I was going to write a whole long post on tips for solo travel. My sister is travelling alone for the first time and I wanted to give her some motivation. As I was writing out my list, it kept getting longer and longer. I thought – Why complicate matters? Will she even remember all of it?
So I simplified it. What do I think are the essentials to surviving a trip alone?
(Photo: Amboo Who@Flickr)
For me, it means to bring along your common sense and to let your inner adventure self free. Oh, and adding a dash of humor helps go a LONG way to surviving your travels alone.
Why?
Well, with common sense, you learn to trust your instincts. Sure, you may stay out late when you travel but I’m pretty sure you don’t need someone to tell you it’s a bad idea to walk down the dark passageway alone.
Trekking alone? It’s only common sense to keep someone in the know, just in case, of course. Alone and craving for someone to talk? It makes sense for you to mingle and make new friends, right?
Or how about walking around by yourself? It makes sense to avoid unwanted attention and to blend in with the crowd. Walk confidently and people may even mistake you as a local. Unless of course you don’t happen to be an Asian in a Western country but hey, I can still try!! 😉
How about a sense of adventure then?
Being alone, it means that it’s mostly you, yourself and well, yourself. It’s up to you to dig up adventures for yourself. Keep pulling up adventures for you to do and you can easily get through your solo travel.
The best part of travelling by yourself is that you get to choose whatever YOU wish to do. I can assure you that time definitely flies when you are enjoying yourself.
Humor to me is the golden gem of the whole trip. Sometimes it’s the only thing that holds me together when plans go awry, frustration creeps in or when mistakes happen.
Sometimes either you cry or you laugh. So I choose to laugh. To think of it as one more adventure in an endless story of adventures, filling up my imaginary cupboard of stories to tell my future grandchildren…only I’m kind of already doing it here too.
Laugh it all out…(Photo: Wikipedia)
But the point of it is travelling alone does not have to be difficult or full of dos or don’ts.
Just these 3 simple tips and you are set to go. 🙂
How about you? Do you have any tips to survive solo travel? I would love to hear from you…:)
Lifetomyfullest 
Good tips! My first solo trip was only 3 days – that gave me the confidence to attempt a 3 month solo journey around South America, 2 years later.
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That’s awesome! That was how I started out traveling alone too!!! Small steps!! 😉
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Great tips! I think having a sense of adventure is probably the most important… sometimes it’s best to just go with the flow and have a ‘yesman’ attitude. I’ve had great fun joining up with other travellers and visiting places or trying things I wouldn’t necessarily have done by myself.
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Totally agree! When you feel like saying no, that’s the best time to say yes. Since you are on your own, you’ve got nothing to lose! Haha…thanks for sharing!! 🙂
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Totally agree. Solo travel is absolutely amazing, I love it! (I’ve been travelling mostly solo for over 10 years now). Yes it may be a little scary and yes it may take a little planning, but the positives always outweigh the bad.
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No objections at all…totally agree…:)
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I’ve only dabbled in solo travel, but I love these tips. Whether you’re traveling alone or with someone else, a sense of humor, adventure and common sense are all necessities! I’m sure your sister is going to have the time of her life!
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That is so true!! I should have changed it…hahaha…but yeah, she’s enjoying herself so much I’m jealous!! Haha…
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Great tips!! I agree with you that you need to trust your instincts. I find that if I am out and about in Taiwan by myself, people are more willing to talk to me and I have received some great tips from locals about places to dine or local hidden gems.
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Yes, when you are alone you only have yourself to depend on…:)
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and don’t forget your passport! 😀
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ah yes, definitely. The MOST important item to bring along…haha
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Nice and smart!!!
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Thanks!! ^_^
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Great article! Been thinking about travelling alone. *-*
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Oh yes, you can give it a try once to see whether you like it…:) I know I have friends who don’t…just let me know if you need any help….I can be your support if nothing else is required….hehe…^_^
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I will! I’m thinking at the end of this year. I’ll be in contact. Thanks for the support. Much appreciated! 😀
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Awesome!! Go for it!! 🙂
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😀 😀 😀
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Many more travel solo than most think but I get funny questions because ‘old ladies’ are not expected to go it alone but very many do.
There is a great article http://wanderinghart.net/travelling-solo/ on this terrific blog I would recommend.
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I think it’s awesome that you are still doing so at your age!! I’ll go take a look at the blog, thanks for reading and I hope to get to read more of yours too!! 🙂
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