Solo Travelling – The Pros, The Cons and How to Make Your Trip a Success

Don’t miss out on seeing the world! Discover how you can get the most out of travelling even if solo.

Ask several people what their interests are, and a large percentage will put travelling at the top of their list. Many people only consider travelling with someone else, and wouldn’t dream of travelling alone. But for others, travelling alone is a source of pride and great joy. Here are some of the pros and cons of travelling alone.

Pros and Cons of Travelling Solo

Pro – Getting to Choose All Details of the Trip

Nothing beats the feeling of being able to perfectly construct the trip of your dreams. When you are travelling alone, you can do everything you want, and avoid everything you dislike. This is especially helpful when you have a limited amount of time and money.

Travelling with a friend can mean a lot of compromising, and spending time and money on things you have no interest in. Travel alone for the ultimate, self-focused time of exploration and adventure.

Con – Safety Risks

One of the first things a person often thinks of when the subject of travelling alone comes up, is the issue of safety. Travelling in pairs means you have someone to help you out of a sticky situation, someone to witness any wrongdoings by others, and protection from any seedy individuals who prey on single travellers. This is something that most solo travellers have weighed carefully.

Pro – Being Forced to Meet New People on Your Trip

Travelling with a friend means you always have someone to talk to. Travelling alone means you are forced to make friends if you want conversation. Sometimes travelling alone can be the ideal situation to force you out of your comfort zone and bring some spice to your life.

Con – Not Having Someone to Bounce Ideas Off

Travelling requires a lot of planning and thought. Travelling alone means that you are the only one who has enough invested in the trip to want to spend a significant amount of time planning. When you are in the middle of your trip, having a travel buddy means that you can discuss any big decisions before taking any action.

Pro – Having a Complete Break from Everyday Life

Travelling alone means you will have a chance to completely rest from the daily drama that everyday life can bring. When you take a friend along, it is impossible to entirely leave this behind. If your friend is bringing up a topic you wanted to avoid, or insisting on giving constant updates regarding everyone’s social media posts, their companionship can become old very fast.

Con – No Cost Sharing

When it comes to hotel rooms and the like, travelling in groups can lessen the cost. When you travel alone, certain situations mean that you will be paying almost double what you would if you took a travel companion along. Take this extra financial cost into consideration when you are deciding whether to travel alone or with others.

Pro – Learning More about Yourself

When we are around those we are comfortable with, we often fall into our usual way of relating. Travelling alone forces you to learn about yourself. Instead of asking your friend what they want to do next, you will be forced to think about what you truly want to do. You will find out what you want to try, and what you love enough to do twice.

Travelling alone has many benefits, but also some disadvantages. Weigh the pros and cons as you make this decision. Whether you travel alone or in a group, you will know what to expect.

Tips for Travelling Solo

Travelling alone is exciting, and sows many rich qualities into your life that will last you a lifetime. But travelling solo is also hard work and takes a lot of good foresight. By planning well, you will make it more likely that your solo trip will be full of great memories instead of avoidable disasters.

Here are several tips on how you can make your solo trip an experience to fondly remember.

Save More Money Than You Think You Need

You may have figured out all the budget-friendly travel tips available, but there may always be a need for more money than you have. You don’t want to be stuck in an unfamiliar country, alone and without the necessary funds to purchase what you need. When you are travelling solo, it is especially important to plan ahead financially and ensure you bring more than enough money along.

Plan Ahead Thoroughly, and Prepare for Emergencies

Now is not the time to throw caution to the wind. When you are travelling alone, think of every single detail. Before you leave on your trip, brainstorm about all the things that could go wrong. Talk with your friends who have been on a solo trip, and ask them to help you think of anything you may have missed in the planning. Be thorough in your thought process. Hope for the best, but also prepare yourself for the worst.

Have a Friend Assigned as a Designated Emergency Contact

Travelling solo means that there is no one with you in case of an emergency. It is wise to have a friend or family member at home who you contact regularly, and who will sound the alarm if a day goes by without hearing from you. Give this friend a daily update of your whereabouts, and if applicable, who you are planning to be with.

Take Risks, But Not Too Many

Use this time to explore all the activities you have wanted to do. Try things like scuba diving and parasailing if that is your desire. Check items off your bucket list and in that sense, throw caution to the wind.

Don’t cross the line into recklessness, though. Be safe about who you meet and give personal information to. Don’t become intoxicated, and don’t wander around alone at night. Be courageous, but safe.

