Travelling Solo: Winging It

Published in

Writing in the Media

7 min readMar 17, 2020

It would be much better if we left everyone behind for once… Why solo trips are the way forward, complete with handy tips, tricks and guidelines for planning that special solo getaway.

Travelling with others is great, but everyone should go on at least one solo trip in their lifetime. Whether for a weekend, a year, or anything outside and in between, solo trips are the most life-changing, liberating and exciting adventures. Think gaining confidence, independence, self-reflection, fulfillment and personal growth. Solo trips open doors to discovering more about yourself as an individual, exploring the world around you, and learning about other people and cultures. Take the plunge and I promise you will not be disappointed. Many travellers have described solo trips as a breath of fresh air and have come away from them as improved versions of themselves with newfound outlooks on life.

So, now you’ve decided to step outside your comfort zone, where do you begin? The main questions you will be asking yourself are ‘Where do I want to go?’ and ‘What do I want to do?’ You should consider the financial aspect of the trip and use online forums to help you figure out your budget and decide how you will manage money whilst on your travels. The next step is to get inspired. Do your research. Your essential ports of call are internet websites, social media (especially Instagram), in addition to travel blogs, documentaries and YouTube vlogs. Advice from people who have travelled solo themselves is ideal too.

Never underestimate guidebooks! Some may be outdated or contain too many generic tourist hotspots, but often they can contain hidden gems of information and recommendations. I recommend the Lonely Planet brand; they even have a book specifically dedicated to solo trips, titled The Solo Travel Handbook. Remember that many websites now function as guidebooks too, since technology is constantly and conveniently accessible at our fingertips. Information on websites is also likely to be relevant and easily updated as online content can be edited, unlike hard copy books. Even the in-flight magazines on aeroplanes should be scoured for little pockets of information; the planning process can continue, and be adapted, even after your journey has commenced.

You may decide on a destination because you’ve never been anywhere like it or you’ve always wanted to go there. Perhaps you’re interested in the history of the place, want to learn the language, or know that your favourite author, artist or icon lived there. You may be searching for somewhere with a rich culture, lots to see and do, plentiful work and volunteering opportunities … the options are endless. Of course, you may want to close your eyes, stab your finger wildly onto a map, and see where fate takes you. You never know, it could be exactly the place you are destined to be.

Safety is an extremely important factor to consider when travelling solo. Some destinations are more suited to solo travel than others. As always, with any trip, travel insurance is important and making sure friends and family are informed of your whereabouts is a necessity.

Accommodation is also important. Be prepared to shrug off and abandon the comforts of a hotel. They are expensive and, often, lonely. Instead, opt for small B&Bs, Airbnbs, Hostels and Homestays, which are cheaper and allow you to meet new people (hosts and fellow travellers). Airbnb Experiences offer a genuine taste of local culture and boost your interaction with the local community. If you prefer to let others do the work for you, consider saving up for an escorted tour or a cruise holiday. This is more expensive but is safe and takes the pressure off you. These kinds of trips are tailored to seeing the best of what the destinations have to offer. It may be harder to integrate with the locals though, and your time in each place is controlled. It can be nice to share adventures with new people, experiencing the journey and places together. These are great for multi-destination trips, and adventures that are harder to plan yourself, such as ones which require island hopping, extensive long-winded travel, or seeing different parts of very large countries.

Adopting common phrases of the local lingo is key for communication and culture immersion during your journey. This enriches your experience and encourages interaction with local people, allowing you to make connections and establish friendships. You can then access insider information from the natives who will have the best recommendations and know the best places away from the typical tourist hotspots and cliched visitor sites. Knowing some useful phrases in the local language will also make the logistics of your trip easier because you can ask for directions, transport advice and such. Solo trips are useful for acquiring and developing these kinds of skills. You can expand your skills whilst travelling by attending a language school, taking a short course or other educational programme, or by working or volunteering whilst abroad. You could teach English, volunteer in the community or help out with wildlife care and conservation efforts. This adds further purpose to your trip.

Solo trips allow you to take things at your own pace and make your own decisions; the entirety of the trip is in your hands, so embrace it! You have total freedom and control, without having to consider others. You can go where nobody knows you and be whoever you want to be. You can learn how to negotiate and overcome obstacles, reinvent yourself and discover new dimensions to your identity. This is something profound, powerful and good for the soul. If you wish to document your travels and indulge in some self-expression during the trip, you may want to reflect your experiences through photography, creative writing, YouTube videos (vlogs), traditional blogging or by keeping a diary or scrapbook. What better way to keep the memories alive!

If you’re worried about how to break the boredom of travelling alone on transport, relaxing alone in your accommodation, or taking a moment to refresh yourself on the terrace of a quiet café in a sunny market square, my answer is read books! Whether it be thought-provoking non-fiction or a fun, fictional novel of colourful characters that jump off the page, reading is a great way to fill up that spare time. After all, research shows that reading increases your intelligence! You may want to read novels that are set in your destination or written by authors who are from the country you are in, and this can really enhance your enjoyment of the location.

Carrying lots of books to sustain you for a long trip can be impractical and exhausting, so I suggest seeking out second hand bookstores, charity shops and libraries whilst you are away. If you are in a country for a long period of time, you could buy some books cheaply from eBay or Amazon before you travel and get a friend or relative to post them to you. Once finished, you could donate the books or send them back home to avoid carrying them as you continue your adventure. Please see my recommended reading list at the end of this article. I also advise reading travel magazines; my favourites are Lonely Planet, Wanderlust, Suitcase Magazine, and Conde Nast Traveller. If you can’t access hard copies then they have extensive websites and regular content on their social media platforms.

So, what are you waiting for? Start saving up and planning in preparation for booking that solo trip of a lifetime! I will include a list of useful links below the following reading list. Safe travels!

Travel Reading List: My Novel Recommendations!

Walking the Nile by Levison Wood

The Crossing by Samar Yazbek

Around the World in 80 Trains by Monisha Rajesh

Departures by Anna Hart

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

The Beach by Alex Garland

The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan

How the World Thinks by Julian Baggini

Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall

Useful Links