How to Travel Solo - Benefits & Tips to make travel ease

I define 'SOLO' as a ' Sense of Life Objective' which means there is a sense of freedom and confidence that brings out changes in ones life and it plays a main objective role. This term is now overhyped nowadays in general and in today's generation people are considering it as better option, but here is the shout out to those people who still are unaware of it and also to them who travel solo but doesn't seems to expereince the things well.

For every new things when we see or face any situation when there is no support system its always scary for a moment in one's mind because its natural instinct of human tendency, which doesnt come out but faced innerly.

But in my personal experience of travelling over years i have learned what are the benefits of successful solo travelling and best tips to follow to make ones travel journey better,happier and safe lets find out below:

1. Difficulty ?
- Begin with i travelled solo first time to Himalayan trek: a alot of research done like finding & marking places, learning roadmap, tickets booking, backpacking, etc. also following time constraints in a better way. This seems very difficult to do , but trust me it needs patience, dedication and you will definitely enjoy it once you feel all the plannings went well.

Options: Booking.com ( book now and pay on arrival), Easemytrip : which makes my travel plans easy and my companions.

2. Lonely ?
- Often everyone thinks and ask the person who is travelling solo as a lonely one. This is a myth and ofcourse travelling solo is fun, where one can meet local people of the place, interact with them, learning their culture and many more. In diffcult times also their helping nature kind and care given are the things we can observe and face. In trek one meets a group of strangers, but we have to adapt with them and sooner this adaption becomes a very good bonding, where one can learn others way of living, postives and negatives of life, their stories and stuff which infact improves our way of living in many ways. At the end of day one can relax and think about the day how did it got spent and memories to cherish. So question of loneliness is often one should keep in their pockets which has a hole so that its get drained away easily.

3. Media ?
- A lot of negative talks from media we listen and read everyday about places and incidents. But i say world is a better place and there are many people who are good , supportive and helpful. Media doesnt cover all those aspects excepts negativity. Yes there are wrong things happened, but i must say with experience more and more, one can overcome this hype and experience it when one steps out.

4. Research?
- Make research well about the place you are about to travel. Make a note of it. Open google maps: mark the points and pin it, plus download the offline maps. Make your travel plans,hotel bookings with kms raning from your start to end points, considering all directions. For example: I travelled Bali which is mostly divided in 2 parts north and south. Plan your hotel booking near airport, explore the places nearby and take a rest. Complete teh circuit and then proceed to next direction. This saves lots of time, money and efforts. So Research well and enjoy.

5. Go Local ?
- Take always baby steps when you are travelling solo.It means try and explore the nearby areas or places from your hometown, get youself experience the taste of independent, make habit of booking hotels, buses, cabs, trains, flights yourself and in budget. Thats how you get chocolate flavour taste and then can jump to bigger ladders like other states of the country, and then to foreign land.

6. Bags & Camera ?
- Backpacking is the most essential role plays in solo travel. One needs to follow a technique to pack thier own bags and keeping in mind the weight factor (max 10-12 kg). Always carry a 50-60 litre backpack which fits all your needs and arrange with light weights in lower space and your shoes,equipments in upper space to adjust and makes your back comfortable and ease to walk.

7. Accomodation (Hostels) ?
- For Solo travellers always preferrable is Hostel stay. I must say is the million dollar option rather than opting a luxury hotel.Because one can meet like minded backpacker, where you can make friends,form a group and travel together to different places and will not feel alone at all.

8. Transportation ?
- Always check arrival timings to the place your travelling and plan your travel transport accordingly. For example, my destination was Pondicherry: so i took a flight from mumbai to chennai midnight and reached at 3 am. Next my bus was at 7 am from koyambedu to my destination. I finded out first metro starts at 5 am and reaches koyambedu in 20 mins, and how far it is from station to bus stop - way of travel mode with budget. All things need to be taken care of well in transportation.

9. Offline Maps, Money & Walk Local ?
- Always download your offline google maps before heding to any place, because there may be network issue which one can face, so better be ready rather than suffering. Always keep your money in your pockets, dont carry much cash while travelling. On arrival make your day plans according and withdraw limited cash to spend for the day.Keep your documents, tickets as soft copy in your mobile. To experience a place and feel its vibes go for a walk local.

10. Confidence ?
- This comes from the experience and wherever you go, walk or travel maintain your smile, focus and with positive mindset like you really own that place.

11. Trust your Guts ?
- Your voice is you power and weapon. Never give a low and soft voice and always face others with loud an clear approach. If you feels its no, then say no easily without hesitating and do what is right for you and for the moment you are living.

My suggestion to solo travellers is whenever your are confused, wanted to go other direction or at wrong place dont open your maps in middle of the road and find your way, this makes others look on you and sometimes it may turn ugly and locals can benefit from you by overcharging or in some other way.
Instead go to nearby any local shops, sit there and find out your way in ease. Always Learn to say No when someone approaches you for anything, think twice and act.

Thanks guyz for giving your valuable time and hope this tips will definitely help you out😊