Solo travel is on the rise and it’s easy to see the appeal. Whether you want to lie on your beach towel all day or hike up a mountain, it’s all up to you. You get to save or splurge on what you want, meet new people, or just have some valuable ‘me time.’ Plus with new technology and tour operators designed with single travel in mind, it’s easier than ever before.
But traveling alone can be daunting too, especially if it’s your first time away, so we’ve put together a list of solo travel tips!
Be Safe
The main concern for many people planning a solo trip is safety. Picking the right destination makes all the difference, so do some research into places that are safer for single travelers, and check for advisories issued by your consulate. Before you go, inform friends and family about your whereabouts, and keep them updated throughout your trip with social media or even apps like Find My Friends.
Learn the Lingo
Learning a few words of the local language can make your trip easier and more enjoyable! So make sure you know how to say ‘hello,’ ‘please,’ ‘sorry,’ and ‘thank you’ to be polite, and aim for more phrases if you can – apps like Duolingo are there to help. Using the local language shows you’re genuinely interested in their culture, and if you make the effort, locals are more likely to offer any English they have in return.
Stay in a Shared Space
Single room rates are expensive and can be lonely at times, so if you’re jetting off alone, look into shared accommodation options. A room in an Airbnb or a bunk in a hostel certainly offers less privacy, but more opportunities to meet people and get tips from your host. Travel operators have also clued up to the solo travel trend, and some, like Intrepid Travel, offer roommate matching to avoid the dreaded solo supplement.
Do Your Own Thing
One of the best things about traveling alone is the freedom, so do the things you wouldn’t normally do with friends and family. Whether it’s visiting every art gallery in town or ordering all the weird local food on the menu, now is your chance! Maybe it’s just sitting in a bar with your book because it would be impossible with the kids around. Whatever it is, make the most of your time in charge.
Get Involved
Walking tours, cooking classes, cycling trips… signing up for a group activity is a great way to experience local culture and meet like-minded travelers. If you’re going off the beaten track, you may want to consider booking your whole trip as part of a tour. But even in well-trodden destinations, meeting up with others for just an afternoon will add some variation to your travels. Check out Airbnb experiences and sites like Meetup to see what’s going on.
Stay Connected
After a long day out sightseeing on your own, you may want to get online in the evening, especially in the winter when it gets dark early. So when you’re booking your accommodation, look out for places with free wi-fi. That way you can catch up with a favorite tv show, Skype friends and family, or just upload all of your amazing photos.
Resist the Room Service
Dining alone can be the most challenging part of traveling solo, but it doesn’t have to be. If you feel nervous going to a formal restaurant by yourself, look out for more casual eateries with other single people. Mealtimes are a great time to read, catch up on emails, or strike up a conversation with the locals and get some inside tips for the rest of your trip.
Get Your Bearings
Google Maps will be your best friend on vacation, but it’s still a good idea to get a general sense of direction, so you don’t always have to have your phone out. Study a map of the area and get your bearings using local landmarks. Also, when you check-in, pick up a card with the hotel’s name and address on it, or get your host to mark the location on a map. That way, if you get seriously lost, you can flash the card to a cab driver who can drive you home.
Pack Light
Before you set off solo, do a test run at home and make sure you can comfortably carry all your baggage on your own. No one’s keeping track of whether you wore the same outfit twice, so just pack the essentials. It’s also best to leave the fancy tech and accessories at home – new cameras or designer handbags will only add extra weight and draw attention to pickpocketers.
Matilda is Marketing Manager in the International Team, bringing Zazzle to customers everywhere from Sydney to Stockholm.
I think #vanlife is the best choice for solo travel. You can easily get away and if you feel uncomfortable you can just drive somewhere else. You can even have your dog with you without hotels saying no pets. You don’t have to sleep with strangers in hostels.