8 Tips to Transform Your Solo Travels
Empowering your travelling alone, wherever you go
In my time travelling, I have met solo travellers who arrived at a hotel in a foreign country, stayed within the walls for two weeks, and then went home. What a waste.
Their total experience of the country was the airport, the drive to the hotel, and the drive back to the airport. That was it. Nothing more. They need to transform the way they see the world, otherwise, what is the point?
Here are several ways to transform your solo travel, with some ideas to be embraced.
Bin the Guidebook
Guidebooks, be they in print or as an app on your phone, can be useful for planning. Just try to avoid having your nose in one all the time, reading about the cathedral, but not really seeing it right in front of you.
When you arrive in a new country or city, seek out a busy space, sit down, and watch the world go by. You will learn more about the local people and culture in 20 minutes of people-watching than you ever will from a guidebook.
Use the guidebook to discover a place to visit, then put it back in your pocket and see it through your eyes, rather than from words on a page.
Say “Hello” and Meet People
The simplest word in the English language for stating a conversation.
For the solo traveler, hello, is a word to use as frequently as you want. You could be in a hostel in the communal area, where a quick “hello” to others there, is likely to start a conversation. That could lead anywhere; a trip to town as a group, but just as likely, a conversation about adventures enjoyed and adventures to come.
Another traveler could have just come from where you are heading and has some great advice on what to see and, just as likely, you can share your experience with others on their journeys.
Age is no real barrier here either. On my world gap year trip in my mid-fifties, I would quite happily talk and meet with younger generations, who were very welcoming and curious why someone “so old” was travelling alone.
Avoiding saying hello, or ignoring someone else who says hello, could mean your solo travel will be, well, solo.
Know Your Alcohol Limits
We have all seen it. The tourists, roaring drunk and making a spectacle of themselves and their compatriots.
Enjoying a drink and discovering a unique local alcoholic beverage is part of solo travel. The secret is to drink in moderation and know how far to go. If you want to be a bit tipsy, then go for it. Drinking in excess gives you a hangover and wastes travel and exploration time too.
Do you want to be the drunk on the street, being laughed at by your fellow travellers?
You, in 15 Seconds
As a solo traveller, you’ll meet plenty of other solos or couples on your journey. These folks are likely to ask who you are. It is great to have a 15-second introduction story ready to go. Something that says where you are from, where you are headed, and what you like most about the country you are in. Locals love to know what you think of their country.
This doesn’t need to be a rehearsed script, just a loose set of words. You can finish with an open question to keep the conversation going, such as “How about you?” - “Where are you heading next?”
Just Say “Yes”
It is early evening and you are sitting in a hostel in an unfamiliar country. So are several others. Someone in the group may throw out a question such as “Anyone fancy a walk into town to a bar?” Or, “I haven’t eaten, how about finding a place?”
Just say “Yes” and go. This is a wonderful way to meet people, make new friends, and discover more about where you are. You could just sit in the corner and pretend to read a book - but isn’t the point of travel, to explore and discover?
“Yes” can be a great word to use.
Share Where You Are
As a solo traveller, you can make your own decisions day by day, as to where to go next. You might discover a two-day trek into a nearby jungle or a safari trip across the plains of Africa.
It is a clever idea to let someone else know where you are. A quick email or WhatsApp to a trusted friend or family to let them know what you are up to. This helps to let folks know you are okay, and it keeps someone in the loop should there be some sort of emergency.
Explore Beyond Your Comfort Zone
Are you that solo traveller who stays inside the walls of a hotel for two weeks, afraid to walk out of the gates?
Because you are reading Solo Travel Life, you certainly don’t fit that description. One of the benefits of solo travelling, is doing things you might otherwise refuse to do at home.
Meeting people at a hostel who suggest all going out and bungee jumping off the local bridge - will you go? You see a side-trip for a safari, with an overnight camp under the stars, where wild animals roam at night - will you go?
Travel gives you the perfect excuse to try new things, accept new challenges, and step outside your comfort zone. You will be glad you did.
The (Non) Danger of Strangers
“I’ll be murdered in my bed” - “Everyone is out to get me”.
Not really. 99% of the world’s population are good people, with perhaps 1% rouges. When we were kids, our parents drummed into us not to talk to strangers. It is sometimes difficult to move beyond that as an adult travelling alone.
For your first solo trip, you are likely to be apprehensive of strangers, but the more you travel, the more you will shake off that apprehension.
Yes, you’ll need to be sensible, but permit yourself to say hello to people, as the 99% will be completely fine.
Safe travels!