Tips for Your First Solo Trip

Are you planning your first solo trip? Thousands of questions running through your head? Well, don't let your anxiety stop you from travelling alone. First solo trip can be scary and overwhelming. However, if you plan well and research thoroughly about the place or he country you would be travelling, there is no reason to hesitate from setting off on that long pending solo trip. Having someone to travel with you feels comfortable and safer and when you decide to go on your own that comfort level dissolves. But don't you worry, it's just a matter of taking that decision to go. Yes, it can be frightening in the beginning, but I promise travelling alone have more benefits than you can ever imagine.

I felt the same when I planned my first solo trip to Europe. I literally cried the day before I started my journey. Roaming around alone in an unknown country! This thought itself terrified me. But today I can confidently say that I can wander around almost everywhere all by myself.

Here are few tips that might help you plan your first solo trip:

Research well: It is very important to familiarize yourself with the place or country that you will be travelling to. You will feel prepared, when you have an idea of what to expect when you arrive at your destination. Things you must research before you start your trip:

Passport, Visa and other travel document requirements if you are travelling international. Every country has different rules and regulations. How to get to and from the airport/hotel Do's and don'ts of the country that you are travelling to Local customs, weather, dress codes, etiquettes etc. Current political situation (recently added this to my check list 😊)

Photo of Tips for Your First Solo Trip - Memoirs of Life 1/1 by Shikha Borah — Zaanse Schans

Advance reservations/plans: Be gentle on yourself as this is your first solo trip. You can be stress free if you have pre-booked your accommodation, tour tickets (if you plan for any), train bookings etc. Also do some advance planning if not all. Not essentially a detailed plan, but its better to have a plan for the first 2 days and you can explore on the go for the remainders.

Travel light: Its best to travel light while travelling solo (and other wise too if you can manage). It helps you to manage your luggage with ease within cities. Another good thing is you can easily use public transport (bus, trains, metros), where luggage storage is limited. I would suggest a medium size back pack and a small sling bag and you are prepped.

Let someone be informed: Travelling solo does not mean you will cut-off from your loved ones. I highly recommend to share a brief about your itinerary to someone back home. It's natural for your friends and family to be worried when you are travelling alone.

Koh Samui

Here are few tips that might help you plan your first solo trip:

Research well: It is very important to familiarize yourself with the place or country that you will be travelling to. You will feel prepared, when you have an idea of what to expect when you arrive at your destination. Things you must research before you start your trip:

Be confident and explore: First time experiences are always special, for that moment will never come again. So, enjoy each moment, believe in yourself and this will remain as one of the best episodes of your life. Get out of the hotel room, you are here to see the world. You may feel lonely occasionally, but that's absolutely OK!

Be part of a local meet up: Now a days many cities organize meet up events. Meet ups can be like travel meet ups where different people share about their travel experiences. Basically, these are get-togethers where they focus on socializing and building a community of like-minded people.

Have a backup plan: It's a good idea to have a copy of your important documents handy. Such as the address to your hotel, important telephone numbers in case you are lost. Carry your passport as the most prized possession if you are travelling between countries.

It's better to be safe than sorry: This is the time when you need to be street smart and trust your intuitions. If you feel a place is unsafe, just leave. If needed take help from local as most people are always helpful, specially towards a female solo traveler.

Relax and smile: Don't forget to wear your smile, so what if you do not know the local language. If you smile people would want to communicate with you. You can hang out with other travelers, make friends with local. Head out to a local café and strike a conversation with someone. Trust me it is not weird at all; this is the way to know people from different part of this world and create opportunities to travel more.

Khasi Hills

Write about it: Don't forget to pen down your experiences in your diary. You will be delighted to read it after few years. These are memories of life time!

Do share your experience from your first solo trip.