8 Essential Tips For The First-Time Solo Traveler
This post contains affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!
Photo courtesy of Mariona Campmany/Unsplash
Have any tips for traveling solo to add? Feel free to share in the comments below.
1. Believe In Yourself
One of the most crucial elements to any solo travel journey is believing in yourself and realizing you’re capable of more than you think you are. When you’re on your own it’s up to you to solve the issues that come your way. And you will. It’s amazing how sharp your problem solving skills become — and how strong they become — when you don’t have others to rely on, and I mean this in a very good way.2. Go With The Flow
I remember how nervous I was before taking my first solo trip. My mind was swirling with “what if” questions: What if I lose my passport? What if I miss a train? What if the hostel I book is uncomfortable? What if my money gets stolen? While all of these things, if they actually happened, would be somewhat frustrating, they wouldn’t be the end of the world. You’d contact your embassy, book a new train ticket, switch hostels, and take a loss but realize you need to be more careful in the future. Keep a positive attitude, and remember that these types of instances often make for great travel stories, or at least life lessons.Photo courtesy of Damian Zaleski/Unsplash
3. Book Your First Few Nights Of Accommodation
While I’m a big fan of traveling without making plans, I still to this day like to book my first few nights of accommodation so I have one less thing to figure out as I get used to a new destination. You may even want to book your entire trip’s accommodation depending on how long it is, though realize when you do this there’s less room for spontaneous itinerary changes. I’ve been on plenty of solo trips where I’ve met other travelers whose plans sounded better than my original ones, making me want to change my route.4. Invest In Some Safety Essentials
For a full safety guide, I recommend reading 17 Safety Tips For Traveling Solo. Your safety should be of utmost importance, and if at any point your gut tells you something isn’t right, it probably isn’t (so don’t worry about being polite — get out of the situation!). There are a few safety essentials I like to pack on every trip. These include pickpocket-proof clothing with hidden pockets so I don’t have to carry a bag, a safety whistle to call attention to a situation when needed, a doorstop for hotel rooms with questionable locks, and a combination lock to fasten my backpack zippers together.Photo courtesy of Azrul Aziz/Unsplash