Top Tips for Travelling Solo
Sometimes stepping out solo is better! While for many people, travelling alone can seem like a rather daunting and uninviting prospect, don't be fooled... Solo adventures are one of life's most freeing experiences! Setting sail independently may seem like a challenge, but pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and embracing some place new is a great opportunity for personal growth. Not only is going it alone a one-way ticket to boosting your self-confidence and feeling more at ease in your own company, but it's also the key to discovering what makes you tick when you travel. You – and you alone – get to choose where you go, what you see, and how much time you spend in any given place. No compromise is necessary, and you get to set the pace and overall feel of your entire trip. Sound enticing? Sometimes life circumstances are such that we don't always have a co-pilot to explore with, but don't let that stop you from ticking somewhere special off your bucket list– especially as being single is something to be celebrated too! Life is short, so don't hold back from making unforgettable memories – chances are you might find a companion or two en route anyway if you do decide to venture alone! In actual fact, solo travel is a great way to make new friends, and – most importantly – it's a great opportunity to interact with the world in a fresh, exciting way. So, if you're feeling inspired for some independent adventures this sunny season, read on to discover our solo travel top tips...
Where to start with solo travel: short holidays and weekend trips
The trick to mastering solo travel is to start off small, by first embarking on shorter, more manageable journeys, that are generally closer to home. Dependent on your travel experience to date, you may wish to ease yourself into independent excursions by starting with a few simple day trips here and there. As time goes on and you grow more accustomed to venturing by yourself, you could stretch out your trips to weekends away. Following the same principle, you can continue building upon your progress by jetting off for prolonged weekends or a few days at a time, before devising a travel plan that stretches over multiple days. This is a good way to familiarise yourself with travelling alone but, ultimately, solo travel doesn't have to amount to any set time period. If you can brave a week or longer in your own company in a foreign place, then hats off to you! Some people will feel comfortable going on month-long travels, while others may prefer sticking to a single day trip or even just an afternoon outing, such as a long bike ride or mountainous hike. Both ends of the scale are admirable, and both will widen your horizons and put you on track for fun-filled adventures that stir up a sensation of total freedom. Since you're the sole pilgrim on your trip, go with whatever suits you!
When first embracing the world of solo travel, we suggest drawing up a list of places you'd like to visit so that you can motivate yourself. Feeling inspired and having a sense of wanderlust is bound to help you catch that travel bug! To start with, keep your travel objectives realistic by only noting down destinations that you'd feel safe enough to visit alone. When you're a seasoned solo traveler, you can always revise your adventure goals. Finally, when you do set off solo for the very first time, be prepared for it to feel a little strange. You may have even had underwhelming experiences of travelling by yourself in the past. The trick is to stick with it and not let yourself be put off too easily. Trust us – the more you travel alone the more you'll grow to love it! Good things take time...
From walking tours to sightseeing... What to see and do when travelling solo?
When travelling solo, all the same types of holidays are at your disposition as if you were travelling with others. You could pack your swimwear and opt for a relaxed poolside holiday, don your hiking boots and set off on a walking or backpacking holiday, gather your camping essentials and pitch up a tent somewhere, or treat yourself to a city break! Allow yourself a little luxury and indulge in whatever type of getaway you fancy. There are two main travel modes when journeying alone. You can either embrace being solo and use the occasion to sit with your own thoughts and explore solitarily, or you can throw yourself into social situations by striking up conversation with others and undertaking activities like group guided tours and workshops. It doesn't have to strictly be one travel style or the other though – you can enjoy the best of both worlds and profit from the positives that both options offer: feeling anonymous can oftentimes feel freeing and can help you shake off any self-consciousness about being on your own. And acting independently can also leave you buzzing with pride at your own boldness and bravery. On the other hand, engaging with others can also enable you to share your experience, and it can add extra interest and entertainment to your adventure... Dependent on the accommodation you opt for and the facilities it houses, you may want to seek out common rooms and spaces, such as the pool area or restaurant, to increase your chances of chatting with others. For this very reason, hostels can sometimes be a first choice for solo travelers, as they are often designed to facilitate social interaction! But, getting to know others isn't limited to your choice of hotel. You can consider frequenting the same cafe or convenience store each day of your trip in a bid to get to know the locals, or you can sign up for a free walking tour or even a tour that involves transport if that better corresponds to your physical needs.
Whether alone or in a group, a great way to fill your itinerary when travelling solo is to visit all the major monuments that your destination has to offer. Getting your hands on a map of the area and circling all the must-see places is a great way to structure your stay, and taking a tour is the perfect method to tick off many different sights. When travelling alone, you might also choose to visit multiple locations throughout your trip, so you can stay on the move and keep yourself busy. Day excursions are your friend! Having a handful of different locations lined up to see will limit you from finding yourself at a loose end if your initial choice of destination is quieter than expected.
So that you're adequately occupied, try and plan out a loose itinerary for yourself. The aim of the game is to strike a good balance between doing and being. The right mix will set you up for an enjoyable solo trip. Beware – overdoing it will leave you exhausted! Beyond the sightseeing, leave yourself time to enjoy a little luxury, whether that be lounging poolside, enjoying a rest at the top of a mountain summit, spending an afternoon lazing in a park, or indulging in a well-deserved foodie pit stop. Another trick for solo travel success is to plan or pack things to occupy your evenings – a good book, a cinema trip, a nice dinner, the list goes on... Some people find evenings trickier to fill, so don't hesitate to pull on your pjs and go to bed a little earlier, so that you can be the early bird that catches the worm the next morning.
How to travel alone well
The key to doing solo travel well is being adequately equipped so that, in case of emergencies, you're fully prepared. Essential items to have on you at all times include a torch, water bottle, wallet, phone, phone charger (ideally a portable one), your passport (if heading out the country), access to a map (even if just via smartphone) and appropriate clothing. While on solo travels, you'll want to pack light so that you're as mobile as possible. Despite this, it's best to ensure you've got multiple layers and appropriate footwear at your disposal. We suggest always packing at least 2 pairs of shoes, in case one set rubs or in case the weather turns. Having a secret stash of cash is also sensible, in case any unexpected situations arise. Investing in a money belt that has a hidden inside pocket in which you can pop a couple of notes is a travel hack like no other!
Another way to be well prepped for your solo travels is to take the time to research, in advance, the location you're headed to. If possible, it's also a bonus if you can learn the basics of the local language. While this is an extra-safe precaution and isn't strictly essential, knowing a couple of words can only benefit you! If taking public transport, you'll also want to consider your connecting journeys and make sure you know how to travel from the station, airport, or bus stop to your ultimate destination.
Planning your travel so that you arrive in daylight hours is another travel tip that will maximise the enjoyment of your solo adventure and minimise any undue stress. Everything feels safer in daylight and navigating unfamiliar places at nighttime is undoubtedly harder. On the theme of safety, ideally let someone know where you are at all times, whether it be a member of family, a friend or a neighbour.
Travelling alone is a great idea!
If there's just one thing you take away from our list of travel tips and tricks, let it be that solo adventure is something well worth experiencing! Promising great peace of mind and that feeling of ultimate freedom, few things in life are more refreshing and empowering! As we've indicated above, there are so many reasons to embrace solo travel. And, while there are inevitably some factors to take into consideration and some preparatory measures to put in place, armed with our insights, there's nothing left for you to do than to plan your journey, set off, and let go! And if your still seeking some staycation inspiration, why not consult the 'Discover the UK' section of our blog.