{"id":874879,"date":"2023-10-10T12:09:57","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T11:09:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/?p=874879"},"modified":"2025-08-18T11:08:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T10:08:27","slug":"the-trafalgar-solo-travel-checklist-what-to-know-before-you-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/the-trafalgar-solo-travel-checklist-what-to-know-before-you-go\/","title":{"rendered":"The Trafalgar solo travel checklist: what to know before you go"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Solo travel is unlike any other experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s tough to describe because each of us embrace the opportunity in a different way, in a different place, with very different points of reference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in a word? It\u2019s life-changing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning a solo trip? Let Trafalgar\u2019s team of globetrotters help you make it as smooth as possible. Read on to find solo travel checklists and tips for traveling alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read next:<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>Thinking of traveling solo? Read this advice from the Trafalgar community<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why travel solo? 5 benefits of solo travel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. You call the shots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No aiming to please your partner, friends, or family. Pick where you want to go and what you want to do. It can be the trip of a lifetime or just a short getaway, but it will be exactly what you desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Making new friends<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Praise the internet and social media: two modern-day conveniences that keep the bonds of friendship alive from opposite ends of the world. Whether you meet bunkmates in a dorm, strike up conversation with others at a cafe, or meet like-minded friends on an organized group trip for solo travelers, you\u2019ll almost assuredly make a new friend between arrival and departure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read next: 15 essential travel safety tips for women<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Having your perspective challenged<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rubbing elbows with someone who shares your worldview is a comfortable feeling, but true travel requires change. Just as you wouldn\u2019t eat at the same chain restaurants that you do at home, you should try to diversify the concepts and ideas you\u2019re exposed to. Every culture has a religion, cuisine, history, or community that is different from your own. Be open to being wrong, to being uninformed, and being unsure: it\u2019ll change the way you see the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Exploring a place through a new lens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even if you don\u2019t have an epiphany on your vacation, there\u2019s no way you can visit a destination the same way alone as you do with those you know. The exciting uncertainty alone will make you more aware of your surroundings. You\u2019ll notice smells, people, details, and more that you\u2019d normally only be aware of subconsciously when traveling in the comfort of known company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. Discovering a different side of yourself<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Take a look in the mirror before you leave home, then again when you return. How have you changed? Maybe you faced a longtime fear of heights by cliff diving in Jamaica or decided you\u2019d have an open mind and an open mouth, accepting food however it\u2019s made without substitution. Maybe you left feeling lost in this world only to find yourself in the temples of Thailand, the clubs of Madrid, or the Alaskan wilderness. Traveling alone for the first time introduces you to a side of yourself you never knew existed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Save for later:<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>\u201cI\u2019m so proud of myself\u201d – Sandra\u2019s story of solo travelling in Italy<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Solo Travel Handbook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What to prioritize when traveling alone for the first time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The three things to prioritize when you\u2019re traveling alone for the first time are comfort, convenience, and safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comfort<\/strong> is everything from the choice of shoes and clothing you pack to how confident you believe you\u2019ll be in a new place by yourself. For instance, if you\u2019re an English speaker, you may feel more comfortable planning a trip to a country\u2019s metropolitan city where other English speakers may be more common. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you\u2019re not a city dweller at home and even the thought of seeing NYC on your own is daunting, you might want to choose a smaller destination where you can spend more time in nature or at a sparsely populated village. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Convenience<\/strong> is also critical. It\u2019s a balancing act to try to bring everything you \u201cneed\u201d yet still keep your pack light. Remember that the heavier\/more bags you have, the more taxing it\u2019ll be to travel. Convenience also means planning a trip that allows you to actually enjoy the trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, small group tours may have multiple itinerary stops, but they\u2019re facilitated which means all you need to do is show up and enjoy the tour. Solo travel, however, can get very stressful if you try to do too much or venture too far in a short period of time. Remember <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety<\/strong> is the most important of the three. If there\u2019s one rule to remember about travelling alone for the first time, it\u2019s that you should always listen to your gut. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read next:<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>She who dares, the female solo travellers seeking adventure<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to travel safely (even in your own country)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, you need to trust your gut when traveling alone for the first time \u2014 even when you\u2019re in your home country. Most people are kind, and despite a potential language barrier, will sincerely try to help you if you ask. If you feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or just have a funny feeling about any situation, trust your instincts and seek out a safe space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you find a safe space in a country where you don\u2019t know the language? There are signs everywhere that point to clues. For instance, look at restaurants or shops that might have window stickers from a company like Tripadvisor or other Western-based brands. Also look for restaurant menus written in multiple languages or hotels that display flags from multiple countries. If all else fails, a youth hostel is a solid place to get your footing and rethink your options.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Save for later:<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>9-time solo traveller explains why she tours with Trafalgar in the USA<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trafalgar\u2019s Solo Travel Checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traveling alone for the first time? Keep these items on hand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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