Trust Your Intuition

Perhaps you are the type of individual who is friendly and doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. If so, don’t forget to keep your own interests at top priority. If someone gives you the creeps, don’t be afraid to walk away, or even report the individual to someone who can help you if needed.

Your solo trip will be one of the most fascinating times of your life. There are many things you can do in preparation that will help you to have a successful and safe trip. Follow the tips listed and above all, have fun. With the right planning and thought going into it, this trip is sure to make up some of the fondest memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.

Travelling alone can be one of the most exciting and enlightening times of your life. There are things you must consider, however, when you take this brave step. Take the following into consideration when planning your trip for one.

Always Keep in Touch with a Close Friend

Even though you are traveling alone, you shouldn’t be the only one who knows about your daily plans. Check in regularly with a friend or family member at home who could set the proverbial alarm bell if you fail to call at a certain time. Always let the designated safety checker know where you are going, and with whom.

If you are being accompanied by a new friend, it is even better to include a photo of the individual when you relay your whereabouts to your friend at home. This is where the infamous “group selfie” comes in handy.

Don’t Be Distracted

There are many things to look at when you are travelling. Don’t let the glamour of a new place make you forget your cautious side, though. Stay focused on where you are going and who is around you.

Don’t Become Intoxicated

When you travel solo, it is not the right time to get intoxicated. Don’t have more than one or two drinks, and don’t even consider taking any illegal substances. This has led many a solo traveler into a situation where they are taken advantage of, or incarcerated in a foreign country.

Plan for Disaster

Before you go on your trip, brainstorm the possibility of everything that could go wrong. Think about what you would do if your credit card was stolen, or your passport. Have a second copy of important documents in a separate place from the originals in case the originals are lost or stolen. Also, have a digital version of these important documents as well on your phone or laptop. photo Have a list of emergency numbers, as well as the phone number for your country’s embassy. Take more money than you think you will need, in case of any emergencies.

Know Key Phrases in the Local Language

Even if the country you are visiting has many English speakers, it is not likely that absolutely everyone knows English. Always assume that you will need to know at least key words and phrases in the country’s main language. Learn phrases such as, “Where is the nearest telephone”, “I need help” and “Do you speak English?” Because you are traveling alone, it is especially important to be able to communicate with those around you, in order to escape potentially bad situations. Download the Google Translate app and the language for the country you’re going to. It’s great for menus, asking directions and just learning the common words you might need.

Know the Culture

Be aware of the customs and culture of the country you are visiting. Every part of the world has different rules about what is acceptable and what is not. Things that you may never question in your own country may be considered offensive or even a crime in other countries.

Simple things like chewing gum in public and having certain body parts uncovered can be a big mistake, depending on where you are visiting. If you don’t want to risk offending those who live in the country you are traveling in, or perhaps even be imprisoned… study the culture of the country you are traveling to and do your best to fit in and obey the rules.

Travelling solo is an adventure and a great joy to many individuals. At times, it can be tough and lonely, but on the other hand it can also open up so many possibilities. Be prepared, and don’t allow yourself to get caught up in the excitement without knowing what do to in an emergency situation. Consider the details of your safety so that your travels can more likely be free of any major complications.

What to Pack When Travelling Solo

Travelling alone is exciting and fun. However, packing for any trip is generally not. Here are some tips to pack well, so that you will have what you need, and your trip can run more smoothly.

Know What Is Available Where You Travel

Wherever your destination may be, check out beforehand what is available as far as shopping goes. When you get there, you want to know that you have access to everything you will need immediately, in case you do not want to go out alone until you get comfortable with your surroundings. Do your research and pack accordingly.

Make Room for Emergency Items

Although you will be carrying your luggage yourself, make room for emergency items. Leave room for items such as a copy of your birth certificate and passport, in case your originals get stolen. You don’t want to end up alone in a different country without any proof of who you are or where you came from.

Don’t Pack More Than You Can Carry at One Time

When you have a travel companion, you can get away with carrying more since you have someone to sit by your bags while you find a way to haul it from Point A to Point B. When you are alone, never carry more than you can load onto yourself at one time. Leaving half a pile of luggage alone for even a few minutes can spell disaster and invite theft.

Use a Backpack and Easily Carried Bags

Even if you pack light, the bags you pack your luggage into will make a difference. Use a large backpack that is made especially for backpacking, and smaller bags that fit onto your back and arms like a well-made puzzle. Have a read through Suitcases vs Backpacks. If you end up getting a suitcase on wheels, check the quality of the wheels and they feel strong and sturdy and won’t break on cobblestone streets.
Try on all your luggage before leaving on your trip to ensure that it all fits comfortably for long periods of time without causing a backache. Although you may feel silly doing so, take all your luggage on a walk around the block several times to see how it feels.

