Planning a trip can be difficult, especially when trying to manage a group of people. Some people tend to be unresponsive, overbooked, or simply flake out on plans. More and more people are choosing to opt out of the group travel experience and instead fly solo. Traveling alone may seem intimidating- at first, but there are many ways to ensure your safety and well-being while traveling solo.
If you are considering a solo trip, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your experience:
Thoroughly Research Your Destination
When traveling with a group you may be able to pool your knowledge of the destination, but as a solo traveler you must rely on yourself for everything. This means doing heavy research.
Where exactly will you be staying? How far is your hotel/ B&B from restaurants, activities, and the local authorities.
Before you begin your excursion, you should know the answer to these questions. You can GPS these locations and keep them saved in your phone.
Arrive early– When travelling alone it is best to reach your destination by midday. This way you can find your accommodations during the day light. It can be intimidating to arrive to a strange city at night. Having daylight on your side is a huge advantage, especially if you need to suddenly change your accommodations. For example, if you arrive to your AirBnB and find it is not as advertised, you have time to make new arrangements and find it before the sun sets.
Stay Up-to-Date with Local News
Before your arrival, you need to know what is going on in the city you plan to visit. It’s always best to know what is going on and this can also be a great opener for conversations with locals- just because you’re traveling alone doesn’t mean you can’t make new friends!
Be polite, but vague– If you decide to go to a local bar for a drink, be kind to the locals but don’t share too much information. If they ask where you are staying respond with the general location but don’t be too specific. For example, you can say “I’m staying in an AirBnB near downtown Brooklyn”. This is enough information to satisfy the question, but it doesn’t compromise your safety by giving up your location.
Embrace the Culture and Learn the Language
If you are traveling to a destination where you do not speak the local language, be sure to learn a few common phrases like “hello, please, thank you, excuse me, and where is the bathroom”. These are small things that can really help and show the locals that you are making an effort to learn their culture. It will also help make you less of a target if they think you understand even a little of the language.
Bring a tripod– Traveling alone means you won’t always have someone around to take your picture in front of that historical monument or world wonder, no worries! By packing a tripod, you have the ability to take your own photo at any time. If you feel self-conscious about setting up a tripod or taking your own picture- remember that most people don’t care about what you’re doing and if they are nice, they may offer to take the photo for you.
Book a group tour– Just because you are traveling alone doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time by yourself. By booking a tour you will get the chance to explore your destination with experienced professionals that know all the ins and outs of where you are going. You can engage in a variety of activities, and even make new companions within the travel group.
If you’re interested in the idea of a solo trip, but not quite ready to plan an entire itinerary on your own, visit Blue Horizon Travel & Yacht Charters.
Check out our upcoming tours and events for a list of exciting destinations. Our unique tours provide an opportunity to travel to thrilling locations and have an engaging experience with other solo and small traveler groups, giving you the chance to see the world in a semi-guided and safe environment!
