Are you planning on taking a trip solo this year? If so, we are so excited for you. Traveling alone can be such an eye-opening and rewarding experience. Who doesn’t love having an itinerary that they created and don’t have to compromise on? However, when you are solo traveling, there are many things you need to know and keep top of mind to not only ensure your safety but make sure you get the most out of your trip. While you certainly want to pack cute vacation outfits, there are also other items that need to be on your to-do list. If you’re feeling nervous about traveling alone or worried that you won’t have as much fun without your friends, family or significant other there, that’s totally normal. However, there are so many benefits to traveling alone that you should be excited about. 

Source: Dragon Images/Shutterstock.com

Benefits of Traveling Solo

Here are some of the reasons why we think solo travel is the best way to travel:

  • Your itinerary can be flexible. 
  • Meet more people and make new friends.
  • Take total control of your schedule and activities.
  • You can make your trip longer or shorter if you need to.
  • Traveling solo builds confidence.

While there are so many benefits and excitement associated with solo travel, there are definitely drawbacks and things to consider before booking your trip. 

Solo Traveling Tips You Must Know

If you are booking a solo trip or thinking about traveling alone soon, here are the things you should consider before and during your trip:

Thoroughly Research the Area Where You Are Traveling 

Before you make any travel reservations and decide on a location to travel to, you are going to want to conduct thorough research of the area you want to visit. Here are the major things you need to look for.

Safety – If you’re a woman or a minority, you want to make sure that the region you wish to visit is safe or if there are extra precautions you need to take. The harsh reality is that there are certain destinations that have demonstrated they aren’t safe for female or minority solo travelers. If the area you plan to visit isn’t known as being the safest for you, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit, but maybe solo traveling to this destination isn’t the best. 

Cultural Rules – Aside from determining if the region is safe for you to travel to, you will also want to learn more about any religious or cultural customs that you may need to abide by if you are traveling to a different country. If you plan on wearing plus size maxi dresses, you will want to make sure this falls perfectly in line with any wardrobe customs the region may have.

Travel Advisories – Before you settle on a destination, you may want to see if there are any travel advisories so you can make sure you are prepared. 

Source: GaudiLab/Shutterstock.com

Create a Safety Plan 

Since you will be traveling alone, you will want to make sure you create a system where you check in with someone from back home regularly to let everyone know you’re okay. If you are traveling outside of the country, you can register with your government to let them know you are traveling abroad. 

For example, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program allows U.S. residents to receive security updates from the closest embassy or consulate while they are abroad. Being connected with this program could be very helpful if you are abroad and a disaster happens. 

Create a Detailed Plan for Hotel and Travel Accommodations

When you arrive at your destination, you want to have almost every aspect planned out and booked — especially when it comes to your travel to and from the airport and your hotel reservation. It’s important for you to exude confidence and not look lost — especially if you are new to the area. Having these plans in place can make sure that you are taken care of in what could turn out to be vulnerable and stressful situations. 

Act Like a Local 

No matter where you are, it’s important to look and act as if you belong. Lost travelers can easily be taken advantage of. Whatever you need to do to feel confident where you are traveling, like booking activities or travel arrangements ahead of time, it’s wise to plan for those ahead of your arrival. 

Never Disclose Too Much Personal Information 

Along with acting confident, you will need to keep personal details like where you are from or where you are staying to yourself. You don’t want people following you back to your hotel or doing anything that can endanger you. 

Pack Lightly 

As a solo traveler, it’s important to pack light so that you can be flexible and not have to worry about bags tying you down or you needing to ask for help. Stick to the basics while you are packing and make sure you bring things that you will need during your vacation like cute plus size swimwear, a few outfits and practical shoes. 

Avoid Traveling or Being Out at Night

When you are traveling, it’s important to make sure you are staying in public, well-lit areas. To avoid putting yourself in avoidable danger, make sure you are traveling during the day and getting back to your hotel or accommodations before it gets too late out. 

Source: BigPixel Photo/Shutterstock.com

Be Friendly, But Also Have Your Guard Up 

Traveling alone can put you in the position to meet new friends, but you also need to be careful to not let people in who could take advantage of or harm you. It’s great to be friendly when you are meeting people, but try to avoid giving out personal information or details of where you are staying. 

Now, we have all the confidence in the world that you are ready to travel solo! While many of these considerations may make solo travel seem dangerous, they are just measures put in place to protect you. Besides, if you keep these considerations in mind, you can be even more confident in creating a safe solo travel plan for yourself.