Tips For The Solo Traveller
If you’ve ever travelled by yourself, you’ll be all too familiar with the range of emotions that came with your first solo trip. A combination of fear and excitement rolled into one, with a million thoughts about the logistics of doing it all on your own. And if you’ve yet to take the solo travel jump, we’re here to help you understand the essentials of planning this magical voyage.
First off, we can say with confidence that embarking on a solo journey is a truly transformative experience. It offers incredible opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth, as well as immersion into potentially new cultures and traditions.
That said, we are well aware that travelling alone will not only seem daunting, but could also instil a lot of fear in many people. From worrying about safety and navigating local customs, to not knowing how to meet other travellers and feeling lonely, nearly everyone that has solo travelled will have had these thoughts once upon a time. We’re here to help ease those fears, and show you that with proper planning, solo travel can be extremely safe, fun and rewarding.
We’ll also share some of our favourite destinations to visit by yourself, as well as a great first step into the solo travel world this April with Team MLA.
Common Solo-Traveller Fears
There are so many worries and concerns that will come to mind when you’re thinking about your first solo trip. We’ve all had them and they are both expected and very normal. Here’s what you may experience, and how to deal with those niggling thoughts.
‘I won’t feel safe’:
This is a major one, especially for women. It’s no surprise, given that the news is full of scary and fearful stories. (But remember that negativity is clickbait, so you’re never going to see the millions of non-scary stories that are also out there!) To ensure your safety, do your homework. Check the Government’s foreign travel advice list, and also bookmark this list of where all the British Embassies are, should you need one. It’s very unlikely, but always good to have a note of. If you lose your passport for example, the Embassy will be your point of contact.
‘I’m going to be lonely’:
An equally common fear, given that it’s called solo travel for a reason. But this fear alone will often push you out of your comfort zone and into environments where you’ll meet other travellers. Hostels, workout classes, meetups, dining experiences such as Eatwith are all great examples of how to meet people in the same place (both geographically and emotionally!) as you.
‘I won’t know how to get around on my own’:
A very valid concern, but thankfully there’s tonnes of support for this. A simple Google of ‘how to get from [insert airport] to [insert destination]’ will bring up some reputable sites and blogs with the information you need. There’s also a bunch of Facebook groups you can join, and sites like Rome2Rio and 12Go (Asia-specific, if travelling there) are great resources. The most cost-effective options might not be the safest for solo travellers, so look for reviews by fellow travellers and opt for spending a little bit more if needed for peace of mind.
‘I’m just not brave enough to travel on my own’:
This fear tends to have another fear at its root. Maybe it’s the safety aspect, perhaps it’s loneliness - but often not feeling ‘brave’ enough is showing us we’re slightly afraid. Which isn’t a bad thing - we’ll never know what we’re capable of if we don’t do the things we’re afraid of. To get around this, perhaps start with a shorter trip to a destination not too far away, and maybe join a pre-planned trip such as a group retreat where you get the benefits of solo travel with the security of safety and connection to put your mind at ease.
Be Prepared: Research & Planning
Before setting off on any solo adventure, thorough research and planning are essential. As we mentioned earlier, get to grips with the transport options of getting from one place to another. Also it’s advisable to understand the cultural norms, local customs, and potential challenges of the destination. Online communities can be a great place to find up-to-date information about this.
When it comes to an itinerary, it’s worthwhile having some flexibility for your trip, but essential to create a rough itinerary. Identify any key places or attractions you want to visit, and understand the transportation options and timings. Having a basic plan provides a safety net and ensures you make the most of your time.
Stay Connected
One of the best things you can do before you travel is purchase an eSIM for your future destination(s). Yes, some people like to go off the grid when they travel, but if you’re travelling alone there is a lot of safety in being able to call or message anyone, anytime, anywhere. It makes figuring out transportation so much easier than when you’re restricted to finding WiFi, and you can even share a live location with family and friends whilst on a journey.
That said, not all tourist SIMs are created equal. If you want to be ahead of the game and know you’ll have data as soon as you land, then companies like Airalo offer global prepaid mobile data which you can download and install in seconds. However, pre-purchase options do often come at a premium price point compared to local SIM cards. Upon landing in most countries, you’ll be able to find a local phone operator within the airport who can set you up. Failing that, most local stores (like a 7 11, for example) will have them available to buy. Just make sure your phone isn’t locked to one operator before you leave, otherwise you may not be able to use a new SIM.
Pack Smart: Less Is More
Packing efficiently is an art form, one which many of us have yet to discover no matter how hard we try. But when you’re travelling solo, a well-organised backpack or suitcase makes moving from place to place much more manageable. Here’s our top-tips:
Find a backpack that is made of lighter materials and pack your must-haves, you don’t need the nice-to-haves. We’re big fans of the Tropic Feel backpacks which expand from 30L capacity to 66L capacity (yes, the same bag!) so you can adapt your packing to your travels.
Add packing cubes to your must-buy list! They will make your packing and travels so much easier, and help you to organise and maximise space in your bag. You decide how best to organise your clothes, but typically having one cube for tops, one for underwear and socks, one for shorts and trousers etc, is going to be very efficient. They’ll also help to protect your clothes and make accessing your belongings easier.
Save space in any way you can. Minimise shoes and when it comes to clothes, remember that doing some laundry whilst on your travels is much easier than carrying additional items. A water bottle is always going to take up space too, so opt for a collapsible water bottle that’s both compact and durable.
Minimise cables and chargers by purchasing an all-in-one charging cable.
Hey Siri, How Do You Say….?
Even if you can't become fluent, learning a few basic phrases in the local language can go a long way. Locals appreciate the effort, and it can make communication smoother. Simple greetings, please, thank you, and asking for directions are good starting points. Pro tip: download Google Translate and use the camera function to hover over any reading materials and watch the language translate in front of your eyes! A game changer.
Accommodation: The Budget/Comfort Balance
Getting your accommodation right is key to a successful solo trip. Hostels are great for meeting fellow travellers, while guesthouses and boutique hotels offer a more intimate experience.
Regardless of where you stay, your safety is top priority. If you’re travelling alone, it’s likely you’ll join forces with other solo travellers along the way and have people to split the rooms with. This makes good, safe accommodation a lot more financially accessible, and gives you that priceless feeling of security.
There’s a number of apps and websites designed to help you meet people travelling the same paths as you, including:
Bumble BFF: Yes, the dating app has a friendship element which is also completely free, and allows you to connect with those in the same locations as you.
Facebook: There are some things Instagram and TikTok can’t do, and that’s group forums. Facebook is still a great place to find private groups for solo travellers or expats.
Meetup: A great go-to if you’re new to a city and want to meet like-minded people for an activity or two. You can view all locally-hosted events or even create your own meetup.
Remember, safety, cleanliness and proximity to public transport are top of the list when choosing your temporary home. Whilst in some places you can book last minute, booking in advance provides peace of mind, especially during peak seasons. Spend time reading reviews on different sites, and check out the hostel/hotel’s Instagram page and location tags to get an idea of what to expect.