Always wanted to go on a solo trip but never knew how to plan it? Here are the top tips to make traveling solo as smooth as possible

There are endless benefits to travelling alone. Not travelling with others means that you don’t need to take anyone else’s preferences into account, and you can do exactly as you please! This means you can see all the sights you’d like, eat the food of your choice, and stick to your own budget.

A solo trip is also a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and form friendships for life, or if you’d prefer, the chance for some much-needed alone time! 

Whether you’re planning to backpack around Asia for six months, or you’re looking to go on a two-night staycation, the following article will help you to get ready for your trip.

Choose your destination wisely 

Despite all the benefits of travelling alone, it can be nerve-wracking. A good way to put your mind at ease is to take some time researching which countries are safest to travel to. Once you have decided where to travel to, it is wise to make family and friends aware of your plans and a rough itinerary of what you’ll be getting up to. You could also invest in various safety measures such as tracking devices for your most valuable possessions and a portable lock for your accommodation door. 

When travelling alone you will quickly find that you can pack much more into a day than when travelling with others.

As well as choosing a destination based on how safe it is, you shouldn’t forget to consider what you are going to do whilst you’re there. When travelling alone you will quickly find that you can pack much more into a day than when travelling with others. Therefore, opt for somewhere that has lots on offer to make sure you aren’t left twiddling your thumbs.

It is both useful and polite to learn a handful of phrases in the country’s native tongue and gain some basic understanding of the culture there too. 

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Be prepared

The last thing you want on your trip is to have it ruined by something you could have prepared for and prevented. 

Spend some time completing all necessary admin before you go away to save yourself the hassle once you’re there. This should include obtaining travel insurance, as well as any other relevant insurance such as car or learner driver insurance needed for your trip. 

Once you arrive at your destination, you may be able to get your bearings relatively quickly, but it can be handy to do some googling beforehand to learn the safest routes to take when travelling around, as well as any areas to avoid. Doing this will also help you make an informed decision on exactly where to stay in the place you have chosen. 

Challenge yourself

Despite needing to be safe and prepared, a solo trip is a perfect opportunity to challenge yourself and step outside of your comfort zone. 

If you are someone who naturally finds it challenging to push yourself, it could be a good idea to sign up for a couple of activities beforehand. That way you have time to mentally prepare, plus you are less likely to back out last minute.

While challenging yourself can be amazing, remember that you are ultimately on holiday to have fun, so don’t force yourself to do anything you don’t want to just for the sake of it. 

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