Ten things to do when you travel alone
Courtesy of Miles (http://www.hazardouspaste.com/)
Some people love travelling alone and there are some that simply wouldn’t dream of it. I used to belong to the latter group. That all changed when I went on a (predominantly) solo, five-month round-the-world trip last year. I had the time of my life and rarely experienced a lonely moment! Most of all, I found it to be a very empowering, refreshing experience. For those of you who still have doubts, well, give it a go, even if it’s just for a week. Based on my own experiences, I recently compiled a series of ‘Lone Traveller’ articles with tips on what to do when you’re out there in a foreign place on your own. This article sums up the ten ‘Lone Traveller’ tips. Please click on each tip to read more.
- Opt for a homestay
- Reflect
- Open your senses
- Try something new
- Treat yourself
- Beware of scams
- Take your own picture
- Stop for a recap
- Make new friends
- Learn a new language
If you’re not totally convinced about the benefits of solo travel, read “Ten reasons to travel alone” and “Taking a solo road trip” (a brilliantly written piece on solo travel by my travel blogger pal, TheSoloWriter). For my readers who have travelled alone, I’m interested to know about your experiences or if you have more solo travel tips to share. Please share these in the comments section.
Thank you Laurie for your wonderful comment!
Cheers,
Keith
This is a great article, thanks. I took my first solo trip last year and to Morocco. I was nervous at first, but as you say being open to trying new things and meeting people really opened up a world of possibilities unlike any other trip I’d taken before.
It is empowering and enriching — for the experiences others introduce you to and for the friendships that extend beyond the travel. LOL about taking a picture of yourself, you’re so right, I did it and felt so silly at first but it’s another way to meet people and it’s strangely liberating at the same time, everyone should try it!
Yes I am a fan of solo travel. I do all the 10 things!
haha how wonderful. Sometimes having some company from your world is great, but make a company on the road is better ( for me, just yet). Not many of my Korean friends are open for travel or meet strangers. yes they discribe as ’strangers’.
I can BE myself is the best thing.
I sure take a lot of picture of me! haha
Nice article Keith!
Juno.
Thanks for these tips, but I think I still wouldn’t like traveling alone.
Mostly because I am a bit shy and if there is no one with me to push me a bit, I would not really get myself to try out something new.
Also if you discover something interesting it’s just half the fun if you cannot share it with anyone. I want to say “wow, look at this!”
i am living in china.i like traveling here and there alone.in this way ,i can release myself from traditional life and orthdox belief.
these tips are useful.
i like cycling.
Traveling solo is the most pleasurable ways to experience the world. Nothing and no one to really hold you back, whatever you feel like doing you can do it. I’m 24 and just recently started traveling on my own, I hve such an adventurous spirit. This past weekend I booked a last minute vacation to NYC (I live in Florida). Explored Brooklyn and Manhattan on my own and learned how to use the subway system. I had the time of my life! Met other solo travelers too, people I normally wouldn’t meet if I were with a group. Traveling Alone is very empowering.. Came back from the trip with a
already planning my next solo trip to either Tokyo, Hawaii or London. Hmmmmmmmm
confidence I never had before.
Liberating, empowering, etc. are not words that have ever come to mind. I’ve traveled alone my entire life (well, since I was 12 anyway) and wouldn’t want it any other way. On the times I have had to travel with others, I’ve found it boring, frustrating and stressful.
If you want to see what you want to see, just do it. Get off the beaten path and don’t make plans unless it’s required. I don’t know what to say about the dangers, I’ve walked through the middle of them. In my opinion if you can communicate with people despite any language barriers and have a sense of humor (ie make them laugh), there are no real dangers.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your comment. I agree with you. Keeping safe is paramount when travelling alone but a good dose of adventurous spirits is important too. I’ll definitely be checking out your site.
Cheers,
Keith
Keith – “Have passport and solo travel” has been my mantra for more than two decades. I found your post through Tammie at http://www.soloroadtrip.com
Women have to keep safety in mind but you also need an adventurous spirit.
Next week I’m talking about why I do what I do, drop by and let me know what you think.
Happy travels.
Thank you for your comments!
“Psychological sofa” – love that term. A solo trip IS the “psychological sofa” and that is so true!
Cheers,
Keith
Keith, I wish I had done a solo world tour before I got married / had family. Nowadays, I’m just cooking up ways on how to convince the hubby to go on a roun-the-world journey (with our daughter). But he has a great (aka busy) hospital job and wouldn’t think of taking a sabbatical. What’s a girl going to do? Heeheehee. These tips are great. It didn’t even cross my mind to do a ‘home stay’. That’s a good tip!
Thank you Velvet Escape for the mention! Solo road trips (and solo travel in general) are something I’m passionate about. Few things in life are as liberating, empowering, and rejuvenating. And this applies to both men and women. I have as many men email me with trepidations about going it alone as I do have women. The rewards are not delineated by gender. I liken solo trip to a “psychological sofa”. LOL — Tammie Dooley