Hitting the road solo? Here are three quick and easy tips that will make it a true adventure.
Safety first
When you are travelling solo, it is important to get some good safety habits. While we often think that there is safety in numbers, that isn’t always true. The one nice thing about travelling alone is that you are less likely to stick out as a tourist. The more that you can do to blend in with the locals, the less likely you are to be targeted. Make an effort to not draw attention to yourself. Don’t carry heaps of luggage or camera equipment more often than you need to. Look at your map before you go and avoid carry it all the time. Walk with confidence.
Avoid places that are prone to tourist scams. Don’t go into a taxi until a price is agreed upon or you see a working meter. If a place doesn’t feel comfortable, leave. You don’t owe anyone anything so just get out of there if you don’t like the look of the place. Generally, it’s best to stick to open, public places in questionable areas and at night.
Meet the locals
There are countless opportunities for mingling with locals and other travellers. Of course, hostels are an obvious and popular option for meeting other people. Websites like Couchsurfing and Meetup are also great choices for meeting others. Find something local and give it a shot. The vast majority of people show up to these group meetings solo so you don’t need to feel self-conscious about arriving alone. Stay committed to just giving everything a shot. If it’s not right for you or you end up in a dull conversation, just excuse yourself. No strings attached here!
If you are staying in your destination for a while, look for long-term options. Consider volunteering (you’ll often get free accommodation if you choose something for travellers like WorkAway or Help X programmes!) or join a language class. Find something that is interesting for you and suits your needs.
Find a hobby
Whenever you are travelling for more than a few days, you will have a lot of downtime. Don’t constantly seek entertainment. Find ways to keep yourself amused. Learn about photography and take the shots of a lifetime. Learn the local language. Read all of those books you’ve always meant to get around to (invest in a cheap reading device so your luggage isn’t bursting at the seams). Travel is all about expanding your horizons so don’t just sit doing the same thing in a different place!
