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Travelling solo can be very daunting for some, especially if it is your first time travelling to a foreign country. However, it doesn’t have to be a scary process at all.
Here are some essential tips to ensure that your trip is both safe and exciting.
1. Be Financially Ready
The best way to ensure that there are no hiccups while on your trip is to ensure that you are not only able to cover all the costs, but are fully prepared for any situations that may arise. Even though vacations typically only bring good memories, the chances of falling ill or injuring yourself are still there and so travel insurance is a necessity. In addition, make sure you have settled all your upcoming accommodation bookings, your flights, and of course make sure you have enough money to pay for all your food, entertainment, transport, and other items.
2. Have An Emergency List
This could include a list of emergency contacts, with names and numbers of those close to you, as well as a list of all of your important medical history, such as allergies or other known issues, like – diabetes.
3. Get A Lay Of The Land
Having a sense of direction is important, and not just because it helps you to know where you are going, but it will also ensure that you avoid any chance of appearing as a soft target to any potential threat. This could mean looking at the map before you leave the hotel or keeping an itinerary in the notes app on your phone, or possibly printing it out on a cue card.
4. Try To Blend In
Another way to avoid potential pickpocketing or being the target of tourist traps, is to attempt to look like a local or at the very least minimize onlooking. This can be achieved by wearing minimal amounts of overly loud accessories and wearing appropriate clothing for the location that you are staying in.
5. Have Some Verbal Fluency
If you are able to order a cup of coffee or ask a stranger where the local landmark is, you will be better able to serve yourself. In addition, it will help to make the whole experience of travelling a lot more authentic.
6. Try Local Outlets
Although McDonald’s maybe all over the world, nothing can really beat the local cuisine. In order to fully embrace the local culture try heading out to independent coffee shops or wine farms, alternatively, ask the locals for their personal favourite options.
7. Cruise
For those of you who are eager to travel solo, but are un-eager to try out hostels or would like facilitated experiences to meet with others, cruises are an awesome option. In addition, cruise lines offer multiple destination tours, so you can see many ports while enjoying the luxury of your hotel on water.
8. Take Advantage Of Day Tours
Mini trips with a tour operator will ensure that you will not only gain the full experience and knowledge of the place that you are visiting but that you will also experience it with a whole group of other tourists.
9. Accommodation Is Everything
Get creative with your accommodation! There are so many different options now…from Home rentals or Air BnB to hostels, caravans, and of course, the traditional hotel.
Hostels are the most conducive to social aspects and there are also many more luxurious options now, compared to previous years, but Air BnB’s can also be quite socially engaging.
Alternatively, you can try couch surfing.
Now that you have essential tips for solo travelling, where will you go?
