blueskiesescapes

First time travelling solo?

Posted by

Julie

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Have you always wanted to travel solo but don’t know where to start? This page provides some tips and advice to help you get started.

I’ve been travelling solo for a quarter of a century. I know that makes me sound old! In that time I’ve met many people, mostly female who say that they would love to try travelling solo, but are scared, or don’t know where to start. 

Whilst I wouldn’t necessarily recommend doing what I did – which was booking a round the world flight with the first stop in South America – if you’ve never travelled solo before (but you can if you want to), what have I learned that might help you book that ticket and pack your bag?

  1. Start ‘easy’. Take yourself to the cinema or our for a meal solo. Or, if this is ok, try a weekend away in your home country. This will give you a feel for what its like to be solo for a couple of days away from your daily life.
  2. Destination. Where do you really want to go? The more excited you are about the destination, the more you will throw yourself into the experience.
  3. Research. It is much easier nowadays with the internet at our fingers to research your chosen destination including any government advice on no-go areas.
  4. Accommodation. Book your first few night’s accommodation in advance. If your trip is short then you might want to book it all in advance. This is also true if you are going in peak seasons where beds might be harder to come by. By booking in advance at least you will have the certainty of an initial base. If you want to meet fellow travellers, a hostel will likely be your best bet. Make sure you know what type of room you are booking (single / dorm / single sex or mixed). Don’t always pick the cheapest – check the reviews for friendliness and safety. 
  5. Transport. How will you get from the airport to your accommodation? Is there a bus? A train? Are you reliant on taxis? Do your research on this before you land so that you are not reliant on a stranger you meet in arrivals. 
  6. Money. It is easy to use cards in most places in the world. However there are times for cash only. Don’t travel with lots of cash and if you are, don’t make it obvious. I used a money belt on my first trip, but I didn’t feel comfortable with it, so I don’t any longer. If I need cash, I withdraw from an ATM (although this will always be local currency rather than a stronger currency such as USD). Get a card which allows you to spend without currency conversion rates – there are lots out there. Personally, Starling or Monzo are great. Visa is more widely accepted than Amex. If you want USD or EUR, then consider using Western Union. Always carry some on you in case of emergencies.
  7. Insurance. This should be booked as soon as you have your flight booked. It covers you not just whilst you are travelling but also before you set foot in the airport. Get the best coverage you can afford – it should include repatriation as standard. Also consider if you need extra coverage for tech. If you’re planning on some adventure activities, check whether you are covered: skiing, diving, bungee etc. Due to my dive qualifications and permitted depths, I take out separate diving insurance, but many will cover you for the basics.
  8. Be friendly. I’m not saying be the life and should of every situation (heck, I’m an extroverted introvert and cherish my quiet time) but smile and be polite, be friendly to people and I guarantee you’ll meet some amazing people. On the well trodden tourist trails (South America, South East Asia, Australia) there are lots of people doing the same thing. 
  9. Language. Full disclosure; I knew no Spanish before landing in South America 25 years ago. It hadn’t even crossed my mind. But you learn the basics quickly – manners, asking if they speak [English], asking for help, numbers etc. And try. The majority of people will always appreciate you trying, even if they answer you in English! 
  10. WiFi and phones. Data roaming should be avoided unless an emergency as it’ll cost you a fortune. Buy an eSIM for your destination and it’ll ensure you are connected and therefore able to access maps and other info. Personally, I’ve been using Holafly (this is a personal recommendation not an affiliate link) for my last few trips and it’s super simple and works as promised. I know it has saved me ££.