Everyone loves traveling with family, friends, and better halves, but the thrill and charm of solo travel are beyond comparison. It’s something that one should try at least once in your lifetime. Not only does it improve your self-confidence, but it enables you to feel independent, and free. Yes, it sounds cliché but you learn to find happiness in your own company and get to know yourself better. There are many benefits to self-discovery but there are many mistakes to avoid when traveling solo.
When solo travel isn’t planned properly you can run into problems, or awkward situations. And the trouble with solo travel? There’s no one to blame it on but yourself! When traveling solo you do need to be aware of things such as personal health, safety and security. Whether you are traveling in your home country or abroad, keeping a few things in mind will make your solo trip a life-changing and memorable experience. Below is a list of 10 common mistakes to avoid when traveling solo.
Lack Of Planning
You might sit right on the fence when it comes to trip planning. Some like to be organized and others prefer spontaneity. There is nothing wrong with both as long as it’s not rigid. You need to be able to breathe and change your itinerary at the last minute.
Remember that no matter how confident you are about traveling, basic research and planning will come in handy when traveling on your own. Compile information on the destination you are planning to visit in advance. For example, check out the weather reports in order to pack accordingly and if you are traveling to a different country, it is best to visit their government’s advisory page to see if there are any special travel requirements like a visa. A great and convenient way to process your visa is online. There are many sites that allow you to easily process your visa application from the comfort of your home.
Ignoring Maps
Maps are underrated, especially those which are installed on the phones. It always comes in handy when you are abroad on your own and can’t speak the local language. You can find apps that allow you to plot the places that you want to visit in advance and download maps for offline use. Even without the internet, you won’t get lost. Plus it can lead you to find hidden gems like quirky pubs and hole-in-the-wall restaurants which are sometimes not Google searchable.
Being Underprepared
As a solo traveler, you are the only person who can help yourself in case of an emergency. You don’t have a friend or someone whom you can depend on. It is best to make sure that you’ve got everything you may need, from bandaids to painkillers and even sunscreen and insect repellents. Aside from saving it on your phone, it is also recommended to keep printed copies of your passport, tickets, and other documents. It’s also very important to let someone back home know your itinerary and list also them as your emergency contact.
Running Out of Money
It’s such a hassle to run out of cash in the middle of a trip especially when traveling alone. Having an accurate budget will be a lifesaver as you will be paying for everything on your tab. Whether you personally prefer to use a credit or debit card, keeping some extra cash is advisable as not all shops accept cards, and not all cities have an available ATM nearby which is even worse.
Being Overly Friendly
Solo trips are an amazing opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Of course you shouldn’t be cold or unwelcoming but as a lone traveler, always listen to your gut if at any point you feel uncomfortable or get a weird vibe from someone. Moreover, study the culture, trends, and current events of the places that you’ll visit as different challenges may be present like how solo travel for LGBT+ people or women in certain conservative countries can be tough compared to traveling to more liberal ones.
Flashing of Expensive Items or Jewelry
One of the biggest mistakes solo travelers make is flashing their expensive items such as watches, phones, cameras, jewelry, etc. By going this you’re likely to grab the attention of potential thieves and not only that, if they know you are wandering around on your own, you may be considered an “easy target”.
Hitchhiking
While it might be tempting to ask a stranger for a ride to save some money, make sure you are aware of all the consequences of hitchhiking. The bottom line is, you don’t have any idea whose car you’re riding in. Instead of getting a lift from a random person, consider using public transportation. This not only saves money but it will also get you to your preferred destination with peace of mind. Alternatively, there are lots of ride sharing apps to get around. Some might be more or less popular depending on which country you’re travelling in so it’s a good idea to investigate them beforehand. Some apps like BlaBlaCar even have a “women only” feature so female drivers and riders alike can feel comfortable and safe on their journeys.
Lack of confidence
The best way to stay safe while traveling alone is by being confident. Showing signs of confusion or being absent-minded can make you vulnerable. Although it’s ok to ask locals for directions and suggestions, giving them the impression that you are confused or naive can make you more susceptible to people with wrong intentions.
Accepting food and drinks from strangers
You should be extremely cautious about accepting food or drinks from strangers, no matter how genuine or friendly they seem. This is relevant during nights out when you have already been drinking or when you’re unfamiliar with your surroundings. You should always keep in mind how to get back to your accommodation and when to do a French exit.
Arriving after dark
While planning your trip, try to avoid arriving at a new destination during the night. Oftentimes there’s limited transportation options. Reaching a new place during the day will make navigation easier and enable you to become familiar with the location.
Your personal health and safety is of utmost importance. It will make your solo trip, in your home country or abroad, a life-changing and memorable experience. Traveling alone can be challenging but as long as it’s well-planned and everything is prepared, it truly is remarkable and worth experiencing. Hopefully this list will help you keep in mind coms common mistakes to avoid when traveling solo.
Have you gone on any amazing trips by yourself? Let us know in the comments below.
Huge thanks to Auston Matta from the blog Two Bad Tourists for this guest post. He’s a freelance writer whose work has been featured in many publications including Attitude Magazine, Edge Media Network, The Houston
Chronicle and ManAboutWorld Magazine.
