Solo travelling abroad isn’t for everyone. But one of my favourite sayings is ‘Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!‘
Travelling alone can be an amazing experience. It can be a good time to relax, reflect and soul-search (I know – blergh – but true!) However, it can also be intimidating, stressful and admittedly, isolating.
If solo travelling abroad sounds like something you might consider, it could be a good idea to ease yourself in gently.
Considering
Where to go? What to do? How to get there? How to fund it alone? There are hundreds of questions to ask before you even book anything. Sites such as the ‘Gals who travel’ social media and the Workaway app could help with some of these decisions.
Preparing
Whether it’s a list on your phone notes or a full-blown, washi-taped planner, it’s SO important that you prepare for your trip in advance. This will help to set things straight in your mind, particularly the practical side of things. On the day that you jet off, the last thing that you’ll want to worry about is what terminal you need to be at, or the code for your Airbnb door.
See also: Student Travel Guide To Greece
Solo Trial Trip
If it’s the going abroad that is the scary part, try going somewhere familiar first. Maybe this could be somewhere that you went as a child, or a short city break near your hometown. Doing this solo will give you an idea of how to plan your time, and how you will manage your travel and your expenses. You might also get an idea of whether your own company is something that you’d like to invest more time in!
Language Barrier
You’ve chosen your country, booked your flights and packed your case. If you already know the language of the country you’re heading to, great! If not, here are some handy phrases to learn, just in case you get caught out:
- Please/Thank You/Sorry
- Can you help me find …?
- How much is …?
- I only speak some …
And you’re set!
Obviously, you can skip any one of these steps, or even add a few more in. It might take two or three local trips to give you enough confidence to go it alone in a foreign country.
However you choose to do it, know that it is entirely your decision. Your pace, your choice, your trip!
Read next: How To Travel On A Student Budget
