As many of you know I recently traveled to Bali, Indonesia with Institute of Code on my own for the first time. I have always dreamed and wanted to take the leap of traveling on my own, but was always too scared or doubted myself. It took until November of this past year to finally gain enough courage to do so, and I am so happy that I did!
I think that everyone needs to travel solo at least once because it honestly teaches you so much about yourself. After flying across the world on my own I feel like I can do anything. It gave me a sense of independence that I didn’t even know I had.
For those of you wishing to take the risk and hop on a plane alone, I’ve put together some tips to help ease the experience and give you full confidence.
Make sure you are over packed and prepared:
Since you are going to be completely alone you want to make sure you have absolutely everything that you need. I feel like this is the time when it’s acceptable to OVER pack. Usually you want to pack as light as possible but it is more comforting to know you have everything you may need than to have that uneasy feeling of being unprepared. Try and think of every situation you may encounter. Bug bites, sickness, wound, headache, weather changes, etc. There obviously isn’t going to be another person on your trip with you to borrow things from if you forgot them so it’s better to bring everything and anything.
Complete your itinerary upon arrival:
Plan your entire trip beforehand so that you know where you’re going and don’t get lost or confused. Do your research and make sure all the places you’re going are safe. Reviews are your best friend. If you’re planning on doing excursions or activities plan those beforehand online. Usually I would always tell you the opposite and say wait to get the best prices when you’re there, but in this case it’s better to do it beforehand just so you feel secure and know your plan. All around, it’s the best to plan ahead just to eliminate any stress upon arrival.
Make sure loved ones have all of your information:
Not only is it unnerving for you to travel solo but especially for those of you back home who know you will be alone, especially if it’s your first time. Make sure to send all flight details, hotel information and your itinerary to those of you back home, that way if god for bid anything does happen they will know where are. It’s all around comforting for everyone. Aside from loved ones, when you are in your new destination make sure the hotel or hostel staff know where you plan on going when you leave just for safety purposes.
Do things you wouldn’t normally do- get out of your comfort zone!:
Go to a bar and talk with the people around you, go on a boat trip or excursion and meet new people, do something you’ve never done before. Life is about experiences and you want to make the most of your solo travel trip so that you come back feeling fulfilled. Most importantly, do things you wouldn’t normally do if you were to be traveling with other people.
Be open to meeting new people:
What better way to make friends then when you’re in a new place by yourself. It’s the perfect opportunity. I met so many lifelong friends in Bali because it almost seemed like I was forced to given the circumstances. We were all on a solo trip and had so many things in common. Not only is it good to develop friendships on the road but it’s also good to have people to hang out with and show you around if they’re locals or have been to the location before. It just makes the experience so much more fun and enjoyable. Even if you aren’t the most outgoing person, this goes along with stepping out of your comfort zone, put yourself out there and meet new people! If you have a question or are trying to locate a place, try asking someone instead of hopping on your phone and googling it. Who knows, even something as simple as that could lead to a new pal. Most other solo travelers, locals or even groups are always looking to make new friends as well so try not to be too shy.
If you plan on exploring the world alone have confidence in yourself. It may just be the best decision you’ve ever made!
