There are negative aspects to solo travel: When you’re alone, there isn’t someone automatically there to eat with you.
There is no one to send on before you are in line, no one to assist you in figuring out the bus timetable, and no one to share your frustrations with when things go wrong.
Moreover, the cost of a solo trip is typically higher. You can save money on hotel rooms by staying with a travel companion. When you divide the expense of goods like groceries, guidebooks, cabs, storage lockers, and more among a group, everyone saves money.
Your awareness and curiosity about your destination will increase when you travel solo. More people will want to talk to you since you’ll be easier to talk to—your chances of encountering the generosity of total strangers increase. When traveling with people, it’s only natural to worry about your companions instead of the symphony of sights, sounds, and fragrances all around you.
It’s common for people to learn a lot about themselves while traveling alone. During your travels, you may remember as much about yourself as you do about the destinations you’ve come so far to see. The front of the greatest joys of traveling alone is discovering that you have what it takes to navigate on your own. One of the most significant rewards of independent travel is the eedom and independence that comes with exploring a new place on your own. One vacation is a present from
A Guide to Solo Traveling
Many would-be solo travelers worry about being by themselves throughout their entire journey. It might be depressing and nasty when you’re alone in a big city. It’s sad and lonely to be sick and isolated in a foreign land where no one knows your name.
Luckily, it’s not hard to find companionship in tourist hotspots. During the busy summer months, Europe, in particular, crawls with tourists and ideal gathering spots. It’s also possible to find friendly residents online who can give you the rundown on where to get the best food and nightlife in their city.
Having Conversations
Everywhere you go, you’ll be able to meet new people and make new vagabond friends. You’ll instantly have a family if you stay at a hostel (plenty of hostels are comfortable and welcoming to people of all ages). If you want, there are also cozy pensions and B&BS where you and your fellow breakfast companions can converse with the innkeeper and the other visitors. You’ll likely make more new friends in one hour at a popular tourist destination than in a whole day at your regular hangout. Cameras are great icebreakers, especially in the selfie age; if you’re hesitant to approach someone, offer to take their photo.
Meeting new individuals is effortless on public transportation. Please communicate with the locals you meet who can speak English by asking them their opinion on anything. You can play gin rummy or solitaire at the laundromat while waiting for your clothes to be washed. The result will be a pile of freshly laundered clothes and stimulating chat.
Acquire the phrase for “beautiful baby” in the area’s language. The child and their parents will warm to you if you take the time to play peek-a-boo or build an origami bird for them.
Meetup is a social networking website where people with similar interests can meet and organize get-togethers, such as photography walks, happy hours, and weekend ski trips. Participate in a guided walking tour of a city with a group (check your guidebook or ask at the tourist office). You’ll get the lay of the land and mingle with fellow tourists. Look for options in the area, or inquire at your hotel or hostel for fun group activities like food tours, culinary courses, sports events, and excursions. Some excellent choices include Airbnb, ToursByLocals, and TravelLocal.
Check with your social media contacts to see if they know anyone who lives in the places you want to visit, and if so, send them a note to let them know you’ll be there. If you’re looking for places to go and places to stay that don’t cost anything, joining a hospitality exchange network is a great idea (more on this below). Event listings on Facebook are just as popular in other countries as in the United States.
You may consider joining a tour group if you’re the silent type. Your knowledgeable guide will handle all the logistics, and you’ll already have a group of people to have a good time with.
Going Out to Eat
You won’t feel out of place eating by yourself in a restaurant in Europe any more than you would in the United States. However, the best way to enjoy several national dishes is to share them with others. Suppose you wanted to invite someone to dinner. In that case, you might host a rijsttafel in the Netherlands, an array in Scandinavia, fondue in Switzerland, a paella feast in Spain, or a spaghetti feed in an Italian trattoria. A simple “Would you want to meet up for dinner?” can get you together with an excellent potential dinner companion. (Contemplating who to consult? People that travel using Rick Steves guidebooks in Europe form a close-knit community.
The people who follow my blog are hungry for adventure, just as I am, and they are always up for trying something new in the kitchen.
Hostel dining halls are great for meeting people, so if you’re hungry, head on. Try finding restaurants so busy and popular that everyone eats at communal tables, or ask other solo travelers if they want to dine elsewhere. Organize a potluck-style meal.
