Solo Travel: The best tips for your trip alone
Find accommodation that suits you
Ask yourself what you need for your entire vacation. Do you want to be completely alone or spend the evenings socializing with other travelers? Choose the right accommodation based on what you're looking for. It doesn't always have to be a twelve-bed dorm in a hostel; there are also accommodations with private rooms where you can have your own space, while also having shared spaces. This way, you can connect with other travelers and exchange ideas while cooking in the communal kitchen or having a barbecue in the garden.
Arrive and leave when the sun shines
When traveling to and from the airport, make sure you arrive during the day. As mentioned, traveling alone for the first time is exciting enough—there's no need to add to the stress by arriving in the middle of the night and not knowing what to expect. It's best to organize your entire journey, including accommodation, in advance. This way, you can completely relax during your journey and not have to worry.
Take care of yourself and listen to your gut instinct
Especially when traveling into the unknown, it's more important than ever to trust and listen to your gut feeling. Not sure if that dark, eerie alley is a good shortcut? Instead, take a detour. Are you in a shared room and have valuables with you? Get a portable safe to lock away your most important belongings. Want to have a nightcap in a busy bar? Always keep your drink with you and in your hand. Don't drive yourself crazy: in most cases, you'll meet good people during your trip, but in hindsight, caution is always better than cure.
Celebrate dining out on your own
For some, having to eat alone at a restaurant sounds like a nightmare. But let me tell you: in the end, no one cares if you sit and eat alone at the table. So, I encourage you to enjoy it and celebrate your dinner date with yourself. Take yourself to a great restaurant and treat yourself to something special—the wonderful thing is that you'll even have dessert all to yourself at the end.
Be spontaneous and try something new
The advantage of traveling alone? You don't have to coordinate with anyone. So do what you feel like doing. Try new things and be open to them. Ask yourself when you last did something for the first time. Was it a long time ago? Then use the time now and do something you've always wanted to do.
"Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies"
Every now and then, there's nothing wrong with telling a little white lie—in fact, it's necessary. This could be an unpleasant situation with someone who's being pushy. Sometimes a little white lie can protect you, for example, if someone is being too pushy. Tell them that you're about to meet up with your partner, a friend, or fellow travelers. It's also helpful to make it clear to them that you know the area and that this isn't your first time there. Act confidently and don't let your insecurity show. Involve other people if necessary, and accept help from others!
You feel lonely Join others
You'll quickly realize that you'll rarely be alone on your trip. And if you do feel lonely, you can always join other tour groups. How about a cooking class, a yoga class, or a guided hike through a national park? Also check to see if your accommodation offers activities where you can meet other travelers.
Stay in touch with your home
Keep those at home updated and share your travel plans. This is especially advisable in countries where increased caution is advised. If necessary, get a SIM card locally. This way, you're not dependent on slow or intermittent Wi-Fi connections and can stay connected with your loved ones even while on the go.
Once again in a nutshell
Here are the tips for traveling alone summarized for you:
- Get involved in the journey
- Choose your travel destination and duration wisely
- Find accommodation that suits you
- Pay attention to your arrival and departure times
- Take care of yourself and listen to your gut instinct
- Celebrate your "Me" time
- Be spontaneous and try something new
- Practice telling “white lies”
- Do you feel alone sometimes? Join others
- Stay in touch with your loved ones at home
Conclusion
Traveling alone can be an incredibly enriching experience—it boosts your self-confidence and pushes you out of your comfort zone. If you're still unsure, start with a solo day in your city: Visit a restaurant, an exhibition, or a concert that interests you. This way, you can experience the feeling of traveling alone.
And if you realize that solo travel isn't your thing, that's perfectly fine – your vacation should suit you and your needs. There's even more information about traveling alone as a woman. here and tips for possible Objectives in Europe.
If you have any good tips for traveling solo, please share them in the comments!
Another exciting article from Ina’s column – INA WO(A)NDERS: ABOUT TRAVELING ALONE
© Photos: Unsplash / Thomas Peham, Slava Bowman, Alisa Anton, Nic co uk nic
Geraldine Voss
Geraldine works as a freelance writer for Good Travel and has just completed training as a sustainability manager. After twenty exciting years in film, she now devotes herself full-time to her other passions - travel, food and design.
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