MUMBAI: Solo travel can be both fun and scary. If you aren’t careful enough, you may end up like Chris McCandless. While “Into the Wild” is inspirational, it also shows the dark side of solo travel.
Traveling alone can be exciting as you get to see new places, meet new people, and experience a different culture, but it can also be risky. You may sometimes find yourself in tricky situations, especially if you’re a woman traveling alone. In this blog, we’ll share some simple solo travel hacks to help you enjoy the adventure while staying prepared.
Do not share your real-time location
If you are traveling alone and have a public social media account, then try avoiding uploading real-time locations. Do not share the location of the place you are currently at; try to delay your stories by a few hours. Or update it once you have left the place. Do not post about your accommodation, like hotel/hostel information or Airbnb details. You can always post about it once you are home, but while you are there, try to keep your location safe.
TIP: For extra precaution, you can always share your location with family and friends. You can use the Location Sharing feature on Google Maps or “Find My” on your iPhone to share your location with friends or family. That way, you can choose who knows your location, how long they know your location, and your trip progress as well.
Carry a plug converter
Running out of charge when traveling is annoying. But being unable to charge your device is excruciating. So, it's recommended to carry a travel plug converter to help you charge your devices. Most of our documents are on phones while traveling, so it's smart to carry a plug converter or a power bank to keep your phone running.
TIP: Even if you do not have a converter, you can ask for help from the front desk of your hotel. Most of the time, they have a “lost box” where people leave behind things. You can borrow the charger from them.
Make things easy for the flight boarding
If you’re traveling solo, there is no one to help you through check-in or keep your necessary documents. You have to do it all yourself. So, here are a few tips to help you smooth your flight boarding process.
● Pre-book the cab to the airport. And if you are driving yourself, you can pre-book a parking spot. This saves you time and energy. You can use apps like Uber to pre-book a cab, so you don’t have to worry about the commute.
● Keep your necessary documents handy and in the carry-on. Don’t be that person who misplaces their documents or sits with their luggage open in the airport. Keep your passport, ID, ticket, phone, keys, and other essential items in your carry-on. Put it in a ziplock bag for convenience.
● Book your flights way before the trip (at least 90-180 days ahead) during peak season. This way, you don’t have to pay for the peak prices and pick your favorite seat as well. If you want to save on your flights, check out the latest Air India flight deals for added discounts.
Stay in Social Places
Making friends while traveling solo can be hard, especially if you are an introvert. But you can always “Eat, Pray, Love” your way through anything. So, try to stay at a place that welcomes socializing. Hotels can be the worst choice because it’s hard to find fellow travelers. But staying at hostels makes things easier. You can book a highly rated hostel on Hostelworld or Booking.com. If you are not comfortable with dorm beds, hostels have private rooms; you can book that and still get the chance to socialize with people.
TIP: Another hot tip is to have candies or gum with you that you can share with other travelers. Easier to make friends if you have a conversation starter! Try out apps like Couchsurfing, Hangouts, Tandem, and Meetup to get in touch with fellow travelers and interact with locals.
Pack light and buy what you need
Remember, when traveling solo, you have to bear your own baggage (or carry your own cross!) So, keep it light. Do not overpack. No, you do not need that “what if” outfit or “just in case” shoes. Here are some tips that can help you pack smartly:
● Carry only 2 pairs of shoes that go with everything. Shoes take up space and weight, so only pack shoes that can be worn with multiple outfits.
● Pack plenty of tops and a few bottoms, and make sure everything goes with everything so you have at least 18-20 combo outfits.
● You do not need that large lotion bottle; you can carry travel-sized essentials and buy new ones when you run out.
TIP: Carry a mini first-aid kit with you containing band aids, pain relievers, Benadryl, allergy meds, fever meds, antibacterial cream, bug spray, and more. Having these meds at hand can be a lifesaver, plus these things don’t take up much space.
Be prepared for emergencies
You never know what may happen when traveling alone, so be prepared for emergencies. Keep an emergency fund of cash on you in local currency (if you are traveling internationally). This can help you in case of a medical emergency or if your online payment doesn’t go through. Consider having two wallets, you can store your cards and money in one and keep it in your accommodation, and have another “going out” wallet to use when stepping out.
Download offline maps of the place you are visiting. So, in case you do get lost, you can find your way back. It’s a good idea to have an offline map on your phone, as your mobile network can be unreliable at times. Share your travel details with someone back home. Make a tentative itinerary and share it with your mom/dad/friends. So that someone knows where you are when traveling. Share your flight details, accommodation information, and itinerary, just to be safe.
Wrapping up
Traveling solo can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. You create memories of a lifetime, and you can also build confidence. If you’re traveling solo for the first time, book a long weekend trip to a nearby place. Start small and then widen your wings. Once you get the hang of it, solo travel can be freeing. Happy Traveling!
