Considering travelling solo but don’t know where to begin?

I’m a type-A traveller who over-plans everything and loves every minute of organizing trips.

Here are some of the questions I get asked as a person who loves to travel on my own!

Why do you like travelling alone?

I’ve had people ask this because they assume I’m unhappy with the people in my life and want an escape. Surprisingly, NO, that’s not the case.

I travel on my own for a few reasons.

Oftentimes I can’t find someone who wants to come with me.

Whether it’s because they can’t get time off work, they can’t afford a trip at the moment, or they just don’t want to get on a plane – there are many reasons a person may not want to come on a trip. And I don’t really feel like wasting my youth waiting for someone to go with.
I have specific places I want to travel, and not everyone has the same bucket list destinations.

I could beg someone to come with me, but I’d feel bad knowing someone was wasting their hard-earned money on a trip they don’t really want to go on.
I genuinely love alone time.

Gasp. A woman person preferring her own company? How dare she.

Yes, I’m married. Yes, I have friends. I love spending time with my loved ones. But life is long, and sometimes the idea of wandering a new city on your own sounds so peaceful and lovely.
I’m more confident meeting new people when I’m on my own.

I feel the most self-conscious ever when I’m meeting a new person, and my best friend is standing right next to me. There are expectations of who I am. There is a basis for how I’m expected to act with the new person.

When I meet new people on my own, that fear is gone. I’m more confident.

Sure, Home Mish might be anxious and terrified to try things. But Travel Mish can be whoever she wants to be. Home Mish would never be invited to go for a hike, because I don’t come off as that kind of person. But Travel Mish might make new friends who invite her to go for a hike, because they don’t make those assumptions.

And then we have a new adventure together!

Why don’t you go with your partner or friends?

See above! My spouse isn’t huge into travel. He doesn’t like long plane rides. Is that going to stop me from visiting all of the places I want to go? Of course not.

My partner and I still travel together. I still go on trips with friends. But sometimes those stars just don’t align, and you have to make the decision to give up on that dream, or to go it alone.

Aren’t you worried about safety?

I worry about everything – of course I worry about safety.

But I worry about safety at home, too. No matter where you are, something could happen. Is that going to stop you from living your life?

If I’m travelling alone, I also would make safer choices. Like I wouldn’t go to a country that wasn’t safe for women. Or I wouldn’t go somewhere that was super hard to navigate, or where no one anywhere speaks any English.

How do you prepare for a solo trip?

Research the Location

How much does it cost? Are there decent accommodations? How long is the flight?

Is it safe for solo female travellers? Is it easy to get around? What are some of the basic tourist scams people try to pull?

Basic research into a location before deciding it’s a good place to go on your own.
Learn basic language

If you’re going to a country where they don’t speak the same language as you, learn some basic phrases! Even if I travel somewhere where I know people will speak English, even though their primary language is something else, I will still learn some phrases in their language.

It’s just the kind thing to do. Even if you order a meal entirely in English, and then say ‘thank you’ in their language, it shows that you’re putting in some effort.

I recommend learning how to say Hello, Please, Thank You, Goodbye, and my personal priority: Where is the bathroom? Before you go anywhere.
Look up transit and other travel within city

If you’re flying to a new city, you’ll want to research their metro system or the price of taxis or Ubers.

The subway might be the way to go, or you might decide it’s all very walkable. Depending on the safety level of these options, you might decide to plan accordingly.
Look up where to eat, sight-see, etc.

This is the fun part – planning your trip! Now that you’ve decided where to go and how to get there, you can start looking at nearby restaurants or landmarks you want to add to the itinerary.

As a solo trip, I’d recommend starting by finding popular locations and not wandering too far off the beaten path on your own until you’re comfortable.

What are some things to avoid while solo travelling?

This section can be summed up by saying: be aware of your surroundings.

If you’re getting into a cab or Uber, make sure it’s legit. Use Uber’s code feature to ensure you’re getting in the right car with the right person.

Carry a cross-body bag on your front rather than a purse on your side or back. That way you can have it on you at all times, and someone isn’t likely to try to pickpocket you.

If someone is trying to chat you up, make sure to tell them that you’re meeting a friend or your partner soon. Don’t announce to the world that you’re travelling alone.

Usually ignoring people on the street or near landmarks trying to get your attention will help you to avoid tourist scams. Don’t interact.

Just use common sense and be aware of your surroundings. Most people aren’t out to harm you. Walk with confidence and you won’t be a target for tourist scams or pickpocketing.

Another note: I avoid posting any trip photos until I’m back home. All it takes is one photo with too many details for someone online to track down where you are, alone.

What are some destinations you’ve been to that you would feel safe going alone?

Tokyo is the safest I’ve ever felt travelling. I was with my family at the time, but I would go back again solo, no questions asked.

I also felt very safe in Amsterdam, Reykjavik, Prague, and believe it or not – Las Vegas.

Is group travel solo travel?

I consider travelling with a tour company as solo travel. If you got on the plane alone, arrived in a new country on your own, and joined a group of complete strangers for a tour group – to me, that is travelling alone.

Connecting with a group of strangers and making friends with them along the way is part of solo travel!

I hope these answered some of your questions, and if you have any more, feel free to reach out and ask!