Thinking About Solo Travel?
7 Things To Consider Before You Plan Your First Adventure
Are you thinking about solo travel, but not sure where to start, or even if it’s for you?
Now, I’m not going to be talking about booking the next flight to the other side of the world. Or packing up your tent and heading into the wilderness.
What Does Solo Travel Mean To You?
What is the picture that comes into your mind when you think of solo travel? If it’s some huge backpacking tour into the unknown that could be holding you back.
Is that even what you want to do? Great if it is, and you probably don’t need to be reading this post in that case.
This post is to help you get started if it’s something completely new to you.
That’s not the kind of travel that I do.
My solo travel usually involves a good old road trip and staying in motels or AirBnB’s along the way.
Ok, a plane might be involved to get to your starting point and then hiring a car. But I’m not talking about a cruise or roughing it in a tent or caravan.
If that sounds like the kind of travel you might be interested in, then please read on.
There are many reasons you may be considering travelling on your own. Maybe you’ve just decided to try it, or as in my case, life decided it for you.
“If you are waiting for someone to travel with you, you may end up waiting a lifetime.”
~ Unknown
When my husband died, if I wanted to travel, I had to do it alone. Now ‘solo’ can mean different things. It can mean doing the whole trip solo, or joining a group, or a combination of the above.
Over the last 6 years I have done all three and they all have their merits. It really depends on what you want to do and see, and the locations you’re planning on visiting.
But I digress…
What if you’ve never attempted solo travel at all before and don’t know where to start?
Maybe you don’t even know if it’s something you will enjoy.
Honestly you won’t know until you really give it a go. So here are some things to consider and some strategies you can put in place before you start planning your first solo travel experience.
Managing Your Fears
The first thought that comes to your mind could be ‘solo travel is too dangerous’.
And yes, it can be. BUT mostly it’s not, particularly if you plan and have good strategies in place.
I did some research on the popularity of solo travel. It’s incredible how many people (women in particular) are out there travelling on their own.
There are hundreds, if not thousands of websites dedicated to this. And it’s increasing!
Most of it comes down to researching your destinations, planning and being practical.
Just like you have to be when you go shopping for your groceries. You don’t leave your car unlocked or your wallet sitting in an open view in your trolley.
If you don’t walk down dark streets at home in the evening, you wouldn’t do it when you’re travelling either.
There are so many simple things you can do to minimise your risks.
As you think about each potential problem, think about a solution and you’re halfway there.
Start Small
You don’t have to book a one way ticket and pack your life into a backpack to get started.
Let’s start with some smaller steps closer to home if this is something new to you. I get it, as I truly have been there and started from scratch. I don’t think I had ever even had lunch out by myself before, let alone even considered any solo travel.
Depending on where you are starting from, just going out for dinner by yourself locally could be a good starting point.
Each time you take a small step outside of your comfort zone, your level of comfort changes. It grows and expands …
Maybe think about taking a day or even a few hours out for yourself while travelling with others.
This doesn’t need to be a big thing. Just something small to get you started. You could take yourself off to lunch or a movie by yourself and then meet back up with everyone later.
Celebrate this milestone and think what could be next. Maybe an overnight stay not far from home.
Start Local
You don’t have to go far to get started as a trial run.
Is there somewhere close to you that you’re familiar with to try?
One of the things I did was book into a fancy hotel about 20 minutes away from home. It’s funny how we have beautiful locations right nearby that we’ve never tried.
Are there any events running close to you that you’d like to attend. Maybe a music festival or theatre show.
It may be local, but why not go and book a night right there and use that as a trial. There’s a lot to be said for playing tourist in your local area. You really do see it from a different perspective.
And, if it’s not your thing, then you’re not far from home…
It doesn’t have to be 100% Solo Travel
If you’re not comfortable with jumping in and booking a totally solo travel experience, then consider a combination.
What I mean by this is book a tour or trip, then book yourself a night or two before or after your tour.
I did this when I decided I’d love to see Uluru in the Northern Territory of Australia.
It’s one of Australia’s best known locations, but very remote. It wasn’t one I felt I could road trip it alone so I booked a tour.
But what I also did, was book a couple of nights in Darwin at the end so I also had that solo travel experience.
I also did this before and after a photography tour in Tasmania. I booked a number of day tours to get out and see some amazing locations without hiring a car.
Tassie Seals – Spot the real one lol
There really are so many options.
Research
As the old saying goes, knowledge is power. So think of all your what if scenarios and do the good old ‘GTS’(Google That Stuff). Google has solutions or ideas to answer any of your questions or concerns.
So many questions and concerns around solo travel can be answered by doing your research.
If you’ve picked an area, then google that area. Join Facebook groups or even ask friends or family you know that have been there.
Just be careful on whose advice you choose to take. On the whole people who do reviews focus more on the negative than positive so keep that in mind.
What If Solo Travel Isn’t For You?
You know what? You may have thought about it, tried some of the suggestions, and then went nope, not for me.
That’s perfectly ok.
Actually, that’s more than ok. Because you’ve tried it and there are so many other options to get out there if you are single and still wanting to travel.
And you know what? You haven’t booked that massive backpacking experience at the other side of the world and hated it. It’s just time to find something else that works for you. All options are ok.
What’s next?
I truly hope you’ve enjoyed this post and are now planning something to get you started.
Where that leads you no one knows, but I’d love to hear if you’re considering any of these options.
Better yet, let me know of your experiences in the comments below.
That’s it for now – Keep clicking and stay caffeinated
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Note – This post does not contain any sponsored or affiliated links. All suggestions and opinions are mine. Unless otherwise stated, all photos are mine and remain my copyright images – Sam Wilson Photography.
