Traveling by yourself in countries where you are unfamiliar with cultures and languages can be extremely unsettling - but this is definitely not a reason to pass up any opportunities!
Traveling alone gives you time to see the things you want to and to meet people you would never normally speak to. If you are contemplating solo travel pluck up your courage, know your limits and when all else fails, feign confidence.
After traveling by myself there were many things I felt I was able to tackle with a new-found confidence and so I have put together a list of tips which help ease the worries before you travel alone and will help you avoid any unpleasant dramas.
Always know where your hotel is and how to get to and from each point of accommodation. It is often wise to book a room in a place on a main street which will mean more safety if you return home late.- Move between locations during the day time - although it cuts out of your sightseeing time, it means you will not run into the problems with finding transport or getting lost in shady neighborhoods at night.
- Always tell someone where are you are and keep them updated on your plans. While I was overseas by myself I kept regular contact with my family back home via text message. Every time I changed location I gave them address and phone number of my new hotel, this way both my family and I felt more secure. If you have pre-planned your entire trip, give in itinerary to your close friends or relatives.
- Keep track of websites such as Smart Traveller which notify people of unsafe areas around the world and enables travelers to register their travel plans.
- Research cultures before you travel as having even a vague idea of cultural customers is an advantage and ensures you do not unintentionally offend anyone.
Don’t be afraid to talk to strangers or to ask questions. It is often handy to know some basic phrases in different languages such as ‘Hello’, ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’. I found that knowing how to say “do you speak English?” (often with terrible pronunciation) also broke down the barrier between locals as they were much more likely to happily assist me.- Be wary of who you trust - this is vitally important as a woman travelling alone. No matter how easily you connect with someone, always keep your wits about you and remember that, even if they are from the same country as you, you do not know them. My best friend discovered this on the first day of a long overseas trip where she trusted some fellow Australian boys in an Internet café in London. Unfortunately it was a huge wake-up call when they later distracted her and stole her purse.
Having said that, not everyone is out to steal from you so be open to meeting fellow travelers and locals. I found that being on my own pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and built up my confidence in talking to strangers. These chance meetings can result in amazing friendships, great company while you travel and hilarious memories.- Remember to treat yourself from time to time - just because you are by yourself does not mean you have to miss out on nice dinners or dressing up. Nobody will judge you if you are eating or sightseeing by yourself!
- Keep a journal of your adventures. When you are by yourself you will find that you will not have anyone to share funny moments with, so by writing them down you can fill everyone in when you get home again.
The best advice I can give on traveling alone is to try your best to blend in with the locals as much as possible.
This can be easier if you are spending an extended period of time in one place or country, but will also mean you are bothered less by people trying to tell things, or worse yet, steal from you.
Try to dress and act similar to local people - you may be surprised at how much more of a culture you experience this way.
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