If you want to survive solo travel then there are a few things you can do to try and make your life easier. Take a look below to find out more.
Know your Strengths
The first thing you need to try and do is know your strengths. It does go without saying that a lot of anxiety that comes with solo travel will depend on what it is you want from your trip. You also need to understand what type of person you are as well. Do you like being outside and pushing your comfort zone? Or does the thought alone fill you with anxiety and dread? Are you a sociable person? If you can take into account things like this then you will soon find it easier to know your strengths as well as your limitations. If you are traveling solo and you know that you are a bit of an introvert then you can forget about the language barrier. A lot of cities are suited to people-watching, and this is especially the case if you are going to one in Europe with a thriving cafe culture.
Do your Homework
This is certainly one of the top tips that you should be adopting if you want to make the most out of your solo travel experience. Take the time to think about what it is you want from your trip and where you are likely to get it. This will help you to focus on what it is you want, and how you intend to get it. Of course, it’s also a good idea to research cities and the top restaurants you can go to. If you hate the idea of dining alone then some establishments will be more suited to this, as they will give you more privacy and a more solo-friendly dining experience. Looking into things like luggage storage will help you out a lot here too.
Don’t Stay in One Place
Another thing you need to do is avoid sleeping in one place. Try a homestay or even look for a rental room in an apartment. The great thing about this is that it gives you the chance to connect with the residents who live there. You can also give yourself a lot of options if you are a solo traveler which is great, to say the least. One thing to take note of is that hostels tend to be made for solo travelers, and you can find a lot of them in Europe too. Keep in mind though that you may end up spending most of your time with other tourists rather than the locals.
Embrace Yourself
Being alone for a long period can be a little bit daunting if you are not used to it. With that in mind, you do need to just roll with it. You may learn to love it, and you may also relish in your own company. If you can get to this point then you will soon find that it is easier for you to have the best time when solo traveling. Remember, if you are feeling a little social then you can always try and make some new friends. Offer to take a photo for your family when you are out and on the go, or if you see a group of people sitting by the bar, strike up a conversation with them. If you can do this then you will soon find that it is easier for you to have the best time.
Say No
Sometimes, if you are in a hospitable culture, you may find that you get a lot of intense attention when traveling solo. Learn how to say “no thank you” in the corresponding language. Try and learn the non-verbal gesture for no too, as this is more effective when you use it in combination with spoken word. You also need to make sure that you have the number for local help services. Tourist police as well as hospital numbers are handy to have. Although you will hopefully never need them, you do still need to make sure that you are protecting yourself. After all, if something did happen when you were out and on the go, you cannot just ask a friend to call someone. You either have to do it yourself or you have to ask a random person to do it for you if you are in need. By having numbers ready, you can at least give yourself some level of protection.
