If you have ever thought about traveling alone, you’ve probably asked yourself many questions. It is definitely one of those things you need to consider before embarking on such a journey. It can be a daunting journey at first, trying to navigate unfamiliar places, foreign languages, and cultural differences. Therefore, for you to truly embrace your solo journey, some good research and preparation beforehand is a must!
In this blog post, I will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about solo traveling. Many of the answers are based on my own experiences and other solo travelers. I hope you find the answers you’ve been looking for and learn more about solo travel!
1.) How do you plan a solo trip?
A good way to start planning a solo trip is by first choosing your destination. Are you looking to do a short trip to one specific country or is it backpacking through Asia?
Once you have an idea of where you’d like to travel, begin your thorough research! Have a look at other solo travelers’ experiences in your chosen destination. How did they find it, what did they do, how did they plan their trip? If you come across a negative experience, don’t let it put you off straight away. Instead, take more time to look further and learn about the positive stories before you make your judgment. It’s also important to understand the country’s culture and ethics.
Depending on your destination, don’t forget to check for visa and vaccination requirements! If you need some tips for Asia, read PLANNING YOUR FIRST TRIP TO ASIA: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.
Next, start looking into what your budget should look like, the things you want to do, and where you should stay.
Now that you gathered all the necessary information, it’s time to book your flights! (yay, finally things are moving!). Next, you should book your accommodation – this is an important step. Having secured accommodation before arrival will make you feel more reassured and in control. Whether you want to book accommodation for your entire trip in advance, it’s up to you. Most importantly, you should have something booked for at least the first week of your trip.
Another thing I suggest booking in advance is a private transfer to your hotel. It may not seem necessary, but again, it can be comforting to know there will be someone greeting you at the airport. Not only is it comforting, but it also prevents you from being vulnerable to local scams. Unfortunately, I learned my lesson the hard way… If you want to know what happened, you can read HOW I GOT SCAMMED IN VIETNAM upon my arrival.
Lastly, all I will say – notes, notes, notes! I am definitely a notes person. I make sure to take notes of activities I want to do and places I’d like to visit during my trip. This way I can make some kind of itinerary and have a better idea of how to make use of my time.
Make sure to travel with an open mind, and be open to new experiences, people, and cultures! 🙂
2.) What are the best destinations for solo travelers?
To be honest, there is no right or wrong destination for solo travelers! Everyone travels for different reasons, and someone’s definition of ‘best destination’ may differ from yours. I believe you can find ways to make your trip memorable and fun anywhere you go!
However, I will share some of the most favored by many solo travelers. Southeast Asia is at the top of the list, with Thailand being the most popular country for solo travelers. Some of the other countries in Asia include Bali, Vietnam, Singapore, and Japan!
Across the globe, you will find many solo travelers in Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico.
Spain, Italy. Portugal, France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom are among the most popular solo traveler countries in Europe.
As I mentioned, that does not mean you should avoid traveling to countries outside of this list! I went to Dubai solo and I had a great time, despite not being among the ‘best solo traveler destination’! If you are unsure about your chosen destination, it’s always good to speak to others who have traveled there. Another great way to seek guidance is to join a solo traveler Facebook group where you can connect to other like-minded travelers!
3.) Is it safe to travel alone?
It can be very safe, but it can also have risks. When you travel anywhere, even to the ‘safest’ country in the world, you should always use safety precautions no matter where you go. The extent of your safety depends on you. There are things you can do to maximize your safety and prevent risks. If you follow the general travel safety rules, then the answer is, yes, traveling alone is completely safe.
Some tips on how to ensure a safe solo travel experience:
- Do thorough research beforehand and familiarize yourself with local laws and culture.
- Stay in safe, reputable accommodations.
- Always keep your valuables, such as passport and money, in a secure safe when you don’t need them.
- Always remain alert and aware of your surroundings – this is a very important point!
- Rely on your instincts: If something seems strange to you, it’s most likely a potential danger, and remove yourself from the situation immediately.
- Be sure to save the numbers of local authorities in case of emergency
4.) What are the advantages of solo travel?
There are so many advantages to traveling solo and self-rewards! My favorite thing about solo travel is the freedom you have, and not having to compromise with anyone. You can plan according to your own pace and do things as you wish.
But the best part of it all – is personal growth. A unique, self-rewarding experience that you will cherish forever. You will learn to trust yourself and build your confidence. You may discover new things about yourself. You will learn to step out of your comfort zone, meet new people, and experience new things… It is truly an unforgettable experience. There is so much you can learn and benefit from solo travel.
5.) How do you deal with loneliness and homesickness while traveling alone?
Feeling lonely and homesick sometimes is totally normal when traveling alone. However, there are some things you can do to put your mind at ease. First, don’t forget to call your family and friends and talk to them about your trip and maybe get some words of encouragement.
If you start to feel lonely, it’s time to come out and engage in conversation! If you have a day trip coming up, get to know the person sitting next to you. Ask other travelers at dinner if you can sit with them. Go to the bar at your hotel/hostel and don’t be afraid to chat with others over a drink. I’ve done all of these things – and I promise you’ll meet wonderful people who will make you feel like your travel buddies! Soon you will feel anything but lonely!
6.) What are the best ways to meet other travelers while traveling alone?
In the previous question, I mentioned a few ways you can meet other fellow travelers, but there are a few more ways you can meet others.
