9 Solo Travel Tips For Beginners

Solo Travel Tips For Beginners: Guest Post by Kat Sarmiento*:  As the Coronavirus started to take over the world, we were forced to stay at home for our own safety. Local and international flights were also canceled, and left-to-right travel bans were imposed in many countries. But now that vaccines are already administered across the globe, we are finally a step closer to flattening the curve and putting this long-drawn-out pandemic to an end.

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While staying at home for so long, a lot of you might have started thinking about traveling in the future. For first-time solo travelers, traveling might be a challenge but fret not, because we’re giving you 8 travel tips for beginners. 

Solo Travel Tips For Beginners:

Choose your destination wisely.

Since you are just new to traveling, you might want to consider starting with local destinations first. While traveling abroad may be at the top of your bucket list, you must first get used to the experience of traveling alone to learn what to do and what to avoid in your future trips. After all, traveling does not always have to be grand, it’s all about living in the moment.

Do some research.

It’s always ideal to come prepared when traveling. Once you already have a destination in mind, you may search about the best tourist spots to go to, the city’s most popular local food, dates of annual festivals its local people celebrate, as well as the language or dialect locals use to communicate. With all this information, deciding when to book a flight and choosing where to stay will be a tad easier. Additionally, having a little knowledge about your destination’s language and culture could save you from trouble.

Prepare healthy snacks.

Since traveling is very physically demanding, you must feed your body with healthy foods that provide energy. Instead of going for fast food meals which are often inflammatory, and are high in cholesterol, it’s much better to pack your own food or find restaurants that serve vegetarian meals when traveling. Not only this is environment-friendly, but it will surely keep your body fueled and relieve fatigue from long hours of exploring places. Lastly, it will give you a good night’s rest as these foods do not take much time to digest.

Don’t overpack.

Packing just the right things to bring during your travel greatly depends on the climate type in your chosen destination, and how many days you’re planning to stay. Choose clothes and footwear that are easier to pack. If you plan to stay in a hotel or a resort, you may ask the receptionist if they provide toiletries and bathrobes, or towels. Removing these items from your list can lessen the space taken in your luggage. You may also consider leaving extra space for souvenirs.

Practice zero waste traveling.

Traveling brings us closer to nature. That’s why we must maintain and preserve the beauty of the environment as we explore. But sadly, a lot of tourist spots suffer from the deeds of irresponsible travelers. 

While throwing your used coffee cup away in designated trash bins can help maintain cleanliness in the environment, still, it does not help in reducing waste in general. These are just some of the things you can do to lessen your waste while traveling:

• Bring your own tumbler and utensils (spoon and fork, chopsticks, straw).
• Use shampoo bars and toothpaste tablets instead of buying those that are sold in sachets.
• Refuse to bag store-bought items and souvenirs as much as possible. You may bring your own tote bag or simply hand-carry items that are not particularly heavy.
• Prefer to dine in cafes and restaurants instead of ordering for takeout.

Consider alternative forms of transportation.

Aside from wastes, carbon emissions from vehicles also take a huge toll on the environment. Upon landing at your destination, you may consider renting a bicycle or walking as you stroll around the area. This way, you can take your time in appreciating the different tourist spots while lessening your carbon footprint.

Plan your budget.

One of the most important things to do before traveling is allocating enough budget for all your expenses. Make sure to categorize your needs such as transportation budget, accommodation fees, meal allowance, and other miscellaneous expenses during your travel. Apart from this, you may also want to add emergency money just in case.

Be attentive.

Traveling alone can be hard because no one is going to look after you except yourself. That’s why you must be on your toes especially when you are in public. Here are some reminders you should always keep in mind:

• Do not leave your belongings unattended. You may wear an anti-theft bag to carry your stuff while casually exploring the city.
• Always charge your phone and other devices whenever possible. Sudden power outages can occur.
• Buy a sim card that has good signal reception. Your current sim card might not work properly in your destination. If you’re a prepaid user, buy sufficient load and data that can last the whole trip.
• Know where essential establishments such as the hospital, pharmacy, and police station are located in your destination area. Save hotline numbers as well, so you know who to contact in case of emergency.
• Do not fully trust the strangers you meet as you might get taken advantage of.

Relax.

Travelling can be stressful especially if you’re still not used to doing it alone. It’s only natural to get worked up when planning your trip, but as soon as you arrive at your destination you should just allow yourself to relax. Treat your mind better and get rid of all the distractions for once and take this opportunity to breathe. Reward yourself with a good time and have fun!

Every trip is an exploration, and every exploration is a chance to learn. You don’t have to wrap your head around making the “perfect” trip. If you mess up, at least you know what to do on your next travel. Now start browsing for travel packages and take these tips as a souvenir on your future travel endeavors. Bon voyage! 

*About The Author:

(Solo Trekker 4 U weighs in: If you are still not sure you are ready for singles travel, consider the “High Cost of Not Going on Solo Travel!”.

If the cost is an issue, cheap solo travel deals are at unheard of low prices now with no single supplement tours widely available.)