People can choose to travel solo for a variety of reasons. Whatever you reason is solo travel is amazing. Everyone should experience a solo trip at least once in your life, but after your first solo trip I can’t be held responsible if you ditch everyone and only go on vacation alone.
Here are my top ten tips for having a successful solo vacation.
- Stay somewhere in the middle of the action. Whether you prefer a hostel or fancy brand name hotel pick a central location that has access to public transportation and is near some of your must-see destinations.
- Take day trips and tours. Signing up for a full day excursion out of the city or to a remote location while on your trip is a great way to meet new people. Also, your tour guide will be able to share with you some history intermingled with little anecdotes that you wouldn’t get from books.
3. Eat at the bar. This gives you the opportunity to mingle and chat with other patrons or even ask the bartender for their opinion on what you should see and do. Recommendations from someone who lives in the community are priceless compared to those typical tourist spots everyone goes to.
4. Provide all your travel information to a friend or family member at home. You don’t know what can happen and it’s smart to make sure someone knows where you are staying, your flight or bus schedule and any other pertinent travel information.
5. Make sure you have Wi-Fi or some type of internet connectivity. A lot of mobile plans have a simple $10 extra day to use your phone as you would at home while in certain countries. This is money well spent and you can just add this to your travel budget. Public Wi-Fi is a good backup plane but be sure use a VPN or some other precautions that can protect you and your information from being hacked.
6. Learn at least a few words in the language spoken at your destination. This will help you make friends with people and just make it easier getting around.
7. Do a little research on the customs and traditions for where you are travelling.
8. Enjoy yourself, go out at night but don’t drink too much. You don’t want a hangover ruining your early plans the next day! And it’s better to err on the side of caution when travelling solo.
9. Take a book or ereader with you. This is a great alternative to sitting at the bar, or maybe grabbing a quick cup of coffee at a local coffee shop during a break from all that sightseeing.
10. The last tip is be adventurous. Don’t be afraid to try something new while on your trip. Go on that excursion you have always wanted to try. Eat something you wouldn’t find at home. This is your trip, your time to do what you want be sure to take advantage of that freedom.
Perfect timing as I am about to go on a trip alone. It is a Yoga retreat so others will be there for that, but I am extending a few days and will be alone. Thanks for the tips…will apply them in my travels.
Fantastic! Sounds like a perfect solo vacay time for relaxation and exploration!
i wish i can enjoy my life as i want to enjoy
I don’t often like to be alone for long periods of time, I don’t know if I could go on a solo trip I think it would scare me! This is wonderful tips for those who do like to travel alone though.
I have been contemplating whether I should Travel alone. it’s a little bit intimidating but I like the freedom of it
I rarely go on solo adventures but when I do it becomes something memorable as I control my time and pace.
Nice read. 🙂
Wonderful tips with safety precautions noted down.
How fun! I have never traveled by myself before but always thought it would be something I’d like to do!
This was really wonderful read. I am going on solo trips for a long time and I can vouch that your tips only make the experience better.
These are great tips for solo travelers. I’ve done it before and could’ve used these beforehand!
For me a solo traveler, I just pick a place on the map and explore the day. I do research about places when I travel but I don’t jam pack my schedule. You never know what you discover when you wander around.
After marriage, I always travel with my husband. But I agree on all the tips you have mentioned here based on my solo travel experience.
I love to do solo vacation because for me it’s a kind of relax and peace of I have a solo trip next month 🙂 great tips!
I’ve been toying with the idea of taking a solo trip. I’m a tad scared, but everyone else I know has so many excuses and I just want to get out there.
Start small! Take a weekend trip to a new city or even one you have been to before and see how you like it
Solo vacays are always fun. The tips are really great.
I badly need a staycation now. Great tips
I envy those who travel solo. I am always worried about travelling alone and get lost all alone. lol..
Great insight! Looks like fun
Though I never tried travelling solo, someday I will try it 🙂
Your tips will be very useful to me even i have companion.
I love all of these tips on how to travel solo. I think that it could be pretty lonely doing so.
I am big on learning new languages, the culture and foods of every place I visit. And I never travel without a book in my hand and a few podcasts downloaded to my phone.
These are beautiful tips.