What to Know When... TRAVELING ALONE
Travel Like a Pro
BY RACHEL STERNEveryone wants to travel the world, right? But what do you do when your travel buddy can’t be on every one of your thousands of trips across the globe? Follow these steps and you’ll find yourself feeling free and accomplished in your solo travel endeavors!
1If you’re not already, you need to be comfortable doing fun activities with me, myself, and I. As mentioned in the Huffington Post article 7 Keys to Traveling Alone –and Loving It by Teresa Williamson, “The first step is the hardest…you need to commit to go out and do something alone…[something even] as simple as going to the movies.” A lot of people might be scared of doing what are typically group activities alone at first, but when you take the leap and make the decision to go through with it, you’ll realize that no one actually cares if you’re by yourself. In the end, you’ll feel accomplished, confident, and much more relaxed
when similar situations arise. You don’t want to sign up for something you aren’t mentally prepared for, specially if that something takes place in a foreign country. After gaining confidence in being by yourself, you are ready to plan your trip.
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One of the most important things you need to consider is safety. It can be smart for U.S. citizens to sign up for the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which can help you get information “about safety conditions in your destination country,…help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency,…[and] help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency,” as stated on the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program website.
Nevertheless, just about every city has its “dangerous” parts, so when you book where you are going to stay, make sure it’s in an area that you’re comfortable with. You don’t
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have a partner to comfort in – so you need to grab it where you can!
Once you have your location on lock, it’s time for the planning and packing. It’s always a good idea to figure out transportation in advance. Make sure if you’re taking a taxi or group shuttle service that the company is reliable. And if you’re taking a train or bus, check the schedules in advance to make sure they are running at the time of your arrival. Allot extra time when planning your travels in case your flight is delayed an hour or if
the train runs late, etc. You don’t want to be stuck somewhere after missing your transportation.
As for packing – if your vacation allows, it’s smart to pack a single bag so you don’t have a lot to worry about – again, the theme is making everything as easy as possible. As the article How to Plan Your First Solo Trip by Shivya Nath suggests, “[You should carry] something to keep you occupied during your down time and long flights or train rides].” You should also consider carrying I.D. in more than one place on your person as a safety precaution. And of course, double check that you have everything you need before leaving. Once finished planning packing, it’s time to see what the world has to offer.
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Keep in touch with your friends and family so they know how your travels are going, but don’t fret anymore. You are in control of your vacation and if plans get skewed, focus on the confidence you built in yourself and your capability of figuring out a new plan to keep you happy. No one is there to stand in your way! Your schedule is your own and the only person to worry about pleasing is yourself.
It’s time to enjoy the world without anyone holding you back! I hope these tips for traveling alone help with your next exotic vacation or a short trip a few hours away, starting work in a new country, or studying abroad. Have fun, stay safe, and relax!
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photography by Rachel Stern