12 Reasons Why You Should Travel Solo

Discover the world - and discover yourself

Travelling solo around the country or around the world is a dream for many people. Sadly, it will remain a dream - unless you take the decision to go.

Here are some good reasons to step outside your comfort zone and pack your bag.

1. Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

You hand your door keys to family or friends. You leave without anywhere to return too. That’s actually quite scary, as you will have had keys in your pocket since you were quite young.

Travelling without keys is a unique experience and is the first part of stepping outside your comfort zone. After a few days, keys will be forgotten, as you expand into new experiences and your comfort zone expands exponentially.

2. Give Yourself Total Freedom

Every morning, you have the choice to turn left, or turn right as you leave your overnight accommodation.

Nobody is with you to tell you which way to turn and there is no debate or negotiation with others. You make up your mind where to go - you are in charge of your own destiny as a solo traveller.

3. Expanding Your Life Experiences

If you are about to embark on your first real solo trip, you don’t yet know what experiences you will encounter.

If you are a seasoned solo traveller, you’ll already know how much experience you have gathered and will pick on this next journey.

You will gain your experiences in life, by setting off for the first time. What’s holding you back?

4. Discovering Yourself

During your solo travels, you will spend a fair proportion of your time alone. This gives you time to reflect on life.

Are you where you want to be? Do you want to return to your job and the rat race, or do something different? What can you do to improve yourself for the future?

Your solo travels will give you unique encounters with people and cultures. The longer and more frequently you travel solo, the more you will become deeply connected with the world and discover who you are and what you want for your future.

5. Meet Some Amazing People

The last thing you will be without as a solo traveller, is company. On the road, you’ll meet other solo travellers and strike up conversations. You’ll learn about their lives and they can share their experience of the road ahead. All you need to do, is say hello - if they don’t do it first.

6. Learn a New Language

You may choose to travel as a solo only to countries where the locals speak your language. In places where there are other languages, there is a good chance you’ll find someone who speaks English as their second, or perhaps third, language.

The further you venture from civilisation, the more you will need some words in the local language. People appreciate that you try to speak their language, ever if you are really bad at it. By making the effort, you will enjoy a place far more. How many words in which languages will you pick up on your solo travels?

7. Be a Better Problem-Solver

It’s midnight. Your flight arrived six hours late. The airport is closing and the busses have stopped running. You have no accommodation booked for your first night in a new place.

How do you solve this conundrum? You’ll make mistakes along the way, but over time you will become an excellent problem solver.

8. And in Any Case . . .

There are no such things in life as problems - just challenges.

That statement could change your outlook on life and make your solo travels the best thing you ever did.

9. Be Independent

By its nature, solo travels make you independent. There isn’t anyone to tell you what to do. Nor, is there anyone to ask, unless you make the effort.

The beauty of independent travel as a solo, is all of the decisions are down to you. It may be the first time in your life, that that is the case. Embrace it.

10. Disconnect

This one may be your biggest challenge. Unless you are high up a Himalayan mountain, the chances are there will be internet connectivity close-by.

You can choose to switch off your phone and not take a laptop on your solo travel, but having one or the other is good insurance.

Only you can decide on this one.

11. Experience the Foods of the World

Oh my goodness, are you in for some treats!

Although you can find a McD pretty much anywhere, that is a run for safety. You have the opportunity to experience foods never tasted before. Seek out the restaurants and cafes where the locals eat and ask for something typical of the region. And, not every foreign dish starts with fried locusts - just some of them.

12. Learn to Budget

Your budget depends on your means. Four star hotels may be your preference, with a pool and comfortable lounge overlooking the ocean. If that’s your budget, go for it.

Other budgets may be more limited and you need to eke out the cash or limits on your cards. By looking for lesser hotels, apartments or hostels, you’ll have more left at the end of the week.

Rather than flying everywhere, take a bus or a train - they will save a fortune over the plane. And this gives you the benefit of seeing much more of the country you are visiting as well as giving you an opportunity to meet people.

The less you have to spend, the better you will become at managing your money. You would be surprised how little you can spend, given the will.