This installment of the Travel Tip Tuesday series focuses on beginning solo travel. Below are 4 tips for solo travelers who haven’t done much, or never traveled alone. With these four solo travel tips, you can begin seeing the world by yourself confidently. Mikaela from the travel blog Voyageur Tripper shares her top four tips for traveling solo.

 

Introduction – 4 tips for solo travel

Taking the leap and embarking on your first solo trip can be intimidating. It’s easy to feel discouraged when you see others solo backpacking through Central Asia or enjoying an African safari on their own – how is it so easy for some people to leave their fears behind and jump into the unknown?

In reality, many people do not start solo traveling with these epic adventures. More often than not, people start small and build up to larger adventure over time. So on that note, here are four practical ways to get started in solo traveling.

 

Travel within your own country

My first few solo trips were within Canada. I wanted to build confidence in myself to navigate an unknown airport, find my way around an unfamiliar city, and make new friends. And I wanted to do this in a place I already felt relatively safe and comfortable. I chose short trips to destinations like Vancouver and Montreal.

My first big adventure was to Iqaluit, Nunavut located in the Canadian Arctic. In all honesty, adjusting to life in Iqaluit was challenging, so I’m glad I had the comfort of being within my own country and didn’t have to worry about things like language barriers or what to do in an emergency.

Don’t feel you need to jump into the complete unknown in order to have a meaningful travel experience. You can discover a new culture, immerse yourself in a new environment and learn about yourself from the familiarity of your home country.

 

Choose a country similar to your own

My first backpacking trip was to Western Europe. I planned my own itinerary and booked all my hostels and transport ahead of time. I chose destinations like Copenhagen and Amsterdam, Zermatt and Lake Como – all destinations I knew would have English speakers and a culture not too different from my own.

There’s nothing wrong with choosing countries similar to your own when you are getting started in solo travel. Solo travel is like running – sure, you can make your first race a marathon, and that might go really well for you. Or you can start with a 5 mile to build your confidence and abilities and work your way up from there. Start easy and build yourself up!

 

Join a group tour

People who know me find this surprising, but I have a soft spot for tour groups (specifically, small activity-based tour groups). My first international solo trip (a few months prior to my Europe trip) was to Costa Rica.

I flew to San Jose on my own and spent a day wandering solo (which, for a new solo traveler like myself, was more than enough!) and then I joined a six-day whitewater rafting group. Even two years later, I joined a hiking tour in Tasmania so I wouldn’t be on my own or have to drive myself.

I often have friends, particularly female friends, who tell me they’d like to go to a specific country but don’t want to do it alone. I tell them to find a responsible tour operator to join, and then add one or two days at the end of the trip for some solo exploring.

This way you already have some familiarity with the destination before you start doing things on your own.

 

Participate in a study/volunteer abroad or a working holiday

An alternative to tour groups is participating in a study or volunteer abroad or doing a working holiday. I did a short three-week study abroad in France and a longer five-month study abroad in New Zealand.

I found having a home base made traveling in another country much easier. I could establish a routine and grow more familiar with my surroundings.

If you’re transitioning between careers and want to incorporate some solo travel, doing a study/volunteer abroad can be a great way to experience personal growth (and bolster your resume so you can talk about travel in a future job interview).

I think a language immersion is an especially meaningful way to navigate a career transition.

Or you can organize a working holiday. There are organizations that help connect expats to one another and offer advice on visas, housing and finances. This support can provide the push you need to get out and travel.

So what are you waiting for? If solo traveling is something you want to do, you have to start somewhere!

 

About Voyageur Tripper Blog

Mikaela is the voice behind Voyageur Tripper, a blog dedicated to outdoor adventure travel. Her passions include canoeing, camping, and coffee, and on the blog she shares resources and trip inspiration to get you adventuring. You can find her on the trail, in a tent, and on Instagram.

 

About Tuesday Travel Tip Series

Have any questions about tips for traveling solo, or about the Tuesday Travel Tip series? Drop a comment below! Or you can check out more travel tips for every traveler!

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Thanks for reading!

Happy and safe travels!