Travellin’ ladies, listen up! As someone who was always skeptical about how safe it would be to travel alone, I’m now that person who plans a trip without even seeing if anyone wants to tag along.
Solo travelling has allowed me to visit some amazing places, meet some interesting and equally lovely people and find a new confidence in myself.
If you’ve been waiting to plan the trip of your dreams but are too scared to do it alone, let me tell you why you should stop putting it off and head out on your first solo adventure.
What are the benefits of travelling alone?
You can go when you want to
One of the reasons I love to travel alone is because when I’m ready to go on a trip, I don’t have to worry about my friends getting their lives and their finances in order. I love you girls, but this globetrotter can’t wait forever. Since I live by the mantra “work, save, travel, repeat”, it also means I can jump on any deals as they pop up and make the most of any downtime at work (if there is such a thing).
You can go where you want to
I love my friends and we are alike in many ways, but while most of them love a 5-star resort, I love roughing it on the back roads and living out of an overpacked and oversized backpack. It’s not the most glamourous way to travel, but if you’re trying to jam two or three countries into a 14 day trip, it certainly is the most convenient way to do it. Plus the more money you can save on your accommodation, the more you have for activities and tacky souvenirs.
You are forced to get out of your comfort zone and make new friends
I have two speeds to my personality: extroverted and in your face or introverted and trying not to make eye contact. For the most part, I live an introverted life so I find travelling alone a great way to make new friends and experience new things. On previous trips I’ve been known to stand alongside my friend’s shadow and let her do all the talking and planning but since I’ve been venturing out on my own the last few years, I’ve noticed my confidence grow in many areas of my life.
What should you know?
Stay safe
Staying safe should be your number one priority, so if you do a little research about where you’re going, read some other traveler tips and make smart choices, you can do away with the fear and have an epic holiday.
Think about money
Things are more expensive when you don’t have anyone to split the bill with, so if you are tight on cash, think about travelling to places where you can stretch your dollar; like Asia. I always set myself a rough daily budget that I either take or leave, but that way it allows me to have a clear idea if I’m going to have enough money to last the whole trip.
Are tours really that great?
Oh hells yeah! I am a big fan of tours because a) they are a super cheap way to get around because transport and accomodation are included and b) you get to meet other solo travellers who are out to have a good time and experience all the fun things the country you’re in has to offer.
There are lots of great tour companies out there that have tailored itineraries to make the most of wherever you’re travelling to and you can usually find one to suit your travel style. Ones I’ve used and loved are GAdventures, Topdeck and Intrepid.
So stop putting off that trip, start researching and saving so you can get out there and see all the wonderful things the world has to offer.
Have you ever travelled alone or considered it?
See more:
Written by Monique Renee
Usually barefoot and deep in wanderlust mode, Mon loves binging Netflix, cuddling babies and stalking through Instagram looking for boho decor inspo and hotties with man buns. You’ll usually find her on holiday, planning a holiday or thinking about holidays.
Favourite Instagram to follow: @hotdudesreading
I think that it is great travelling on your own – you can go where you want and also gain confidence from doing it on your own. Unless you are staying in dorm rooms in hostels it can be quite expensive and you may not get as many photos of you as you need to rely on kind strangers to take your travelling photos. Have also made a lot of great friends through going on tours.
Thanks for this article, I am one person who has put off travelling because I am a bit scared to go alone but after reading this I feel more empowered and might start looking for some travel speicals.
Unfortunately, I feel like I will get lonely and get really shy to make new friends especially in a new place. And probably due to not having my best friend (my husband) around will make me feel nostalgic and depressed then I will not be good company for whoever is gonna be my new friend.
You sound very brave to go out and travel alone. I don’t think I could do this but know others who do or want to. But the more you think about it using tours you are with other people and meet others but can still do your own thing.
Travelling alone would be good, however I would definitely rather go with a friend or even a family member, I think I would get a bit lonely and I like doing things with others 🙂
This sounds daring and fun! I don’t if I could ever muster up enough courage to travel alone (I watch far too many horrers) but the idea in my mind sounds exciting and almost liberating just globe trotting wherever, whenever… I have a school friend who does exactly that just travels to where ever her heart desires on her own literally with a abcak pack… Her photos on Facebook just awe me… And all on her own… I get why.. Just envious I guess I don’t think I could ever actually do it
I have never traveled alone. But I am considering doing it in future. I don’t have many friends in a position to be able to travel, and my husband and I only have a few things we want to do together travel wise. I love the idea of doing short tours and packing lots in, but in a group setting.