People often claim that travelling alone is both terrifying and freeing all at the same time. They are right. When Rani’s wedding is put off by her fiancé, the 24-year-old takes a vacation on her own in the movie Queen. Travelling alone around Europe, she meets new acquaintances and experiences a wide range of emotions: pleasure, sadness, and laughter. What a solo journey can do to you, not necessarily in that order, is precisely what it can do to you, and most importantly, a journey on your own will let you discover a little more about yourself.
On the other hand, taking a solo vacation is much easier said than done, especially if this is your first time. First-timers have butterflies in their stomachs just thinking about everything that needs to be organised, from the money to the schedule. There is no need to worry! I have put together some advice for first-time solo travellers in this post. Read on to learn how to go it alone!
1. Decide where you are going
As a first step, let us decide where we are going! Most experienced solo travellers will tell you that the experience of discovering new locations on your own is more essential than the actual location itself in solo vacations. Travelling alone may be stressful, so it is best to find a location that makes you feel comfortable. Without a doubt, the response to this question is “yes.” You have always been drawn to a specific location. What kind of person are you? Are you a fan of bustling cities, or are you more at home in nature? Asking yourself these questions will help you make an informed decision about your strategy.
Travelling alone might be scary for some people, so they may choose to start with areas they are acquainted with, while more adventurous people may want to investigate destinations overseas. However you choose to do it, it should be a location where you feel inspired and energised.
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For first-time visitors, it is best to choose a location with decent tourism infrastructure, is near to home, or speaks a language you are acquainted with. If you are a lone female traveller, our most critical piece of advice is to seek out destinations known for being both safe and female-friendly.
2. Your Research
Solo travel gives you a lot of leeways, so you do not have to plan out every aspect of your trip meticulously. This, however, does not imply that you can just pack your suitcases and go off on the open road right now. If you are going somewhere new, you will need to undertake extensive research about the place you are visiting, from its climate to its culture to its cuisine. Research the lodging and transportation alternatives available before you arrive. Ensure that you know the laws, restrictions, and schedules of any landmark or tourist destination you want to visit. Consider taking a one-day tour of the location, which will enable you to meet new people and see a lot in a short period of time and save you time and money.
Internet is your best friend when you want to learn about a place without ever having to set foot on the ground there. There is no substitute for a lot of searching and reading. There are a plethora of travel blogs and guides available online for just about every place. Ask around if you know anybody who has been there.
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A diary or an app may help you keep track of all the information you have gathered throughout your investigation. This may seem like a pointless exercise, but you will be happy you did it at some point throughout your journey.
3. Make a Plan for Your Finances
It is time to get down to the business of making money! Transportation and lodging are two of the essential factors determining your solo travel budget. It is important to remember that when we talk about transportation, we are not only referring to the expense of getting from point A to point B. You should be able to get a good sense of these costs based on your current plans.
What is the most difficult in finding a place to stay? You may discover high-end accommodations as well as low-cost options in whatever city or town you go to. You have a choice between these two. You do not need much more than a clean and secure place to sleep when you expect to be out and about all day and night. Instead of spending too much, you may stay at a hotel or boarding house that is secure, pleasant, and economical. Take the time to peruse the web reviews and ratings before making a final selection.
As a side note: If you are going outside of India, leave space in your budget for additional costs like meals and beverages; entertainment; tickets and entrance fees; souvenirs; and travel insurance.
An excellent idea:
In a spreadsheet, divide your trip expenses into distinct categories and designate a budget for each
4. Make Reservations in Advance
Once your vacation plan and budget are decided, it is time to take the next major step — buying your tickets. This is a place where you may store up some money. For instance, most of the towns in India are linked by a network of trains, which is the cheapest means of transport. However, if you find flight tickets at exceptionally affordable prices, you might also consider flying to your location. Likewise, consider reserving your hotel well in advance. Do not forget to seek internet bargains for hotels; numerous online travel businesses run amazing specials and discounts year-round.
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Ensure that you do not arrive at your destination too late at night or too early in the morning when booking your onward flights. Keep in mind that the check-in time is also essential; you do not want to arrive at the hotel too early.
5. Persuade Your Family Members
As a child of Indian parents, you know how tough it is to persuade them to allow you to go on a single vacation. The term “solo” alone is enough to raise red flags. “Solo what!?” to “Why don’t you invite your brother along for company?” are just some of the queries you will face unless you are exceptionally fortunate. If the traveller is a woman, the number of queries and the level of concern may double or treble. Solo travel is gaining traction in India, although it has not yet become the standard. Regardless of how stupid their questions may seem, you must be prepared to engage with your parents and respond to any of them.
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Most parents’ go-to method is a well-thought-out trip itinerary. Do not be afraid to provide any information that you believe would reassure them – the length of the trip, the means of transportation, the specifics of your lodging, etc. Make a commitment to stay in contact with them, and then follow through on it. The most important thing to remember is that you should feel secure and enthusiastic and not discount your parents’ worries.
6. Packing Smartly
If you are going to spend the night at a friend’s house, you are either going to bring a suitcase, a duffel bag, and a backpack, or you are going to bring a backpack and a suitcase. One of the essential pieces of advice for anybody embarking on a solo vacation is to bring just what you really need. If you are going touring, keep in mind that you will have to haul your belongings, so choose a backpack or tote bag to hold everything you need. This is a game-changer when it comes to using public transportation and navigating through crowds.
When it comes to packing, just bring what you absolutely must-have. Remove goods like toiletries and towels from your list if you are staying at a place that offers them as standard. Layering or convertible clothing is the most excellent way to dress, as it enables you to mix and match your outfits and boosts your bling factor. You may not bring more than two pairs of shoes with you on your trip.
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When travelling alone for the first time, you will want to pack a first-aid kit, a portable charger, a money belt, and a few resealable plastic bags. Carry a diary with you to record the details of your journey. Most essential, even if you are not a big reader, bring a book in your luggage if you run across any curious (or just unpleasant) fellow passengers. Moreover, if you happen to run across one, all you have to do is open the book and seem to be reading.
These are some essential tips to make your first solo trip a smooth and memorable experience.
