Tips For Solo Travel

If you are wanting to travel solo, it can be something you might be hesitant to do alone, but I am here to tell you there is nothing to worry about. Trust me, I have travelled solo all over the world as a solo female traveller, for over a decade and a half.
Solo travel is lots of fun and you don’t have to do things you don’t want to just to please your travel companions. You can do what you want, when you want it!

I have travelled to various places all over the world, all solo as a female. I love it so much and prefer to travel alone than with others!

I am a female who is also chronically ill and disabled, and I have travelled solo for well over a decade.

There are many advantages to travelling solo such as you can do what you want, when you want and eat whatever you want, wherever you want. You don’t need to worry about what the other person might want as it is just you!

There are a few downsides, such as there isn’t someone there to save your space in queues, and no one to help you if you need some help such as if you are disabled like me.

But I only travel solo as I love it so much! Even though I am disabled and need assistance in certain environments and places.
Sure there are some things I can’t do as I am solo, such as I can’t be pushed in a wheelchair or have assistance throughout my trip, but there are just too many advantages for me, even though I can’t go to certain places due to not having assistance, I still prefer it.

I love nature and parks so much that I can happily just sit in a park and look at a stunning view, all day long! Whereas someone else might get bored quickly, especially if they are abled as they can do more than I can.
Seeing as sightsee a lot from my vehicle as well means that they would get bored quickly.
I don’t need to worry about this as I just do what I want.

I get wheelchair assistance at airports and train stations, but other than that, it is just me, so I spend a lot of time using a rental car as a accessibility tool, kind of like a big wheelchair or scooter! I use it to sightsee and park up at overlooks to watch the beauty and nature. Nothing better for me!

Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or embarking on your first solo trip, here are some tips for making the most of your solo travels and also some advantages to travelling solo.

There are a few things I always take with me for safety reasons, no matter where I go:

• a personal alarm
• door safety tool (jams in the lock to make sure no one can get in)
• a self defence keychain item (illegal in some places such as the UK)

Here are some tips for travelling solo

• If you like to post online a lot, don’t tell people where you are staying and where you will be. I never post my exact location online until after I have left!
  You never know if someone might want to meet you and try to find you after seeing where you said you are online. I don’t share my hotel until after I leave for the same reason. There are a lot of bad people out there and you could be their target.
  
  
• Only tell your emergency contacts where you are. And do tell someone because if anything bad happened such as say you went missing, no one might know where you were. So share your travel plans with someone you trust.
  
  
• Check in advance what the city is like where you are travelling to. Is it safe to go out at night? Is there much crime? Things like that. Do your research. Some places are very safe and others are very dangerous!
  
  
• Don’t walk about alone late at night in places that aren’t safe, or at the very least carry some self defence items such as an alarm or self defence tool like I listed a bit further up the page.
  
  
• Don’t flash your valuables. This is the case for anyone travelling anywhere. Don’t flash them about unless you want to be a target of pickpockets.
  
  
• Don’t share too much info with strangers on your trip.
  
  
• Try not to dress too much like a tourist. Some tourists stand out like a sore thumb and can often be a target of pickpockets. Tourists = money to many pickpockets as they have money to travel as well as usually more money than usual and electronic devices.
  
  
• Do what you want, when you want it!
  This is the biggest advantage of travelling alone. You can do whatever you want without worrying if someone else will too. Do what you want and when you want!
  
  
• If you are travelling to a country where they speak a different language, research some common phrases such as asking if they speak English, or carry a phrase book or an app.
  
  
• Try a hostel
  Book a hostel instead of a hotel if you wish to meet people and find new friends. You meet lots of people as you share rooms with strangers. This is the best way to meet people if you wish to.
  You end up chatting with new people and you can even find fellow travellers if you wish!
  It’s a great way to meet people if you’re traveling alone and don’t want to be alone all the time. Because of the environment, almost everyone will find friends in the hostel.
  
  
• If you go to a bar and have a drink, please cover your drink or take it with you. Spiking drinks is very common!
  
  
• Try walking tours
  If you are alone and want to meet new people, walking tours are not only a way to explore the places but also meet other travellers to make friends with. It’s a great way to explore the city and meet people.
  
  
• Take time for self-care
  Traveling alone can be fun, but it can also be exhausting. Whether you’re taking a day off or treating yourself to a day at the spa, don’t forget to take the time to pamper yourself. Don’t try too hard to juggle it all and end up being too exhausted to pull it off. Have a relaxing day.
  
  
• Tell people where you are
  You need to tell people where you are or share your route so they know where you’ve been and where you’re going if needed. I also recommend apps that let your friends know where you are but can also set off an alarm to get help with your location!
  The best app I can recommend is one called Hollie Guard. It’s FREE and has many features including activating the alarm, tracking your route, collecting evidence by taking photos and videos, notifying your friends when you need help, an audible alarm and you can use the Notify police via app if you pay for subscription, but everything else is free!
  
  
• Learn some basic phrases
  You should try to learn at least some basic phrases in the local language. This makes communication easier, but also reduces the risk of being targeted, as some people will go after obvious tourists. Plus, it can even help you make friends!
  
  
• Stay safe!
  While traveling alone can be exciting, it’s important to be safe. Always be aware of your surroundings, trust your instincts and take precautions, such as by keeping valuables in a safe place or carrying a personal alarm. I would definitely recommend a personal security alarm as it draws attention and deters people if you feel threatened. You can find many on Amazon. Try Hollie Guard too.
  
  
• And finally, a bit of an odd one, but learn to do a few small lies for if needed for strangers.
  I hate lying personally and avoid it, BUT when on vacation alone, especially as a female, you get attention sometimes and they may ask you to go out with them or ask where you are staying, and a little lie can help you out and keep you safe. You could say you are staying at a different hotel or make something up like you are with your partner. Little lies for safety.
  I have been approached by many people over the years and some you can just brush off, but some can wait outside your hotel for you and things like that.

Remember, traveling alone doesn’t have to be lonely or scary.
Be sensible and cautious. Travelling alone can be the best thing you can do! You have all the freedom you want and the world at your fingertips.