I’ve recently returned to Columbus after a very busy month of both international and domestic travel. Most of the time I’m by myself when I’m traveling, and I actually never planned on being a solo traveler. In 2013 I took my first solo trip to Lithuania, where my dad’s family is from. The original plan was to go with my friend, but he had to back out at the last minute. I didn’t want to cancel my trip just because I had no one to go with, so I tried going on my own. It ended up being one of the most significant travel experiences I’ve had. Since then I’ve traveled solo to 20 countries, and that number will be higher by the end of this year!
Solo travel can be very intimidating though, especially the first couple of times you go. You’re the only one in charge of where you’re going and what you’re doing, and it’s easy to get caught up in the details and how much can go wrong. But the sense of empowerment you feel? It’s second to none. Since I only recently realized I’ve been doing this for over a decade, I wanted to share the most important lessons that I’ve learned from traveling solo.
1. Before you leave, figure out how you’re going to get to where you’re staying
Before you leave, take time to figure out how you’re going to get from the airport to wherever you’re staying. Whether you want to take a taxi or use public transportation, 99% of the time the information is online. There are plenty of travel bloggers out there who have done what you’re trying to do, and it’s super easy to find them through Google. It can be way more challenging to figure this out after coming off a long flight or going somewhere where you don’t speak the language.
You’ll also have time to download any useful apps you may need. Most countries have their own rideshare apps, and local public transportation apps usually provide better transit directions than Google or Apple maps. It’s a good idea to download these ahead of time so you can get them set up and figure out how they work.
2. If you’re excited about it, then it’s not a waste of time
One of the best things about traveling alone is doing what you want to do. However, when you share your plans with other people, they may think you’re not using your time well. It’s your trip though, and if you’re excited about what you’re doing then that’s what matters.
I visited Sweden last year and spent an afternoon at the Disgusting Food Museum. Most of my friends and family thought there were better things I could do, especially since I wasn’t in Sweden for very long. But I thought it sounded cool, and I had a great time. In fact, the people in my life will tell you I talk about going there a LOT. Not only was it fascinating (the main idea behind the museum is that “gross food” is culturally relative), but I won a t-shirt because I tried everything at the disgusting food tasting station.
3. You will be the only one carrying your suitcase, so make sure it’s a weight you can handle.
There’s nothing wrong with taking the big suitcase (which I often do as a chronic over-packer), but when you travel by yourself you’re the only one there to move it. You’ll likely need to take it up and down stairs, over bumpy sidewalks/roads, across the airport, and on public transportation. So before you leave, it’s worth finding some stairs and taking your loaded suitcase up and down a couple of times to see how you feel. And if you decide to travel with a bag that’s too heavy for you, be prepared to pay for extra help moving it around.
Also, duffle bags are the worst travel bags, even if they fit on top of your roller bag. You may have a good amount of upper body strength, but duffle bags become dead weight really quick. Backpacks are definitely the way to go.
4. Traveling does not change reality
A few years ago there was a Saturday Night Live sketch where Adam Sandler was a travel agent advertising trips to Italy. He spent a little bit of time talking about the itinerary, but more time talking about how if you’re sad now, you’re probably going to be sad there. It’s funny because it’s true. Travel can absolutely be a great break from the day-to-day, but it doesn’t change who you are and what your life currently is. Being overseas won’t end the fight you’re having with your friend, or make you like how you look in a swimsuit, or keep you from getting annoyed when you’re in the line at passport control. Your surroundings may change, but life is still life.
Life doesn’t need to ruin your trip though. It’s just important to be realistic so you can enjoy your time away. Personally, I don’t like the heat and I sunburn just by sitting next to a window. As much as I want to be a “chill at the beach” person, a day at the beach is just going to make me sweaty and cranky. So if I want a beach experience, going for a walk in the evening or taking a boat ride is going to be a much better call.
5. Nobody cares if you’re eating alone
One unavoidable part of traveling solo is that you will be eating alone. For years I was completely against eating by myself in public. For me it was a social anxiety thing (“people are going to think I’m a loser”), but I’ve heard all kinds of reasons why people don’t want to eat alone. But here’s the thing – nobody cares. Seriously. At this point I’ve eaten by myself more times than I can remember, and not once have I been approached, hassled, or embarrassed. It felt weird the first couple of times, but now I kind of enjoy it. I keep journal of travel notes and ideas for Omnia, and I usually take it with me when I go out to eat. The time I spend waiting for my food is great writing time.
However, it’s worth mentioning that it’s important to use good judgement when you’re going anywhere alone that serves alcohol. You’re responsible for your own safety, especially when you’re on your own. Personally, I choose not to go to bars alone since I’m small and a woman. If I have a drink with a meal I limit myself to just one. Everybody’s different though, so just find what makes you comfortable.
Solo travel has ended up being a huge part of my life, and I hope these lessons I’ve learned from traveling solo help you the next time you’re traveling on your own. But this is only a partial list. Be sure to stay tuned for part 2 – coming soon!
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