Solo Travel Fun: Tips To Stop It Being So Serious
If you’ve been thinking about solo travel, but are concerned about being bored or lonely, then this article is for you! It’s time to make solo travel fun!
Solo travel can be incredibly fun and fulfilling! You have total freedom; it’s your chance to step out of your comfort zone, try new things, and make new connections. With planning and a positive mindset, solo travel can be an amazing experience that you’ll never forget.
Travelling without someone you know is a truly unique experience but can it be fun?
It can definitely be rewarding and lead to personal growth, but there are pros and cons to consider as well.
Before you head out on your first solo adventure, read on to see how it can be amazing; yes, solo travel can be fun – and lots of it!
Research And Plan In Advance
The first important ingredient to a successful, and therefore enjoyable, solo travel experience is research and planning. By preparing as much as you can before you go, you will reduce the stress on the go and focus more on having fun.
The following steps will help you know plan your trip effectively:
Choose The Right Destination
You may already know where you want to go, so this is too easy. If you’re just starting out though, you may want to consider starting small and somewhere not too far from home. Wherever you are in your solo travel journey, this is the first consideration. And, if you’re looking for some help to decide on a destination, I wrote this really helpful article to help you choose your travel destination.
Budgeting
Yes, the dreaded budget. Painful but necessary. Work out how much you have to spend on your trip and plan from there. This can get tricky, but it will help you plan your dollars and ensure you have enough to cover your trip.
Accommodation
Knowing in advance where you are going to be sleeping each night can really make you feel more comfortable when you head out on your solo adventure. It will also save time on your travels, as you don’t have to research and plan on the go.
Transport
Whether this is by plane, train, or automobile (see what I did there?), this is a must to plan and book before you go.
Itinerary
Time is precious, so you want to make the most of what you have. The trick here is to plan enough that you’re not bored, but also keep it flexible. I always create a ‘must do’ list and an ‘optional’ list. More often than not, I end up doing it all, but if you’re just not feeling it, you can take a break without any guilt.
Safety
This is of course an essential consideration when travelling solo, but don’t let it deter you. Do your location research, take some sensible precautions and make sure you have emergency contacts in place.
Related Post: Check out this complete article on keeping safe on the road while travelling solo.
Let Go Of Expectations and Be Open-Minded
This may sound contrary to the planning section above, but it’s so important to let go of expectations and be open-minded as much as you can. This is the perfect opportunity to allow yourself to be surprised by your experiences and the people you meet.
One of the biggest challenges of solo travel, or any travel if you think about it, can be the pressure to have the perfect trip. Think of the pressure that there always is to have the perfect Christmas, and you will understand where I’m coming from here.
There is the pressure to make the most of every second, see EVERYTHING, and be ‘living your best life’ constantly. This pressure can turn travel into work and not at all enjoyable.
Travel is a part of life, and just like life, it isn’t always perfect.
So, try to be adaptable and open-minded. You don’t have to stick rigidly to your itinerary. It’s great to have that, but if something interesting pops up, go with it and change your plans.
You may see a sign leading to an interesting location, or there’s an event in town that you didn’t know about. Go with it, as these experiences can often become the highlight of your trip.
Remember that this trip is all about you, and as long as you’re enjoying it, it’s a success 100%.
“Don’t be scared to walk alone. Don’t be scared to like it.”
~ John Mayer
Embracing The Experience
The number one reason that many people choose to travel solo is the FREEDOM.
You are completely in control so you get to do what YOU want to do, when you want to do it, without having to check in with anyone else.
Make the most of it, and you are sure to have more than enough fun.
Want a lazy afternoon to just read a book – go for it!
See a sign for a big hike the next day that you’d love to do – who’s stopping you?
There are so many options here: a pampering day, savouring a meal at a restaurant that caught your eye, skydiving, bungee jumping – it’s all up to you!
Solo travel is also a great time for reflection. It can be a great way to disconnect from your everyday life, and even social media (dare I say it) and focus on your own thoughts and feelings.
You can choose whether this is an opportunity to challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone, or just to get to know yourself better.
To be honest, this is the number one thing that makes solo travel fun for me!
Stay Safe And Connected
While freedom is one of the main reasons that people choose to travel solo, safety concerns and fear of being lonely are the main reasons that hold them back.
It doesn’t have to stop you from either travelling alone, or more importantly having fun with your solo travels. These tips will help with both –
Research
This ties into the first section of this article around planning. Doing your research and planning with safety in mind will reduce many risks and ease your mind.
