First Time Solo Travelling
RabbiePosted on 30 Jun 2023
Solo travelling for the first time can bring a wealth of experience you didn’t know you needed. Don’t get us wrong, it may not be for everyone, but those who do dare to try often love the thrill of discovering new places on their own terms. So much so, they make it their way of life. How does that sound?
Coming up in this guide:
- How to Stay Safe Solo Travelling for the First Time
- How to Travel Solo for the First Time
- 3 Tips for First Time Solo Travellers
- Joining a Small-Group Tour While Travelling By Yourself
How to Stay Safe Solo Travelling for the First Time
As a first time solo traveller, safety is a large aspect to consider. But how can you be prepared if you haven’t done it before? Our solo travel guide includes 5 top tips:
- Research and plan ahead - While we advise to be spontaneous, prior to your solo travels, you need to research the locations you're planning on visiting. Familiarise yourself with local customs, traditions, and any potential safety concerns. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
- Stay connected - Ensure you keep in touch with loved ones. While you may not want to spend all day texting, a simple ‘hello’ can go a long way.
- Trust your instincts - Your instincts are your best guide when it comes to personal safety. If a situation feels uncomfortable or unsafe, trust your gut and remove yourself from it.
- Blend with locals - Try to blend in with the local culture as much as possible. Dress modestly, respect local customs and traditions, and avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself. But remember to have fun.
- Be prepared for emergencies - It's crucial to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances during your solo travels. Carry essential items such as a first aid kit, emergency service numbers for the country you're visiting, copies of important documents, and travel insurance details. We hope you never have to use them, but it's better to have them than not.
Not sure what the best solo traveller destinations are for first timers? We have a guide for that. Be driven by curiosity and lose yourself in the freedom a solo travel tour can bring you.
How to Travel Solo for the First Time
How to start solo travelling is generally one of the first questions once making the initial decision to embark on a solo travel tour. With it may come concerns of safety, especially as a female, but this is where planning can help ease worry. So before you even reach for your backpack, stop to think about the following questions. They might just turn your alone adventure into one of the best experiences you can encounter.
- Deciding Where to Go
- Where You Will Initially Stay
- How You Will Travel in the Country
- How Much You Have to Spend
- How Long to Go For
Deciding Where to Go
The million pound question. Where do you want to start for your first solo travelling adventure?
Is a European tour the place to dip your toes into being alone? Maybe taking the plunge and going further afield is your style? Staying in your home country and seeing new areas you haven’t thought of before also counts. We encourage you to follow your curiosity and seek out new destinations which align with your interests.
Where You Will Initially Stay
Finding suitable travel accommodation is an important consideration for first time solo travellers. Many may choose hostels or a type of shared accommodation, to allow for meeting new people with similar interests. Others prefer private rooms with creature comforts. Not only do you want to feel safe in your new environment, but you don’t want to find yourself paying premiums because you’re alone. Our advice? Always double check the company's policy to see if travelling solo means a higher price point.
How You Will Travel in the Country
Whether you’d like to admit it or not, we have all at some point over estimated how far a new place is to walk. And if you haven’t then you're lying! So finding the best transportation while being a first time solo traveller is crucial. If you want to take the pressure out of finding your own transport to see landmarks, consider a small-group tour. You can meet like minded individuals, while travelling by mini-coach to some of the most beautiful locations.
Additionally, from our own experiences, you don’t want to commit yourself to too many excursions before you land in your destination. The beauty of solo travelling for the first time is that you can be flexible and open to new opportunities. Remember, say yes and the plan can fall into place.
How Much You Have to Spend
Budgeting is an essential aspect of any travel experience. Luckily, travelling solo means you only have your own purse and finances to worry about. Before you book anything, consider how much you have to spend for the whole trip. Setting this early can help keep you accountable, while also being able to prioritise certain elements. Is a large room and comfortable bed top of your list? Or would you prefer to splash out on once in a lifetime experiences?
How Long to Go For
Determining the duration of your solo trip is an important consideration. You want to ensure you have the time available to see and experience as many opportunities that come your way, without the feeling that the trip is never ending. How can you strike the perfect balance? Prioritise what you find most important. While a shorter trip for your first time solo travelling can be the perfect introduction, a longer journey allows for deeper exploration and connections with the locations you choose to visit.
But you may have commitments back at home to consider too. Is your job flexible? Maybe you provide care to others. Whatever your situation, travelling solo for the first time allows you to cross these bridges and make valuable learnings along the way.
Top 3 Tips for First Time Solo Travellers
In need of more reassurance? Let’s present our top 3 tips to embracing solo travel.
Tip 1 - Embrace your curiosity
As a solo traveller, curiosity will be your greatest asset. Seek out the lesser-told stories, the hidden roads, and the local experiences that go beyond the typical tourist attractions.
Tip 2 - Plan but remain flexible
While planning is important, it's equally vital to remain flexible during your solo travelling expedition. Be open to veering off the beaten path and following your instincts, as some of the most memorable moments often arise from unplanned adventures.
Tip 3 - Prioritise safety
Safety should always be a priority for any type of traveller, not just when you fly solo. But how can you increase your safety? We’d recommend joining a group tour, as it provides an additional layer of security and peace of mind. Not only is it a safety consideration, but you can meet with like minded travellers who share your passion for exploring.
Joining a Small-Group Tour While Travelling By Yourself
Embarking solo doesn't mean you have to navigate the journey entirely alone. Join a small-group tour to enhance your first time solo travel experience. From the relaxation of knowing the trip is planned for you to hearing the untold stories from our friendly and knowledgeable driver-guides, small-group tours can be a meaningful stepping stone into the world of solo travel, without feeling too overwhelmed.
Let us take you there. By booking your place you can meet other travellers who are also looking for new stories to uncover.
Expand Your Horizons with Rabbie’s
We hope to have reduced the tense build up in your shoulders, that may have arrived when beginning to plan your first solo travel experience. Sure the anticipation may still be there. But we wouldn’t expect anything less when embarking on such an incredible adventure. Discover our Scotland tours, England tours, Ireland tours, and Wales tours to see Britain and Ireland through a new lens.
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