Solo Travel? What To Know Before Going Solo
Thinking about solo travel? You’re probably excited or nervous (or both) to hop on that plane for the journey of a lifetime.
But you’re probably wondering what solo travel will really be like.
What should I do before hand? What will it actually be like to be on your own?
Solo travel is one of the best ways to travel if you’re looking for an experience that will help you grow and develop yourself.
I’ll get into some basic things I think future solo travelers should consider before heading out on their own for the first time.
Preparing For Solo Travel
I’ll start with the most obvious. You want to be as prepared as possible, but not too much or too little.
The reason I say this is because you want to have everything you need, but if you bring too many items with you, you’ll find that it’s hard to travel around with all those items weighing you down.
Not only that, but the more stuff you have, the harder it is to keep track of everything.
There’s always a chance that something sort of slipped your mind, or you might even realize that there was something you wished you brought with you. It won’t be perfect, but it’s important to keep in mind your comfort level when considering how many items you’re willing to travel with.
Here’s a quick list of basic items and other things to consider before leaving. (This list is based on international travel but can apply to local travel as well.).
Helpful Items:
1. Something To Protect Your Passport/Documents
It could be something as simple as a Ziploc bag or another type of small bag. Just something that can protect your passport/id from getting lost or to prevent it from getting damaged.
2. An Extra Phone Preferably An Android
If your phone breaks, gets lost, or is stolen, you’ll want to have a backup. Android phones are more widely available than iPhones, especially in “developing” countries.
Of course, you can buy cheap Android phones and SIM cards, but it’s more convenient to bring a phone with you just in case.
3. Universal Plug Adapter/Extension Cord
You might already know this, but different countries have different types of wall outlets for devices that need to be plugged in.
You would most likely be able to buy this when you get to your destination, but again, it’s more convenient to already have one.
Also, an extension cord with multiple outlets could come in handy if you plan to bring extra tech items like a laptop or tablet.
4. Small First Aid Kit/Medicine
Sometimes you might get a small injury, or maybe you strain a muscle. It’s easy to come by, but it’s still practical to bring something like this with you.
Don’t forget pain medicine just in case you have an injury that takes a little while to heal or for headaches or migraines.
5. Swiss Army Knife/Small Tool
I can’t tell you the amount of times this type of thing has actually come in handy. Especially if your traveling solo around the world.
From prying things open to fixing something small or even for something simple like trying to get something unstuck.
Swiss army knives (or something similar) can actually come in handy when traveling on your own.
6. Flashlights/lighter
For the same reasons as above, a flashlight just comes in handy. I’d bring at least two small flashlights, just in case.
Obviously, you can’t bring a lighter on a plane, but if you can get your hands on one when you touch down, it can also come in handy.
7. Credit Cards
Having a credit card is a good idea just in case of emergencies like losing your wallet or having your money stolen.
Basically, it’s just wise to have an alternative way to access money if you find yourself in a bad financial situation.
Not only that, but if you’re traveling abroad, you’ll soon find out that there are all sorts of fees associated with using a debit card internationally.
Not to mention having to pay fees when exchanging currency for another type of currency. This is where credits really come in handy.
There are some credit cards out there that waive international fees, which would save you a lot of money and headaches when it comes to budgeting your money.
8. Two of Everything
You might not be able to bring two of everything, but having extras for small things like chargers for your phone or an extra wall plug adapter could prove to be useful.
Basically, try to have at least one extra of as many of the things you plan to bring.
9. Something Valuable
I put this on the list just because you might run into a similar situation (who knows). Bring something valuable with you just in case things go bad, and you need quick cash or need to trade for something else.
It most likely won’t come to that, but this section is all about being prepared. Things like jewelry or a nice watch are easy to hide and travel with.
10. Travel Insurance
If you want to be as prepared as possible it’s always a good idea to sign up for some type of travel insurance.
It’s also important to know that some countries and destinations require you to have things like travel insurance if you plan on visiting.
There are all kinds of travel insurance companies available, specifically for people who travel internationally.
Check out these posts on travel insurance:
“Worried About Solo Travel? Why Travel Insurance is Necessary For Travelers”
“Places That Require Travel Insurance? Advice For First-Time Solo Travelers”.
Things To Do Before Leaving:
1. Finances
You’ll want to take care of anything money-related before traveling. Paying off bills or suspending services.
Doing things like notifying your bank that you’ll be traveling abroad. If you forget to notify your bank, your card may end up being suspended while traveling.
2. Cell Phone Provider
If you plan on continuing to use your current phone service, you might want to check in with your service provider and see what fees are associated with traveling abroad.
You might even choose to stop your service altogether in favor of a more affordable alternative.
3. ID/Documents
Don’t forget to make sure all your IDs and required documents, like passports, are up-to-date and that you have all the latest information on what needs to be presented if need be.
Having duplicates or taking pictures of your ID or passport is also a good idea.
