Have you ever fallen out with fellow travellers after a trip or gone through a cycle of frustrations just trying to align common interests while travelling?
When you’re caught in either sitch or, sometimes, both, you might be thinking…
We’ve heard of the upsides of travelling alone – waking up on your own time, planning the itinerary based on what you like, staying at a place that’s within your budget, and dining at places you would enjoy.
And we can’t forget the downsides – dining alone means you cannot afford to try many dishes without exceeding the budget, touring and transport costs can be cheaper at touristy or remote locations, and sometimes, sharing a place with a stranger can be a bad idea.
When you’re embarking on your first solo escapade, this means it’s your first time navigating uncharted territories by yourself and trying new things. There will be hiccups and potential financial losses, but we are trying to minimise them here.
Let’s explore how to do so!
TL;DR: Ultimate Guide to Travelling Alone Regardless of Location
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How to Plan Your Itinerary While Travelling Alone
Step 1: Choose Your Destination
When choosing a destination for solo travel, several factors warrant consideration, including safety, budget, personal interests, and preferred travel style.
Consider your interests and preferences – adventure, relaxation, cultural immersion, or anything else.
Research destinations that align with these interests while considering safety, language barriers, and accessibility.
If this is your first time travelling alone, perhaps you can pick solo-friendly destinations known for their welcoming atmosphere and ease of navigation, as these can enhance your experience and provide opportunities for meaningful connections with fellow travellers.
Step 2: How to Plan Your Budget While Travelling Alone
Budget constraints inevitably play a role, but you can still work within options ranging from budget-friendly to more luxurious destinations.
Try aligning the destination with your personal interests, whether cultural, recreational, or culinary, to enhance the solo travel experience.
I prefer setting a budget for items that require advanced booking (e.g., accommodation, entertainment, amusement parks), setting a budget for overseas expenses, and then setting aside an amount for souvenirs.
Use an expense tracking app to note down all expenses you have made and will be making so that you can pay close attention to how much you have spent.
And don’t forget about using a multicurrency card when you can, as you can potentially get better exchange rates, and it reduces the amount of cash you carry.
Step 3: Don’t Skimp on Travel Insurance
For me, travel insurance is essential for solo travellers, or any travellers, for that matter. It ought to be regarded as a fundamental expense for every trip.
Unexpected incidents can occur, whether it involves falling ill due to food contamination or encountering mishaps like tripping while hiking.
There’s always a possibility of losing belongings during travels or cancelling plans before departure, especially when you’re alone.
So, don’t risk it. Check out these travel insurance:
While you’re at it, check out their reviews:
Step 4: Download Travel Apps
From helping you navigate to getting food delivered to your accommodation, download travel apps that will be super helpful during your trip!
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How to Dine Like a Champion Whiling Travelling Alone
First, travelling alone doesn’t mean you have to restrict yourself regarding the variety of food you can try.
Here are some tips:
- Join meetup groups for solo travellers at your destination
- Join a local food tour and cooking class
- Visit food markets and street vendors
And if you’re daring enough, strike up a conversation with nearby diners and share dishes with them. It’s part of the solo travel experience to chat with strangers!
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Other Travel Tips When Travelling Alone
Tip 1: Keep Real-time Location Private
Avoid posting in real time to stay in the moment and protect your privacy. Remember to avoid sharing Airbnb and hotel information during your trips – you can always share them afterwards!
Tip 2: Get a Mini Tripod or Use Your Smart Watch to Take Photos
Compared to a selfie stick, a mini tripod is more stable and lets you adjust camera angles and height easily.
If you’re using an Apple Watch or any other watch with a self-timer remote, use them, and you can bring one less item!
Tip 3: Do Your Research About The Destination And Places You Are Visiting
Learning the history, the culture, study the place!
This will make travelling more fun as you see the real thing materialise before you.
Tip 4: Bring a First Aid And Sewing Kit
I’m not asking you to bring one whole box of stuff.
Repack basic items such as antiseptic, bandages, medicine, and a mini sewing kit; I promise it will come in handy, somehow!
Tip 5: Get a Crossbody Travel Wallet
I don’t want to jinx, but getting around a country where theft and pickpocketing are common, you might want to just literally keep your personal documents by your side.
Secure this wallet under your shirt, and you’re good to go.
Tip 6: Bring a Pen Along
I’ve always ensured I bring a pen along whenever I travel, and I think everybody should, especially when travelling alone.
Whether it’s about filling out the immigration document, checking in at a hotel, etc., bringing a pen is always useful.
Tip 7: Save Your Travel Locations & Accommodations on Map
I don’t know about you, but Google Maps did save me when I ran out of data while I walked towards my accommodation in Europe. Save your location and run the directory before going offline; you should be safe.
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FAQs About Solo Travel
Is It Good to Solo Travel? Is It Normal to Travel Solo?
Well, if it’s not great, there won’t be people who love it.
And it’s absolutely normal to travel alone. Ultimately, it depends on your preference, but this is an experience that will let you know yourself better.
Where Is the Best Place for Solo Travel?
For starters, these are some places for consideration:
- Malaysia
- Japan
- Thailand
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Germany
- New Zealand
- Australia
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Bali, Indonesia
- London, United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Paris, France