7 reasons solo travel is great for introverts

There’s a myth that you’ll only enjoy solo travel if you’re an extrovert, the kind of person who can be dropped in any corner of the globe and strike up a conversation or make new friends.

But if you’re a natural introvert, don’t be daunted: solo travel can seem like a challenge if you hate the thought of breaking the ice with a group of strangers — but here’s why you’re better off than the extroverts.

1. You’re happy with your own company

The big bonus of solo travel is that you get to do your own thing — guilt-free and based on your own interests.

And chances are you’re quite content at the thought of enjoying your own company as you do it, whether that’s ambling around a museum at your own pace, lounging on a beach with a book or people-watching in the heart of a city.

For many solo travellers, learning to be happy on your own is one of the skills you learn as you travel. You’re already ahead of the game.

2. You can connect with locals

When you’re more comfortable with individual connections than crowds, embrace that side of your personality and look for tours run by locals.

Often aimed at individuals, there are organisations like the Global Greeter network where you’ll pay expenses and food but otherwise get a free tour from a local guide, as well as bigger companies such as Tours by Locals.

Or simply search out the people running their own bespoke tours — it could be students showing off their city and practising their English, it could be a food tour from someone who’s checked out all the local restaurants, or even joining a family to make a dish and eat it together.

Whatever catches your interest, it’s also likely to be far more memorable than seeking out fellow travellers and sticking with mainstream groups.

3. Travel companies have adapted to you

There are more holidays dedicated to solo travellers than ever before, with increasing numbers of hotels and tour operators ditching single supplements.

And plenty of those are aimed firmly at travellers who don’t necessarily want to be part of a group: singles-only hotels like The Mistral in Crete, for example, or The Body Holiday in St Lucia which has a whole September Solos month for those travelling alone.

Others have found the perfect balance between finding some “me time” and meeting others — being an introvert doesn’t mean you have to spend the whole trip entirely alone, after all.

Resorts like Breathless Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic have communal tables in many of the restaurants if you do fancy company over meals, as well as a virtual guest chatroom so you can get to know people without having to make awkward small talk in person first.

If a cruise takes your fancy, Norwegian Cruise Lines have been focused on solo cruisers for years, with a private section of the ship for solo travellers (along with single staterooms) where you can drop in, join others for group plans or do your own thing, with freestyle dining that lets you eat when and where you please too.

4. You can indulge in slow travel

Choosing to travel with a group has plenty of plus points for solo travellers, but it does make it harder to set your own pace.

So if you’ve time to spare, why rush?

And if you do have a deadline to head back home again, you could get the best of both worlds with a self-guided cycling holiday, for example.

Saddle Skedaddle offers self-guided tours where you’ll get route notes, maps, directions (and a bike!) while they move your luggage along the way as you freewheel from A to B, stopping as you fancy.

Or their supported trips include a group leader either on a bike or in a van, while the small group navigates by map knowing they’re on hand to help with anything from punctures to the best viewpoints. Which gives you a choice of companions or cruising along alone.

5. You can get away with ignoring people

Having one of those days where you just don’t want to chat? As half the people around you are probably staring at their phones or plugged in to their noise-cancelling headphones with a good podcast, you won’t be alone if you want to switch off and opt out.

Technology makes so much of introverted solo travel easier — downloading maps instead of asking strangers for directions (or getting lost), reading a Kindle at dinner instead of trying to weight a book open with the salt cellar, catching up with genuine friends back home on social media instead of chit-chat with acquaintances.

Or lose yourself in keeping a travel journal, recording all your memories and impressions, whether that’s online or using a good old-fashioned notebook.

Do put the screens down from time to time though — mindless scrolling is not why you started the trip. But when your own batteries need recharging, escape is at hand.

6. It gets you out of your comfort zone

It’s not just extroverts who learn from the challenges of solo travel, after all. If you’re someone who usually lets others take the lead, make the decisions and bookings and solve the problems, there’s no avoiding it when you go it alone.

Unless you’re happy to spend the whole trip inside your room, of course!

There’s no need to jump straight in at the deep end though: group tours aimed at solo travellers, or ones popular with those travelling alone, mean someone else will handle a lot of the practicalities so you can enjoy the destination.

And if you’re looking to leave your comfort zone by heading somewhere more adventurous, it’s a great option to head right off the beaten track.

On The Go Tours has a huge array of different destinations and no compulsory single supplements on many trips, for example, while Oasis Overland and Tucan Travel are ideal for adventurous escapes across Central Asia, Africa and South America.

7. New friends will come to you

And if you do want to meet a few new people along the way? All those extroverts travelling solo are out looking to make friends — so you can sit back and wait for one to get chatting.

For more solo travel ideas and inspiration, visit 101 Singles Holidays

Images courtesy Pixabay