As you stand on the edge of your first solo travel expedition, many questions might swirl through your mind. From planning your journey to confronting unexpected challenges and savouring the genuine joys of discovery, there are many aspects to cover when talking about your first time travelling alone.
It’s ambitious to claim any universal guide could fully prepare you for this venture. Yet, fear not, young backpacker! Equipped with a bunch of personal adventures and countless dialogues with fellow travellers, I’m here to offer some seasoned insights into what might unfold and how it could transform your worldview as you commence this adventure. So, wipe your tears and open your ears as we dive into this new part of our solo travel guide. Let’s explore the endless possibilities that await you as a solo traveller.
As you stand on the edge of your first solo travel expedition, many questions might swirl through your mind. From planning your journey to confronting unexpected challenges and savouring the genuine joys of discovery, there are many aspects to cover when talking about your first time travelling alone.
It’s ambitious to claim any universal guide could fully prepare you for this venture. Yet, fear not, young backpacker!
Equipped with a bunch of personal adventures and countless dialogues with fellow travellers, I’m here to offer some seasoned insights into what might unfold and how it could transform your worldview as you commence this adventure.
So, wipe your tears and open your ears as we dive into this new part of our solo travel guide. Let’s explore the endless possibilities that await you as a solo traveller.
Before we dive into what you are eagerly anticipating, let’s lay some groundwork on how to craft your first solo travel, shall we?
While it might be tempting to listen to recommendations about destinations marked as “traveller friendly” or where your native language is spoken, such hints can be misleading, to not say bullshit. It can be helpful, don’t get me wrong, but the reality is that each traveller is unique, with distinct preferences and expectations.
However, regardless of your traveller type and desires, what matters is the process before travel and how you can correctly prepare yourself.
Before we dive into what you are eagerly anticipating, let’s lay some groundwork on how to craft your first solo travel, shall we?
While it might be tempting to listen to recommendations about destinations marked as “traveller friendly” or where your native language is spoken, such hints can be misleading, to not say bullshit. It can be helpful, don’t get me wrong, but the reality is that each traveller is unique, with distinct preferences and expectations.
However, regardless of your traveller type and desires, what matters is the process before travel and how you can correctly prepare yourself.
First of all, what kind of traveller are you?
Understanding what type of traveller you are is crucial, especially if this is your first time travelling alone. Solo travel is a distinct experience, starkly different from journeying with friends, family, or on group tours. To be frank, solo travel isn’t for everyone.
It demands a readiness to embrace solitude, step outside your comfort zone, bear all responsibilities, occasionally confront loneliness, as well as other solo travel disadvantages.
Despite these challenges, many advantages to travelling alone often overcome the cons. But if you are still unsure and would like to determine what’s your traveller archetype? Take this tailor-made quiz below and unravel what suits you best: solo, with friends, or in group tours.
Understanding what type of traveller you are is crucial, especially if this is your first time travelling alone. Solo travel is a distinct experience, starkly different from journeying with friends, family, or on group tours.
To be frank, solo travel isn’t for everyone. It demands a readiness to embrace solitude, step outside your comfort zone, bear all responsibilities, occasionally confront loneliness, as well as other solo travel disadvantages.
Despite these challenges, many advantages to travelling alone often overcome the cons. But if you are still unsure and would like to determine what’s your traveller archetype? Take this tailor-made quiz below and unravel what suits you best: solo, with friends, or in group tours.
What is (truly) essential for you to pack?
Packing is an art. You either love the ritual or hate it. For those who find it less than enjoyable, here’s a piece of advice: less is often more. Many travellers overpack and, burdened by extra kilos, can only discard unnecessary items along the way or ruin their old cracky backs. To avoid this common pitfall, seek advice from seasoned wanderers (aka me?).
For your convenience, I’ve crafted from years of travel wisdom an ultimate backpacker travel list tailored for diverse journeys, ensuring you carry just what you need.
