10 Tips for Taking Your First Solo Trip

Wrong Choice of Accommodation

Even if you try to travel within a certain budget, it’s important that the place you stay in is both reliable and comfortable. Ensure that all the hotels you check into have a 24-hour secure reception, and don’t hesitate to seek assistance if needed. Additionally, having a safe in your room can provide extra peace of mind for your belongings. If staying in a hostel, be mindful of selecting a place that offers such features while aiming for affordable accommodation. Remember to prioritize the safety of your belongings and yourself, even when aiming for budget-friendly stays.

Carrying Too Much Luggage

One of the things I’ve often told myself in recent years about traveling is the motto “less stuff, happier travels!” Especially when traveling alone, remember that you won’t have anyone to assist you with your luggage. Set aside only the clothes you’ll need and then choose those you’ll actually require. Opting for versatile pieces that can easily mix and match could be wise. Also, you can purchase, replace, or wash certain things while on the road. Hotel bathrooms are there for that purpose.

Not Planning the Right Budget

Be it a short or long trip, alone or not, every travel plan requires an approximate budget, and the more accurately you plan it, the more comfortable you’ll be. Solo travels don’t have to be expensive, but doing some small research beforehand can make a huge difference. Before hitting the road, roughly calculate the average accommodation prices, menu prices at eateries you wish to visit, and how much you might spend on other specific preferences to avoid being in a tough spot while traveling.

Forgetting to Ask for Help

Having the courage and confidence to travel alone doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help when needed. On the contrary, by seeking assistance, you might quickly find a solution to your problem and even get the chance to engage in conversation with someone at your destination. There’s no need to be proud about this; whether it’s a simple question or an issue, you can ask for help from official authorities, local vendors, or people at your accommodation. Remember this, always.

Not Taking Safety Precautions

Especially when alone, paying more attention to personal safety measures is evident. Adhere to warnings, refrain from disclosing personal information to strangers, and avoid areas with a bad reputation. Yes, you can socialize while alone, but it’s also crucial to be cautious about the information you share with people. Additionally, if you’re attending a party or social event, be mindful not to drink more than two glasses and remain observant of your surroundings.

Being Unprepared for Emergencies

Accidents and unforeseen events can occur. These could range from something as small as missing a flight to something as significant as a broken bone, or even more. Before embarking on a solo trip, consider preparations for such situations. Of course, I’m not suggesting that you dwell on the thought of “what if something happens on the road” and refrain from traveling. However, thinking about these scenarios in advance is definitely crucial.

Share your complete travel plan with a few trusted individuals, keep them informed of your whereabouts during your communication, and most importantly, get travel health insurance. Also, ensure you have cash for emergencies.

Don’t Overplan

In the initial days of your journey, fueled by excitement, you might plan a lot one after the other, but as your journey progresses, ensure you’ve left yourself flexible time to relax, listen to yourself, and savor the joy of spontaneity. Having every single day planned and then experiencing some plans falling through due to weather conditions or other reasons shouldn’t dampen your motivation. Therefore, by inserting flexible time slots, knowing that you have hours to reschedule if something you truly wanted to do gets canceled will bring you more happiness.

The same applies to the end of the trip. Trying to cram everything into the last days just because the journey is ending can be exhausting and might hinder your enjoyment as much as you thought. So, remember that you don’t have to do everything in a single trip and that along with what you most desire, it’s essential to leave yourself some free time.

Having Too Many Expectations

As I mentioned earlier, having too many expectations isn’t always beneficial. Things might not go as planned, and that can lead to disappointment. I recommend having a conversation with yourself about these situations. Perhaps a place or an activity that seemed very appealing from afar might not be as impressive when you experience it in person, leading you to reconsider. These things happen; just be aware of this, don’t dwell on it, and continue to enjoy your trip. Happiness is a state of mind; we don’t need to be happy all the time.

Not Focusing Solely on Making New Friends

Solo trips offer a great opportunity to make friends, meet fellow travelers, but that doesn’t have to be the sole focus of your days. After all, being on a solo trip also provides an opportunity to spend some time alone, getting to know yourself better from different angles. Read a book in the park, have lunch alone at a café, or explore a museum by yourself. Without someone urging you to sit or move, you’ll get to experience how these explorations unfold when you’re on your own.

Don’t Get Hung Up on the Concept of Being Alone

Embarking on a solo journey is indeed wonderful, but if you have doubts, you can always find special tour groups tailored for solo travelers. Even though you won’t have someone you know with you, you might find good support in overcoming trust issues. There are many companies organizing tours for various purposes: solo travelers, cyclists, young professionals, yoga camps… Finding one that suits you might be a way to venture on a trip. If you want to travel without knowing anyone, yet still seek the comfort of a group, this could be an option for you.