Firsts are freaky, but they don’t have to be. In Her Campus’ series My First Time, we’re answering the burning questions you might be uncomfortable asking about IRL. In this article, we tackle how to travel alone for the first time.
Honestly, all I really want is to live my best Donna Sheridan dreams and frolic on an island in Greece, dancing to ABBA. And with summer and graduation, coming up, I’m not alone in craving a Mamma Mia! era. If you also feel the wanderlust creeping in, it might be the perfect time to think about planning a trip. But if you’re like me and quickly approaching life post-grad (insert panicky scream here), you might realize your girl gang is busier than ever — so why not travel solo?
But, before you jump right into it and start packing, I’m here to give you the scoop on jet setting, so you can be full of knowledge and prepared for what’s to come: I chatted with travel influencer Olivia Cicchelli and Julia Masselos of Jetsetter Julia, about the ins and outs of solo travel.
Catch flights, not feelings.
Traveling alone is intimidating. But if you have the funds and the plans, the only thing stopping you is yourself. Negative self-thoughts are holding you back from living your best jet-setter dreams, so it’s time to put those bad thoughts on mute, book the ticket, and go for it.
“Many people get too caught up in their thoughts and it holds them back from these experiences,” Cicchelli says. “Once you get over your fears, book the ticket, and go you will open your mind up to so many more possibilities, experience how big and unique our world is, learn more than ever, and meet the most amazing people.”
If you’re still feeling held back, Masselos says to look at the negative thoughts and create solutions for why they are barriers: “You don’t know how amazing things can be unless you try them.”
Pack smart.
Aside from adorable ‘fits, you’re going to need some major travel essentials. According to the experts, power banks, air tags, and headphones are among the most useful. They sound simple, but these products will make your traveling woes much easier.
When traveling, Cicchelli recommends putting an air tag on everything of value: your wallet, phone, suitcase, or any other item of importance. “It’s very helpful because I lose things quite often and it makes me feel safer knowing that if anything is stolen or lost, I can track it down,” she says.
Power banks are also extremely important in your traveling journey. So, make sure you have one strong enough to power up all of your electronics — including your laptop or tablet.
And no, you do not need every shirt you have ever owned or a whole new wardrobe for this trip, (but if you do some shopping, I won’t judge). Cicchelli recommends packing solids or neutrals that mix and match well to maximize wardrobe options (AKA, a capsule wardrobe).
Always be aware of your surroundings.
I’m not saying this to scare you, but the world can be dangerous, even in areas that are deemed “safe.” For that reason, it’s important to be mindful of your safety: keep your valuables close to you, avoid poorly lit areas, be aware of your surroundings, and always trust your gut.
“As women, it’s easy to invalidate your gut and try to pander to whoever’s in the situation and people please,” Masselos says. “If your guard is not 100% down, get out of the situation.”
Cicchelli has a similar mantra about safety within her adventures. “If I feel that something or somewhere is a little off I will listen to that feeling and avoid it,” she says. Cicchelli also recommends arriving at a new city during the daytime to be able to figure out the city before it gets dark.
It’s also super important to walk like you are a local. Masselos recommends setting your maps to talk into your headphones so you can walk with purpose without stopping to look at your app.
“Confidence is all about faking it till you make it,” Cicchelli says. “It is important to remain confident in all situations while traveling.”
When traveling, invest in some other tools that can help you stay safe like pepper spray (if the destination permits), an attack whistle, or a safety keychain.
Let yourself feel lonely.
If you are traveling solo you might get some feelings of loneliness. Don’t stress about these feelings, though, it’s totally normal. And, in the end, they might help you grow that much more.
Masselos recommends giving these feelings the space they need. “It’s hollowing,” she says. But when this feeling creeps in, you can find her cuddled up in whatever bed she is staying in, binging a comfort show, or outside walking through a local park to find the sunshine.
If you are worried about being lonely and not making friends — do not worry. You will meet so many people, Masselos says to chat with people at hostels, go to meetups, or just continue your ordinary routine. Try a new workout class, go to a paint night, or go out to meet people.
Traveling alone is intense, but it can also be one of the best experiences of your entire life. The world is wide, beautiful, and full of adventures. Be safe, have fun, and bon voyage!