Packing is an art. You either love the ritual or hate it. For those who find it less than enjoyable, here’s a piece of advice: less is often more.
Many travellers overpack and, burdened by extra kilos, can only discard unnecessary items along the way or ruin their old cracky backs. To avoid this common pitfall, seek advice from seasoned wanderers (aka me?).
For your convenience, I’ve crafted from years of travel wisdom an ultimate backpacker travel list tailored for diverse journeys, ensuring you carry just what you need.
The power of travel insurance
Think dealing with injuries or illness abroad without coverage sounds like a thrilling adventure? Think again, dummy! Facing medical bills in a foreign land can quickly turn into a life-or-death financial dilemma.
However, navigating the complex terms of travel insurance policies can be daunting and it takes long. I did it, deep-dived, and yes, it takes time while not being that fun. After comparing six travel insurance plans, I’ve crafted an easy-to-understand guide highlighting their pros and cons with various pricing options.
This guide not only saves you time and money but also gives peace of mind to your mom back home which is priceless.
Think dealing with injuries or illness abroad without coverage sounds like a thrilling adventure? Think again, dummy!
Facing medical bills in a foreign land can quickly turn into a life-or-death financial dilemma. However, navigating the complex terms of travel insurance policies can be daunting and it takes long. I did it, deep-dived, and yes, it takes time while not being that fun.
After comparing six travel insurance plans, I’ve crafted an easy-to-understand guide highlighting their pros and cons with various pricing options.
This guide not only saves you time and money but also gives peace of mind to your mom back home which is priceless.
Master your budget & extend your adventure
Money, the sinews of the war, inevitably dictates the length of your travels. It’s an unfortunate truth that your adventure’s duration is tied to your financial resources. However, there are ways to stretch your budget further, allowing for more experiences, tastier meals, and extended adventures (where do I sign?).
Here is a list of practical budgeting tips for your first time travelling alone (and the hundredth), ranging from simple strategies to more advanced tactics for the aspiring expert wanderer. These insights are essential tools in your travel arsenal, ensuring every dollar takes you further.
Money, the sinews of the war, inevitably dictates the length of your travels. It’s an unfortunate truth that your adventure’s duration is tied to your financial resources.
However, there are ways to stretch your budget further, allowing for more experiences, tastier meals, and extended adventures (where do I sign?).
Here is a list of practical budgeting tips for your first time travelling alone (and the hundredth), ranging from simple strategies to more advanced tactics for the aspiring expert wanderer.
These insights are essential tools in your travel arsenal, ensuring every dollar takes you further.
Choosing the Best Accommodation as a Solo Traveller
If it’s your first time travelling alone, you may have no clue about the hostel world or what kind of backpacker accommodation exists out there.
From understanding the pitfalls of hostel living to selecting the perfect spot to rest your head, many things are crucial to know and understand. Whether you are a budget-savvy backpacker or looking for more comfort, the key lies in correctly exploring the different options to find the best deals.
Luckily, I’ve got your back! Check out the best backpacker accommodations websites and apps so your research becomes easier, and you don’t have to sleep outside for your first night.
If it’s your first time travelling alone, you may have no clue about the hostel world or what kind of backpacker accommodation exists out there.
From understanding the pitfalls of hostel living to selecting the perfect spot to rest your head, many things are crucial to know and understand.
Whether you are a budget-savvy backpacker or looking for more comfort, the key lies in correctly exploring the different options to find the best deals.
Luckily, I’ve got your back! Check out the best backpacker accommodations websites and apps so your research becomes easier, and you don’t have to sleep outside for your first night.
Move like a local
Why not immerse yourself fully and save some cash by travelling like a local? Each country’s transportation network has its unique rhythm, and learning it can be incredibly beneficial. That’s why I created a concise yet detailed transportation guide for backpackers to help you master the local ways of getting around.
