The previous article that I wrote was to do with the benefits of travelling solo. It was directed at encouraging those who would like to travel solo and are not able to do it to search their minds, give up their limiting beliefs, and take the first step towards the beautiful experience of travelling solo. This one details some of the things that have helped me take that step forward and some tips in order to ensure the best experience possible.
It would be false if I said that I did not have butterflies in my stomach before making that first trip. In fact, I still have qualms about doing a new kind of adventure each time I set out to plan something new. My latest on the charts is a backpacking road trip from London to Edinburgh and Skye. I have tomorrow as my deadline to actually book the tickets and seal the trip.
The idea is to ignore the butterflies and make a pact with yourself that you cannot break. Booking non-refundable tickets is what I am doing tomorrow to ensure that I am not able to back down. Wasting more than S$1500 is going to be pretty tough if I do not go ahead with the trip after that. I can assure you that once the trip starts, the butterflies vanish and the awesome experience starts. Here are some tips for you to consider while planning a solo trip.
BEFORE THE TRIP
Preparation
If you have never taken a solo trip and love the thought of doing so, it might be a good idea to start slow. This is especially true if you are not used to doing things on your own. Go to dinner on your own or watch a movie in the theatre by yourself. These are things that we generally do not do alone. Experiencing them will give you insight into whether you like doing these things alone. Travelling alone is not something that everyone enjoys, and you should know whether you really want to do this based on your personal feelings and not because travelling solo is the ‘in-thing’ these days.
Another thing that you can do to prepare yourself is to go along with a tour group where you may not know anyone else. This is a great way in which you can decide the level to which you want to interact with the other members of the group while ensuring that you are well taken care of and safe. Observe yourself and understand how comfortable you are in such surroundings. You should come back from a short trip like this knowing whether you like to travel with strangers and being alone at times or not.
Itinerary
Some people like to travel alone with no plans whatsoever. It feels like a real adventure when they do not know what they are going to do next on a holiday. My suggestion, however, (for the first solo trip and till the time you become a pro at it) is to plan the itinerary as tightly as you can. It is fairly easy to do it these days.
Research the places that you want to visit, things to do in those cities, methods of travelling between cities (if you are visiting more than one place), and pick the things that you would like to see and do. While researching keep an eye out for the time that it will take you to travel to these places and the time that you may end up spending in those locations to manage time better.
Create an excel sheet and start to write what you will do each day. It is also a good idea to plot all the locations on Google Maps to see the specific things that you want to do in a day in order to minimize travel time. Give yourself enough time to rest on the day that you arrive and enough time to reach the airport for your flight back.
Accommodation should be planned based on recommendations, Google reviews, proximity to the places you want to see and budget. From hostels to Airbnb, B&B, and hotels, there is a wide range of options to choose from.
Funds
Budgeting is an important part of travel planning. Once you have listed the things that you want to do, start putting ballpark costs associated with each of those items. The main items that you need to take care of include flight tickets, accommodation, meals, land transport, tickets for the attractions you have chosen, data pack for the country of choice (use wi-fi wherever you can but always have a data plan as backup).
It is wise to lock up the accommodation for your solo trip before you leave so that there are no monstrous surprises waiting for you in the form of unexpected costs or unavailability in the place of your choice. The good thing is that when you travel solo, you can choose the kind of accommodation that suits your budget.
Make sure you carry a buffer with you or have access to emergency funds via an international credit card or debit card so you feel safe and secure. I have never had to use my emergency money despite having travelled solo many times, but I still have a backup so that I can feel comfortable on my travels.
Bookings
Most of the places that you want to visit will have tickets for entry. These are easily available online. Research a few different sites that offer these tickets to compare prices and get the best deal. Skip-the-line tickets are a great way to save time too so you can make the most of the vacation. Some popular destinations may actually run out of tickets for the dates that you are planning to go there and so leaving everything to the last minute may take away some of the fun if you are left standing in line for hours.
Packing
While it may not seem to be a very important factor, the amount of luggage you have can determine your mobility levels and the ease with which you can move around. It is recommended that you only pack what you can carry on your own since you will have no one to help. I am a great advocate for rucksacks that allow you to pack enough and yet are easy to carry. However, if you are planning a city kind of travel, you may not need to carry a rucksack and should do well with a medium small to medium sized suitcase and a backpack.
Think about where you shall keep your passport, money, and mobile phone because these are the few things that are extremely essential to a safe trip. Check the temperatures in the place that you are going to and pack accordingly. Also check the charging socket shapes, voltage and other details in the city that you are visiting to ensure that your mobile phone, laptop and other devices can be charged easily.
DURING THE TRIP
Explore
With all the planning done, leave some space for flexibility. Remember, you are travelling alone and nothing is stopping you from changing a plan if you want to. Treat yourself to some fine dining if you think you have some extra funds based on what you had planned for. Take a walk without a thought to where you are headed (Google maps will help you get back). Don’t be afraid to make the most of your time alone and be yourself!
Safety
One of the most important things that I have discovered on my solo trips is that the world is a lovely place. Most people are ready to help you with directions or clarifications if only you ask nicely. That does not mean that you do not take precautionary measures. One strike is all a burglar or pickpocket needs to spoil your vacation totally.
Carry a pepper spray with you at all times. Make sure your passport, money and mobile phone are always with you and in a place that is safe. Keeping these on your body at all times is the best advice I can give you. If you are dining, then make sure that you drink wisely. Getting drunk too far away from your place of stay may not be a great idea when you are travelling alone. While exploring is great, stay clear of dark alleys or venturing out in lonely places at night.
Strangers
If you keep to the policy of stranger-danger while on a solo holiday, it may end up being one boring and lonely holiday. One of the best parts of being on a solo trip is that you can strike up a conversation with anyone you want to and if they respond, it can lead to some very interesting stories, memories and tales to tell later on. Staying in a hostel is a great way of meeting other solo-travelers.
Google Translate is a great app to have on your smartphone if you are a traveler. You will be able to communicate what you want to in places where English is not understood easily.
Don’t forget to take pictures to make memories (one of the things I often forget to do since I am so enjoying the moment) and remember to smile – it is one of the best ways to make a connection with the local people even if you do not know the language.
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