21 Tips For Solo Traveling
St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague, Czech Republic
As rewarding as solo travel is, it also has its challenges. Below are some tips to make your life easier as you embark on your trip.
Related Article: Reasons To Solo Travel
Be flexible with your plans
Try not to plan every minute of every day. You don’t want to stress yourself out by constantly having to be on time for everything, and you don’t want to come across something you cannot do because you booked up your entire day.
Be patient
It may seem stressful and overwhelming sometimes if you've never traveled alone, but that will pass. Take it day by day, and eventually, you will realize that those things that were causing you stress were only causing stress because they were unknown.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
The saying “Don’t talk to strangers” is partially true in this one. Try to make your best judgment when asking for help, and don’t give too much information if possible. You don’t want to let people know where you’re staying if you’re unsure of their intentions. People have an internal desire to help others, so adding “Can you help me?” to your initial question can help save time.
Examples of ways to ask for help:
“I’m trying to find the train station. Can you help me?”
“Can you help me understand the bus schedule?”
Eat local at small restaurants
Ramen from a small restaurant in Tokyo.
Don’t travel across the world to eat at a chain restaurant, or try not to make it your everyday meal option. I can say that McDonald’s tastes better in Japan than in the United States, but it was a one-time meal. Find a local mom-and-pop restaurant and eat there. Chances are the service and food will be better, and your wallet will thank you.
Get familiar with your surroundings
Knowing what stores, services, food, and landmarks near where you are staying can help in a time of need. You want to avoid being in a situation where you are essentially lost. Drop a pin where you are staying to use in case there is a loss of service.
Make friends
We spent the evening hanging out by the Hostel pool and enjoyed dinner as a group.
The amount of social activity you do is entirely dependent on you. Making friends and experiencing new things with them adds so much joy to the memories you make.
Carry cash
You only carry a little cash, but it is enough to get you by for the day if you suddenly have an issue with your bank card. You do not want to stand in front of an ATM on a busy street with nobody watching you.
Accommodation is important
Whether it’s a Hostel, Airbnb, or Hotel, it can make or break your vacation. Researching the best option for the type of trip you want should probably be in the top 3 things you spend your planning time on.
Know your limits
Knowing your physical fitness, sun exposure, social meter, drinking, etc. limits ensures you can maximize your day. You do not want to show up to a pre-booked guided 10-mile hike with a hangover, sunburnt, and agitated at people because that’s just a recipe for a bad time for everyone near you.
Share your location and itinerary with family or friends at all times
Sharing this information with people you trust ensures they know where you might be in the event of an accident or if they need to reach you. It also provides peace of mind to everyone involved.
Take a portable battery
You never know what the day brings, so carry a portable battery to charge your phone. If you can’t go a whole day at home without a phone, chances are you cannot travel without one. Plus, having a battery backup means you can be more spontaneous with your day.
Download a copy of the map on your phone or use an actual map
Who you decide to use for cell service while traveling can be a hit or miss. Having the copy of the area you’re in downloaded to your phone is more of a backup plan than anything.
Don’t overpack
You are the only one carrying your bags from place to place. Do not overpack and be put in a position where it’s taking you a lot longer to get from Point A to Point B because you need to take breaks or you’re struggling to haul that heavy suitcase uphill on a cobblestone road.
Try to avoid late arrivals
This one may only sometimes be entirely in your control. Arriving late at an airport or train station can bring unwanted risks. Try to arrive at your destination before 9pm during the week and 11pm on weekends.
Free Walking Tours
Free Walking Tour in Amsterdam.
Walking tours are a great way to meet people and save money. I prefer to use FreeTour, as the quality of the tours has always been high. The tour guides work off tips, so you should tip even though they may not say it. I’ve found that $10 per person is an average amount to give. A $10 two-hour tour compared to a $50 one-and-a-half tour you buy online is a no-brainer.
Do a bar crawl
You don’t necessarily have to drink to have fun. Bar Crawls are either put together by a hostel or a tour company, and I’ve always found them to be a great time to meet people, explore the city a bit, and have some fun dancing the night away.
Take a small bag or backpack
Carrying a bag with extra clothes, a phone charger, deodorant, a battery pack, a water bottle, etc., can eliminate the need to stop what you’re doing and head back to your room to freshen up. Take what is needed with you to make the most of your day.
Get uncomfortable
The old saying, “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” holds when traveling alone. You learn much about yourself in these situations, when much growth can occur.
Overestimate travel costs
Prices constantly change worldwide, so overestimating your costs can save you a headache. Plus, you never know if you’ll come across an activity alone or with friends that may cost a little more than you had planned. Experiences are worth more than money.
Remember to take pictures
Over the years, I’ve realized that I’ve forgotten to take pictures entirely, or I don’t have any photos of myself. Find someone already taking a picture, offer to take their picture, and ask them to return the favor. They’re more than likely going to say yes, so don’t stress it.
Nobody knows you, so have fun
Have you always wanted to sing karaoke? Do it. Have you always wanted to dance all night? Do it. Nobody knows you, so do everything you’ve always wanted to do and live the life you want.