Travelling solo can be truly refreshing! You're in control of your own adventure, and don't have to worry about anyone else’s timetable or priorities.
Instead, you can explore at your own pace, with no restrictions, and cross off every item on your wishlist while making time for a few side quests as you please.
However, travelling solo can carry certain risks, and it’s important to be prepared for the journey ahead.
In this article, we explore four essentials to prepare before embarking on a solo trip to help you stay safe and embark on your travels with confidence and ease.
By far, safety is the most important thing to consider when travelling on your own.
Being unaccompanied adds an extra layer of vulnerability, and it’s important to be prepared.
Before you go, make sure you have essential travel knowledge, such as where to find the local embassy, or the regional emergency service numbers in case you need them.
However, travelling solo can carry certain risks, and it’s important to be prepared for the journey ahead.
In this article, we explore four essentials to prepare before embarking on a solo trip to help you stay safe and embark on your travels with confidence and ease.
Safety
By far, safety is the most important thing to consider when travelling on your own.
Being unaccompanied adds an extra layer of vulnerability, and it’s important to be prepared.
Before you go, make sure you have essential travel knowledge, such as where to find the local embassy, or the regional emergency service numbers in case you need them.
You might also want to consider downloading a location tracking app such as Life360 to share with a trusted friend or family member, so you’re always visible even when alone.
The next item on the list to take care of is finance. Find out if the area you are travelling to accepts both cash and card - some places may prefer physical currency, while others are flexible in the receipt of card payments.
It’s always wise to have some cash on hand, but if you are able to rely mostly on your bank card, confirm your banking provider’s rules on overseas charges - Monzo bank is ideal for travellers as they don’t charge for international transactions, but others may vary.
Many of us rely on Google Maps to get around, and why not? It’s a useful tool that is often more up-to-date than a paper map.
Finance
The next item on the list to take care of is finance. Find out if the area you are travelling to accepts both cash and card - some places may prefer physical currency, while others are flexible in the receipt of card payments.
It’s always wise to have some cash on hand, but if you are able to rely mostly on your bank card, confirm your banking provider’s rules on overseas charges - Monzo bank is ideal for travellers as they don’t charge for international transactions, but others may vary.
Navigation
Many of us rely on Google Maps to get around, and why not? It’s a useful tool that is often more up-to-date than a paper map.
But if you do plan to use it to navigate your trip, find out your service provider's policy on usage abroad and ensure you can get coverage.
Some mobile networks offer the option to buy a short-term pass that will allow you to use your data on holiday, but it’s wise to check beforehand.
If travelling to a country whose first language isn’t English, you don’t need to be fluent, but it’s wise to have a few basic phrases to help you get around.
These may include, ‘Do you speak English?’, ‘where is…?’, or ‘how much is…?’, but basic phrases such as hello, goodbye, please and thank you won’t go amiss with the locals. And even in places where most people speak English, a traveller who makes an effort is greatly appreciated.
For this basic level of learning, a tool like FlexiQuiz can create AI language learning tools to help you master the key phrases you need. As well as access to quizzes created by others, you can tailor an AI tool to focus on only the elements you’re learning to give you confidence as you go.
Some mobile networks offer the option to buy a short-term pass that will allow you to use your data on holiday, but it’s wise to check beforehand.
Language
If travelling to a country whose first language isn’t English, you don’t need to be fluent, but it’s wise to have a few basic phrases to help you get around.
These may include, ‘Do you speak English?’, ‘where is…?’, or ‘how much is…?’, but basic phrases such as hello, goodbye, please and thank you won’t go amiss with the locals. And even in places where most people speak English, a traveller who makes an effort is greatly appreciated.
For this basic level of learning, a tool like FlexiQuiz can create AI language learning tools to help you master the key phrases you need. As well as access to quizzes created by others, you can tailor an AI tool to focus on only the elements you’re learning to give you confidence as you go.
If you’re planning your first solo adventure, these are just a few tips to help you when taking the plunge. Good luck, globetrotters! Photo credits: Febri Al Barents, John McArthur, Annie Spratt)
