Your first international solo journey naturally requires a little strategic planning and savvy decision-making. You’ll want to make the most of limited time and budget constraints while getting a feel for local flavours, cultural vibes, and capturing the visual memories to share with friends and family.
To help you prepare for your upcoming solo journeys, we’ll be outlining some of our top tried and tested tips to ensure that you can travel safely. Continue reading for advice to make the most of your new life chapter of independence, exploration, and self-discovery as a solo world traveller.
What To Pack
Before leaving home, assemble the essential documentation you’ll need, including any visa paperwork, your passport, airline tickets, travel insurance papers, and records of your lodging reservations (just in case). You should also familiarise yourself with healthcare guidelines at your destinations and bring documentation pertaining to required vaccinations if applicable.
Packing a compact first-aid kit is also highly recommended, as you can ensure you’re ready to respond if you do ever find yourself in an unexpected emergency situation. And on that same note, don’t forget an ample supply of any of your prescription medications.
You should also consider which personal devices you’ll carry for creating content, such as your camera, smartphone, associated chargers, and spare batteries. Pro tip: you may want to use the Adobe Express app or other free video and photo editing apps that you can use on your phone instead of lugging the laptop. Doing so will save you valuable luggage space and weight, alongside helping you stay more present as you travel, because you won’t have to look over your shoulder with every step to make sure your computer is still safe and secure.
And speaking of keeping your valuables safe and secure, it’s also wise to invest in practical security measures like lockable zippers on your backpacks. Use a money belt or hidden pouches for essential documents, cash, and other valuables, such as camera memory cards, and watch travel cases for safely storing jewellery and watches.
Emergency Prep
Provide family and friends with your itinerary and contact details for every destination location you’ll be staying at. Check-in with them regularly. Consider obtaining a localised SIM card for affordable communication channels, and store local emergency numbers within your phone. Also, note the nearby hospitals and emergency clinics, just in case.
In case of a personal emergency, prepare a note detailing any specific allergies, medical conditions, or drug resistance and keep it readily available to first responders so they’re aware. This note can be kept on your person, or even displayed on the home screen of your mobile device. Speaking of your mobile, ensure your phone is also updated with the latest security patches, and bookmark pertinent location maps to guide you through your destination cities.
And if you’re looking to travel to countries that have different national languages (and currencies), then don’t forget to install any applicable translation tools and currency conversion apps either. Be sure to also research your destination’s safe areas, avoid risky neighbourhoods, and be discreet with currency and other valuables in public. Staying vigilant and maintaining situational awareness at all times is an integral part of a safe and enjoyable solo trip.
Study Up on Local Laws & Customs
Respect your destination’s traditions and cultural norms by researching basic greetings, dress codes, gestures, and nuances to avoid negative interactions. Learn the key phrases you’ll need in each destination, along with polite expressions and responses.
Locals generally welcome visitors and appreciate your efforts to use their language by mastering the basics and being prepared with translation books or apps.
Positively represent your home country by introducing yourself and expressing curiosity about your destination, and always remain respectful to public spaces by keeping things tidy, disposing of trash, and cooperating with local law enforcement officers.
Accommodation Considerations
Weigh the benefits of each style of living arrangement based on your travel style, preferences, and, ultimately, your budget. Hostels give a community experience where you may interact with locals and tourists from diverse backgrounds. At the same time, hotels offer more privacy and comfort, but often at a higher cost.
In either choice, you’ll want to book well in advance to ensure the most competitive rates. Don’t forget alternatives like vacation rentals and homestay platforms like Couchsurfing or Airbnb to further immerse yourself into the local culture. Hopefully, you’ll make new international friends and learn more about daily life in your destination.
Utilising Your Time Wisely
Once you’ve booked accommodations, build an itinerary aligning with your goals and preferences. Pick a few must-see places and allow for spontaneous diversions along the way. Spark conversations with friendly locals and inquire about their favourite spots for brunch, cocktails, or whatever you like to do. Ask them about the one place that tourists never visit but shouldn’t miss.
Consider a group tour where you can let someone else drive and free yourself to take inspiring photos or video content of local attractions while connecting with fellow travellers. Don’t forget public transportation as another level to your solo travels. Depending on your destination, these can become quite complex, so familiarise yourself well in advance and have the local currencies on hand for payment.
Staying Social & Connected
Finally, remember that solo travel is often overwhelming and leads to loneliness or isolation, even in crowded locales. Overcome tourist solitude by frequently greeting those in your vicinity with a warm greeting or friendly smile. Consider signing up for traveller-geared platforms where meetups at local pubs or cafes offer tourists a chance to connect, unwind, and share their experiences within this new place. Make plans for lunch or dinner on subsequent days and keep in touch.
Research local digital coworking spots where you can use the internet to check in with your family back home while networking with the tourists in your immediate area. Chances are there are several international first-timers like you who are feeling social anxiety in an unfamiliar place and wouldn’t mind a buddy to keep them grounded.
Whether you’re planning a solo backpacking trip to Europe or a sailing expedition of the Thai islands, it certainly does pay to follow the safety and security measures we’ve outlined above. By preparing for any and all potential emergencies that come your way, you can help ensure that your solo adventure stays not just safe, but also deeply memorable and enriching.
