Woman walking on stairs on the background of Amber fort in JaipurGetty
Follow your gut
On that note, try to allow yourself some spontaneity. Having a rough plan is definitely advisable, but don’t stop yourself from following your gut if you have a sudden urge to pop into a shop, follow the sound of the crowds, or head for the beach. It’s often the spur-of-the-moment decisions that result in the best experiences.
Bring good books
It’s easy to whip out your phone and rely on scrolling when you’re by yourself, and while that is a great way to decompress if you’re feeling jittery, there are few things more romantic than settling in at a street-side cafe and getting lost in the pages of a good book.
Bring a journal
Journaling has become a popular pastime of late, and keeping a travel journal is a great way to combine the mental health benefits of getting out your thoughts and feelings with the memories and emotions of traveling solo. “I find all of that time alone enables me to clear my head, and journaling is a great way to regulate those emotions,” Estée explains. “It doesn’t matter if you’re jotting down a few lines or filling page after page,” Tamara Southward, CNT’s commerce producer, adds. “This is my golden rule for two reasons: first, journaling enriches your experience because it’s the definition of being in conversation with yourself (which is especially important when travelling solo). Secondly, you’ll look back and thank yourself. So will your loved ones, if you feel like sharing. My mother recently put together a book for our family based on her own journal entries, which details seeing elephants for the first time in Kenya, being in the Uffizi when a bomb was set off, emotional reconnections with family in St. Petersburg, and feelings of isolation—then deep connection—after moving to Switzerland from Canada as a young mother. There’s no heirloom like a journal.” Tamara Southward
Keep a separate copy of your personal details
Sounds old school, but in lieu of printing out paper copies of all your bank details, phone numbers, and accommodation details, try keeping a document of all your information and emailing it to yourself. This way, if you lose your phone, you can ask the reception of your accommodation or staff at a hotel/restaurant/bar to borrow a phone and log into your email account to access anything you need. It’s also worth memorizing your card details and any emergency phone numbers (both personal and local emergency service numbers).
Take other safety precautions
There are plenty of ways to protect yourself when traveling alone. Sharing your location with your friends and family back home is a lovely way to keep in touch without having to actually message them—they can watch your journey from afar and keep track of your whereabouts if you haven’t contacted them for a while. Remember to bring a padlock for your backpack and lockers if you’re staying in hostels, and study basic phrases in the language of your destination, just in case you get lost and need some help.
Don’t forget insurance
There’s always something that doesn’t go to plan on any trip, and as a solo traveler, you’ll want to make sure you mitigate any stress that comes from changing itineraries. Buying travel insurance is the best way to protect yourself from any transport cancellations and unforeseen circumstances, and it will cover any costs from injuries or theft. Sounds scary, but it’ll be worth it if the worst happens!