Wondering if it’s possible to see the world as a solo traveler? Read on for our tips to help you enjoy the world as a confident solo traveler.
Traveling solo can be a fun, freeing way to see the world. You get to experience new places, and you can decide your own itinerary and ensure that the trip is exactly what you want. There’s no waiting around for other people to get ready or spending the day at a museum you didn’t want to visit – your time is your own.
However, it can be daunting to consider heading out by yourself. Some people may be concerned about safety issues. Others may feel that traveling solo is too pricey. These are common concerns, but there are ways that you can tackle them to make solo travel feel more accessible. In this article, we look at ways to help you boost your confidence and set out to enjoy all the world has to offer as a confident solo traveler.
When you have the confidence to travel solo, you can explore the world in a new way. Photo by Philipp Kämmerer on Unsplash
Stay Local at First
Traveling solo doesn’t mean you must pack all your belongings into a bag and head out to Asia for six months. Of course, if that’s what you want to do, go for it—but if you’re feeling a bit daunted, start with a more local destination. Perhaps visit a new city that you can get to by public transport, or book a solo stay in a picturesque cabin that you can drive to in a few hours from home.
Staying relatively local means you can come home if you really want to, and friends and family can always come to your aid if needed. You’ll also be familiar with the language and customs, meaning one less thing to worry about. This lets you learn to tackle things one step at a time. Once you’re confident, you can start planning trips farther away.
Ensure You’re Happy with Your Accommodation
While you might not spend much time there, it’s really important that you feel comfortable in your accommodation. This will allow you to properly relax and enjoy a good night’s sleep, which is especially important when you’re traveling alone and must be in charge of all your activity arrangements. After all, no one else will wake you up and get you on the tour if you oversleep.
Book a hotel room or other accommodation that makes you feel comfortable. Photo by Febrian Zakaria on Unsplash
Feeling safe in your accommodation allows you to unwind and enjoy the trip, so it’s well worth ensuring you allow a reasonable budget for this expense. Check out hotel reviews before you travel, and book in advance to secure the type of room you want.
Set a Budget and Add a Buffer
Setting yourself a budget is a useful skill for any traveler. It means that you can enjoy the holiday and spend your allowance while knowing you still have enough money for the rest of the trip. As a solo traveler, it can be helpful to build a buffer fund that will allow you to enjoy any spur-of-the-moment activities or treats and have some money available should you feel uncomfortable and want to make some unplanned changes to your accommodation or schedule.
Set a good travel budget before you leave home. Photo by kitzcorner via iStock by Getty Images
You should also include some money for transport. While you might plan to take public transport for the duration of your trip, there may be some occasions when you feel safer in a cab, which will cost more money. Having this built into your budget will mean you can avoid situations where you’d feel safest doing one thing but have to do another because of funds.
Familiarize Yourself with Local Etiquette
Making sure you’re familiar with local etiquette is good manners, but it can also help you feel confident and comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. Make sure to read up on traditions before you go, and pack a suitable wardrobe. Some particularly conservative countries require you to cover up more than you may be used to, especially when visiting religious sites. Being prepared means that when you arrive, you can follow your planned itinerary without making any stressful last-minute changes or panic shopping.
When you prepare to travel solo, you can enjoy your experience more. Photo by Timo Stern on Unsplash
Learn Basic Phrases
Having some local lingo can make you feel more at ease in your surroundings, improve relations with the locals, and also make you feel prepared for any emergency situations that may arise. While many countries will speak English, it can be seen as a sign of respect to at least try to use some local phrases.
Knowing some key phrases (and therefore understanding the menu) may help you order in certain restaurants, allowing you to access authentic places for a truly amazing culinary experience. Additionally, for solo travelers, blending in with the locals can help you feel safer, as you’re seen as less of a target for pickpockets.
When you learn a few local phrases and can read the menu, you can experience more of the local culture. Photo by Alex Harmuth on Unsplash
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Head Out and Explore the World
Solo travel doesn’t have to be intimidating. If you’re nervous, build up your confidence slowly by staying local at first, and then you can go farther away when you’re ready. Follow these top tips and learn what makes you feel comfortable so you can truly enjoy this amazing experience. When you’re ready to start traveling, let Wander With Wonder guide you to some of the best destinations worldwide.
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