Essential travel tips for the solo traveller

Whether you want to visit somewhere no one else does, or you just have the urge to spread your wings, sometimes you’ll end up travelling alone. The thought of being a solo traveller can seem pretty scary but it can also be the most life changing and fulfilling decision you ever make. Whatever destination you’re heading off to it’s important to remember those essential travel tips when you’re travelling alone. These tips will keep you safe and help you to make the most out of an experience as a solo traveller that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

Save up as much as you can before you go

When you’re travelling alone you’ve only got your money to rely on so make sure you budget properly well before you go. If you find it hard to save why not move money to a different bank to your main account or use savings pockets. Banks like Monzo offer the savings pockets feature where you can create pockets for everything from Christmas to holidays. When you get to your destination try to stick to your budget as much as possible or you may run out of money before your holiday ends.

Share your travel plans with friends and family

When you’re going away alone one of the most important travel tips to remember is to keep your friends and family up to date on your itinerary. Make sure to agree to connect with your friends and family by telephone/video call at least once a day so they know you’re safe. If possible leave the contact details for the place you’re staying so if you don’t call as planned they can ring up to confirm everything’s okay.

Keep your valuables secure

When travelling alone it’s more important then ever to keep your valuables secure. When heading out only take what you’ll need for that day – leave the majority of your money and your passport in a safe in your accommodation. Make sure you take a picture/photocopy of your passport and email it to yourself so you have a backup in case (god forbid) you lose your passport. Keep your belongings visible at all times and try to avoid using backpacks where someone can sneak up behind you and steal your property.

• Essential travel tips for keeping your valuables secure- for extra security you could try putting padlocks on your bag so if you do use a backpack it can’t be easily opened.

Get travel insurance

Whilst you always pray for an incident free holiday, sometimes accidents do happen when we least expect them. It may be a lost suitcase, your plane being cancelled or an unexpected illness – whatever the reason make sure you’re covered with travel insurance. Travel insurance is there to protect you in case something goes wrong and if you only remember one of these essential travel tips make it this one.

Plan ahead

You don’t want to get to your destination not knowing the best places to visit or places to stay. Use the time before you leave to research suitable accommodation, top beaches, highly rated restaurants, the best tourist attractions and the sort of places you should avoid. The internet is an amazing resource and many people are more then happy to provide information on their own experiences and recommendations.

• Plan ahead travel tips- I highly recommend Tripadvisor for finding the best recommended places to visit. With over one billion real reviews and opinions of eight million businesses you won’t get more honest opinions anywhere else.

Book official tours

To get the most out of your visit and to avoid the possibility of being hurt or scammed, always book official tours. You’ll learn the most from the experienced tour guides and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that they’re all above board.

Opt for a variety of accommodation

Travelling alone is one of the best opportunities you’ll have to meet new people and make new friends. When you book your accommodation opt for a variety of different locations from hostels to rooms in occupied air bnb locations. You’ll get to meet the local people/people in a similar situation to you and they may be able to offer you tips on hidden gems you may not have found otherwise.

It’s ok to say no

When travelling alone you may find locals may be more curious then usual and try to hassle you to buy their wares. To avoid standing out make sure you dress appropriately for the country and avoid overstated jewellery or accessories. If they hassle you and you’re not interested just say no and keep walking.

Take photos

One of the best ways to make the most of your holiday is to take as many photos as you can to remember it. Make a plan to take photos of at least several items a day be it the sunset or writing in the sand. You can use them to document your experience on social media and make it a talking point with friends/ family and even people you don’t know yet. By sharing your experiences you won’t feel as lonely and feel like the people closest to you are right by your side.

Try as many excursions as you can

When you’re alone on your travels, it may not be that tempting to tour the bars on your own. Instead why not make the most of your day and book as many excursions as you can afford or want to try. Even if it’s just a local tour of the area you’ll get to know new restaurants/attractions and local history. If you tire yourself out during the day you’ll be more then happy to head to bed early and not worry that you’re missing out on the nightlife.

Revel in your freedom

One of the best things about travelling alone is the complete freedom in being able to do what you want to do when you want to do it. You don’t have to compromise with someone else in case they’re not keen or they’d rather sit around the pool sunbathing. Use this opportunity to do something you’d never do otherwise- whether that’s white water rafting or camping in the desert (if that’s your thing of course).

• Top travel tips for when you want to enjoy your freedom- instead of opting for fast food every night, why not brave new restaurants and cuisines. You may feel awkward sitting on your own, but use this experience to get know your waiter and ask what they’d recommend for food and local experiences.

Take time to relax

Whilst a holiday is all about exploring, make sure you take some time out to relax, especially if you’re there for the long haul. If you’ve spent several days touring cities and visiting different locations you may feel quite tired. Instead of planning something big for the next day why not chill in front of the tv or read a book. You’ll be able to recharge your batteries for your next big adventure.

Learn the language

Whilst you don’t have to become fluent in the local lingo, try to learn a much of the local language as you can. It will help you blend in a lot more if you can communicate with the locals in their language. A starting tip would be to remember simple phrases, the numbers 1-10 and how to ask for help if you need it.

• Travel tips for learning the local language- there are plenty of apps you can download that will help you learn different languages. One good app to try would be Duolingo.

I hope these travel tips make your holiday one to remember when you’re a solo traveller. If you think your friends and family would love to read these please give the post a share on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.