Planning a solo vacation? Many people are daunted by the prospect of going abroad by themselves but most who have done this before will tell you just what an amazing experience it can be.
Going on solo vacation puts you in complete control of your experience, so you can do exactly what you want, plus many people find that solo travel can also be helpful in terms of developing confidence, independence and other skills.
Finally, solo travel is also a great way to meet new people and try new experiences that you might not have done if you were with a partner/friends/family. Here are a few tips to make the most of your solo holiday.
Follow These Tips to Plan a Solo Vacation
Work Out A Budget for Your Adventure
First, you need to work out how much money you can afford to spend as this will affect where you go and for how long. There are various costs to consider, including:
- Travel
- Accommodation
- Food
- Daily spending
- Travel insurance
- Supplies needed for the trip
Having a budget allows you to stay in control of your spending so that you do not go overboard and return home in a difficult financial situation.
Choose Somewhere That You Will Feel Confident
It is understandable having some anxiety about traveling to a different country by yourself which is why it is a smart idea to travel somewhere that you will feel confident.
This might be an English-speaking country, somewhere that has a lot of travelers or somewhere that you know a few people who you could turn to. In the future, you could then look to more unique destinations with the confidence knowing that you can get by by yourself.
Find Suitable Accommodation
Equally important as the destination is your accommodation, as this will be your home away from home for the trip.
A drawback to traveling solo is that you will not have someone to split the cost of a hotel room with, so you may have to look into more affordable options or find cheaper hotels.
Hostels are much more affordable and can be a good option if you are looking to make new friends as these are always fun, sociable places and filled with other solo travelers.
Use An International Travel Checklist
When you travel by yourself for the first time, it is very easy to forget something because you will not have anyone to remind you that you are missing an essential item.
Therefore, it is a smart idea to use an international travel checklist which will make sure that you are fully prepared for a rewarding, enjoyable and safe experience abroad.
Travel Off-Peak
If you are looking to keep costs down and avoid the crowds, then it is a smart move to book your holiday for off-peak dates (outside of school holidays).
While summer travel is often regarded as the best, sometimes you will find that a winter holiday will give you a completely different viewpoint of a destination and a good way to escape during what can be a gloomy time of the year.
Have A Loose Itinerary When You’re Alone
As mentioned, one of the great benefits of solo travel is that you are free to do exactly what you want.
It is a smart idea to research your destination before and to have a loose itinerary so that you always have something to do; however, make sure it is still flexible so that you can change your mind if you do not feel like it or you make new friends and have plans with them.
Consider Group Tours
If you are looking to make new friends on the trip, then look into a group tour as these are always highly social and a fantastic way to explore your destination with other travelers.
A solo vacation can feel strange and isolating at first which is why it is helpful to have social plans early on.
Stay Connected To Home
Of course, when you travel abroad by yourself, you will want to stay closely connected to home so that you can keep in touch but also for safety reasons.
Check in with people back at home every so often and make sure that you provide them with a copy of your itinerary, contact information and a photocopy of your passport, bank cards and travel insurance in case anything happens.
It is also a good idea to inform your neighbors and have them keep an eye on your home while you are away if it will be vacant.
Take Lots Of Photos
Finally, make sure that you take lots of photos on your trip. This is so that you always have memories of this special travel experience and so that you can show your friends and/or family what a great time you had on your solo trip.
Everyone should experience a solo vacation at one point because it can be such a unique, life-affirming and special experience and the above tips should help you to make the most of the trip.
