Take a moment and picture yourself on your dream vacation. Would you go alone? Solo travel is becoming incredibly popular and, for many, planning a perfect vacation now includes booking airfare and accommodations for one. Not only is it often times cheaper, traveling solo lets you plan your perfect trip right down to picking where you want to eat. If you’ve never traveled solo before, the idea of being alone in a new city can be daunting, but according to The Travel Industry Association, nearly 32 million American women travel alone every year. With so many solo and female globetrotters out there, here’s a list of my tried and true tips for the new solo traveler.
Start Small: Learning to be confident when traveling alone doesn’t happen overnight, so start small. Planning a solo day trip or weekend getaway closer to home will be the perfect way to build your confidence and become more comfortable with making decisions while solo traveling.
Understand That You are Never Really Alone: Even though you may feel lonely, remember that there are so many other solo travelers out there too! Staying at a hostel with pre-planned activities or booking tour or excursion at your destination is a great way to meet people while exploring your destination.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings: This is a basic travel tip, but one that is even more important when you are alone. No need to be paranoid in the local market or sleep with one eye open, but just be aware of yourself and your surroundings while exploring.
Plan Ahead: Having your accommodations, transportation, and activities sorted before you even start packing is the key to making the most of your solo adventure. You’ll spend less time Googling “best museums near me” and more time actually seeing your destination. That being said, remember to be flexible. Don’t hesitate to stop by the local bar for live music or try that restaurant your hostel roomie recommended.
So go book that day trip or plan your first solo trip abroad knowing that you are ready to explore the world on your own terms. Although it may be scary at first, you will learn so much about yourself and meet some pretty amazing people while you’re at it. Check out the resources below to help you plan your next solo trip.
Solo Travel Resources:
Hostel Ratings and Bookings: hostelworld.com
Airfare and Hotels: Kayak.com
Local Housing: Airbnb.com
Solo Travel Inspiration: TheBlondeAbroad.com, BeMyTravelMuse.com, TheTravelista.net
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