When heading off on a solo trip, you’ll no doubt hear the phrases;
“You’re so brave”
“I could never do that”
“Aren’t you scared?”
My answer is “no”, there’s no reason to be scared while travelling alone. With my simple tips, you’ll be heading to the airport in no time.
- Make a plan
There is nothing wrong with a good spreadsheet. From plotting day trips to listing potential dinner spots, a spreadsheet is an excellent way to make a plan and keep track of what you’ve booked. Not only that but with the sharing abilities built into the likes of Google Sheets, friends and family will be able to keep track of where you are. Of course, if you’d rather go with the flow but still want people to know where you are, Find My on iPhones or location sharing on Google Maps is a quick and easy way to share your location.
2. Know where you’re heading
When you’ve just got off your flight, whether it’s been 2 hours or 12, it’s best to know where you’re going rather than wandering aimlessly through the airport. With a package holiday, look for the company you booked through (Tui, Easyjet etc) and they’ll be able to direct you to your transfer. If you’ve booked everything separately, take a look at Rome2Rio - it’ll show you the different modes of transport, as well as distance, time is taken and a rough cost. Then, use trusty Google Maps to get to that bus stop or train station which will get you to your chosen location.
If you don’t fancy a train or bus, there’s always the option to get a taxi. Remember not everywhere has Uber, but it is usually possible to pre-book a taxi (plus, there’s nothing quite like walking out of your gate to see a sign with your name on it!),
3. Act like you own the place
You’ve dropped off your bags, and now it’s time to explore. Plot your route, keep your head up and eyes forward - as far as anyone is concerned, you’ve been here for ages and you know this city as well as a local. Most big cities have signs pointing to the most popular places, so if you do lose your way, you’ll probably find your way again with ease. Now, you obviously need to be sensible with this advice. If you wouldn’t walk around at home at night, then don’t do it when you’re in a new city. While I found Naples fairly easy to navigate during the day when the sun went down, I felt much more uncomfortable so I didn't stray too far from my hotel.
4. Keep your friends close and your possessions closer
Bumbags may not be the height of fashion, but they are very good at keeping your possessions safe. I have a small pink one that has become my best friend during my most recent travels. From keeping my valuables within reach on a flight while my hand luggage is in the overhead bins, to carrying my money as close to me as possible whilst out walking, I sling it over my shoulder so the main bag is in front of me. The other helpful thing I found is that it’s somewhere to put my hands on the move. With most women’s clothing missing vital pockets, I find it comfortable to hook my hands over the front of my bumbag. It also adds an extra layer of security meaning that no one would be able to gain access. You can take extra precautions by getting clone-proof sleeves for your bank cards to keep your digital money safe.
5. Stay in contact
The one requirement that my parents put on me when I’m travelling is a single text message a day to say that I’m safe. My mum has always threatened that if she doesn’t hear from me, she’ll send my dad out to find me! Most places now have Wi-Fi so it’s easy enough to log into whatapps or Facebook Messenger. While I was in Cuba, there was limited internet so after I checked out I wasn’t able to log onto the Wi-Fi. However, the universal explanation that I needed to let my mum know where I was meant that the receptionist kindly gave me an extra login before my transfer arrived.
The long and the short of it really is if you wouldn’t do it at home, don’t do it when you’re away from home. Even in my hometown I wouldn’t walk down dark streets by myself during the night, or have my expensive electronics on display when I’m on public transport. I even tell my friends and family when I'm heading to the office so the same applies when I'm abroad. Mostly, my biggest advice is to try not to get into your own head and just enjoy yourself. You’re on your trip to have a good time so take the time to enjoy it!
p.s. All of our passport covers feature RFID technology which reduces electromagnetic transmission strength and shields your essential data. These covers give you an extra layer of security to your ID, credit cards, and passport information while you embark on the journey of a lifetime! What are you waiting for? Adventure awaits!
