There are several compelling reasons why solo travel can be an enriching experience; after all, who wouldn’t crave to wander around a new place at their own pace, without any hindrances to their plans?
Traveling on your own and unlocking hidden gems is an exhilarating experience that helps us become more open-minded in this self-reflecting process.
However, solo travel, as exciting as it might be, at the same time might be a little daunting, especially if it’s your first time; Trust us, we have been in your position too!
That’s why we have rounded up some essential tips to aid you in your next transformative solo travel experience.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Tip #1: Research Your Destination
Prior to your trip, you can take some time to properly research your destination, including local customs, laws, and safety considerations.
Solo travel can be incredibly liberating, but it also entails careful planning and selecting a safe destination for solo travelers, with a low crime rate and a robust transportation system to facilitate the whole experience.
Also, some places are known to be safer than others for female solo travelers, so take that into account.
During your research, you can note down common scams and emergency contact information.
Tip #2: Plan Ahead With a Checklist
Traveling alone might seem overwhelming at first, but the antidote to worry is organization with the help of a travel checklist.
Having a system of organization is paramount as it helps you better prepare for your solo adventure by ensuring you have all the essential items and do not overpack with unnecessary things that add extra weight to your back.
Also, since life happens, you should always carry the necessary medicines and first aid supplies with you in case a health issue should arise.
Tip #3: Be Mindful of Your Belongings
Apart from packing strategically, it is pivotal to keep your valuables secure and be cautious with your belongings.
Traveling alone makes you automatically an easier target to potential thieves especially in crowded or touristy areas. Thus, you should be vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times.
Speaking of safety, an essential step to secure the safety of your belongings is choosing a luggage storage app.
Luggage storage apps connect you with trusted local businesses and partners ready to take care of your belongings.
There’s a plethora of luggage storage apps to try out there, each with its pros and cons.
However, as objective as we can be, we take pride in ourselves that Stasher is your best bet.
Here at Stasher, we cover almost 4.000 locations in nearly 900 cities across the globe, including major ones such as New York, Paris, and London.
Several of our many advantages include:
- A wide range of locations across the world.
- Storage flexibility, which allows you to store your belongings for as long as you want, in various places from coffee shops and local points, to hotels and hostels near train stations and airports.
- Plus, in case you need to cancel your booking, regardless of the reason, we offer the option of free cancellation and a full refund!
- Last but not least, we’ve designed Stasher to make the whole booking process easy through our user-friendly website and app.
If you are wondering how Stasher works in action, you can have a look at the demo we have created for you below.
Quite simple, right?
Let’s move on to the next tip on our list.
Tip #4: Split Up Cash and Credit Cards
When traveling to a new place, especially if you are on your own, it is advised to avoid keeping all your valuables in a single bag to minimize risk and potential loss.
A prudent tactic is to spread your valuables across different bags or pockets and ensure that you will have some cash if you lose your purse or fall victim to a local pickpocket.
Tip #5: Stay Connected
It goes without saying that staying connected at all times and sharing your itinerary with someone at home is key to enjoying your solo travel trip and being safe and sound.
Make sure to inform your loved ones back home so that they are aware of your whereabouts in case of an emergency, especially if you wander around remote areas.
Also, a prudent tactic is to install safety apps on your phone, such as ones that offer location tracking.
Store Your Luggage with Stasher
In over 5.000 locations globally!
Tip #6: Learn Basic Phrases
Except for the case you choose an English-speaking city such as lovely London for your next solo adventure, the language barrier can quite dampen your experience.
Even if you don’t speak the local language fluently, learning a few basic phrases can go a long way in making connections and navigating your way around.
You will be surprised by how much you can gain by just putting in some extra effort to learn some key phrases the next time you order your coffee in a non-English country.
Tip #7: Meet Other Travelers
Solo travel doesn’t mean you have to be alone all the time.
Sure traveling on your own provides you with endless opportunities for self-reflection and introspection, but it’s in human nature to want to connect with others.
To do so, you can stay in hostels or join group tours to meet fellow travelers and share memorable experiences. And who knows, maybe you will even make some new friends!
Tip #8: Keep Copies of Important Documents
Another important tip we would like to share with you is to make copies of your passport, ID, travel insurance, and other important documents.
Depending on the destination you plan to visit, you might also need to keep a copy of any relevant vaccine cards. Trust us it will be quite handy if you travel to some parts of Asia.
Also, try to keep the copies separate from the originals in case of loss or theft.
Tip #9: Make a Backup Plan
Sometimes things don’t go according to our plans and that’s ok, as long as we have a backup plan.
A lot of things can go wrong; your flight might get delayed or canceled and public transportation might as well fall off schedule. That’s where a plan b comes to the rescue.
Before creating your backup plan, you can answer yourself some questions. For instance, are there any public transportation options available if you can’t get a cab, what about if you get lost, or a medical emergency arises?
Tip #10: Get Travel Insurance
Getting travel insurance is a crucial step to protect yourself from unexpected events while traveling alone and plays a big role in your backup plan, as we mentioned earlier.
As a solo traveler, you bear the financial burden alone. Unexpected expenses can impact your bank account significantly, thus having travel insurance can help cover your travel investment and provide peace of mind.
Just keep in mind to always check the availability and terms of travel insurance which can vary by location and provider.
Tip #11: Ask Locals For Advice
If you have any emerging questions go ahead and ask local people for advice.
Locals can provide valuable insights and help you be protected against potential risks, sharing with you some safety tips and recommendations for navigating the area.
Tip #12: Be Flexible With Your Plans
Solo travel gives you flexibility and freedom to change your plans at a moment’s notice.
Embrace spontaneity, be open to new experiences, and most importantly just have fun. There is nothing more empowering than exploring the world on your own terms.
Let’s wrap things up with some final words.
Now Over to You
We hope we’ve got you covered with all the essential things to consider before your next solo travel trip!
Traveling is an exhilarating experience that provides us with memories of a lifetime.
It only takes planning beforehand, taking the right measures, and knowing where to keep your attention.
But before jumping on your new solo travel adventure, don’t forget to store your precious belongings somewhere safe!
Take a moment and go find a location to store your luggage with Stasher, and you’ll never have to stress about the safety of your luggage and other valuable items ever again.
