiting an unfamiliar place without family, friends, or loved ones. You may wonder where to start, what to do, or who to talk to. However, you can eliminate stress by planning an itinerary, at least for the first few days. While planning is prudent, you don’t want to go overboard. You can begin by determining the top priority for your travel, whether it’s relaxation, adventure, exploration, etc. This helps you to get the most out of your travel without experiencing travel FOMO. Next, you want to book all your flights to ascertain how long you must prepare before your travel day arrives. Consider booking your flights 3 months before departure to get the best deals. Setting price alerts, using discount airlines, or booking a connecting flight can help, so feel free to leverage them.
Consequently, book your first accommodation to save yourself the stress of looking for somewhere to sleep in unfamiliar territory. You can then decide to wing it if you have a flexible plan or book all other accommodations if you prefer the organized route. Although you may desire to cut accommodation costs, choosing an isolated place may cost you transportation, so keep this in mind. Experts also advise booking in the shoulder season, the period between the peak and off-peak seasons. This will help you get great accommodation for less price. You also want to include attractions you wish to visit in your itinerary based on your preferences. For instance, you can try a guided scooter tour if you are an avid scooter fan and love adventures. However, you want to book your attractions in advance to avoid disappointments.
Set your budget
A budget is essential for traveling, especially solo trips, as it helps you plan effectively while spending wisely and saving more. An ideal travel budget should include transportation (flights, taxis, bus rides, etc.), food and drinks, shelter, souvenirs, and activities. To get started, document these expenses on a spreadsheet to help you keep track of your spending. You’ll also find it prudent to prepare your finances beforehand to prevent financial strain and regrets. One way to achieve this is to establish a direct debit to your savings account to help you save ahead of your trip.
Likewise, peruse your current expenses and scrap those you can live without, whether it’s a newsletter, cable, or gym subscriptions you hardly use. It’s also prudent to look for great offers on household expenses that will enable you to cut costs. If these aren’t enough to get you the needed funds, you can consider taking on other jobs to boost your finances. Investing your tax refunds, cash gifts, and stimulus check surplus into your travel fund can also work, so feel free to consider this.
Determine the most suitable accommodation option
Fortunately, several accommodation options are available to make it easier for solo travelers, with hostels being the most popular. Hostels allow solo travelers to interact with other travelers and feel secure at night. Moreover, some offer pub crawls, day tours, and dinners, so you don’t have to feel alone. However, you want to prioritize your safety since you’d be sharing a space with strangers. This is because criminals can pose as travelers to rob and attack others. Therefore, you’ll find it helpful to read third-party reviews to determine its safety. Also, avoid leaving your stuff in plain sight; instead, ensure that lockers are available and secure them with padlocks for added security. If lockers aren’t available, you can lock your backpack, day pack, and other luggage with padlocks.
If possible, take your valuables along when exploring your destination, and keep them in your pillowcase as you sleep at night. Admittedly, hostels aren’t for everyone, and other accommodation options can still satisfy your need for social interaction. For example, you can opt for a private Airbnb room and still converse daily with your host and their household. They can even be your tour guides if they’re up to it. While Airbnb is more private, you don’t want to forgo safety. You can check out reviews for a more informed decision. Consequently, you can consider homestays, home exchanges, bed & breakfasts, couch surfing, etc.
Don’t go overboard when packing
It’s not unusual for travelers to pack enough stuff to make their trip more comfortable. However, packing light may be more beneficial if you’re traveling solo. You can move around comfortably without feeling weighed down or tired. Moreover, it’s easier to prepare for your trip, protect your belongings and avoid excess transportation costs. Packing light is an art, but you can master it with the right steps. Therefore, you can begin by writing a packing list to ensure you don’t forget anything. Consequently, invest in a carry-on backpack, as it’s easier to carry around. Instead of guessing how much your bag weighs, weigh them, so you don’t have to pay for checked baggage.
Regarding clothing, it’s prudent to stick to items you can mix and match. For example, you can bring footwear that you can wear with any outfit, so keep this in mind. Your travel clothing should include jeans, pants, neutral-colored tops, t-shirts, and underpants. Ensure that you include your phone and laptop chargers, toiletries, first-aid kit, other health-related items, etc. Sunscreen and sunglasses can help in sunny weather, so keep this in mind.
Arrive at your destination during the day
Since you’d be entering an unfamiliar location, arriving at night may not be convenient. You risk becoming disoriented and a little frightened, especially if you don’t know how nighttime life is in that area. Instead, ensure that you arrive at your destination during the day, as it’s more convenient to locate your hotel or other accommodation option and navigate the area without fear of being attacked.
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