My Top Tips for Travelling Solo
Midlife adventures
Have you ever dreamed of travelling solo but didn’t know where to begin? Are you too nervous to go it alone? Worried about all the things that may go wrong? Do you imagine that solo travel is just for gap year students?
I took my first solo trip at the age of 46. It wasn’t supposed to be a solo trip but the friend that was meant to come with me, bailed out at the planning stage. I had put so much effort into researching the trip that I decided I would just do it anyway. My first solo trip was to Peru, to fulfil the long held dream of visiting Machu Picchu. The experience had a profound impact on me.
Since Peru, I travelled solo to Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Mexico, Spain, and Ireland. Here are my top tips for a successful, solo trip.
Accommodation
If you are not an experienced solo traveller, I would recommend staying in accommodation where there is someone who knows you should be there and someone you can call on for support.
The best types of accommodation would be
- Bed and breakfast
- Small hotels
- A room in a shared Airbnb-type accommodation.
- Hostels
Activities
Long tours, 2 days +
The pros of an organised tour is that you have company built in. If your fear of solo travel is being lonely, then an organised tour may be the answer.
On the con side, there is always the possibility that you are not going to ‘gel’ with everyone on your trip. However, in these instances it is worth remembering that you are only there for a short time and there are other people you can choose to hang out with.
It can also be expensive, if you have to pay a single supplement. There are many tour companies, however, that offer special single rates or don’t apply a single room supplement. If you are prepared to go out of season a bit, then you may be able to get one of these.
Day Tours
I have also been on numerous day tours. I find Viator a very useful resource for organising tours. I always make use of the tour reviews and when I did have difficulty with a tour in Tenerife, they refunded me promptly.
These can be a fantastic option when you wish to be in a single location for a period of time. For example, I used Viator to find and book a Cenote and Sea Turtle Tour in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
Courses
If you are interested in learning something new, such as language skills, cooking or painting, there are numerous places where this is offered.
Language schools cater for all age groups and often arrange optional cultural activities, such as wine-tasting or dancing.
Volunteering
If you are looking to really get immersed in the local community you are travelling to, then volunteering may be a good option.
There are many organisations that offer support to volunteers, at a price of course. I chose this option on my first solo trip. I volunteered through a company called Globalteer. The experience of volunteering in Peru had a profound impact on me, and I would recommend it wholeheartedly to others. Get out of your bubble and head somewhere totally different. The opportunity will give you a whole new perspective on the world.
Safety
Here are my suggestions for staying safe as a solo traveller.
- Have someone at home who you check in with daily. I set up a private Facebook group, entitled ‘Alison’s I’m Ok Travel Updates’. The group had all the details of my itinerary and where I was staying, including addresses and contact telephone numbers. I would post on this group every day, even if it was just a quick check-in. If I thought I would be out of range of internet connection, I would forewarn the group, but , to be honest, this never happened. Even in the middle of the Mekong River, in rural Cambodia, I had internet access.
- When getting into taxis, I would take a photograph of the drivers details. This should be in every cab. If it isn’t, get out of the car and get another one.
- Finally, just be mindful of local customs and cultures. What may be appropriate behaviour for you at home may not be tolerated elsewhere. Stay alert to your surroundings and don’t take any unnecessary risks.
Finally
My advice to anyone contemplating solo travel , is just to do it. If you don’t feel ready to head overseas, take a short tour in your home country. If you do decide to go for it, you will soon meet others who are doing the same and loving it.
It can be difficult when you are in your home bubble to break out and do something different. Friends and family may discourage you, born out of their own fears and concern for your wellbeing. If you really want to do it, do it anyway, despite the naysayers.
You don’t need anyone’s permission to live your life to the fullest and if travel is your thing, then pack that bag and get going!
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