Nervous about traveling alone? Don’t be! Traveling solo can, with the right attitude and preparation, be a rejuvenating and deeply rewarding experience. It’s a great way to learn about yourself while learning about another culture. You’ll surprise yourself, in the best way possible.
Of course, new things can be scary, so we’ve put together a few tips to help you conquer your fear and make the most of your first solo trip.
- Research!
This may seem like a "well, DUH!" piece of advice, but it's important enough to repeat. A big reason traveling alone can be scary is because it's unknown and new, so do your research first and start familiarizing yourself with your destination. It will ease some of the anxiety as well as helping you plan your adventure. Memorize some basic words in the local language – YouTube is great for free pronunciation guides – and get into the cultural mindset before even leaving home.
Don't limit your research to travel-specific books or websites either: put out a call on your public social media for tips from locals. They might give you some unbeatable advice about things to check out that the bigger sites or tour companies missed. A little gratitude and human connection can go a long way!
- Make Your List, Check It Twice
While it’s important to think on the bright side (and really, who wants to think about the worst-case scenarios? Not us!), a little bit of prep can go a long way. Make a list of important phone numbers and addresses and keep a copy somewhere safe. Be sure, also, to download your maps before you go and look up the locations of tourist kiosks in case you need physical copies.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Overpack…
When it comes to the essentials, that is. Even if you don’t foresee needing that cold medicine or an extra pair of socks, expect the unexpected and bring them anyway.
- Take Advantage of Tech
Leave your laptop at home and get on a first-name basis with your smaller devices. A tablet's versatility makes it a great travel buddy, especially in tandem with a smartphone! If you're okay with disconnecting, turn off the cellular service to avoid pesky roaming charges and use your phone as a camera or recording device. If you want to stay accessible, be sure to check with your wireless carrier to see if they offer short-term international deals or region-specific plans.
Not interested in having cellular service on your trip? Don't forget about wifi! So many coffee shops and bistros across the world have free wireless internet; get yourself a cup of coffee, maybe a local pastry, and take advantage of their internet service while you people-watch and soak up the atmosphere.
5. There’s An App For That!
Another great thing about bringing your smartphone along for the ride? Apps! Downloading some travel apps will make your solo trip easier and save more time for Instagram. There are apps to help you before you set off, too: check out Packpoint for tips on what to bring. Just feed in your destination and how long you're staying, and it will help you avoid bringing too much or too little.
If you want to save some mobile data, take a look at navigation apps that use the GPS in collaboration with offline map support.
Since nothing can ruin a vacation day like unexpected bad weather or getting stuck in traffic, grab a weather app to keep an eye on the forecast and a traffic app for the best view of a city's flow.
Additionally, if you’re looking to take a 4WD and do some off-road exploring across North America, Canada or Mexico, we have a neat and versatile offline navigation that will help you track your steps and stay on track.
Last but not least, give yourself a pat on the back. By taking your first solo trip, you’re embarking on something new and awesome, and that’s something to be very proud of.
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Kirk Bowlen is an employee of Hema Maps, Australia's leading off-road navigation and mapping company since 1983. HemaMaps has come to concentrate on outdoor expeditions, predominantly off-road adventures, and it has built a strong following by four-wheel drive enthusiasts worldwide.
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