I have been traveling solo for several years and I have learned that planning a solo trip takes some extra planning and precautions. Opposed to other types if travel, it takes extra effort to be a solo traveler. With all that being said, I want all women to know that solo travel is completely attainable. The following are five tips that I wish I had of known when I was planning a solo trip:
Plan your spontaneity:
A solo trip is not the time to go off the handles and embrace the “yolo”. Safety should always be a concern when traveling on your own. That does not mean that there aren’t opportunities for spontaneity. Take for instance my trip to Breckenridge while road tripping through Colorado. I planned my travel to and from the town. Before leaving I made sure that I had water, gas, and a charged phone. Once I arrived in Breck I allowed myself the ability to walk around the down town and historic district without much of a plan. Luckily Breckenridge has a low crime rate and there aren’t many safety concerns. I also made sure to drive around the town before picking a place to park.
When you take the time to learn the area, even if it is only through internet research, it allows you the chance to have a bit of spontaneity but also be safe.
Have a contingency fund:
You never know what will happen on a trip. There is always a chance of missing a train or needing some extra money for food. I also typically travel with enough money set aside that I can get home in an emergency if the situation calls for that. You never know if you have to cut a trip short to get home for an emergency or find yourself in an unsafe situation. There may be political uprisings or natural disasters. You don’t want to be stuck in another country where your safety is at risk. The amount of money that you need will vary but I always try to have enough that I know I can get a ride to the airport, a plane ticket, and some food.
Time of day matters:
Whenever I am on a road trip I make sure to travel during the day. If I have to travel in the dark then I will make sure to leave early in the morning so that I am heading towards day light instead of away from it. This is mostly a safety concern. It is more difficult to find roads and to traverse a new location in the dark. I also feel safer talking to strangers or pulling over to get my bearings when the day light is happening.
When I have to fly I always try to pick a flight where I will land in another country during the day. It also helps if it is a night flight where you can get some sleep. This way when you arrive to another country you are alert and aware of your surroundings and able to make clear decisions. Bonus tip: early morning flights and late night flight are often cheaper!
Plan to pack more or smarter:
When you are traveling by yourself you have to make sure that you have packed all that you need or plan to buy it when you get to your location. Sadly you can’t share the packing duties. There is no sticking a blow dryer or a couple pairs of socks in someone else’s bag. This means that you have to plan on packing more or you have to pack smarter.
This means that you either have to make the decision of paying for heavier bags and more luggage or you need to pack in a way where you can live with fewer items. Perhaps you can live without the make-up or the hair products to save space. Maybe you can wear items that serve multiple purposes so that you can pack less. You may have to pack less and research places where you can wash your clothes while you are traveling. It may be time consuming but on the other hand you could save money. You also reduce the risk of having luggage lost or stolen by traveling with just a carry-on.
Build a travel community:
Even if you travel solo, you still need a support system. I am part of several Facebook groups, a follower of travel blogs, and actively engaged with travel hashtags on Instagram. Even though I primarily travel by myself I am still part of a travel community. It is important to surround yourself with people who not only enjoy travel. Even now I run into people who can be slightly to extremely negative. When this happens I can always fall back on my travel community.
The tie between planning a trip and having a travel community is multifaceted. It starts with being able to bounce around ideas. I get a lot of feedback on the trips that I am trying to plan. When I am part of these groups I am able to see pictures and hear about stories from people who have actually been there. It helps to prevent taking shots in the dark. They give me inspiration and also some confidence to continue doing what I love. There is also a chance that through the communities I am able to find people who may be in the same place as I am. We can even meet up for some tea or a meal. I find people who actually have moved to a new destination so I can get recommendations for places to eat or sites to see.
While this isn’t completely necessary I do find the experience to be invaluable. Of all the tips that I could give on any topic, this is one of the most important. Surrounding yourself with like minded people, even if they are over the internet, it will change your travel experiences.
There you have it! Five tips for planning a solo trip. Feel free to drop a comment or be kind enough to give me a little share.
Really nice overview!