The significance and steps to travel solo
Do you want to travel but have no one to go with?
Perfect. Because all you need is yourself!
Why solo travel?
Solo traveling is an adventure that I recommend to everyone.
Undoubtedly, it’s a completely different experience than traveling with someone else; your trip becomes a more intimate engagement with the environment rather than the company you have.
It’s the best way to learn more about yourself, gain confidence, and step out of your comfort zone.
Not only do you have the freedom to do anything that you want, but you have the opportunity to be anyone that you want.
I have solo-traveled to over a dozen countries, and I plan to travel to many more.
The people I have met, the places I have visited, and the experiences I have lived through would not have been possible if I had not gone alone.
When you travel with another person, you sacrifice independence and opportunities.
I love being in control of my own itinerary, and not having to do anything that doesn’t appeal to me.
I love choosing the restaurants I want to eat at without anyone else’s input, and talking with strangers is less likely to happen if I already have company.
I especially love doing things on my own time, without having to wait or rush for anyone.
Despite the advantages of solo travel, a Travelex-sponsored survey, involving 2,000 Americans, found that 78% of people would prefer to travel with somebody else.
The main concerns were fears of unsafe conditions and loneliness.
I completely empathize with these concerns. During my travels, I have feared both as well, but I did not let them stop me from making the most out of my own company and having the best trip possible.
In this article, I’ll share my insights and offer guidance on how to combat these fears when solo traveling.
Here’s how to travel solo:
Safety tips
Firstly, solo traveling is not inherently dangerous. Exploring any foreign place, regardless of who or where, poses risks.
Secondly, safety is subjective.
That being said, it’s important to take extra precautions when traveling by yourself:
- Share your location and itinerary
I always have my phone location on so that my parents can track where I’m at at all times.
While I hated it when I was in high school, I realize the importance of it when I travel because it assures me that I have someone looking out for me, even when they aren’t with me.
Another prerequisite to any trip is to share your travel plans with loved ones.
I provide the addresses of all my accommodations, the dates of the places I plan to be in, and any major transport that I take if going to different cities. This way, my status is not completely MIA if something were to go wrong.
- Be smart when you’re out
It’s a simple yet powerful safety tool as a solo female traveler: make sure you know who’s behind you when walking alone.
It’s easy to become lost in the moment of new surroundings and beautiful sights, but this makes it easy for you to be taken by surprise from behind.
I’m not saying you need to be hypervigilant at all times, let’s not be paranoid here.
After traveling to countless cities alone, I believe most people in the world are good.
Still, I recommend scanning your surroundings from time to time.
Another tip is to always be mindful of your belongings.
Don’t flash your money or wallet on the street, and be sure that your items can not be easily stolen.
I love Travelon’s day bags because they are secure around my body, slash-resistant, and RFID-blocking.
- Be careful about where you go
General rules of thumb that I stick to when solo traveling are choosing environments where I am always with other people and avoiding going out at night alone.
The best way to mitigate the vulnerability of being alone is to be with other people.
When walking through a city, blend in as much as possible to avoid drawing unnecessary attention, and walk with the crowds of other people.
If you are out in a less crowded area, try to identify at least one other group or individual and walk near them.
This way, there is at least one other person who will be around in case of an emergency.
Additionally, it is a wise idea to avoid solo nights out.
There is generally more risk involved when the sun goes down because there are usually fewer people out at night, and there is an increased chance of crime occurring.
Hence, it is smarter to stay in your accommodation for the night, unless you have a group of other trusted travelers that can accompany you.
Tip: Another reason why I love staying in hostels: I love joining the outings so I always have people to go out with at night.
How to combat loneliness:
The second most pressing concern about traveling solo is the fear of loneliness; however, it is a common misconception that being alone means one is lonely.
Traveling solo does not have to equate to feeling lonely.
You can be your own best friend, and use this time to cultivate the relationship you have with yourself; in my opinion, the most important one you have.
I love going out to restaurants, strolling around cities, and exploring local attractions all by myself. At first it may feel uncomfortable, but once you become more confident in your own skin — spending time with just you and your mind is not as scary.
Free walking tours are a great opportunity to meet other travelers! 9/2/22, Amsterdam
- Get to know yourself
We are often surrounded by so many other people that we never actually spend time getting to know ourselves in the absence of others.
It is hard to spend time alone when you don’t have an idea of your identity, what you love about yourself or what you want to improve on.
Try journaling and observe your thought patterns on paper, or take five minutes out of your day to sit down and reflect in silence.
Maybe even start “solo-ing” small and visit a nearby cafe by yourself.
Regardless of how, I recommend committing to a practice of spending time with yourself to gradually feel comfortable being alone.
- Talk with strangers
Just because you are taking a solo trip, does not mean that you actually have to be by yourself the entire time!
My favorite thing about solo traveling are all the conversations I have with strangers, and the new friends that I make as a result.
I used to be extremely shy when I was younger and was always very much introverted growing up, so I understand that talking with random people can be daunting.
But the more I force myself out of my comfort zone and talk with new people, the more I realize that humans are more approachable than you think!
It’s really about letting go of your ego and being more interested in the other person, rather than your insecurities.
A great way to find friends when traveling is to join group tours.
Many hostels offer these for free, or you can participate on free walking tours that most major cities have.
- Understand that it’s okay to be alone
Though it may feel unnatural to you in the beginning, keep in mind that it’s a beautiful thing to be your own company.
You are finding more about yourself, learning to be independent, and discovering ways to enjoy your solitude.
And no, people aren’t judging you like you think they are.
In conclusion, a solo trip is something that you should try at least once.
The journey to solitude comes with an array of lessons, insights and connections that you may never find otherwise.
Don’t let your fears stop you from having the adventure of your life, because I guarantee that you will find some value in traveling alone.
Who knows? You may even find it’s your new favorite way to travel.
Using the self-timer to take my own pictures; taken right before a solo hike in Switzerland; 9/8/22
Do you have any more questions about solo traveling?
I’m always here to root on first-time solo travelers! Don’t hesitate to contact me for any further advice on your next trip by messaging me on Insta 🙂 @lydiaschultzz
gottacaseofwanderlust 
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