5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Traveling Alone
Traveling alone has it’s far amount of challenges. I, for one, am terrible at estimating the amount of time it is going to take for me to get to the airport and have burnt thousands of calories running to the gates of my flights, seconds before the doors close. So, I’d say being on time is my number one challenge. But I am not writing this to talk about me and my flawed relationship with time restrictions. I want to tell you how you can navigate this beautiful, epic, albeit, dangerous world as a lone traveler.
Let me tell you, I know that I am not the most well- traveled person around that you could ask for advice from… but I’m probably the most honest and least uppity person you’ll come across when reading a travel blog ;) Typically, travel bloggers act as though they are perfect human beings with the most perfect itineraries and every moment while traveling is just heavenly. I would almost believe them too (if I had never traveled alone). So, I won’t sugarcoat things - traveling alone is difficult. Don’t get me wrong though; Traveling alone is the single most rewarding thing that you can do in life. Like, seriously. Do it.
I am going to give you 5 tips to do this in a way that will change your perceptions of life and grant you a way to get the most out of every place you go.
I know what you’re thinking, “Whoa, who’s this bi**ch?”… Well, my name is Shelly and I do travel photography. I went on my first solo trip when I was 22. Since then, I have stayed on 12 couches, 22 hostels/hotels, slept in 2 cars, 1 campervan, 3 hammocks, 1 cabin and 2 tents. I have taken 30 flights alone and 12 international train rides (it took me hours to figure all that out and I must say, I am proud of myself because I am not great with data haha). Besides those stats that nobody asked for, I am just a gal with a camera and a lust for seeing new places! So here we go:
Don’t Try To Do Everything.
This is the most important tip of all. I believe in this wholeheartedly because this approach has helped me gain so much insight into who I am and what I like. Being able to be honest and respect what you want to do, is an invaluable lesson. DO NOT fall victim to the pressure to follow that list of things Google told you that you should do. If you are not into it, don’t do it. Okay, like, I don’t do museums every time I visit a city. I know that seems like a crime to do because everyone and their mother acts like a museum is the #1 attraction. And that very well may be true; it’s a personal choice. I had to take a moment and a good, truthful look at myself to find that I am just not that into “museum-ing” it. There are exceptions to this of course (the Louvre and Guggenheim). However, if i don’t have a lot of time in a city, or I am on a tighter budget, I choose other activities. Basically, my advice is, if it doesn’t seem like something you’d like, do not make yourself do it. I know it can sometimes be difficult to discern what is interesting to you and what you are told is interesting by others. Just try, okay? The best part of traveling alone is that you can do whatever the heck you want to! There is no one there to have to compromise on stuff with. Don’t waste your time checking off a list of things to do just to feel like you got the most of a city. Some cities just require walking aimlessly and people watching to be exciting. You don’t NEED to go to that restaurant or that park. Same goes for the things you want to do. Accept that you may just need to return to do all the things you want! It’s okay to miss out on certain activities. You’re only human; don’t spend the adventure stressed about what you’re going to miss; or you’ll miss out on the present moment. Simply be and do as you please. You will be more fulfilled in the end, I promise!
use public transportation
Do it! It’s weird the first time ya do it, especially in cities with super long, difficult station stops, but you’ll feel like a local! You can immerse yourself in the experience of the city and people watch knowing that they are all most likely locals. I love pretending like I live in that city and imagine I’m the main character in some indie short film. It’s really fun… Don’t knock it until you try it ;)
Don’t diet
Please, eat. Eat all the stuff! Everyone can agree, it’s the best part of traveling.
use the hostel’s activity board
Firstly, stay in a hostel. Just try it, it is really not as bad as you think. You wont regret it because the positives outweigh the negatives. Every hostel has one of these. It’s a board with schedules for the week full of things to do that the hostel organizes. I have joined in on bingo drinking games, party boats, poker nights, outdoor rock climbing, wine & cheese picnics, city-wide hide and go seek…. If any or all of those things sound appealing to you, imagine doing it with people who are visiting from all over the world! It’s an amazing way to meet people and I have made some of my most memorable times while joining hostel activities. I have made some lifelong friends and met some wild people with even wilder stories.
Listen To All Viewpoints
Everyone has reasons for their opinions and it is worth hearing people out. Differences in opinions are no reason to not hear it all out! You will surprise yourself with all the things you learn about the world and those who occupy it. You will also surprise yourself when you get along with people with totally different perspectives on life! Open up your mind and allow yourself to listen. You don’t have to agree… You will learn about yourself and others specifically in the process of just tolerating and respecting diverse opinions. In a world that too often silos people into groups based off of their attributes or beliefs, we have all witnessed the polarization that has wrought across families and communities. It takes courage to actually try to understand why someone might hold a certain viewpoint, and while traveling there’s often little risk in engaging in conversation with those you happen upon since you’ll likely never cross paths with them again.
TL;DR
As much as I’d like to say that these tips will change your life, I know that they will only help as much as you let them. Especially that first tip. You have a choice; you can live in the moment or you can live in the future. My advice is to travel without a strict to-do list. Let go of the things you feel you must “accomplish” because traveling is not about that. It exists so that we can learn, explore and get cultured. Set an intention for your solo travels that is tailored specifically to you and stay true to that! You can do this by getting out of your comfort zone at hostel gatherings, skipping that one historical whatever (that you know deep down you’re not into) and ask a random local where to find the best food. Be open to meeting people who come from a range of backgrounds and have conversations where you can respectfully share your own perspectives. Surprise yourself! Be brave and be bold. Traveling alone will be the difference between being comfortable with oneself and being uncomfortable with oneself. Find yourself!