3. Exchange Rates
Exchange rates can get really expensive if you are not careful. It’s wise to be aware of exchange rates in different countries.
Finding out where the best places are to exchange your money or figuring out alternatives is a good way to manage your budget while traveling abroad.
Other Items? What Else To Consider?
I left out most of the obvious things, like personal hygiene items, clothes, shoes, etc. You can actually buy most of these things at your destination, but depending on where you go, those items might or might not be a little more expensive.
It’s also a good idea to make a list of everything you take with you. So when you run out of a specific item (or it gets damaged or lost), you won’t forget to buy it next time you visit the store or market.
This helps with being more organized, which is something you shouldn’t look over when traveling on your own.
Admittedly, I didn’t really focus on being all that organized on my first solo trip, but in hindsight, it would’ve made things a lot easier.
If you want a list of other items you can bring with you on your trip, check out Travel Items to Have for First-Time Solo Travelers to get more ideas of what other items you might want to take with you.
Handling Culture Shock
Culture shock is a little different for everyone. I’ve seen people go through this and it might affect them to the point where it’s almost debilitating,
but I’ve also seen other people experience culture shock, and it seems to not affect them as much. I really think this has to do with your personality and experience.
Outgoing Personalities
If you’re a naturally outgoing person, it’s more likely that you’ll be able to get through culture shock more easily.
I think this has to do with outgoing personality types having a more naturally confident demeanor.
In my experience, when it comes to people who have more outgoing personalities, they tend to make the mistake of bringing too much attention to themselves.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it’s just that people with a more outgoing personality tend to do or say things that might be frowned upon in certain cultures.
Which might make people notice them in a bad way. So if you have this type of personality, you might want to keep that in mind.
So for outgoing personality types (at least in my experience), it’s more of an issue of self-awareness.
Introverted personalities
For people who are more “introverted,” the problem of culture shock is usually more pronounced. The sudden change will most likely be a challenge for you to get over.
The good news is that if you’re able to get through the “shock” of culture shock, you’ll probably have more to gain from travel than a person who’s considered more extroverted.
Now, this says nothing about your personal experiences. Everyone comes from a different situation and has a different point of view.
I consider myself introverted, but I’ve traveled my whole life due to my upbringing. I eventually became used to the constant change.
Although difficult, I’ve gained a lot of insight and personal development from the experience.
If you plan on traveling solo, just know that culture shock will most likely happen to you. How much it would affect you would really depend on your personality and your experience.
Taking It Slow
Maybe you haven’t decided whether or not you should commit to solo travel.
Or maybe you’ve already made up your mind, and wanted to leave yesterday (that’s how I felt). If you want to be more level-headed the best advice is to take it slow.
Try solo travel to another city around your area, and experience what it’s like to live on your own for a month or two.
If you’re up for it, you can even solo travel to another country for a couple months just to try it out.
The best advice I can give is to just do it, even if you’re on the fence about travel in general.
Sometimes you just have to be practical about your decisions to really know if it’s something that you actually want.
Bridging Friendships
One thing I would’ve done a little differently is probably focus more on maintaining relationships with the people I’ve met on my travels.
When you constantly travel, it’s harder to maintain lasting relationships with people. You might develop a habit of “burning bridges.”
When you get to your destination, try to do more than just talk to people. Try to develop a real connection with them.
Of course, you don’t want to force a friendship on someone (for obvious reasons), but if you do meet someone and connect with them, try to focus on keeping that relationship alive.
It’s difficult to maintain all the relationships you’ve developed while constantly going from place to place. Meeting different people all the time tends to put you in a “live in the moment” type of mentality.
You may end up focusing more on the present while forgetting to look back on the people and experiences you’ve had in the past.
This is actually one of the downsides to traveling constantly. You might not have as many lasting relationships with the people you meet.
This is something to keep in mind if you’re planning on traveling solo for an extensive amount of time.
Staying Healthy
If you plan to travel solo for an extended period of time, it’s important to keep up with your health. Eating healthy can prevent a lot of sickness and feelings of sluggishness.
Try to also maintain your physical fitness with an exercise routine you can perform anywhere. Calisthenics are the best types of exercises to perform for someone who constantly travels.
When you’re traveling solo, you only have yourself to rely on. Doing things to stay relatively healthy isn’t just sound advice; it’s extremely important.
If you were to get sick or injured, you would have to take care of yourself. I don’t want to sound like someone giving a lecture, but health and safety should always be one of the most important things on your list when traveling solo.
Is There More? What Else Should I Know?
There’s more to think about when it comes to deciding if solo travel is really something you’d like to experience.
This was just a quick guide on basic things to consider when deciding to travel solo for the first time.
Even if you’ve made up your mind, it’s good to get as much information as you can to better help you along with your travels.
You can also check out the travel blog by clicking the Traks&Paks title in the navigation bar.