Staying in a hostel is the best way to meet other travelers! Hostels are popular places for adventurous like-minded people looking to socialize and share travel experiences. Usually, travelers in hostels are very open and friendly to conversation and are more than happy to hang out and even do things together. Hostels are also good for organizing fun activities to break the ice such as pub crawls, free walking tours, happy hours, game nights, and much more! This makes it much easier for travelers to meet and engage with each other!
Another great way to meet other people is to participate in tours and activities, attend local events, and connect with other travelers through social media. One of the best things I did before my big solo trip to Asia was joining a solo women’s group on Facebook. I was able to learn about other women’s travel experiences and get some inspiration. Later, I got to meet some of these girls on my trip! It was a really surreal and awesome experience! But of course, you should always be careful when meeting strangers and take appropriate precautions.
7.) Can solo travel be more expensive than traveling in a group?
Yes, it can be in some ways. Normally when you travel with someone, you usually share the cost of things like accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. When you travel alone, you have no one to share these costs with.
Still, there are ways to cut these costs by making small changes in your travel habits. Instead of using cabs, take public transportation or walk. Instead of staying in hotels, try Airbnb and hostels. Instead of eating at fancy restaurants, take advantage of the street food and include breakfast in your accommodations if possible. Also, do not be afraid to shop at supermarkets!
By making these changes, it is still very possible to travel within a budget and have an enjoyable trip!
8.) How do you make the most of your solo travel experience?
To make the most of your solo journey, you must undertake it with an open mind. I can’t stress this enough! You should be open to learning about new cultures and be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Yes, I know we all like our little bubble we’ve created for ourselves – but you need to break it for this one time! I promise you, it will be worth it.
Use this time to think about the things you want to accomplish and learn on this journey. Visit all the places you’ve been wanting to visit, enjoy the local cuisine, get to know the locals, and learn more about their country.
Don’t be afraid to connect with other fellow travelers. Making friends from all over the world is one the greatest things you can do. There are some pretty cool people out there. 😉 I have met so many wonderful friends from my travels that I’m so grateful to have met!
If you have one bad day or experience, take a few hours to be sad and wake up the next morning having learned your lesson and continue on with your journey. That’s exactly what I did when I got scammed in Vietnam on my first day of arrival. As much as this event upset me, I decided not to judge the whole country based on this one experience. I had faith that there were wonderful people out there and I would have the best trip ever once I let go of the bitter feelings. I would like to encourage you to turn something negative into something positive.
Finally, if things don’t go according to plan – that’s okay. Travel is one of those unpredictable things where you never really know what to expect until you’re in the middle of it. Stay calm, you’ll figure it out, and everything will be fine in the end! As long as you are okay and safe, everything else can be fixed.
9.) What are the best tips for taking solo travel photos?
I love this question because so many people have asked me who took all my solo traveling photos! Did I lie about traveling alone..? 😉
Well, the answer is simple – take advantage of those travel buddies you have met! Most travelers will be more than happy to take photos of you while getting a few of themselves in return.
Another way to get photos of yourself is by asking your tour guide to take some of you. They are used to being asked to take photos and have acquired some pretty good photography skills over the course of their tours. You are guaranteed to get some great photos!
If you are not comfortable asking others to take photos of you, invest in a selfie stick or mini tripod where you can set your phone on a timer. You can take some pretty cool photos with it! And if you do not feel like buying anything, simply stick with the good old selfies! 😉
Last tip: If you ask someone on the street to take a picture for you, pick someone who looks like they know what they are doing…Also, just be careful who you give your phone to.
10.) Best place to stay for solo travelers?
As you may have gathered from the previous questions already, hostels are the most popular choice for solo travelers. Not only because it’s fun and interactive, but also because it fits the budget of a solo traveler. You can save yourself a ton of money by staying in hostels. Since you have no one to share the cost with, this is an excellent choice to save money. Most hostels are centrally located and offer the best value for money. Just like with any accommodation, it takes the right hostel to get the best experience. Make sure to read your reviews and do a bit of research!
If you are feeling skeptical about staying in a hostel, I suggest mixing up your accommodation for the first few days to see how comfortable you feel. Book a hotel for the first night or two followed by a hostel. It can feel a bit overwhelming staying at a hostel for the first time ever. As I mentioned, choosing the right hostel makes all the difference so don’t give up if the first one is not what you expected. If you are planning to visit Vietnam during your trip, check out 12 BEST HOSTELS IN VIETNAM FOR BACKPACKERS 2023.
Next, you have Airbnb’s and homestays. Other great budget-friendly options. These can be perfect if you don’t want to splurge on a hotel room but yet want some privacy.
If non of these accommodations appeal to you, it’s perfectly okay to stay with your preferred type. If you enjoy hotels and don’t mind paying the extra bit, then you can still have an enjoyable trip!
Conclusion
Here were 10 frequently asked questions about solo travel. I hope I have answered some of the doubts and questions you had!
Just remember that every traveler is different and we all seek our own unique travel experience. As I mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, some of these answers are based on my personal experiences and the popular opinions of other solo travelers.
Some people like quiet and short solo trips, away from hostels and other travelers. Others enjoy staying in hostels and meeting new people. Both are perfectly fine! There is no wrong or right way to travel solo. We all need to discover our own way of traveling and find the best ways to enjoy our trip! 🙂
If you want to learn more about traveling solo, make sure to read TRAVELING ASIA AS A SOLO FEMALE TRAVELER: THE TRUTH
