7 Tips for Surviving Your First Solo Travel

So, you’ve finally decided to take a leap of faith and started planning your very first solo adventure. You’ve probably gotten a lot of advice, and sometimes, the things you hear from people who have “been there, done that” can get you overwhelmed about traveling alone.

It’s only natural to feel anxious as a first-time solo traveler, especially if you’re going to visit a country where locals don’t speak in English. But seriously consider this single most important benefit of traveling alone: the freedom to do whatever you want.

Soon after I booked a one-way ticket to Thailand, which was my first time to travel solo, I felt both ecstatic and nervous. As much as I was excited about finally pursuing my passion for travel photography, anxiety took a toll on me and I was paranoid about the worst that could happen if I traveled without a companion. Some of my fears did happen, but thankfully, I survived the entire trip!

To ease your mind further, here are seven tips for surviving your first solo travel and making the most out of it:

1. Choose the right travel gear.

If there’s an advice that you must never ignore, it should be about packing light. Make sure your travel gear is compact and lightweight, especially if you’ll be walking a lot. You won’t fully enjoy your trip if you have shoulder and back pains caused by a heavy backpack or luggage.

So you can smartly plan the things to pack, make a list of the things you’ll need. It’s also important that you research on the place you’re going to visit because what you’re supposed to wear there depends on the weather. Bring toiletries in travel-sized packs or bottles. If you already have empty travel-sized bottles, refill them and you’re good to go!

For your photography gear, bring a compact travel camera and a lightweight zoom lens that can take stunning photos without the need for multiple lenses.

For hassle-free shooting, I’d suggest you use a mirrorless camera along with a compact zoom lens such as a Fujifilm XP 18mm-55mm lens. This is my go-to camera lens for when I travel alone because it’s easy to use and versatile—it can produce great photos of landscapes, cityscapes, portraits, and a lot more.

2. Have a backup plan.

Some things may not go as planned, and that’s okay. That’s why you’ll always need to have Plan B in case Plan A doesn’t work out. Keep extra money somewhere in your sling bag or pocket, so when you’ve used up your allotted budget for an activity, you’ll still have something to pull out. Keep a copy of your hotel address and location map with you so that if you get lost, cab drivers can easily find your hotel and drop you off.

3. Join group travel tours.

If the thought of traveling alone intimidates you, sign up for a group travel tour for singles. What’s great about arranged tours is that they already have a prepared itinerary, which makes it easier for you to explore and enjoy the places you want to visit. You can also meet like-minded travelers who may become your new friends and travel buddies. I met two of my best friends on a tour in Thailand, and we had traveled together for three months! How awesome is that?

4. Live like a local.

Observe the locals and live like one. Ride public transportation, eat exotic food, and interact with them. Be friendly and try to learn basic expressions in their language, so you can engage with non-English speakers. You’ll be surprised at how much locals appreciate your efforts to reach out to them in their native tongue. Also, tourist scams are everywhere, so blending in with the locals will definitely help you avoid getting duped.

5. Make friends with fellow travelers (but don’t be too trusting!).

Make friends with fellow travelers, too, so you have some company when you need it. Have drinks, go on tours, and share travel stories and tips with each other.

It’s okay to trust them but not to the extent that you’re going to let them keep an eye on your valuables. Don’t let other people distract you and always keep your valuables safe. Always think of your security and well-being especially when making friends with strangers.

6. Update your family about your travel.

Yes, you’re a carefree and independent traveler, which is why you’re traveling solo, right? But be considerate as well of the people who’ll be worried sick about your safety. Make sure to let your loved ones know your current location or travel itineraries. Skype with them for a few minutes and tell them stories about how your day went and how it will start the next day. Try to update often, especially if there are changes in the itineraries you’ve given to them.

7. Enjoy and live in the moment.

Don’t just chill in your hotel room and surf the net all day long! Get out of your room and face what’s ahead of you, not your laptop screen. What’s fun about traveling alone is that you are your own time’s boss, and you get to travel at your own pace. Live in the moment and do the things you’ve never done before, especially if you can get to do it only in the place you’re visiting.

Traveling alone may seem scary, but the experience you’ll gain from it will be worth your time and penny. You’ll be surprised at how much you can learn about life when traveling solo. Get that much-needed alone time and loosen up a bit. Go ahead, take one step at a time, and fearlessly conquer the world.

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