Thinking of traveling solo and need some tips? We know someone that has lots of experience and asked for her help. Meet our new guestblogger Kaitlyn, who knows how to take on the world by herself! This article “7 Tips for Traveling the World Alone” is written by Kaitlyn Knoll from Wayfarerkate.
Have you ever wanted to backpack the world but felt stuck at home because you had no one to go with you? Traveling solo is the answer. Before taking that first trip, you may be feeling like it will be lonely, isolating, and even dangerous to travel alone.
Think again.
Traveling solo can be one of the most rewarding, fulfilling, and enriching experience of your life. I took my first solo trip when I was 19, and have preferred traveling on my own since then. There is something incredibly freeing about being able to do what you want to do, when you want to do it. Here are some of my top tips for taking the plunge!
7 Tips for Traveling the World Alone
1. Select your destination carefully
If it is your first trip, you’ll want to choose somewhere fairly easy to manage. Don’t go jumping Che Guevara style into motor biking through South America or kicking it in the slums of India (although I loved it there). Start somewhere tourist friendly, but that doesn’t just appeal to couples and families. You don’t want to end up in a honeymoon town for the newlyweds or elderly couples.
2. Don’t be afraid to talk to strangers
By starting a random conversation, I have met some of the best travel friends. My favorite places to meet people while backpacking alone are guesthouses, dorm rooms, and even buses. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to meet other travelers abroad.
3. Stay at a hostel or guesthouse
Even if you have the money, don’t spend it on a nice hotel. Trust me- all the young, good-looking, solo travelers stay in hostels. If you’re over at a nice resort, it will be a very comfortable albeit boring trip.
4. Trust your intuition
When it comes to safety, hone in on that gut feeling. We all have it, but some are just better at using it than others. If something feels wrong, don’t do it. However, don’t be so afraid of every possible danger that you limit your experiences.
5. Revel in your own selfishness
This is one of the only chances you will have in your life where you don’t have to a friend or family members feelings into consideration. You don’t have to apologize to anyone, you don’t have to make concessions, and you don’t have to go by anyone’s agenda but your own. Revel in it.
6. Enjoy eating by yourself
Although solo travelers find that they usually are never really alone, there does come times when you don’t meet other people. Instead of feeling awkward while eating or having a drink alone, enjoy it. Bring a book or simply put your phone away and people watch.
7. Go with the flow
Lastly, try not to worry so much. I remember before I went on my first trip I had all these questions floating around my head.
“What do I do if I lose my passport?”
“What if a creepy man makes me uncomfortable?”
or “What if the hostel I stay at has bedbugs?”
Something sucky might happen to you while you’re traveling- that’s life. When it happens, you deal with it. Simple as that.
Your travelling tips are very useful for alone traveler. Most of people are travel to alone. I’ve enjoyed reading the post. It is very supportive and useful post. I would like to visit the post once more its valuable content. Thanks for sharing the great information. Good Luck!
Very true! And I think the US are a great country to start traveling solo. Friendly, safe, easy to navigate and with stunning landscapes.