Solo travelers often describe their first vacation as a near-spiritual experience. It allows people to explore places and immerse themselves in the local cultures at their own pace without being clouded by the preferences or prejudices of a travel companion. When done right, solo travel can be deliciously self-indulgent and liberating. But it can also be a bit terrifying experience, especially if you are attempting it for the first time.
This is when you need to ace your solo trip planning. In this comprehensive guide, we will look into the world of a solo trip planner, things you should know before your first solo trip, and the challenges in solo trip planning.
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What makes solo travel difficult?
Solo travel has always captured the hearts of adventurers worldwide, and for good reason. It offers a chance for self-discovery and personal growth. But solo travel is more complicated than it seems due to several reasons. Some of them include:
Loneliness
We are all social animals. While solo traveling may feel great for the initial few days, you may start feeling lonely as the days pass without company. You can combat loneliness by staying in hostels or accommodations with communal spaces to meet other travelers. You can also use social media and travel forums to find travel companions in advance and embrace solitude as an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth.
Safety
Safety is a massive concern for solo travelers. Always research the crime rates and reputation of the destination you are visiting. Share your itinerary and contact details with a trusted friend or family member, and keep handy things like pepper spray on yourself all the time. Use only well-lit and populated routes, especially at night, and keep copies of important documents and money in separate places. It is also essential to trust your instincts and avoid risky situations.
Money management
Group travel is always a money saver, especially for flight tickets and accommodation. So, if you are a solo trip planner, look for things where you can save money. Create a detailed budget that includes accommodation, food, transportation, and activities, and track your expenses using apps. You can also look for solo traveler discounts and deals.
Sickness
Being sick when traveling solo is frustrating, can be scary to handle when you are weak, and, at best, may cause a lot of downtime for you. Always carry a basic first-aid kit with essential medications and supplies, and try to purchase travel insurance in advance that covers medical emergencies. You should also remember to stay hydrated, maintain a healthy diet, and keep the local emergency number handy while traveling.
How do I start planning a solo trip?
There are numerous things you should consider when you are a solo trip planner to enhance your overall experience and have a safe trip. Some of them include:
Create your wishlist
The first step of solo travel planning is making a bucket list of the places you want to visit. This wishlist should serve as the foundation for your itinerary.
Create a budget
Budgeting is an integral part of traveling. Start by being realistic about your financial capacity and design your travel plans around it. You should be honest about how much you can afford and put this money somewhere it is easily tracked and controlled.
Reduce your wishlist
After creating the wishlist, review it to assess which destinations seem possible to travel to on your budget. You can also delete places from it by taking other constraints, like weather, time constraints, etc., into account. You should also research the best seasons to visit each place, peak travel seasons, and festivals happening there. In this way, you can choose and eliminate places in the itinerary just like a game of Tetris and optimize it.
Research travel options
Try to do extensive research on available travel options and choose budget-friendly ones. You can also book flights and accommodations in advance when there are deals to save money.
Book tours and excursions
Consider booking guided tours or excursions for specific activities or experiences you don’t want to miss. You can also meet fellow travelers on group tours – enhancing your experience.
Get travel insurance
Before starting on your solo trip, invest in comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen events.
Get travel vaccines
Visiting some places requires you to get vaccines as a precautionary measure. Consult with a healthcare provider to determine any or all vaccines you need before traveling. Special doctors called travel doctors may be able to provide more specialized knowledge and vaccines than regular clinics.
Know the local customs
Some conservative countries are very particular about their local and social customs. Female travelers may also face dress restrictions in some destinations. Be mindful of the local customs, traditions, and etiquette and respect them.
Leave your plan with an emergency contact
You should share your complete itinerary, including dates, destinations, and contact information, with a trusted friend or family member. You should also try to provide regular updates if your plans change.
Tips for solo travelers
Solo travel is an exhilarating experience, and you can enhance it by following some simple tips.
- You can be more flexible when traveling solo. So, try to book last-minute deals to save money. This can get you reasonable rates as a solo traveler.
- Invest in anti-theft bags and locks to keep your belongings secure. Always be vigilant in crowded or touristy areas and avoid displaying expensive items.
- Try using public transportation or rideshares wherever possible and look for cheaper accommodation and dining options. You should also use discounts and loyalty programs to reduce expenses.
- Use a packing checklist like the one provided by Travel-Wise to ensure that you have all the essential items.
- Engaging with locals is one of the best ways to enhance your traveling experience. Explore markets, cafes, and community events in the area and take recommendations from locals.
- Having a budget is essential, but it is also crucial to have flexibility. Be ready to improvise your plans and itinerary to seize unexpected opportunities or adapt to changing circumstances.
Apps for easier solo travel
Planning a solo travel can be easier with the help of solo trip planner apps. Several apps are available now to ease the pain of planning your vacation.
Travel-Wise
If you are asking yourself how to plan a solo trip to Europe or any other continent, look no further than Travel-Wise. This comprehensive travel platform offers extensive itineraries and travel guides to novice solo travelers, complete with detailed maps for every destination worldwide. It is also a vibrant community that shares its experiences and offers help at each stage of the journey. You can also get a budget estimate for exploring each place, making it easier to design your travel plan. And what’s more, the app is entirely free!
Contiki
Contiki, suitable for individuals aged 18 to 35, enables people to travel with like-minded individuals. It offers more than 270 trips and covers around 50 locations. Although the trips are great generally, you don’t have a lot of freedom to choose the locations you want to visit. There can also be additional costs for special landmark access, transfers, etc.
Headout
Travelers, notably solo ones, can browse and reserve trips, events, activities, etc., using Headout. But the app only covers 60 cities worldwide, limiting your travel choices.
Conclusion
Going on a solo trip can be a life-changing experience that offers unparalleled freedom and personal growth. But a solo trip comes with its planning hiccups. With the help of a tool like Travel-Wise, you can easily create your itineraries using reusable templates, assess budgets, and communicate with like-minded enthusiasts to plan the perfect solo trip.