10 Tips For Your First Solo Trip
After traveling to 12 cities as a female solo traveler, I have made incredible memories but I’ve also learned some hard lessons.
Trust me, I know it takes a lot to step out of your comfort zone and start solo traveling. The first new city I ever traveled to by myself was Copenhagen, Denmark. That’s where I fell in love with solo traveling!
My solo travel journey begun when I had a trip booked with someone I was dating and we broke up a couple of weeks before the trip. I was bummed but I still wanted to go.
The trip was over Christmas & New Year’s and it was to Europe – which is my absolute favorite – but I was slightly terrified that I was gonna end up spending the holiday season completely alone in a different continent. I had always been curious about solo traveling but I always thought it was just “not for me”. I didn’t think I was brave enough to go alone.
One of my close friends, Susie, has solo traveled to multiple countries like Belize, Spain and Indonesia. I told her about the brake up and she encouraged me to still go. I was like “if Susie can do, I can do it”.
Because I love traveling and I didn’t want to miss out on a great vacation I decided to take the leap of faith and go solo. Let me tell you… it was one of the best decisions I have ever made!
I felt so empowered and I had the best time. When my first solo trip was coming to an end, I just had this feeling that I could do anything. I just knew at that point the sky was the limit. There was no destination that was “too far” or “too unique”. I could travel anywhere I wanted and whenever I could take time off work.
So, these are my 10 tips for taking your first solo trip:
#1 – Book before you go
Having things booked ahead of time will make your trip more enjoyable and it will help you visit your most desired spots. I’m not only talking about accommodations and flights, some of best attractions tend to sell out ahead of time.
#2 – Don’t post live on social media
If you have a public social media account, don’t post live! Learn from my mistake, I got recognized when I was traveling solo in Amsterdam and I was shaking in my boots. At the time, I had around 4,500 Instagram followers and I posted live on my stories at a restaurant. It goes to show that it does not matter how big or small your account is you can still get recognized. If you post about solo traveling like I do, people that follow you know you’re alone in that country. Scary, right?
#3 – Let someone know about your plans
I definitely recommend letting someone back home know about your travel plans and even leaving a photocopy of your passport at home. I personally share my location with a few of my closest friends & family members. It’s also important to stay in touch with someone back home during the trip.
#4 – Don’t get too drunk
I know everyone wants to have fun on vacation but it’s important to be safe – specially for my girlies out there. I usually limit myself to two drinks. I do have more than two drinks occasionally but that is if I’m with a group of people that I met at a hostel or someone I really trust.
#5 – Bring cash
You need to have cash handy just in case of an emergency. When you’re traveling alone you can only rely on yourself so it’s important to be prepared. I also recommend bringing more than one credit card if possible.
#6 – Trust your gut
This is probably one of the most important tips. Your gut instincts are made to protect you, please don’t ignore them. If you feel unsafe, ask for help immediately or walk into a store or restaurant. Your safety should be a priority!
#7 – Smile
This can sound silly but being nice and friendly can go a long way! Traveling can be stressful at times but remember – you are lucky to be able to afford traveling, most people will never have this luxury.
#8 – Don’t tell people you’re alone
I never expected this to happen before I started solo traveling but people ask me all the time if I’m alone – creepy, right? I’m sure most people are just curious but you never know who has good or bad intentions. When asked, I always say “No, my friends are coming to meet me soon” or “No, my boyfriend is on his way”.
#9 – Don’t put all of your funds in one place
This is very important guys! You need to make sure you split your funds in different places, specially if you are going to touristy areas or clubs. I had my belongings stolen in Europe a few years ago and I would’ve been in trouble if I had all my credit cards and cash with me at the time. You’re a solo traveler now, you need to make sure you always have access to some sort of funds otherwise it can really put a damper on your trip.
#10 – Have fun!
The whole point of going on vacation is to let loose and have fun! Enjoy yourself out there and go try something new 🙂
My goal for this page has always been to inspire people to get out of their comfort zone and explore the world. I will continue to share my solo travel journey in hopes of growing the solo travel community.
Nothing makes me more excited than meeting other female solo travelers out in the wild!
Happy traveling!
XO, Bobbi