This resource is packed with tips, including how to find those discounts and offers, allowing you to stretch your travel budget further. Are you still here? What are you waiting for? Explore like a local and keep those extra coins jingling in your pocket!
Why not immerse yourself fully and save some cash by travelling like a local? Each country’s transportation network has its unique rhythm, and learning it can be incredibly beneficial.
That’s why I created a concise yet detailed transportation guide for backpackers to help you master the local ways of getting around.
This resource is packed with tips, including how to find those discounts and offers, allowing you to stretch your travel budget further.
Are you still here? What are you waiting for? Explore like a local and keep those extra coins jingling in your pocket!
Be safe in any situation
Travelling solo for the first time can foster concerns from loved ones, and while relaxation should be your priority, staying alert is necessary. It’s not about being paranoid, hell no, but about ensuring your journey is as safe as it is enjoyable.
Equip yourself with this essential solo travel safety tips guide. It will help you navigate new environments confidently and keep your mom’s worries at bay.
Travelling solo for the first time can foster concerns from loved ones, and while relaxation should be your priority, staying alert is necessary. It’s not about being paranoid, hell no, but about ensuring your journey is as safe as it is enjoyable.
Equip yourself with this essential solo travel safety tips guide. It will help you navigate new environments confidently and keep your mom’s worries at bay.
Become a Slow Traveller
It might be the most important step of your first time travelling alone. It can be the moment when you convert into a slow traveller and discover what could change the way you travel. Remember, the ability to travel is a privilege.
Treat it as such and pave the way for future explorers by being mindful and respectful of the places and communities you visit. By doing so, many doors you haven’t thought about, or yet imagined will open in front of you, spreading many more possibilities and hidden travel gems.
You are going to others, they don’t. So, don’t be a d*ck, and respect where and what you are coming into.
It might be the most important step of your first time travelling alone. It can be the moment when you convert into a slow traveller and discover what could change the way you travel.
Remember, the ability to travel is a privilege. Treat it as such and pave the way for future explorers by being mindful and respectful of the places and communities you visit.
By doing so, many doors you haven’t thought about, or yet imagined will open in front of you, spreading many more possibilities and hidden travel gems.
You are going to others, they don’t. So, don’t be a d*ck, and respect where and what you are coming into.
What should you expect from your first time travelling alone?
It is now time to enter into the real game, young backpacker. Genuinely, what can you expect from your first time travelling alone? This guide will demystify the solo travel experience, distinguishing between common misconceptions and the true adventures that await you. So, grab your backpack, and let’s dive into the thick of it!
It is now time to enter into the real game, young backpacker. Genuinely, what can you expect from your first time travelling alone?
This guide will demystify the solo travel experience, distinguishing between common misconceptions and the true adventures that await you. So, grab your backpack, and let’s dive into the thick of it!
Many questions from your surroundings
When you announce your plans to travel alone for the first time, a rain of questions will fall from those around you. “Is it safe?”, “Won’t you get lonely?”, or “How will you manage everything by yourself?” While repetitive and sometimes bothersome, they emerge from genuine concerns and curiosity.
Most people have never been on a solo travel journey. Therefore, only a few know what it takes and the reality behind this adventure. When coming back, you could be their teacher about what you have seen, experienced, and felt. Just be patient.
When you announce your plans to travel alone for the first time, a rain of questions will fall from those around you. “Is it safe?”, “Won’t you get lonely?”, or “How will you manage everything by yourself?”
While repetitive and sometimes bothersome, they emerge from genuine concerns and curiosity. Most people have never been on a solo travel journey.
Therefore, only a few know what it takes and the reality behind this adventure. When coming back, you could be their teacher about what you have seen, experienced, and felt. Just be patient.
A growing confidence in your capacities
During your first time travelling alone, you will quickly realise that every decision you make matters and has consequences. From choosing a path to get out of uncomfortable situations, your choices impact you directly (welcome to the real world).
With your backpack as your only constant companion, whether dealing with a missed bus in a foreign country or finding your way out of a language barrier, you are the captain of your ship.