Research which areas that may be unsafe when you’re travelling, think about travelling at night, and learn any local customs and laws that may impact you.
The more prepared you can be with this, the safer and more at ease you will feel when you are actually travelling.
Documentation
Whether it’s an international or local trip, make sure you have copies of everything you need. I do like good old paper copies along with saving electronically.
Also make sure that someone, whether that’s a family member, friend or neighbour also has a copy. I’ve never had to use that, but it’s the piece of mind knowing that it’s there, whether it’s needed or not.
Staying In Touch
Just because you’re away, doesn’t mean that you can’t stay in touch with family and friends at home.
A common misconception I’ve come across in the past is that people don’t want to bother you when you’re away. While that’s lovely, it’s often not the case.
Let important people know that you would still like to stay in touch and set something up that works for everyone. This will help you stay connected, and feel safe knowing that people are looking out if they don’t hear from you.
Stay Aware
Always be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to anything you think is unusual.
If you think about it, this applies to everyday life, but in the case of travelling and being in unfamiliar situations, it’s even more important.
It’s not about being paranoid, but being sensible and cautious.
Meeting New People
Travelling solo really does give you a boosted opportunity to connect with new people.
Now, as an introvert I have to confess I struggle with this, but it’s something that I’m working on.
Depending on the type of accommodation you are staying at, this could give opportunities. There’s also the activities that you book, and even a random conversation with someone at a meal. Just be aware, and once again, not paranoid.
You never know, you might just meet your new travel bestie.
Having A Routine
This may sound random when you’re on holiday and one of the big draw cards is to be spontaneous, but hear me out here.
Keeping some kind of routine can help you feel grounded and less lonely. This could be as simple as the same morning text message you send to a family member or friend, heading out for your usual morning walk.
Even trying to eat your meals at a regular time or reading your book before bed can help.
Planning
This is different to planning your trip. This is about planning for when you do have downtime and when you may feel lonely.
Whether it’s reading a book, heading out for a walk, making that call to someone at home, or even just reflecting and journaling, having a plan for these times can help you feel more comfortable with your ‘alone’ time.
Solo travel can be lonely, but it can also really be a time for personal growth. It’s not for everyone, so make sure you check out this post outlining all the pros and cons of solo travel.
All Or Nothing
To be honest, I didn’t choose the solo travelling world, life chose it for me.
I was with my husband for 20 years and mostly we travelled together. He worked away a fair bit and I had the occasional road trip on my own, but that was the exception, not the norm.
When he died I figured I had two choices: stay at home or travel. Now this is a very simplistic point of view, and life is way more complicated than that, but in regards to travel, that was what I felt my choices were.
It doesn’t have to be that way, and it shouldn’t be …
I’ve done my fair share of group travel, whether that’s just tourist travel or photography tours, along with countless road trips alone.
I love both, and more importantly, a combination of both. I will often combine a photography tour somewhere with some days either side just by myself. Or plan a solo trip with a catch up with friends in the middle.
Another option is to plan a fully solo trip and book the odd group tour for a day or so, book a cooking or photography class, wine tasting or hike etc. This can provide a nice balance; an opportunity to meet others, learn about your location but still maintain your independence.
The point is that there is no black and white, right or wrong, it’s all about working out what’s right for you.
Conclusion
Feeling anxious and being worried about travelling on your own is totally normal.
It’s important to remember that these feelings, like all feelings, are temporary, and if you are considering solo travel, then give it a go.
Starting small can be a great way to ease into solo travel: even simple things like having a coffee out by yourself or going to a movie if this is something you’ve truly not experienced before.
Is it for you? Only you can answer that, but what have you got to lose? Seriously consider the points above, because solo travel really can be fun.
Most importantly, know that even if you are travelling solo, you really aren’t always alone if you choose not to be. Stay in touch with others, join facebook groups, talk to other people just like you do if you’re at home.
And, you can be doing the same things as you would at home, but in a totally new place – how bad can it be?
Who knows, you may become addicted to solo travel and refuse to travel any other way in the future.
I truly hope you’ve enjoyed this post.
Have you already travelled solo?
Is it something you’re thinking about? I’d love for you to let me know in the comments below.
That’s it for now – Keep clicking and stay caffeinated.
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Unless otherwise stated, all photos are mine and remain my copyright images – Sam Wilson Photography.
