Planning your first solo adventure can be completely overwhelming when you don’t know where to start; this mini guide is here to help you get the best out of your first trip!
Deciding to solo travel can be a difficult decision, and this guide is here to make it as stress free as possible. I have personally travelled to at least 10 countries as a solo traveller and, as a result, I have come up with the following tips to share with other like minded people, like you!
Step One: Where to, miss?
Ask yourself these following questions to get you started:
How far do you want to travel? Ideal travel time?
How long do you want to go for?
How much do you want to spend?
How comfortable are you travelling on a plane?
Where have you been previously? Does a new place appeal to you or would you prefer to return somewhere?
These questions will help you narrow down where you could possibly go. When I first started travelling solo, I picked destinations based on how cheap the flights were and how accessible they were from London Stansted as it was the closest airport to me. These were mostly European countries that were less than a 4-hour flight away. For your first trip it is better to choose a place that is not too far out of your comfort zone. Once you are more comfortable with being by yourself and navigating a country solo, you can branch out to places further away and less touristy.
Also, it is important to consider how long you would like to go for. For me, destinations that are more than 5 hours away are only worth it if I’m staying for longer than a week. You may feel different, but it is still worth considering. You don’t want to waste days in the air or at the airport when you’ve got a limited time already on the ground.
Figuring out your budget is the most important factor. It will determine how long you go for, what type of experiences you can have, and the type of accommodation you can stay in. Bear in mind that you don’t get a discount for travelling solo - the hotels cost the same regardless of whether or not there’s 1 or 2 people. I prefer an Air BnB or hotel for myself as I have never really been a fan of sharing a dorm room. I like the privacy a private room or place affords me, and I am willing to pay a little bit more for the quiet and the space. If you are on a limited budget, dorm rooms are a good way to go. You can meet other solo travellers here as well, so the experience isn’t a lonely one. They are safe too! You have to consider the price of activities (book these in advance as a lot of times it is cheaper than on the door, and you don’t want to miss out) and how much money you want to spend on food daily. Are you going to be cooking for yourself or eating out every day? When I first started solo travelling, I was too nervous to go into smaller, less touristy food places so I ended up paying the tourist tax at the more popular central locations.
As mentioned earlier, for your first solo trip you should try somewhere that is not too different to where you already live. Consider the language barriers you may face (do they speak your language or do you know theirs) and how easy is it to navigate their transport systems. If it is similar, then it is less of a shock to the system and there is to overwhelm you when you are already in a heighten state. Doing it this way will build your confidence, and it will also mean that if any trouble does occur it is easier to rectify.
Step Two: build an itinerary perfect for any solo traveller.
Once you have decided on the place that you are travelling to, it is important to do a little bit of research. Are there enough activities and sights to fill your time with? You don’t have to pack your itinerary so that you’re busy 24/7, but there needs to be things that you will enjoy and want to get out of bed for. I use other blogs or social media to find out about different activities – it’s totally ok to use other people’s itineraries as a base for your own. Usually, they are well researched and have already considered the travel distances between the activities. It is harder to come up with your own, so keep it simple in the beginning (unless you’re a planner and love that sort of stuff). Also, it is totally ok to do all the touristy things – there is almost always a reason why they’re popular. It is cool to go off the beaten track but in the beginning you might not always have the confidence to do that – so don’t expect yourself to.
Personally, I like to book dinner reservations when I am solo travelling, so I include these in my itineraries. Eating by myself is something I struggle with, so I make it easier and less awkward by being prepared. It is harder for me to just walk into a restaurant and ask for a table. At the beginning it was the least favourite bit of the trip, but I promise it does get much easier the more that you do it.
I also like to include the travel between activities so I know how long it will take and what specific route I will be taking. You don’t need to be this prepared, however.
Step Three: accommodation.
So, you’ve decided on your budget and the things that you want to do. The next thing you have to do is choose where you want to stay. Choosing your accommodation is usually balancing price with the right location. I also like to look at the cleanliness of the place – usually you can tell how clean the place will be by the modernity of the toilet and the kitchen areas. I use websites like Booking.com and Air BnB to have a look at different accommodations. There are websites such as HostelWorld for those that do not mind a hostel. Always, always read the reviews. Take note if people felt safe there. What are the staff or hosts like? How many reviews do they have? Do not risk your safety to save a little bit of money. I don’t want to scare you by saying that, but it’s just a reminder that booking somewhere secure and trustworthy will save you hassle down the line. Hostels can be cheap, and they can be safe too. You just have to do your due diligence.
I will also take into consideration how far away my desired accommodation is from a) the airport and b) the sights. Saving yourself a little bit of money by being further away is never a good idea – it just seems smart in the moment. If you’re having to commute for a long time there and back, it becomes an added exhaustion that you don’t need. I like somewhere that is in walking distance of attractions or is a 20-minute train ride. Anything more than this to the main sights is too much for me.
Step Four: sort your pre-travel bits.
What currency does the country take? If there is more than one, which is the strongest one?
Do they prefer cash or card? I do suggest always having cash and a back up amount of money regardless.
What is the tipping situation, is it customary (if so, what percentage)?
What sockets do they have? What voltage are their outlets (as this could damage your accessories)? I would always suggest taking an adaptor that is universal.
Do they require a visa or special travel requirements?
Do they require proof of onward travel?
How are you going to get from the airport to your first stop or accommodation? Consider whether you want to get a taxi or use public transport. More often than not, the airport will have a bus that takes you straight to the city centre. This is the option I choose most of the time – it’s much cheaper than a taxi.
What are some common scams that take place?
Do you need a different sim card? Does your current provider already cover the place you are going? If not, then consider pre buying a sim or setting up an eSim.
Step Five: pack, pack, pack.
Overpacking for your first trip is a rite of passage. It will happen to all of us, regardless of if we try to minimise it. I have learnt that for anything under a week, a backpack is far better. Dragging a suitcase around gets very tiring and exhausting when using public transport. If you do decide to take a suitcase, ask your hotel if you can leave it with them early, or there are luggage holder companies that will charge you a daily or hourly rate to look after it for you. Another thing that you will learn is that you do not need more than 2 pairs of shoes. I would bring heels etc. but I definitely did not dress up as much as I thought I would. The shoes just took up more space than they needed to (especially if you’re planning to bring back souvenirs). It is the same with outer wear, unless you are going somewhere that is a cold climate, limit the number of thick layers you are bringing. Trust me, you'll thank me for this one!
Here are 5 steps that should help you in booking your first solo trip. I have learnt some of these things the hard way so that you do not have to! This list is not exhaustive, it is just a reflection of how I book and plan out my own trips.
I hope that this has helped, and you have the best solo trip!
@jesstravelssolo