Prepare for your First Solo Travel Experience with these Top Tips
Travelling solo can be a super exciting experience, and provide real opportunities to learn more about yourself. But even with all the idealism of world travel, solo travel can still be pretty intimidating. With nobody to rely on but yourself, travelling solo is ultimately a masterclass in independence.
So before you go jet setting, it’s well worth honing your travel skills, just to make sure you can move with confidence through airport terminals, hotel bookings, and all the other admin of adventure. From making checklists to finding affordable ways to craft and follow full-fledged itineraries, it is so important to know exactly how to navigate your trip planning by yourself so you can enjoy maximal experiences with minimal stress.
Today, we’ll be sharing our top tried and tested tips for travelling confidently as a first-time solo traveller. Be sure to keep these savvy considerations in mind as you’re planning your first ever solo getaway.
Always Get Travel Insurance
When travelling solo, the most important thing to keep in mind is that there’s nobody else to rely on for medical help or other support in any sort of emergency, especially when travelling abroad. So, the first thing you must do when you’re planning your solo trip is get international travel insurance.
Whether it’s a medical emergency, a booking being cancelled, or even a theft or loss of belongings, travelling with insurance can provide immense peace of mind for all tourists, not just solo travellers. Additionally, some insurance companies offer 24/7 support, ensuring you can access assistance at any time, regardless of conflicting time zones. This is naturally going to be a great comfort if you’re planning to travel worldwide.
Prioritise Travel Budget Preparation
Budgeting is always going to be one of the hardest elements of travel planning to tackle. For solo travellers, however, you won’t be able to spend less by splitting costs. This means you really need to be mindful of accommodation rates, airline ticket prices, and even currency exchange rates as you travel – because each dollar you spend will be entirely your own.
Thankfully, there are ways that you can spend responsibly as a solo traveller. For instance, booking your flights as early as possible can help you snag the best rates. Similarly, using a travel card for all your spending can also help ensure you can exchange your dollars at the most competitive currency exchange rates.
Want more tips on how to stay thrifty on holidays without sacrificing on experiences? Check out our article on holiday budget planning for single parents. From discount hunting, house swapping, and other low-cost accommodation and travel tips, there are plenty of ideas here that may also benefit you as a first-time solo traveller.
Check Local Laws About Substances
At first glance, it may seem like we’re referring to scheduled drugs when talking about checking local laws, but this is a much more nuanced subject. A good example is how gum is banned in Singapore and alcohol is in large parts of the Middle East.
Some countries even have different substance and customs laws between states. Of course, this is likely not a new concept for most of us Aussies, as even our state borders may oftentimes prohibit travellers from transporting fruits and vegetables into Victoria from New South Wales. So we recommend equipping yourself with this same knowledge and checking any and all relevant substance and customs laws before stepping onto new soil.
Research The Weather Where You’re Headed
Tropical countries may seem like the perfect spot to be during the summer, but if you’re not prepared for unexpected showers or unbearable heat waves, then your entire trip can be ruined by one freak weather day. For example, the monsoon season in India can provide very unwelcome for international travellers who were expecting to enjoy nothing but warm, sunny days rather than wild rains, storms, and humidity.
In this regard, checking the weather before picking your destination is actually one of the most important travel tips you can keep in mind when planning any holiday. By making sure you’re aware of local weather conditions, you can plan (and pack) accordingly, ensuring you always have the appropriate footwear, outerwear, and itinerary to accommodate the shifting tides at your selected travel destination/s.
Look Up Your Nearest Consulate
If you’re travelling to an international destination, then it’s highly advised that you record the address of your local Australian embassy in the event that you do need support from the Australian Government during your journey. The DFAT provides a comprehensive list of consulates and embassies across the world, making it incredibly easy to find out where you can get help well in advance. Make sure you also have phone numbers written down and know the locations of embassies to be extra safe while travelling solo.
Additionally, some countries have consular agreements to help out citizens of other countries on foreign soil. Checking to find out which countries offer consular agreements with Australia beforehand is another simple way to guarantee peace of mind.
Pack Light And Be Prepared For Shopping
Finally, a trip abroad is never complete without a shopping spree. But it can feel a little anxiety-inducing to travel with bigger luggage when you’re on your own. Maintaining constant vigilance and having a grasp on your suitcase handles at all times can really prevent you from staying in the present and really enjoying your time away. And more importantly, if you’re trying to cut down on travel costs, then packing light is the best way for you to stay agile as a traveller. Fewer bags means fewer Uber or taxi rides, reduced baggage costs when booking flights, and maybe even not having to pay for storage lockers for those who are looking to bring their bags along wherever they go.
That being said, you don’t want to travel without sufficient storage either, as it can make it very difficult to keep track of all your travel essentials when you’re out and about. Carrying convenient storage like a fanny pack for storing passports and travel documents and an additional small bag that can be used when you shop from local markets makes it much easier to carry items daily, without worrying about losing things along the way.
Gain Confidence as a Solo Traveller with these Top Travel Tips
Travelling solo can feel almost therapeutic if you make sure to keep safe. But even with preparatory guides like these, you will find that you also do plenty of learning simply by jumping in with both feet and saying ‘yes’ to solo travel opportunities. So, follow these tips and make that leap, because you’ll be netting yourself an unforgettable experience.
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Samuel Heins