The beauty of this journey lies in the transformation it fosters. With each challenge you overcome, a stronger, more confident version of yourself emerges. The traveller who leaves is not the same as the one who returns.
Solo travel isn’t just about discovering new places; it’s about uncovering new facets of yourself. Travel makes you grow and be confident about what you can truly do.
Don’t doubt yourself.
During your first time travelling alone, you will quickly realise that every decision you make matters and has consequences. From choosing a path to get out of uncomfortable situations, your choices impact you directly (welcome to the real world).
With your backpack as your only constant companion, whether dealing with a missed bus in a foreign country or finding your way out of a language barrier, you are the captain of your ship.
The beauty of this journey lies in the transformation it fosters. With each challenge you overcome, a stronger, more confident version of yourself emerges. The traveller who leaves is not the same as the one who returns. Solo travel isn’t just about discovering new places; it’s about uncovering new facets of yourself.
Travel makes you grow and be confident about what you can truly do.
Don’t doubt yourself.
You are Never Truly Alone on Solo Travels
It might sound paradoxical, but when you are travelling alone, you’re not really alone. As funny as it appears, this statement is…true and might be the cause of why many wanderers are solo travelling (including myself) and love it.
As social animals, we naturally seek connection, and solo travel uniquely positions us to forge deep bonds with fellow travellers from across the globe. Away from the routines of everyday life, we shed our usual social facades, allowing our true selves to surface more freely. This authenticity fosters deeper connections as we engage more meaningfully and directly with those we meet.
It might sound paradoxical, but when you are travelling alone, you’re not really alone. As funny as it appears, this statement is…true and might be the cause of why many wanderers are solo travelling (including myself) and love it.
As social animals, we naturally seek connection, and solo travel uniquely positions us to forge deep bonds with fellow travellers from across the globe. Away from the routines of everyday life, we shed our usual social facades, allowing our true selves to surface more freely.
This authenticity fosters deeper connections as we engage more meaningfully and directly with those we meet.
Some stereotypes will be crashed & others strengthened
Fear often comes from the unknown or the misunderstanding. However, travelling solo gives you a unique way of dissolving misconceptions. As you navigate new cultures, learn languages, and interact with people worldwide, you’ll find that many stereotypes you’ve heard are simply unfounded (crazy, huh?).
Despite superficial differences, the world opens up and shows us how similar we all are. Yet, some stereotypes get strengthened, like the French affinity for bread, cheese, and wine, which might hold some truth and even add a bit of charm to your encounters. So, open your eyes! Start to travel to expand your horizons and your vision of the world, young fella!
Fear often comes from the unknown or the misunderstanding. However, travelling solo gives you a unique way of dissolving misconceptions.
As you navigate new cultures, learn languages, and interact with people worldwide, you’ll find that many stereotypes you’ve heard are simply unfounded (crazy, huh?).
Despite superficial differences, the world opens up and shows us how similar we all are. Yet, some stereotypes get strengthened, like the French affinity for bread, cheese, and wine, which might hold some truth and even add a bit of charm to your encounters.
So, open your eyes! Start to travel to expand your horizons and your vision of the world, young fella!
You are going to be bored & that is wonderful
Believe it or not, boredom is a gift, especially in the context of travel. When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to be bored? Constant stimulation can fake our senses, making even the most thrilling adventures seem mundane over time.
Allowing boredom can be transformative, providing a rare chance to introspect and reconcile with inner thoughts we often avoid in our busy lives. This quiet time is perfect for reflection and planning your next moves or addressing those long-postponed life questions. Once you are at peace with what is inside your skull, life becomes easier.
So, welcome boredom, and accept being bored!
Believe it or not, boredom is a gift, especially in the context of travel. When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to be bored? Constant stimulation can fake our senses, making even the most thrilling adventures seem mundane over time.
