{"id":7548,"date":"2018-11-27T14:29:27","date_gmt":"2018-11-27T14:29:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/?p=7548"},"modified":"2019-12-19T15:58:56","modified_gmt":"2019-12-19T15:58:56","slug":"11-best-tips-for-travelling-solo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/2018\/11\/11-best-tips-for-travelling-solo\/","title":{"rendered":"11 best tips for travelling solo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Planning to travel solo<\/a> for the first time can make for mixed emotions. It can be exhilarating and daunting all at once. But travelling alone doesn\u2019t have to be a lonely experience. In fact, it helps build your confidence and forge friendships that really can last a lifetime. So whether you\u2019re joining a group tour, or planning your own independent trip, here are our top 11 tips for your first solo adventure abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n

Get organised<\/b><\/h3>\n

The first step to feeling confident and in control is to set an itinerary. Start by reading a few guide books, travel blogs and adventure travel sites (even ours<\/a>!) and figure out which places and events you really don\u2019t want to miss in the time you have. But don\u2019t try and pack too much in. You\u2019ll want to build free time into the day for seeing an extra room in the museum, or exploring that random market you stumbled across, or even having a coffee with a new friend. Your first trip doesn\u2019t have to take in a whole continent either. Try a couple of weeks somewhere interesting to test your mettle. Just make sure you give yourself enough a little bit of wriggle room at the beginning and end of your trip so you can stay longer in places you like, and to account for unforeseen delays. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Pack light<\/b><\/h3>\n

Unless you\u2019re planning on using your luggage as a replacement for Crossfit classes, you\u2019ll want to make sure you can lift your bags up and down stairs by yourself. Let\u2019s face it, hotel elevators are notoriously on the blink when you need them most! Whether you\u2019re planning on dressing for comfort or style, try not to leave packing till the last minute. You\u2019ll need enough time to edit your wardrobe down to the essentials, to fit just one large suitcase or backpack and a rucksack for your carry on. Look up the typical temperature and rain charts for your destination for your travel dates – it\u2019ll help cut down on unnecessary gear. Definitely pack at least one amazingly comfy pair of walking shoes with good grippy soles.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Aim to arrive during the day<\/b><\/h3>\n

Make it easy for yourself and book your flight with a daylight arrival time. There\u2019s nothing worse than being alone in a new city, exhausted from the flight with only half a clue where you are and how to get to the hotel. (It\u2019s also an idea to book an airport transfer, look for an official city taxi, or research your public transport options in advance).<\/span><\/p>\n

Open up and make new friends<\/b><\/h3>\n

When we choose to travel solo<\/a>, we\u2019re deliberately shedding our safety net of friends and family, and diving into new relationships. It\u2019s an exciting part of the adventure, but it can also be a bit nerve wracking. Solo travel gives you the chance to be a new person to new people, and this in itself can be really freeing and rewarding. So, why not take out the ear plugs, put down the phone and start a conversation with someone? Whether you\u2019re in the hotel lobby, at the bar, on the plane, train or bus, or even paddling down rapids on the Nile in Uganda<\/a>, you\u2019re bound to find someone to swap war stories with, share a 2-4-1 cocktail with, or at least help you find a clean toilet! Sometimes a nice chat simply starts by asking someone to take a picture of you. Be brave!<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking for a tour which is for solo travellers? Check out some of our favourite trips.\u00a0<\/a><\/h2>\n

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Try something crazy and new<\/b><\/h3>\n

A great benefit of travelling solo<\/a> is you don\u2019t have to compromise on the activities you want to do. No-one can stop you taking a random cooking class, getting up at dawn for a balloon trip over the Great Migration, <\/a>trekking to that remote Mayan ruin,<\/a> or \u2026 (insert amazing thing you\u2019re dying to do here). You\u2019re free to test your limits and enjoy the adventure to the full without someone else\u2019s hang ups or opinions holding you back. Go for it!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Take care of yourself<\/b><\/h3>\n

Staying safe and healthy while you travel seems like a no-brainer, right? Of course you\u2019re going to get your travel jabs and insurance, scan and email your travel documents to yourself, get some back up cash and an extra debit or credit card, whatever prescription meds you need and your basic pain relief – that\u2019s all obvious stuff. You\u2019re not daft enough to walk down dark alleyways alone, and your mum\u2019s probably been on at you about sharing itineraries and keeping in touch. <\/span><\/p>\n

So, here are a few things that may not have crossed your mind:
\n<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Read up on <\/span>local customs, laws and taboos<\/b>, so you can put your best foot forward in social situations. You don\u2019t want to be offending your local hosts by wearing the wrong clothes, <\/span>using the wrong hand gestures<\/span><\/a>\u2026 you get the idea. It\u2019s also a good idea to understand local <\/span>tipping culture<\/b> and whether small gifts (or bribes) are expected (or legal) in addition to payment for certain services.<\/span><\/p>\n

In some countries it\u2019s best practice to specify <\/span>no ice in your drinks<\/b>, and avoid salads and raw veggies. The ice cubes could be made from contaminated water and the salad could be washed in it too. The locals\u2019 tummies will tolerate the bugs, but yours might be upset by the intrusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take your own reusable <\/span>water purifier bottle<\/b> to save on cost and plastic, and stay hydrated. Even bottled water can be local tap with a nice sticker on it (shock horror!)<\/span><\/p>\n

