5 essential tips for solo travellers

Travelling alone is a bold and rewarding move. But naturally, there’s bound to be some anxieties—whether that’s around feeling lonely or lacking the confidence you need to find your feet and put yourself out there.

But fret not. Our essential tips for solo travellers will help make your next adventure your best one yet.

Do your homework

First thing’s first, don’t dive into solo travel. Have a good think about what you want from your trip. Are you craving peace and solitude? Or are you looking for daily adventures with a group of new friends? 

Research your destination to see if it offers everything you need. And more importantly, look into how safe the place is for solo travellers. Travel insurance is also essential. Trust us, you don’t want to be caught out without it. Finally, look into the country’s Covid-19 testing and vaccination protocols and plan ahead.

Share your plans and stay connected

Once you’ve finalised your itinerary, we highly recommend sharing your plans with trusted friends and family members. Send them details of any accommodation and planned activities you’ve booked. And if you’re heading out on a solo excursion, let the hotel or hostel staff know where you’re going and when you expect to be back. 

It’s also worth making sure you have everything you need to stay connected. Does your accommodation have WiFi? Will you incur roaming charges if you use your phone abroad? Check with your smartphone provider to determine whether you’ll be able to access everything you need at your destination.

Be wise about your valuables

When you venture out, take only what you need. We recommend carrying your credit card, phone and a copy of your passport. Avoid carrying lots of cash and secure everything in a bag. Never put it down or let it out of your sight.

If you decide to leave valuables at your accommodation, make use of any available safes to store valuables you don’t need. It’s also a good idea to have a photocopy of your passport in case it’s lost or stolen. And always, take care on public transport, keeping your belongings close to you at all times.

Document everything

Now for the fun bit. Being a solo traveller brings so many rewards. You’ll see things you’ve never experienced before and you’ll meet so many interesting people from different walks of life. And they’ll find you interesting too. It’ll be an experience of a lifetime, which is why it’s important to document as much as you can.

Take as many photographs as you can (within reason) and keep a travel journal detailing the things you’ve seen and people you’ve met. You could also use local maps to make notes about the places you’ve been and loved. You’ll love looking back at all of this in years to come.

Keep an open mind

Being a solo traveller will put you in situations you’ve never experienced before. As a result, you may experience a culture shock or feel homesick from time to time. This is all completely normal and the best thing you can do is keep an open mind.

To give yourself a head start in a new place, try to learn a few words and phrases in the local language. Research their culture and traditions so that you know what to expect. This will help you feel more at home and will avoid any unnecessarily awkward situations. That said, if you’re planning to be a solo traveller, we bet you’re already pretty open-minded. Kudos to you!

We hope you enjoy your next solo adventure. Do your research, stay connected, be safe, log your experiences and most importantly, have fun! 

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