Solo Travelling

Solo journeys far and wide,
No one’s rules, just time to bide.

New horizons, paths unknown,
Enjoying freedom on your own.

The joys of traveling alone are limitless. There’s something truly liberating about exploring unfamiliar places on your own, going where you want to, eating when you want to, spending undisturbed time with yourself. Interest in travelling alone has been increasing for some time, in fact doubling in the last two years.

In addition to this shift, there is a need for more intensive, slower and more unifying travel. For many, solo travel proves to be the perfect way to achieve this – it offers the opportunity to trust your instincts, follow your gut feeling and lose yourself in the experience. You rely on yourself rather than on the whims or desires of others.

Our 10 top tips for a pleasant trip alone

1. Eating alone doesn’t have to be daunting

For most people, the very thought of eating alone is one of the biggest obstacles to a solo trip. But those who have overcome the feeling that everyone notices or judges them, find it a liberating experience. Eating alone is not as unusual as you might imagine and when you start to do it you’ll likely notice others doing the same thing. It’s pleasant to enjoy an atmosphere, perhaps chat with others or even read a book. On that note, take a few books if you’re not going be near a library, or in any one place for more than a couple of days;

2. Reserve your place at the chef’s table or the bar in restaurants

This is a great tip. If you’re uncomfortable eating alone, opt for a tall stool or chair at the bar. That’s less scary than having a whole table to yourself and you’re more likely to strike up a conversation with the staff or person sitting next to you. You’ll always find the bar staff are eager to have a conversation with you – it brightens up their day!

3. Fake it ‘till you make it

Most people are nervous when meeting new people, and introverts in particular often find it difficult to make the first move, especially in a new place. Once you’ve made the decision to do a solo trip, you’d regret it if you let a bit of shyness ruin your trip, so use that as motivation to start a conversation with a fellow traveller (or a local of course). If you pretend to be confident, you’ll come across as confident!

4. Don’t be afraid of being alone

A little solitude can be character-building. People are generally decent, friendly and interesting and you experience that most clearly when you’re alone. There are so many stories I have about the help people have been given by strangers all wanting to help, especially if someone is lost or in need.

5. Plan cultural events

When you arrive at a place where the locals are preparing for a holiday or cultural event, you can immediately immerse yourself in the action. Before you leave home, research festivals, holidays and cultural events to find out what is going on in the area, and plan accordingly. This will give you a real taste of the culture, the people, the food and the music and it’s really good fun!

6. Safety, safety, safety

As obvious as it may seem to plan for safety, it’s the most important part of your solo experience. Although the following essential tips make any solo trip sound daunting, it really is just common sense:

Research your destination: Understand the local customs, culture and areas to avoid. Be aware of risks and safety concerns;

Stay connected: Share your travel itinerary with a family member or friend and check in regularly;

Trust your Instincts and stay aware: If something feels off or unsafe, leave the area immediately, especially in unfamiliar surroundings and pay attention to what is happening around you. It may be a good idea to avoid distractions like texting or listening to music when walking alone;

Blend in: Avoid drawing unnecessary attention by dressing modestly and trying not to look like a tourist! Be discreet with maps or travel guides;

Secure your belongings: Use anti-theft bags or lockable backpacks. Keep important items like your passport, money and spare credit card in secure, hidden pockets if you can’t leave them in a safe where you are staying. It goes without saying that any spare credit card should be in a different place from your main one, as well as any second passport. I learnt that the hard way!

Avoid flashing valuables: Avoid wearing expensive jewellery or displaying high-end gadgets that could make you a target;

Choose accommodation wisely: If possible, stay in reputable hotels or guesthouses;

Stay sober: If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation to maintain awareness and control. Be cautious when accepting drinks from strangers;

Use reliable transportation: If unsure at all about walking alone or taking public transport, opt for official taxis or rideshare apps like Uber, especially after dark. If using public transport, know the schedule and routes beforehand to avoid getting stranded;

Carry local emergency contacts: Have the local police and embassy numbers saved in your phone and written down on paper as well, just in case. It’s probably a clever idea to have a number for someone at home written down too – who knows anyone’s phone number by heart these days!

Language: Learn some important phrases in your destination’s language, in case you get lost or need help. They can’t help you if they have no idea what you are saying. You don’t want a local thinking you want to know where to get gelato when you’re asking for the police!

7. Make a rough plan for each day

It can feel daunting to wake up in a completely new destination and not know where to start. That’s why you should make a rough plan for your trip. You should decide what is indispensable for you. Are there any big attractions that you really want to tick off? Restaurants you really want to try? Museums or monuments you’ve always wanted to visit? You may want to have your entire trip planned out but if you prefer to leave some gaps to be spontaneous, make a list of a few activities before you arrive;

8. Plan tours

Booking tours, whether private or group tours, is a terrific tip. By opting for private tours, you are sure to learn a huge amount more about the place you are touring and the experience can be tailor made to suit you and your pace. A group tour, on the other hand, is a terrific way to meet other travellers – try to see it as an opportunity and remember you have nothing to lose and, potentially, a lot to gain. If you do wake up one day with nothing planned, start walking around, feel part of the of place, find some hidden gems, be spontaneous!

9. Take other safety precautions

There isn’t one person that does this from those whom I have asked; it’s a worry! Make sure you have a copy of your passport that is always accessible, digitally, as a hard copy and with a relative at home. Being stranded is not fun (well, it could be, but best not risk it). Another great tip is to email yourself a list of phone numbers, bank details, any login details you might forget etc. so that you can log into your email remotely to retrieve what you need;

10. Don’t forget insurance

Finally, insurance. I know insurance companies try everything not to pay out, but travel insurance is generally inexpensive and you will always, always regret not taking it out if something happens. As a solo traveller, you want to make sure that you can alleviate the stress of changing your itinerary even at the drop of a hat for any emergency. Also, medical expenses can run into lots of zeros if you are overseas, so take it out for this if nothing else.