Wear Layers

Layers will come in handy when travelling alone. You won’t have a companion to do things like leave the restaurant and head back to the room to grab your jackets while you wait for a table, or lend you a jumper when you are feeling cold. Use layers to provide yourself with an easy way to dress for all weather and situations.

Take Numerous Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are any traveler’s best friend. As a solo traveler, they are even more useful. You can use extra plastic bags to store wet bathing suits, dirty shoes, and garbage. You can fill them with essentials when you are headed out for the day, or wear them on your feet if an unexpected rainstorm comes along.

Keep a Copy of Important Numbers On You

Keep a copy of important phone numbers and contacts in your pocket or elsewhere on you at all times. This will be beneficial in case of an emergency where you may be incapacitated or otherwise unable to find help for yourself. You don’t want to end up in a situation where your family needs to be contacted, but there is no way for anyone to reach them.

Traveling solo may be one of the best experiences you ever have. The way you pack will determine whether your focus ends up on your special moments or on your aching back and lack of foresight. Use these packing tips to prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.

How to Save Money When Travelling Solo

Traveling solo is becoming much more common. In the past, vacationing alone meant huge expenses and having to save up for years beforehand. Nowadays, single travelers are becoming more financially savvy and learning how to cut costs. Here are tips on how to save money when you are on a vacation for one.

Accommodations Beyond Hotels

Don’t look only at hotels when considering potential accommodations. There are many options for travelers, and your solo trip ensures that you don’t require a travel partner’s permission to be as thrifty as possible. Hostels and “Bed and Breakfasts” are options that often have rooms available for single travelers.

Airbnb

Airbnb can actually end up more cost effective than staying in a hostel or hotel especially when sharing a house or apartment. You get your own room plus access to a kitchen where you can cook your own meals. And if you read 5 Airbnb Hacks to Save You Money you can get even cheaper Airbnb prices.

Try House Sitting

House sitting is perfect for solo travellers. You get to meet new people, hang out with the locals and have ready made local insight. Plus some furry friends to keep you company if you are feeling a bit lonely. Read Top Tips For House Sitters – Start Living the High Life For Free for more information

Inquire If Accommodations Include Freebies

Whether you choose a hotel or another place to stay, find out what is included. If you pay slightly more for your room but get free breakfast and wi-fi, it might be worth it. By filling yourself up at a hotel’s free breakfast, you can skip lunch and eat a big meal at supper, thus saving cash. By staying somewhere that includes these extras, you can save money in the long run.

Avoid Single Supplements

Single supplements are one of the factors that have made solo travel a nuisance in the past. Many travel packages, hotels and cruises assume there will be more than one traveler, and charge you a fee for traveling alone. There are certain cruises and travel companies that are beginning to work around this, so inquire and make sure you are not throwing money away unnecessarily.

Try to Negotiate

Hotels may claim they have a particular rate for a certain night or room type, but in reality it fluctuates depending on who are you talking to. Try to negotiate a good deal, and be sure to bring up any travel club memberships you may have, with deals you might not be aware of.

If the person making your reservation is unwilling to lower the rate, ask to speak to a manager. A manager’s goal is generally to keep all potential guests happy, and they have more leeway on giving discounts.

Negotiating is something to remember with other purchases as well. Depending on where your travels take you, you may be able to find better deals than advertised, so just ask.

Eat Out at Lunch Instead of Supper

Many restaurants offer the same food at lunch as at supper, only in slightly smaller portions and at a lower cost. By eating out at lunch, you can try the food you wish and pay less. Save suppertime for making yourself a sandwich or another low-cost meal.

Be Flexible about Your Plans

The nice thing about travelling alone is you get to make all the decisions. If you had plans but you find a way to save money, you can cancel and do it your way. Look for things such as “one seat only” deals that are hard for airlines and other companies to get rid of. These types of deals usually need to be snapped up immediately, and work perfectly for the traveler who doesn’t need to run his or her plans by a travel partner.

Traveling solo has a reputation of being more expensive. But with a little creativity and a keen eye for a good deal, you can save money while enjoying a fabulous trip. The sky is the limit when it comes to saving money when you travel alone.

Further Reading:

Extending Your Malaysian Short Term Social Visit Visa

3 Legal Ways To Extend Your Stay in Schengen

The Visa Terms You Need to Know

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