Stay occupied if eating alone is more your style. Put it to good use by studying the language some more. Take advantage of your waiter or waitress’s company to hone your communication abilities (when I asked a French waiter if he had kids, he proudly showed me a picture of his twin girls). Spend time preparing for your vacation, drawing in your diary, checking in on social media, or sending home a few images through text message.
For the price of a drink and a snack at a café, you can have quieter and more privacy than at a public fountain or other open space, making it the perfect place to catch up on your travel journal.
Evenings
In locations like Europe, where city centers are generally safe and inviting, the enchantment of cities is best experienced at night. Take a stroll through the brightly lit streets. As you stroll through the town with your gelato, you can take in the bustling shops and beautifully lit landmarks. When there are lots of people around, you automatically feel more social. You can choose from various nighttime activities, such as shows, movies, and dance performances. Nighttime tours are available in some locations, such as a river cruise along the Seine in Paris or a ghost walk through the streets of London.
A room with a balcony overlooking a plaza is ideal for those who want to remain in and relax. A front-row ticket to the most exciting event in town is yours to enjoy. Reading novels about the location you’ll be visiting is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture. Share your exciting trip with friends and family back home, and you may be pleasantly surprised to see responses from them in the morning, even if they are in a different time zone. Honor your time alone. Get to bed early and get up early. Get some fresh rolls and coffee with the locals at a bustling morning market.
Places to Stay for Lone Tourists
To obtain reasonably priced hotel rooms, solo travelers must put in a little extra effort. The cost of a single room is usually more than the cost of a double. A single occupancy room will typically cost around $80 per night, or $30 more than the double occupancy rate if the double room is $100 per night. Similarly, actual single rooms are uncommon, so you may pay for a double more often than you’d want.
Sites like Hotel Deals – Bookings & Discounts can help you locate hotels that welcome lone guests. Search only for budget-friendly, genuine singles that offer at least one twin bed. After narrowing down your possibilities, making reservations straight with the hotel is preferable.
Hostels are businesses that rent out single bunk beds to tourists of varying ages. It is a fantastic opportunity to get to know new people cheaply. Private hostel rooms may be less expensive than a standard hotel room for a single traveler.
Airbnb, Servas, and Couchsurfing are just a few of the home-sharing services that can be used as an alternative. Here, you can locate cheap places to stay, such as a metropolitan teen’s couch, a farm kid’s bedroom, or a solitary New York City apartment. A primary goal of both Servas and Couchsurfing is to facilitate social interaction and cross-cultural understanding between hosts and guests.
Protection for Lonely Tourists
When it comes to your safety when overseas, use common sense and a healthy dose of caution; when traveling alone, you must rely on yourself more and pay close attention to your surroundings. (Women, in particular, may worry more about their safety than males; for additional guidance, read my section on traveling alone.)
Make use of your wits about town. Carry cash, a map, a guidebook, and a phrase book so you can go around without relying on anyone unless you want to.
Keep your head up and stride with the intent to give the impression that you know where you’re headed. If you become lost in an unfavorable area, your best bet is to find a police officer or a family to ask for directions or duck into a store or restaurant to study a map and ask for help.
Plan for your use of public transportation. Taxis, buses, and subways require the same degree of prudence as your home.
When scheduling a long-distance trip, it’s best to leave and return during the day. It’s a good idea to check out the bus or train terminal the day before you go so you know how to get there, how long it will take you to feel safe there, and what amenities you can expect. The timing of your departure must be confirmed again. It would help if you waited at the hotel’s lounge or a nearby café until it is time to leave rather than walking the few blocks to the bus or rail station late at night.
Accept that you won’t always know what’s happening unless you’re proficient in the local language. The Greek bus driver’s decision to leave you in the middle of nowhere may cause some concern, but he has his reasons.
Because you’re at a bus terminal, another bus will be along in a minute or two. However, you can keep yourself secure in crowded and isolated areas by maintaining a healthy dose of skepticism and keeping a sharp eye out for suspicious behavior. Never be reluctant to approach a local with a question or for clarification; you may be surprised at how helpful they can be.
Continue communicating. Make it a regular practice to keep in touch with your loved ones back home by sending them travel updates. Before going out at night, ensure everything is in order with the hotel staff.
Believe in yourself. Get out of there if you don’t feel comfortable there. It’s preferable to err on the side of caution rather than regret afterward.