Have you always wanted to go on a solo trip but haven’t quite managed to get around to it yet? Solo travel is very rewarding, and many people decide to travel independently in order to experience something new and learn more about themselves.
2019 is the perfect year for solo travel with many destinations becoming easier to get to and much safer for those travelling alone. Here, we are going to give you some tips on how you can travel completely independently in 2019. Keep reading if you’d like to find out more.
Choose Your Dream Destination
This is your trip so you need to choose somewhere that you would really like to go. For the best solo trips, we recommend visiting more than one destination as being alone might get a little boring when you stay in the same place the entire time.
Think outside the box and go somewhere that others wouldn’t want to go with you in the future. This is your trip so if you’ve always wanted to travel around Australia or Thailand then get started today! Write a list of your dream destinations and figure out how many you can afford to visit when you’re there. Don’t let others tell you where to go as this is your time to be independent.
Save Up Some Cash
If you are going to travel independently then you are going to need to have the funds to support yourself while you are away. For this reason, we suggest saving up some cash, picking up some extra hours at work and possibly even selling some of your things to get the cash that you need.
Of course, travelling independently is still possible if you have to borrow some cash or get given cash as a gift. As long as you have the funds to support you on your trip then you’ll be able to have the best time travelling independently in 2019.
Research The Destination
Our next tip for those who want to travel independently in 2019 is to research the destination as much as possible. You are going to be alone and so you need to have a rough idea of where you are going to be going. It can be much more helpful to do this research before you go to make sure that you don’t miss out on anything.
While researching the destination, you should also look at reviews and advice from other solo travellers who have been there. The more research the better and don’t forget to check out any dangerous locations as these should be avoided when travelling solo.
Draw Up A Rough Plan
Once you know a bit about the destination, you’ll be able to draw up a rough plan of where you are going to go when you get there. One of the most exciting parts about travelling independently is that you have the freedom to go wherever you want when you want – but having a plan doesn’t hurt.
If you have a lot to fit in while you are there, you might want to draw out a rough sketch of the route that you’ll take on a map. This will allow you to fit all of the towns and cities in and you won’t be disappointed with your solo trip. As you go, you can alter your itinerary and keep note of all of the places that you have visited.
Book A Place To Stay For A Few Nights
If you have never travelled independently before then you might be a little overwhelmed by everything once you step foot off the plane. For this reason, we suggest that you book somewhere to stay for a night or two when you get there to give you somewhere to be. It can be dangerous looking around dark streets trying to find a hostel or hotel room for the night, especially when you don’t know the area.
Give yourself a base for the first few nights so that you can get on with the rest of your trip. Don’t book too many nights as this will commit you to staying in the one place for longer than you might want. Have a look online at the best places to stay and you’ll feel more comfortable about getting there.
Drive Yourself To The Airport
Want to make this trip totally independent? We suggest getting to the airport by car in order to get there on time and not have to rely on anyone else. If you live in London, you will find that airports like Luton have car parks that you can use to store your car in throughout your entire trip away. Luton airport parking is not as expensive as you might think and booking your space online at lutonparking.com can actually come with a discount.
This can be the perfect start for those who want to travel independently, and you won’t need to worry about the emotional goodbye at the departure gate with your parents!
Stay Safe
When it comes to solo travel, there are many safety concerns for the friends and families of the people travelling. This is why it is really important that you stay as safe as possible during your trip. Research is key to staying safe abroad as you can get important details about the local areas and where to avoid.
Along with staying safe, you should make sure that you are staying in contact with your friends and family back home. While this is your independent trip, they might get worried if you don’t get in contact with them on a regular basis. Try your best to stay safe and let your family know when you need help or think you might be in danger. There’s no harm in sending a message every few days to alert them to your safety!
Be Open-Minded
Our final tip for those who want to travel independently in 2019 is to be as open-minded as possible. You will find that you will be offered many different opportunities throughout your trip by people that you meet, by locals offering tours and much more. If you are not a very confident person then you might struggle at first but once you get into it, you should be able to get chatting to others.
If you are planning on going somewhere but hear about a different place that sounds fun – go there instead! This is your solo travel experience so be as open-minded as possible and you’ll have a great time as long as you are safe.
Final Verdict
Many people dream of travelling independently but never quite get around to it. When you do manage to solo travel, you’ll experience a feeling like no other and will likely get the travel bug like many others. Travelling alone can help you to gain confidence and see the world in a brand new way.
If you are going to go on an independent trip this year, make sure to take on board all of the advice that we have given you in this article. This will help you to have an amazing trip and learn more about yourself and the world!
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