The first time I went to London on my own (translation: without my Mom, who knows the city well and is actually good with directions), I had no idea what I was doing and purchased a tube pass for all five zones.
I then proceeded to actually think about how the zones in London worked, and that I was only going to Zone Two, and realized I had probably wasted a good five pounds by getting a more expensive ticket. Where was someone to tell me to get an Oyster card when I needed them?
Naturally, I also ended up missing my stop. Thankfully, by the end of the summer, I had a better understanding of the tube. I was no longer intimidated and I made fewer costly mistakes.
Travelling solo may be daunting, but it is so rewarding. To start, you don’t have to deal with other people, and you have the freedom to follow your own schedule. You can do what you want, go where you want and dine where you’d like.
When I worked at Disney World, I loved going to the parks on my own during my days off, and when I spent the summer in England last year, I really enjoyed taking day trips on my own. At times, it’s nice to have company, but on your own, you don’t have to worry about doing what the other person or the rest of the group wants to do, or dealing with disagreements if there are different interests.
Being by yourself, you can go at your own pace. Your travel can sometimes feel more relaxed, and let’s be honest—sometimes constant social interaction is mentally tiring.
Meeting strangers
I spent this last summer volunteering in Indonesia, where I went for solo weekend trips, and after my project was completed, I visited Australia solo. I had a few co-workers who were concerned, and given my clumsiness, my distractedness and my terrible sense of direction, I can’t really blame them!
However, I am so glad I went. By being able to control where I went and when, I also managed to see some friends I hadn’t seen in a while, and if I’d been with someone else, that may not have been possible. Staying in hostels, I met some awesome people whom I socialized with in the evenings. I also met some amazing ladies through a Facebook group for females travelling solo, who became temporary companions.
I also encountered a fun group of Americans after I got lost in Yogyakarta, when my phone died, and ended up spending most of the day with them. I am very grateful I met them, even though I probably will never see them again. Sometimes, you truly get to experience the kindness of strangers while travelling.
For some, solo travel could help with confidence. You become more comfortable and get used to going out, wandering around cities and dining at restaurants alone. Solo travel also encourages the traveller to increase their confidence when it comes to speaking to new people, regardless of whether you’re meeting fellow travellers at hostels, through organized meetups or while you’re out exploring.
If you think solo travel might get lonely, it doesn’t, and you meet many people who may also be travelling on their own. On the other hand, there’s something peaceful about having “me time” in a new place, and you get to connect with yourself on a deeper level.
Be confident yet safe
An obvious issue is safety. As a member of travel groups on Facebook, I often see posts asking whether certain places are safe for females or solo travellers to visit. This summer, I was told it wasn’t safe to walk around the Indonesian city I lived in as a white female.
But what I found was that most people were just entertained or curious about seeing a tourist, and that the Indonesian people are some of the most friendly, welcoming people I’ve ever met.
I never felt unsafe (just a bit annoyed, if I wanted to read a book or listen to music in peace). Hell, there are parts of Ottawa, and certainly Orlando, that I’ve felt more unsafe in—but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t recommend Ontario or Florida (however, I do actually avoid downtown Orlando, but I digress).
Here’s the deal: No place is completely safe or unsafe, whether you are traveling with someone or travelling solo. Of course, there are some places that wouldn’t be recommended for travellers, but that shouldn’t detract people from visiting, and they may even surprise you. Just practice normal safety precautions that you would in any given place, especially if you are on an adventure alone.
Don’t let worries you have about solo travel deter you from going—it is amazing. If you have the chance to travel, but don’t have someone to go with, take the opportunities as they come and go see places you might not see otherwise. You will thank yourself later! Don’t wait around and later regret staying home; instead, enjoy life and the wonders of this beautiful planet Earth.
After becoming more comfortable with travelling and navigating cities on my own, I wouldn’t hesitate to go on more solo trips and would recommend that anyone else does the same. It may just be the best thing you’ll ever do.
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