A Quick Guide To Flying Solo

Traveling is a natural habit buried deep in our DNAs. It is something that is easy to fall in love with and if it becomes a habit, it is definitely something hard to quit.

Usually, when we travel, we are with friends, with family or other loved ones, but what if we have to travel alone? Or what if you’re just itching to get away from the hustle and bustle of the metro and you just want to reconnect with your inner self? How to go about travelling solo now?

In here, we share some tips.

1. Know where to go

One of the things a traveler must have is a destination. A knee-jerk reaction would be to travel somewhere local or perhaps somewhere you’re quite familiar with. That’s probably the safest and most predicatable thing you can do. A destination, even if you already know it like the back of your hand, is still going to be different because you taking your time to to rediscover it in your point of view, not because of what others has told you. But if necessity has pushed you to travel somewhere where everything is new then you have to…

2. Research

Knowledge is power, yup we know that alright. Whether the place you’ll be going to is a familiar one or a foreign one, nothing beats knowing the place, the culture, the tips and the ways of the land. Researching can help you in a lot of ways: it can help you save money by knowing where to stay and eat in much cheaper prices; it can help you save time by knowing which attractions are near to each other or knowing which attractions can you go to early in the morning or late at night. Researching gives you practicality which is a very important trait to take along with you in your travels.

3. Plan, Plan, Plan

Other than knowing your destination, planning for it is very important. Does the place have cold weather? Or a hot one? Does it usually rain in the afternoon even it’s so sunny in the morning? Planning where to go, what to take with you, where to stay and what to do— all of these things should be done ahead of time because time saved means more time to explore the destination without being limited to sticking to the itinerary.

4. Book everything that can be pre-booked.

Some sites can offer you cheaper prices when you pre-book. Pre-booking saves you the hassle of going to different accommodations, be it hotels, inns and hostels just to see which one gives better price than the other. It helps you decide early where to sit, where to stay. In short, it prevents unnecessary stress during your travel.

5. Label your things.

Wallets, bags, and other things that can be labelled must be labelled with your name and the place you stay. These are just safety measures in case they are misplaced or lost.

6. Less is better.

Traveling light is best when you are alone. Save yourself from having to worry about back pains in case you’re a backpacker or having to squeeze in your big luggage within a small space. This practice also lessens your worry of leaving things in your room and gives you the option of just bringing it all with you when you go out.

7. Awareness and alertness every single time.Whether you go local or abroad, these two combined is always a must. Traveling alone can be fun but if you may have heard by now, some solo travellers also have to deal with some unfortunate events. Staying alert and being mindful of your surroundings can save you from misfortunes you may encounter.

8. Mingle with the locals

Having trips wherever they maybe becomes more memorable when you make friends while you’re on the road. Befriend the locals! They will surely point you to the best hot spots in town– whether you’re looking for the the best coffee shop, the best dining spot or just looking for a quiet place to let time pass. And ask nicely, and be sure to say thanks!

To sum it up, a combination of a sense of adventure and spontaneity plus research and preparation will give you a solo trip to remember. Again, it’s okay to be an adventure daredevil, but make sure to consider the pros and cons of your actions during your trip. Oh, and enjoy the journey while it lasts!

You can always check out TOSS Travel and Tours  for a hassle-free and affordable travel assistance. 😉

Picture Sources:

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