Travelling has always been an exciting adventure people love to get into – to experience different lives and the diverse cultures of the world. While the ideal has also been group family vacations, girl trips/guy hangouts or journeys with travel tours, solo travelling can be an equally thrilling experience.

Yet many wanna-be solo travellers get stuck on the idea of roaming the world alone – for their safety, perceived high travel costs and the feeling of loneliness. And while all these reasons are not far-fetched, more travellers should be open to solo travelling, even once in a lifetime. Learning to interact with the world does so much for ones confidence and exposure to the things of the world.

What to expect

When planning a solo trip expect to –

  • Research travel destinations
  • Visa requirements
  • Book flights and accommodation
  • Budget and track expenses 
  • Have a detailed activity itinerary
  • Know where to eat and your desired means of transport 
  • Plan your departure 

– All by yourself, otherwise, the best option would be to work with a trusted travel agent – which of course might draw up more costs. 

If you are still interested in travelling solo, here are 8 travel tips for you to plan your next best trip:

View around V Hotel Lavender, Singapore
1. Visit your destination virtually 

    If only there was a way to minimise the uncertainties of travelling alone – wouldn’t that be very helpful. Surely! There is a way to explore your destination – immerse yourself in it before taking the trips. Websites like Google Earth Live help you route your movements. You get to map out several locations (shops, bus stations, restaurants) and the distance from your place of stay.

    2. Choose all in one package deals

      Travel options like Love holidays and Expedia provide a range of exclusive travel deals that can reduce the costs of your trip drastically as a solo traveller. As these deals often come with flights, hotel accommodation etc. 

      3. Get travel insurance 

        When planning your fun trip as a solo traveller, it’s important to assess the risks that can occur while you are far from home. Get your affordable travel insurance to cover certain inconveniences; medical emergencies, canceled flights and accommodations, evacuations, baggage loss and many more. Travel insurance shouldn’t be an afterthought for anyone – most especially a solo traveller. 

        4. Find a local contact

          You’re away on a travel trip alone. The best you can do is to find a local contact to re-route to in case you need some assistance that goes beyond your research about the destination – It could be a police station, embassy, local coffee shop, travel guide or online community. There are nice people out there who are willing to assist you, whenever but do trust your instincts!

          5. Choose walking tours or rideshares

            Many travellers dread how lonely solo travel can be so they never initiate it – while group travels are great for family and friends, going alone actually elevates the experience as you get to meet people, exchange cultures and ideas and have a different kind of fun. Do so with walking tours or ridesharing to short destinations. 

            6. “Do what the locals do” Activities 

              Foreign tourists are often easy to spot on the travels by the appearances and sight-seeing mission when on travels. If you can, mirror the way the locals move on a day-to-day basis. Explore beyond the static museums, art centers and luxury restaurants, take local cooking, go to the concert across the street, even the church if your visit extends through sunday. Do what the people do and get a better experience beyond the picturesque instagram locations. 

              7. Travel Light

                If you can fit your items in a small backpack or carry-on, moving swiftly on a solo trip will be beneficial. As we have outlined the risks that can occur anywhere in the world, knowing you can pick up and leave as quickly is a game-changer. 

                8. Curate a gift for those back home

                  You can enjoy the excitement of your travels if you add on curating memories, documenting the trails of where you’ve been by collecting items for yourself and loved ones back home – you will be more enthused to go out there and conquer.

                  Solo travel can be intimidating but it surely isn’t impossible. Use these 8 travel tips as guidelines for when you plan your next trip.