If you haven’t travelled alone and want to start, read these essential solo travel tips for your first time.
Travelling alone can be nervewracking, but once you finally make the decision to do so you will be so glad you did.
These solo travel tips I have learned from recently being a solo trip beginner. It was by my third trip that I really began to full comfortable doing whatever I wanted on my trips. Here are some tips that I think will help you for your first solo trip. Goodluck!
This post is all about making the decision to go on your first solo trip, and solo travel tips.
If you’re overthinking it
JUST DO IT. Book the flight, book the hotel, worry about the rest later. You’re going to look for reasons not to do it, procrastinate on it and never end up doing it. Book the trip to force yourself. If you couldn’t imagine yourself solo traveling, you wouldn’t even consider it. The fact that you’ve been considering a solo trip means you’re ready. Your mind literally can’t imagine how it would be to travel alone so it makes up scenarios of what could happen and you end up going into panick mode feeling like being alone will make you so vulnerable and incapable. Your mind is just trying to protect you from doing something new and challenging. You are so much more capable and powerful than you think.
Remember why you want to make this trip in the first place. Think of all the benefits you would gain from this. Make the choice for YOU and don’t stop yourself from experiencing wonderful things out of fear. Where there is discomfort there is growth. To eventually get comfortable doing something, you have to be uncomfortable at first. First times are the most nerve wracking but on the bright side your first time will be your only “first”. I know it’s easier said than done, but coming from a socially anxious, reserved individual it is absolutely possible. In these type of situations I am not the most confident or social, so if I can do it, so can you.
Tips
Essentials:
- Research!
- main attractions and decide what are your must sees
- book tickets for attractions ahead of time, most of the time you won’t have to but depending on the location’s popularity you might have to buy atleast a day before
- look up some authentic restaurants to experience typical meals of the area
- how safe it is at night
- Know atleast a few basic phrases in the language of the country you’re going to, but usually (depending on the country) you’ll do fine with English
- Pack comfortable shoes. You can still look good with some comfortable shoes. You won’t really be enjoying your trip if you’re in discomfort.
- Check the weather!
- Always check the distance between your city center or area of focus, your landing/leaving destination and your place of stay
- Have cash on you! Make sure you have both big bills and small bills, usually public transportation only allows small bills. Some stores/public transportation may not accept card
- Always leave with a lot of time for your flight/train because you never know what might happen
- Have a portable charger
On your solo trip:
1. For a social, cheaper trip…
Book a hostel, check reviews for the type of vibe you want. A hostel can make a big difference on your trip, so be more particular with your hostel. They will not all provide the same experience!Take advantage of tours and activities that hostels provide (usually are free)Some hostels host dinners, go to at least one to make friends/meet new people from all over the world
2. Take your time.
Space out plans so you don’t have to rush. Don’t have every second planned out. Trust me you’ll find things to do, food to try, places to explore. It’s relieving to do what you feel like at the moment and be a little spontaneous.
3. Walk around and explore the town.
This is one of my favorite things to do on any trip. I guarantee you’ll spontaneously come across something beautiful/memorable. Enjoy the scenery, architecture and overall atmosphere of where you are.
4. Express gratitude.
Throughout your trip pause and have gratitude for the chance to be in another country/state/place. For the privilege to be able to travel, afford it, and to see and experience new things/sights/cultures. These moments that I stop to be fully present are my favorite. To stop and realize what a blessing it is to be on the trip is an amazing feeling. It also helps you feel better if things aren’t going the way you expected them to.
5. Have no expectations.
Especially if it is your first solo trip, having expectations will only disappoint you. The romanticized solo trips you see on social media are not very realistic, they’re only highlighted segments of one’s entire trip. Your experience may be similar, but it may not. There’s a bunch of different ways your first solo trip can go. Just be open and receptive to any opportunities, experiences and people that come your way.
6. Do whatever the fuck you want!
Don’t worry about what your trip “should” look like, as long as you’re enjoying yourself. Do as little or as much as you want. It’s not your last solo trip so don’t worry if you don’t have the confidence to do certain things. You’re already being out of your comfort zone by doing this trip; don’t be hard on yourself.
8. “Follow the music”
A very sweet and cool person I met recently on a solo trip told me this, and I completely agree. She said she learned that whenever she followed the music on her travels, she would come across amazing events happening in the town. It’s a great way to experience a country’s culture. With music there’s always a sense of community and joy.
9. Ask questions!
Ask your hotel for recommendations, if you need help don’t be afraid to ask someone on the street or an employee at a store nearby. Asking instead of trying to figure it out on your own will save you a lot more time and stress. Don’t worry about looking dumb, you’re not from the place so ofcourse you don’t know much.
If you want a picture taken of you, ask anyone that seems approachable. I have to admit at times I get shy to ask someone to take a picture and I’ll do some self timer pics. Though, it can be difficult to find a place to set your phone. Even if you don’t care to have pictures of yourself, it’s still nice to have a memory with you in it. Photos with you in it are more significant and nicer to look back on in the future
10. Never say you’re traveling alone!
Obviously at a hostel it’s normal to be around other solo travelers, but out in the town never say you’re alone. Just make up a lie that you’re visiting a friend/family and staying at their place. Unfortunately, if you’re a woman/person of color/queer you have to be more careful.
11. Go to more touristy areas for your first few trips.
Usually these areas are safer and have tons of attractions, and access to transportation. Usually bigger cities will be easier to navigate with public transportation and there will always be many other tourists. Knowing that you’re not the only one alone and from another country can be comforting.
12. They’re not worried about you.
This statement is even more true when you’re traveling, since you’re somewhere totally away from home you’ll never see these people ever again in your life. If you make a fool out of yourself only you know about it! Trust me, people are out on their own vacations, they’re not worried about you! I have never heard of an adult being harassed/made fun of for being alone. People may stare or make comments but that’s all. Their opinion of you literally has no significance to you as a person, and I bet you the ones who bother you about being alone can’t even imagine doing it themselves.
Allow yourself to be perceived and sit with the discomfort. Instead of assuming that they’re thinking something negative, believe that they’re admiring you for being alone. That might not be the case, but that’s not your concern. You can be delusional in this case. Eventually, you won’t feel uncomfortable when people stare, and use it as an ego boost instead.
13. Things will not always go smoothly.
There will be times where you get lost, get something stolen, feel lonely etc. but that’s just a part of life. Take those situations as a learning experience. Be easy on yourself and accept that whatever happened, already did and you can’t go back and change it. Now you know for your next trip and will be a more experienced traveller because of it. All that matters is that you are safe.
*if important documents are stolen (ID, passport etc) make sure to file a police report there*
This post was all about solo travel tips that you should use and keep in mind for any solo trip beginner.
Be proud for taking yourself out of your comfort zone!
Best of luck on your solo trip! I hope the solo travel tips I provided helped you mentally and physically get you prepared for your first solo trip. You will not regret for taking the leap and making this decision for yourself.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post, I wish you the best on your self improvement journey. Have a great night/day! <3