Not many people have the courage to travel alone. There are many reasons, and these could include fear of personal safety, a lack of confidence in getting from A to B, and the dread of being stranded in an unfamiliar country alone.
Traveling solo does have its advantages. For example, you don’t need to spend time with people you struggle with. You also have more flexibility in choosing where to go and what to do without compromises, so if you don’t want to sit on the beach all day, you don’t have to.
If you are thinking about going it alone on your next vacation, there are some important things you should consider. Here are just a few of them.
Plan ahead
You may be somebody who prefers to live spontaneously, throwing caution to the wind instead of making an itinerary. That’s fine, but you don’t want to run into trouble while traveling, so you should do a little planning without compromising your free spirit.
For starters, how do you intend to travel? You may take the idea of going solo literally, hiring a private plane with Jettly, rather than suffer through a flight with annoying passengers. Ensure you know departure and arrival times, and have a backup plan in the event of cancellation and delays.
Think about the country you are visiting. It may be warm and sunny where you are now, but you don’t want to step off the plane in your summer outfit and be struck by a blizzard. Be prepared for the weather, and pack your bags accordingly. You should also be aware of dress codes, so don’t cause offense by wearing something inappropriate.
Traveling to an unfamiliar country is a great adventure, but you need to prepare for the unexpected by taking out travel insurance. For example, you may fall ill while away, or your airline may go bust. Having insurance will protect your basic needs.
Talk to your loved ones
You may be confident in your ability to travel alone, but your loved ones may be worried about your safety. Speak to your family and reassure them about your plans.
Make sure you exchange contact details with the people you love, so if anything does go wrong while you are away, you will be able to reach somebody for help. If you are traveling for an extended period, you also want to be kept up to date with life at home, so let people know how they can contact you.
Stay safe
Where possible, don’t choose a destination that is a hotbed of criminal activity, or in the middle of a civil war. You can’t always guarantee your safety when away, but you can do some research first.
Be careful about spending time alone at night in unfamiliar places. Arm yourselves with maps, or a smartphone with GPS tracker, to avoid getting lost. As you travel, don’t carry a lot of money around with you in case of pickpockets.
Being sensible does not mean giving up the embrace of adventure.
