Solo Travel
Solo travel can be an exciting and liberating experience! You’ll have the opportunity take the trip you want while discovering just how capable and powerful you really are! Perhaps the two biggest differences between solo travel and traveling with companions are: safety and social. So we’re going to touch on both of those and get you ready for your unforgettable solo adventure!
It may not hit right away, but eventually on your trip you may find yourself wishing you had a little company (especially after spending the last hour on a bus next to that starry eyed couple).
In a foreign culture, surrounded by strangers, it might feel like a daunting task at first. But armed with the right knowledge and a huge smile, you’ll be chatting away in no time:
1. Of course, hostels are a great place to meet other travelers. Sharing a room will ensure you’ve got company but take advantage of any hostel events or lounge areas where you might encounter other travelers.
2. Sign up for tours! You’re bound to meet other tourists visiting the area.
3. Once you’ve encountered other travelers, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself and ask for advice!
4. If you hit it off with someone, be proactive about inviting your new acquaintance out again. Ask if they’d like to visit a museum with you tomorrow or catch lunch next week. Remember: for safety purposes, remain in public spaces with them and don't give them too much information about yourself.
5. If you’re interested in meeting locals, try going to the same place everyday (such as a restaurant, café or local shop.) People will get to know you and they may have great advice for you.
6. If you’re at a bar, chat with the bartender!
7. See if the town you’re in has a cultural center. Usually run by local volunteers, that can be a great place to meet travelers and locals and learn more about the place you’re visiting.
As we like to remind our readers again and again, SAFETY FIRST! And safety is a big issue when you travel solo (especially as a woman). So here are 5 basic safety tips for solo travelers provided to us by Janice Waugh of solotravelerblog.com
Principle #1 – Public is safer than private.
This is our number one rule: stay in busy, public places. Regardless of how comfortable you are with new acquaintances, you should rarely leave a public place with them. Strategize to avoid this so that you don’t insult them with your caution. For example, you can discreetly call a cab before anyone can offer you a ride. And remember that a cab is not public if shared with a stranger.
Principle #2 – Be proactive rather than reactive.
For some reason, it seems like the chances are better that an inappropriate person will choose you than you choosing him or her. For this reason, it’s important to be proactive in you choices. Choose where to sit in a bar, who to talk to, where to go… you can still connect with lots of people but you’re less likely to be put in the position of reactively trying to get yourself out of a situation.
Principle #3 – Engage other people in safety.
When you go to a bar at night, connect with the bartender or a server so that they are aware that you’re alone. They’ll watch out for you and move unwanted attention away. If you’re walking to a destination but no longer sure of your safety, stop and ask directions even if you know the way. People will redirect you if you’re headed into an unsafe area. Whenever possible, try to subtly engage others in your safety.
Principle #4 – Never be rushed into a decision.
The easiest way to be conned or ripped off is to be rushed into a decision. This is a common strategy of people who want to take you for more than they should. It usually starts with introducing new, credible, but inaccurate information that requires you to make a decision quickly. Don’t. Get yourself in a safe place to decide on your terms.
Principle #5 – Be rude if necessary.
This is something most women struggle with all the time: being rude! When it comes to your safety, if polite isn’t working it’s ok to be rude. If someone is making you uncomfortable or putting you in danger, don’t worry about hurting their feelings or disturbing other people. It might take some practice (you can try it on telemarketers and pushy salesmen) but remember that it could save your life.
Follow these principles and cover the basic details like: carry identification; have the name and phone number of your hotel in your pocket; keep your money secure… and you should be safe when you travel solo.
For more information on traveling solo checkout SoloTravelerBlog.com’s “Travel Alone and Love It: 50 Tips”
Janice is a travel writer who focuses on the unique needs and adventures of those who travel solo. Known on Twitter and elsewhere as Solotraveler, she shares her thrill of travel as a source of education, fun, confidence and wonder in her blog, Solo Traveler [https://solotravelerblog.com], every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.