Allowing boredom can be transformative, providing a rare chance to introspect and reconcile with inner thoughts we often avoid in our busy lives. This quiet time is perfect for reflection and planning your next moves or addressing those long-postponed life questions. Once you are at peace with what is inside your skull, life becomes easier.
So, welcome boredom, and accept being bored!
Discover if you are comfortable with your own company & if travelling alone is your travel style
To follow up on what has been mentioned above, during the first time travelling alone, you will have to face your own company during these boring moments.
Can you appreciate the quiet moments, or does solitude weigh heavily on you? Are you at ease with your thoughts, decisions, and the company of just yourself?
Answering this set of questions is unarguably something that makes you grow. Indeed, questioning our comfort with ourselves at least once is vital for internal peace. Solo travel offers a unique opportunity to seek these answers, helping you determine whether this style of travel aligns with your personality. Remember, just as some people dislike French cheese (which is weird btw), solo travel isn’t for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay.
To follow up on what has been mentioned above, during the first time travelling alone, you will have to face your own company during these boring moments.
Can you appreciate the quiet moments, or does solitude weigh heavily on you? Are you at ease with your thoughts, decisions, and the company of just yourself?
Answering this set of questions is unarguably something that makes you grow. Indeed, questioning our comfort with ourselves at least once is vital for internal peace. Solo travel offers a unique opportunity to seek these answers, helping you determine whether this style of travel aligns with your personality.
Remember, just as some people dislike French cheese (which is weird btw), solo travel isn’t for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay.
Solo travel isn’t always about rainbows & butterflies
Contrary to what dreamy Instagram posts might suggest, solo travel is not always serene or straightforward. It would be a lie to claim otherwise. Travelling alone throws you into the unpredictability of new environments where unforeseen challenges can impact your mental and physical health.
These challenges are part and parcel of the journey, making it crucial to prepare adequately. Knowing the potential cons of solo travel helps you manage them effectively, ensuring you can enjoy the beautiful realities of solo exploration without being blindsided.
Contrary to what dreamy Instagram posts might suggest, solo travel is not always serene or straightforward. It would be a lie to claim otherwise.
Travelling alone throws you into the unpredictability of new environments where unforeseen challenges can impact your mental and physical health.
These challenges are part and parcel of the journey, making it crucial to prepare adequately. Knowing the potential cons of solo travel helps you manage them effectively, ensuring you can enjoy the beautiful realities of solo exploration without being blindsided.
First time travelling alone? Fall, bleed, cry, rise up & laugh
Indeed, solo travel has its lows, but these moments are nothing compared to the monumental experiences that await. Life is not a linear path; the fluctuations make it thrilling, and help us to fully enjoy the ups. Each obstacle you encounter, every stumble, and every scrape enriches your journey, offering invaluable lessons and stories.
You’ll face truly shitty situations, both externally and internally, but that’s only to rise again and smile at what is awaiting you.
Remember to take it one step at a time and savour every moment. Solo travel is about enjoying the journey as much as the destination, allowing each step to contribute to a richer, fuller travel experience. If any doubts sustain about your future adventure, it is not too late to open and dive into your cherished backpacker starterpack!
If not…
Bon voyage!
Wander with Purpose – Connect with Heart.
Indeed, solo travel has its lows, but these moments are nothing compared to the monumental experiences that await. Life is not a linear path; the fluctuations make it thrilling, and help us to fully enjoy the ups.
Each obstacle you encounter, every stumble, and every scrape enriches your journey, offering invaluable lessons and stories.
You’ll face truly shitty situations, both externally and internally, but that’s only to rise again and smile at what is awaiting you.
Remember to take it one step at a time and savour every moment. Solo travel is about enjoying the journey as much as the destination, allowing each step to contribute to a richer, fuller travel experience. If any doubts sustain about your future adventure, it is not too late to open and dive into your cherished backpacker starterpack!
If not…
Bon voyage!
Wander with Purpose – Connect with Heart.
