If you’re wondering how to travel alone, you’re not, well…alone. The idea of heading off to a foreign place with just you and yourself can be overwhelming. Besides the social discomfort, what about the dangers of traveling alone? There is undeniable beauty in sharing the travel experience with others, but there is also something special about traveling solo. Without having to worry about others, you can travel at your own pace and see and do exactly what you want.
Solo Travel Tips for Safety
Knowing how to travel alone starts with plenty of research and preparation. There’s a lot to consider before you embark on your solo adventure! Our travel safety tips make a great checklist to get you started and apply to both group and solo travel. Be sure to review them along with the solo travel specific information below to help prepare you for traveling alone.
Arrival & Departure
When booking your travel arrangements, pay attention to when you arrive and depart your destination. Whether you’re camping or headed to a hostel, trying to navigate at dark by yourself in a new place isn’t easy or ideal. Plus, during daylight, you’ll get a better sense of a neighborhood and have a better chance of catching transportation.
Navigation
Study maps of your destination before you go and practice your directional skills. Knowing how to orient yourself is one of the most underrated travel skills, regardless of whether you travel with a group or alone. Make note of major landmarks and carry a pocket map. You’ll feel a lot more comfortable when you’re by yourself if you have an idea of where you’re going before you get there.
Nighttime Safety
Nighttime safety is probably one of your biggest concerns when figuring out how to travel alone, but don’t let fear keep you from enjoying a destination by night. Whether you’re going bar hopping or stargazing, have a plan for how you’ll get home during latenight hours. If you have no other option but to walk home alone, stick to main roads and be aware of your surroundings. If you’re enjoying a destination’s nightlife, watch your drinks and never leave them unattended, even if you have to take them to the bathroom with you.
Activities for Solo Travelers
Flexibility is one of the best things about traveling alone. Activities can be catered to your specific interests and you don’t have to worry about pleasing others. These are some great activities that will either help you embrace the solitude or feel less alone.
There’s a Tour for That
Tours are a great way to get to know your destination and explore in a group setting with none of the strings attached. Plus, these days there’s a tour for everything! The best tours for solo travelers are simply the ones that speak to you most. Since you don’t have to worry about someone else, you can look for a niche tour that piques your interest. If you love cooking, book a culinary tour. If you love scary movies, go on a group ghost hunting experience. If you’re visiting somewhere with stunning architecture, there’s probably a tour for that, too. Also, guides are great resources for the local scoop so you can make the most of your trip.
Get a Hobby
Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you can’t do the things you love! In fact, one of the greatest ways to easily connect with a community is via you’re usual hobbies and interests back home. For example, if you love playing soccer, reach out to a recreational club in your destination and see if you can join a practice or pick-up game.
BE Anti-Social
Did you know? Movies are actually a terrible first date idea. Why? Because you can’t hold a conversation and get to know someone during a movie. However, for that same reason, they make a fantastic solo activity. While traveling alone, look for things to do that don’t require or even discourage interaction with others. Grab tickets a live theater performance or hit a few museums. You’ll feel less alone in a crowd of people fixated on the same exhibition.
Knowing how to travel alone leads to increased self confidence, the ability to adapt to a variety of travel scenerios and more freedom to explore your dream destinations. Don’t wait for the others—get out there and see the world!
