Solo travel, let alone taking your first solo trip, can be very daunting on the one hand, but it can also be a lot of fun, leaving you with a completely different experience than you thought. And the fact that you’re reading this blog lets me know that you are thinking about or have decided to take your first so trip, so I’ve compiled a list of things you need to know before and while traveling.
Know Before You Go
Before you decide to visit a place, one of the first things you should do is check for government travel advisories. Doing this will provide information regarding crime, civil unrest, and sometimes terrorism. But travel advisories don’t necessarily mean you cannot travel to that destination. It means that you should exercise caution if you choose to go.
Register for STEP
Another precaution you can take is enrolling in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP). If you are a US Citizen or national traveling or living abroad, this free service is available to you so that you can enroll your trip with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.
Share Your Travel Plans
The fact that you are traveling solo is the main reason why you should share your itinerary with someone (family member or close friend) so that they know where you are in case something goes wrong or they need to reach you.
Make Your Reservations In Advance
Save time by booking your accommodations, including airport transfers, in advance. Depending on where you are staying, the hotel may have a shuttle service to take you to and from the airport – this service especially comes in handy if you are arriving later in the day and departing early in the morning. If they do not have a shuttle service, ask them for taxi recommendations or use a rideshare like Uber or Lyft.
These are all things worth researching before you book your trip. You can find the answers to some of these questions on forums, by joining a travel group, or by going directly to the country’s travel website.
Weather
What about the weather during the time you’re planning to visit? For example, the hurricane season runs from the beginning of June through the end of November, so checking to see what the weather will be like is a good idea.
Culture
What about the culture of the country you’re planning to visit? Before you leave for your trip, especially if you are traveling internationally, do your research and take note of the country’s culture, the way locals dress, religious rituals, etc., so that when you are there, you are already familiar with what is deemed acceptable and what isn’t.
Getting Around
Whether you plan to get around by Uber, train, bus, or rental car, knowing where you are going before leaving your hotel makes sense. While ‘winging it’ and seeing where your feet take you is sometimes a good idea, it’s also nice to plan your days so that you have clarity in your plans, and if your days in your destination are short, you’re able to maximize what you do while you’re there.
Pro Safety Tips:
Before getting into an Uber, check to make sure that the Child Safety lock is not on.
Plot your route using Google Maps, and keep it handy on your phone to ensure the driver stays within it.
Have A Backup Plan
As much as we plan and may want things to go according to those plans, we can’t control what happens, so what happens then? Well, that’s where having a backup plan, aka Plan B, comes in. That said, it is always a good idea to have copies (digital and physical) of your important documents like your passport or other government-issued ID. I have done it numerous times and never had any issues.
Pro Tips:
Use digital or physical copies of your important documents instead of walking around with the originals. While we may not want to think about this, pickpocketers are everywhere, and the last thing you would like is for them to pick your pocket, leaving you without them.
Another recommendation is to ensure you have a mix of cash, credit, and debit cards. Then, taking it a step further, keep them in different places. For example, split your money and stash some in your carry-on bag and some in the bag you plan to use the most as you explore. You can also do this if you have multiple credit or debit cards.
Do A Soft Launch of Sorts…
When I first began traveling solo, I visited other cities and states, and I still do today. It’s one of my favorite things to do. While international solo travel is great, depending on your budget, it may not always be affordable. There are a lot of great travel deals right here in the US, and with fifty states to choose from, that’s a lottery in itself!
Adjust Your Phone Plan If Necessary
Before traveling outside of the US, it is always a good idea to call your cell phone provider to discuss your phone capabilities for the destination you’re heading to so that, if necessary, you can adjust your phone plan. The last thing you would want, especially as a solo traveler, is a non-working phone. It would give you and your friends and family back home peace of mind.
Alternatively, you can purchase a sim card when you arrive at your destination, a hotspot, or a VPN.
Pro Tip:
As you go from location to location, send a location pin to your friends or family so they know where you are.
Buy Travel Insurance
I would be the first to admit that I have never considered getting travel insurance before, but after reading a recent article about someone who was seriously injured while on vacation and had to have a part of their leg amputated, I think it is something to think about. They didn’t have travel insurance, so the kindness of strangers covered the medical expenses. While optional, it’s worth considering because you never know if you’ll need it.
While going on a trip, most of us have the mindset that nothing will go wrong, but what if it does? We have all read or heard of instances where someone went on vacation and got sick to the point where they had to go to the hospital. What would that bill look like if you don’t have insurance and are in a foreign country?
I am looking into two travel insurance options: World Nomads and IMG Global. In a later blog post, I will report on which company I went with and give all the details.
Pack Light
When possible, I always try to avoid paying for a checked bag, so I have mastered the art of packing light by traveling with my carry-on luggage and tote bag, which airlines call personal items. Doing this makes it easier when you arrive at the airport to leave for your trip and when you get to your destination because you will be saving time and avoiding the line at the carousel waiting for additional luggage. Worst yet, what if you get to your destination, but your luggage doesn’t?
Pro Tip 1:
Start by making a list of days you will be away, then write down what you plan to take and are most likely to wear on those days, then shorten it by eliminating the things you probably won’t need or wear.
Pro Tip 2:
Pack pieces of clothing you can wear in multiple ways!
Be Mindful When Using Social Media
There is one thing I want you to take away from this blog post -NEVER, EVER, post on social media in real-time. Whether traveling solo or not, always wait until you have left the location before you post. Instead of doing it for the gram, do it for your safety.
Be Phone Smart!
Google Translate and Google Maps are great ways to get around or if you get lost. If this happens and you need to use your phone, go into a public location like a coffee shop where you can use your phone more privately than on the sidewalk.
Be Confident
While this may be your first time traveling solo, and you may feel intimidated, the last thing you should do is exude that you lack confidence. Instead, firmly believe that you have prepared for your journey and that everything will go well. If it turns out that something goes awry, you are going to pivot and figure it out!
Be Aware Of What Is Happening Around You
On the other side of confidence, pay attention to what is happening around you. Don’t be naive and think everyone you meet is friendly because potential predators exist everywhere. Unfortunately, and more often than you think, there is always someone who doesn’t have the best intentions, so be observant of your surroundings. If it appears someone is following you, get to a public place, for example, a coffee shop, and let the staff know what you observed, and if necessary, call the Police.
Get Out There & Explore!
Once you settle into your hotel room, consider getting out and checking out your surroundings. Sure, you’re on vacation, but you will have time to ‘Netflix and Chill’ in your hotel room, just not yet. So instead, get out there, and explore! If you prefer having your day-to-day plans laid out before you travel, I offer an Itinerary Planning Service and will be happy to help! You can read all about it here.
If you were still on the fence about taking your first solo trip before you began reading this blog post, I hope it has helped get you off the fence, and now you feel inspired and motivated to take the leap. There is no better time to plan that solo adventure now, so go for it!
