Solo travelling seems like a very scary things to do, and it can also seem a little lonely. However, I wrote a list of the advantages of travelling solo which show how amazing it can be.
I have been travelling solo since I was 18 so these solo travel tips have been tried and tested! If you are interested in other posts like this, then be sure to check out first time flying tips and overcoming homesickness.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links which means I get a small commission if you buy though them, at no extra cost to you.
So let’s dive into my solo travel tips!
Before travel …
As an anxious person, I have found that organisation is key. I make sure I have an itinerary of my whole trip, as well as accommodation and travel plans all printed, as well as photocopies of my passport and ID. This is all kept together in one place for easy access.
We have all come to rely on our phones, so having a portable charger can be a life saver. I love this anker one, as it’s lasted me for years and it’s pocket size.
While travelling alone, you may decide to stay that your original plan isn’t what you want anymore. So, try and leave some flexibility in your plans. Especially travelling alone, you’ll most likely meet people who can give you ideas of other things to do.
Ensure you have travel insurance for your trip. For some countries, you need to supply proof of medical insurance in order to actually enter the country. Make sure you do your research about the company you’re going with, especially with the current pandemic.
Don’t overpack! I would recommend writing a list of all the things you want to pack and then laying it out in front of you. Then go through everything and take out things you really don’t need. Remember, you can buy things when you’re out there, so you don’t need to pack 5 bottles of shampoo.
Do your research on the country you are visiting and make sure you know the common scams. I wrote a whole post on solo travel safety tips so check it out!
While away …
Never leave your luggage unattended. As a solo traveller, this is a huge pain in the butt! It means you need to take your bags to the toilet with you and always keep a foot on the luggage straps.
Give yourself time to acclimatise once you get there. Spending a day sleeping and watching TV is absolutely fine, in fact I recommend doing it. Allow yourself the chance to adjust to being on your own and the time zone (if need be).
Update friends and family as to where you are. I find that sharing photos and stories of what I’ve done so far makes me feel more positive about the whole experience, and it lets others know that you’re safe.
Have a form of entertainment – being alone can be boring. My favourite travel purchase has been my kindle because the batter lasts two days and it carries so many books on it! However, don’t let this distract you from going out and exploring. Leave the entertainment until you’re travelling or resting.
The best way I have found of making friends is by staying in a hostel. Even if you don’t like dorm rooms, the social aspect of a hostel can be electric.
Charge your phone as you go. As well as having a portable charger, I plug my phone in every chance I get. Having my phone die on me mid-travel is my worst fear, mainly because it has all my travel information on it, and I need music to get through the day, so keeping it as charged as possible is super important.
Sometimes the announcements happen in a language you cannot speak, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ask for help if you can’t get your luggage down, or you don’t know the way somewhere! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with asking, and it usually makes your life just a little bit easier.
Don’t be a pushover. What I mean by this is don’t feel like you have to give someone money for leading you across the airport (absolutely not me…), or putting a bracelet on your wrist and making you buy it. Especially if they’re wearing uniform or you don’t want it, so don’t fall for it!
This is a little bit of a boring one, but try to stay sober. Unless you’re around people you really trust, the dangers of not having your wits about you can be bad.
As a solo traveller, life can get a little lonely so don’t be afraid to meet new people. As mentioned previously, a great place to make friends is at a hostel. However, if that isn’t your scene then try a walking tour, or a group day trip. From my experience, making friends can really make your trip awesome.
Try and stay active while you’re away! Go sightseeing, do the adventurous activity, do a day trip. This certainly helps with homesickness, but it also makes you feel like you’re getting the most out of your trip.
Don’t be afraid to eat alone. There have been many times where I’ve stayed in my room because I didn’t want to eat alone. However, that’s not what I should have done! Treating yourself to a dinner out can be scary, but it can also be a treat.
And the last tip I have to mention is know your budget. So many times while I’ve been away, I’ve said f*ck it, let’s spend x amount on a 5 minute adventure and it’s sent me home with no savings. It’s okay to be spontaneous, but make sure it won’t break the bank first.
And those are all of my solo travel tips!
Have you got any that you would like to add? Leave them in the comments below!
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Solo travel is my absolute favourite, it’s a holiday from compromise! I agree that knowing your budget is surprisingly important, when you’ve just met someone cool at a hostel it can be hard to push back on that expensive dinner out
I’ve solo traveled within my own country before and I’ve really enjoyed my experiences, however, I don’t think i’m quite ready to make the leap into international solo traveling
Lots of good tips for how to travel easily, safely and happily as a solo traveller. I have never really done that before but I love that there are fearless women out there that do this and make it look easy.
I love to solo travel. I find it to be very liberating! I try to take at least one solo trip a year.
Solo travelling is such a great experience! Thank you for sharing this post, I hope it will convince more people to travel solo!
These are such great tips. It is really sad how at many of the airports some locals can be very pushy especially when they see you are traveling alone.
Yes, I agree. It’s also quite intimidating for someone who doesn’t know about it, I really wish that I was made aware before travelling to South Africa because I would have been a lot more stern