Traveling post- pandemic has become dynamic, with more people seeking to explore solo travel. It is both a thrilling and frightening challenge. On the one hand, you are excited to take on the big world on your own and push your limits, while on the other, you are afraid of the unknown. As a result, it’s a bucket list item that has prioritized many travelers, especially after spending the better part of the last two years working from home.
As you prepare to embark on that solo adventure of a lifetime, here are some go-to tips for a better-guided trip.
Check Your Flight Details For Landing Time
While traveling to new destinations alone, you do not want to arrive late in the night. The hotel/ hostel you’re staying could be far from the airport, or transport from the airport could be unavailable or unsafe at night. Instead, book a flight with a more convenient landing time. This will ensure that your luggage is safe and everything you have remains intact. Besides, it will give peace of mind and time to rest after traveling for a longer distance.
Contact Your Country’s Embassy
Get in touch with your embassy in the country you’re visiting and share with them important details like your itinerary and where you’ll be staying. Most embassies provide their contacts on their websites and other valuable resources. In case of an emergency, call them.
Take A Picture of Your Luggage
Losing your luggage can be stressful; always take a picture of your luggage for easier retrieval. In case of a language barrier at your destination, it will also be easier to describe your luggage if you have a picture to show. Additionally, write your name and the name of the local hotel/hostel you’ll be staying at on your luggage for easy return if lost and found.
Download Offline Maps
Slow internet can be a real bummer during travel. Be sure to download Offline Maps for more straightforward navigation should you find yourself in a place with slow or no network at all. Take screenshots of recommended restaurants and places to visit in the area for this reason as well.
Keep You Gadget in Optimal Condition
While traveling, you want to take as many pictures and videos of your adventures to share with friends and family and for your memories too. However, taking too many photos and videos and performing other functions like using navigation tools and search engines, posting on different social networks can easily stress out your phone memory.
You can free up space on your devices by uninstalling apps you don’t use to create room for other useful apps. You could also delete older unuseful files once you have backed them up. Your phone or tablet is critical during travel, and you do not want it slowing down unexpectedly. You can learn how to fix memory at https://setapp.com/how-to/fix-memory-leaks-monterey beforehand to avoid inconveniences.
Walk Confidently
As a solo traveler, you do not want to give the impression that you are unfamiliar with the place you are visiting or unaccompanied. Walk and talk confidently; it will allow you to blend into the local population. While making videos in secluded venues like hiking trails or forests, always use ‘we’ instead of ‘I.’ For example, guys, you have enjoyed hiking through this forest in British Columbia, the trail was challenging, but we’ve made it to the other end.” Giving the impression that you are in company scares away any lurkers.
Safety While Traveling
Some valuable tips on how to keep safe are:
Take notes of your basic info like name, emergency contact numbers like relatives/ your local embassy, your blood group, health conditions like diabetes, and take a screenshot. Make this screenshot your phone screensaver.
In case of any emergency, other people can access this information easily and assist you quickly. You can also carry medications like painkillers in your carry-on bag for emergencies. Always share your location and itinerary with a trusted friend or relative back home.
Besides, you can also:
- Use a VPN
- Keep your passport on you at all times. Have scanned/picture copies on your phone
- Make one-off ATM withdrawals of the local currency at the airport and keep split amounts in different places
- Take pictures of landmarks near where you’re staying. In case of language barriers, take a picture of the hotel name to show your cab driver
Photography
Carry a light phone tripod for taking pictures and videos of your travels. Do not be afraid to ask people around to take photos of you in safe public places. Besides, early mornings are best to avoid crowds distracting your pictures and videos in touristy places like beaches or famous monuments.
Besides, traveling solo offers the convenience of organizing your personalized adventures and experiences to detail. So you’re spoilt for the choice between staying on the road or taking the unbeaten path and discovering new adventures. You also get that much-needed alone time to explore nature without having to worry about other people.
Make Friends
While traveling solo, it doesn’t mean you have to spend the entire trip alone. Instead, make friends with other travelers and locals to enrich your experiences. You’ll get some of the best recommendations from your fellow travelers, and you could join in other fun adventures that you had not thought of.
Getting to know locals means you could venture into non-touristy places where things like food are not only fresh but cheap and authentic too.
Pack Minimally
Travel light and avoid packing anything unnecessary. One sturdy backpack and a carry-on for essentials are enough. Remember not to fill your bag to the max, as you’ll need space to fit in souvenirs once your trip has come to an end.
Conclusion
While this guide is not exhaustive, it should give you important pointers to look out for as you plan your solo trip. First, remember to enjoy yourself and be fully immersed in the new adventures as this is the main reason you travel.