February 1

Traveling Solo For The First Time? Avoid These Travel Mistakes

Even though having friends, family, and loved ones on trips is fun, some experiences are best enjoyed alone. Plus, you may not always have a ready company to travel with. But then again, traveling alone offers some thrills and charm that cannot be compared to anything else, not forgetting that it is a less expensive option. Traveling solo also comes with several advantages, particularly helping you boost your confidence while giving you new freedom levels. It encourages you to rely on yourself, learn more about yourself, find yourself, and find satisfaction in your own company. 

But despite the several advantages, a first-time solo traveler may run into some difficulties or uncomfortable situations if they do not take the time to plan appropriately. So, are you relishing the opportunity to explore the world alone? Here are some mistakes you should do your best to avoid.

Not Planning Enough

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Even if you enjoy the thrill that comes with experiencing the unknown, you need to take your time and plan out your trip thoroughly. A thorough plan does not necessarily mean that you should plan everything to the tiniest details. As organized as that will make your trip, it may also end up sapping out some of the fun, as it may leave little or no room at all to enjoy spontaneous pleasures. 

Thorough planning requires conducting enough research about your preferred destination. Take the time to read about certain basic dos and don’ts, safety protocols, etc. If you’re traveling to a different country, check to see if there are any vaccination or visa requirements you need to meet. You can also visit travel blogs and read out some things you can expect. Check out reviews from other people who have already been to those destinations. You may pick some essential tips or hacks from them that might help you save money or have the best experience. You can also speak to people you know who have already visited those places and ask for recommendations.

Staying in the Wrong Accommodation

Your planning and research stage should also reveal the accommodation options available in your preferred destination. You may be tempted to look for a few ways to cut costs when traveling alone. And one of the areas where most solo travelers look at has to do with accommodation. Your options may be limited if you have your family traveling with you, as you may consider their comfort and safety to be paramount. But when traveling alone, you’re more tempted to sacrifice some levels of convenience to save a few bucks. 

However, that is where the danger could be, as you may end up in an accommodation that isn’t only unsafe but also uncomfortable. Therefore, it is essential to pick an option that is both comfortable and safe. Also, ensure that the hotel you check into comes with a front desk, power and water supply, as well as around-the-clock security. That does not mean paying huge money for luxury accommodation options, as most standard hotels worldwide offer these basic facilities.

Not Taking Safety Precautions

Your safety is important and should come first. That means you should learn and heed all local warnings, avoid giving your accommodation address to strangers, and also research about neighborhoods or places to avoid. Suppose you’re traveling for sporting reasons or expecting to be among large crowds like in a sports stadium or musical concert. In that case, it is essential to pay attention to your immediate surroundings and look out for urgent updates or notifications about postponement, cancellations, or even threats. For example, in Louisiana in 2012, it was reported that ‘Lions’ fan makes bomb threat to save Lions from jaws of defeat’. And although this fan received a ban and appropriate punishments without carrying out the threat, it does indicate the importance of safety in such places. 

Arriving After Dark

As a first-time solo traveler, the last thing you want to experience is arriving late at night to your destination and ending up stranded either because of lack of transportation. Even if you have made preparations for private transportation, it is crucial to arrive at your destination during the day for safety reasons. That is especially important if you’re visiting that location for the first time. No matter which part of the world you are in, the cover of darkness is always ideal for criminally minded people on the lookout for unsuspecting victims like stranded tourists.

Packing Too Much Stuff

One of the few disadvantages of traveling solo is the fact that you’re entirely responsible for your luggage, without any assistance. That means planning is essential, as you do not want to take along things that you do not need for your trip. Before you start packing, consider the number of days you intend to stay for your trip, the activities you have lined up, and the important things you will need. Next, only pack the items that will help you achieve all your travel goals. Once done, plot out how or where you can do your laundry during your travel. But always remember to pack extra underwear with you.

Ignoring Your Maps

Many people do not consider maps to be very important these days. While you’ll hardly find those large paper maps to offer any convenience, the maps on your smartphone can be convenient. That is especially important if you’re traveling to a foreign country for the first time, and you can barely speak the language. Apps like Google Maps should be an essential partner for every solo traveler. Aside from the fact that they can quickly help you find your way around, you can also use them to locate local restaurants, hotels, bars, beauty salons, etc., without too much hassle. Plus, apps like Guru Maps make it possible to download maps and locations to save even without an internet connection. That means you can download maps of areas you want to visit in advance so that even without an internet connection, you won’t find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere. 

Not Budgeting Properly

As mentioned earlier, traveling solo is comparatively less expensive than going with your family. But that does not mean you should throw all financial caution out the window. Therefore, before you set off, take the time to plan out your trip. Outline all the essential activities you plan to take part in and how much they’ll cost you. Next, look up the country’s exchange rate, the menus of restaurants you want to visit, hotel and other accommodation expenses, and the cost of your transportation. Once you’re done, reserve some extra money for impulse buying and other forms of unexpected purchases. Also, set aside something to serve as a minor emergency fund.

Hitchhiking

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No matter where you are, hitchhiking is always dangerous. And while you may feel tempted to use this as a means of saving up on some cash, your safest bet is to avoid it at all cost, especially when you’re in a foreign country for the first time. You can never know for sure the background of the person picking you up and what their intentions are. 

Instead, opt for public transport, as that is usually cheaper. As a safety precaution, it is essential to have every important contact on you, no matter where you go - from your hotel management contact numbers to numbers of necessary local authorities. Also, make it a point to keep your family, friends, and loved ones at home constantly updated about your whereabouts. And be sure to inform them if you intend to make any sudden changes to your planned route or destinations.  


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