So, you’ve been considering a solo trip and have concerns and questions? Fret not! I am here to help with ideas on solo travel.
This includes travel for women, Black women, men, or anyone planning a solo adventure. The journey can be in the US and worldwide, whether it’s to Miami, New York, or even Japan!
Some people don’t give solo travel a second thought. Others, like me, sometimes live with anxiety at every stage of the planning process. We worry about everything that could possibly go wrong.
Meanwhile, others get over the worry hump initially, but when they are about to leave, they start to panic. You can start your solo travel education on the Solo Traveler Insiders. They have over 1,000 posts on solo travel. These posts will ease your mind and get you started on your first adventure.
How to Decide Alone
When you first announce your thoughts of a solo trip, people will likely ask, “Why?”. You should have an answer so you don’t get deterred by outside influence and commentary. Check out the other solo travel blogs under ‘solo travel‘ to find out your reasons WHY.
Once you have figured out your ‘why,’ determining if you are ready to travel alone is the next step. Ask yourself these questions:
- Am I ready?
- How challenging should my destination be for a newbie?
- Am I comfortable with being alone?
- Do I want to meet people, or is solitude and self-searching my goal?
- What do I need to know and do to feel safe?
- How do I make sure my loved ones know I am safe?
- Am I better off going on a solo trip first or on a group tour alone?
Best Countries for Your First Solo Trip
Your choice for your first solo trip can make or break your experience. It’s THAT crucial.
Will you visit a country known for cartel violence and blood diamond wars? Or will you choose a country known for tacos and tequilas? Perhaps you will opt for a country recognized for its history and nature. This is where you must do your own research to decide.
If you hold dual citizenship in another country, you can travel to your other country. There is always more to see near home, especially if you haven’t been in a while. According to Solo Traveler World, many new travelers want to visit another country.
You should consider visiting Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.
Preparing for Your First Solo Trip
Preparing for your first trip requires a few questions to be answered by researching. You will need to do a lot of research. This will ensure you are equipped with vital information. It is important for your own safety and pockets. You will need to decide:
- How much do you have to spend?
- Where to go upon arrival?
- How will you get around?
- Where will you stay?
- How long will you stay?
- How will you travel to your destination (i.e., land, air, sea, etc.)?
Much of solo travel is similar to all travel. If you have traveled at all, these questions should seem pretty familiar.
Staying Safe on a Solo Trip
Make sure to check out other tips on traveling safely for solo travelers under the ‘solo travel‘ page. Also, check out my Instagram for some visual safety tips. Visit the ‘travel shop‘ for safety tools for your next trip. Here are a few basic tips for travel safety:
- Arrive at your destination before dark. Use the time zone of your destination to ensure this. This helps avoid being lost in an unfamiliar place alone in the dark.
- Once you check into your hostel, hotel, or Airbnb, make sure you take a business card with you. It can be helpful if you need to make emergency contact. It can also help you find the address.
- NEVER tell someone where you are staying, and always insinuate you are visiting with someone else (i.e., saying a friend or partner is waiting for you somewhere else).
- Always buy travel insurance. You don’t think you need it until you need it.
- Use a VPN if you plan to use public WiFi. Get one if you plan to purchase anything where you must give your personal information using your devices. Read Best VPN for Travel: What, Why, and Feature-Price Comparison.
- Never put all your money and cards in one place. Always have some cash on you, but spread your funds in various places to be extra safe.
Don’t be overwhelmed with traveling alone. You may be traveling alone, but you won’t be lonely.
You can find many experienced solo travelers joining the Coitraveler community. It also includes people who are new to traveling alone.