Travelling around the city alone?<\/span> Tell the hotel where you\u2019re off to <\/b>and who you\u2019re going with if you\u2019ve booked a trip, tour or private cab tour. Otherwise, public transport is a great option for safety in numbers and fixed timetables.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strangely enough, <\/span>fanny packs<\/b> are hugely back in vogue as a festival<\/a> fashion accessory. Could come in pretty handy for carrying the frequently needed papers, bug spray, cash etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>Swiss Army Knife <\/b>can also be very handy – part self-defence, part beer opener, part sandwich-maker, just don\u2019t pack it in your carry-on bag!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Travel tech is your friend<\/b><\/h3>\n

You\u2019re going to want to use free Wi-Fi wherever you can. But, it\u2019s a good idea to check before you travel exactly what you\u2019ll be charged for data roaming on your smartphone or tablet. You might find it\u2019s a good time to <\/span>switch contracts<\/span><\/a> if your tariff seems a bit steep, or consider a roaming add-on if switching\u2019s not an option.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s highly recommended to learn some basic phrases in the local language before you travel. The usual hello, please, thank you, where is the (toilet, shop, hotel), and can you help me, are all super useful and help create goodwill along the way. If you don\u2019t get around to it though, download Google Translate. It\u2019s free, and it allows you to scan and translate everything from street signs and restaurant menus into your language. It does need Wi-Fi or 3G to work properly though.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other apps which are pretty much must-haves are XE Currency (for exchange rates) and Google Maps or City Mapper (for navigation). <\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget your back-up battery! You\u2019ll definitely need the extra power when the maps and camera drain your phone half way through the day. Plus, a universal wall adapter too!<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, don\u2019t forget to turn on your GPS\/Find My Friends\/Find My Phone location trackers in your phone. If it gets lost, or you do, you\u2019ll be able to get someone to help you find yourself (or it).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Snacking and dining solo<\/b><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s a lot of fun to be had eating alone. From decoding the menu and choosing exactly what you like (knowing you don\u2019t have to share!), to trying something bizarre and new (and not having to negotiate!). <\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got specific dietary requirements, it\u2019s a good idea to research what the local cuisine is like before you travel. If you have particular allergens or foods you need to avoid, learn what they\u2019re called and how they\u2019re spelled in the local language. You could even take a print out listing things you can\u2019t eat to show the waiting staff or shopkeeper. Don\u2019t forget, Google Translate can help you translate menus and ingredients on packaged snacks as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

To keep occupied during quiet meals, you could keep a notebook full of detailed observations of the day. It\u2019ll be fun to look back in a few years at how you felt about certain things you ate, experiences you had, and specific things that made you laugh or cry or rage at the world. Or, you could simply dive into a paperback, something that\u2019s been on your list for a while\u2026 something you can exchange with another traveller at a hotel or hostel once you\u2019re done.<\/span><\/p>\n

We love all things food and travel. Keep an eye on our blog for the latest food recommendations when you are travelling solo including our post on the food and drinks in Peru .<\/a><\/p>\n

Take lots of photos – and don\u2019t forget video too!<\/b><\/h3>\n

You don\u2019t need to be one of those obnoxious tourists with a selfie stick, but there\u2019s no reason why you shouldn\u2019t take a pic with the grumpy camel that just delivered you safely to the yurt. Uploading a funny selfie on social media is also a great way to keep friends and family up to date.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Try to be patient and go with the flow<\/b><\/h3>\n

Chances are, you\u2019re from a country where things tend to run quite efficiently and predictably. But we can\u2019t expect that to be the case wherever we go. Sometimes the buses are late, or we get confused about directions and waste an extra hour getting somewhere. We can come across rude or unfriendly staff and there can be a general lack of certainty that can be frustrating. You\u2019ll make friends in some places, and not others; be busy and excited some days, a bit lonely the next. Try to let it all wash over you and let go of those little things. They\u2019re all just little things.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take a group tour<\/b><\/h3>\n

If want to make the most of limited time, and hate booking hotels and transport, a group tour will take almost all the hassle out of your trip. A whopping 60% of Tucan\u2019s travellers are solo travellers, so you\u2019d actually be among the majority. You could squeeze way more into your day and see everything your heart desires\u2026 without all the work of planning your daily activities, the direction of travel and making lots of boring payments and bookings. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you do enjoy having complete autonomy over planning and travel, then all power to you. However we\u2019d still recommend joining the occasional group activity along the way. Be aware that some activities e.g. the Inca Trail require permits and booking months in advance. Look out for a properly accredited travel agent or tour operator closer to home if you\u2019d prefer greater consumer protection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ready to take the first step and travel solo? Check out of dedicated page for solo travellers here.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\"solo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Planning to travel solo for the first time can make for mixed emotions. It can be exhilarating and daunting all at once. But travelling alone doesn\u2019t have to be a lonely experience. In fact, it helps build your confidence and forge friendships that really can last a lifetime. So whether you\u2019re joining a group tour, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":7551,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[28,8,3,1],"tags":[392,393,394,391,374,87],"yoast_head":"\n11 best tips for travelling solo - Tucan Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Looking to go travelling solo for the first time but don't know where to start? 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