Have you got a case of wanderlust? If you’re itching to get out there and see the world, you needn’t wait for someone to come with you. Travelling alone is a refreshing and enlightening experience. Here’s why you should give it a go.
Learn to love being alone
Spending time alone may give you an unhealthy dose of FOMO but it shouldn’t. Learning to love your own company is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. This is especially true when it comes to travelling. All too often, when you’re on holiday, you have to keep other people happy. You see what they want to see. Eat what they want to eat and so on.
Taking a solo trip can be a real game-changer. You get to decide exactly what you want to do and when you want to do it. Having that level of control over the break can be extremely freeing. You may find that this experience opens your mind to new things and helps you get to know yourself in a whole new way. Sounds ideal, right?
You can stay in cheap hostels
We won’t beat around the bush here. Sure, one of the biggest drawbacks of travelling alone is that you can’t split a hotel room with someone. That could mean that you end up paying more for your stay – if you decide to go for a luxury place. However, there is another way to make sure that you save cash on your break.
Staying in a hostel is a fun way to meet like-minded people and travel for less. Of course, when it comes to booking your break, you should use trusted websites. For example, you can use websites such as HostelBookers and HostelWorld to find cheap places to stay when you’re travelling. Getting a bunk bed in a shared room means that you don’t have to pay all that much for your accommodation. Winning!
You can be a flexible flyer
When you’re booking any type of trip, your flights are sure to be one of the most expensive parts. However, one way to make flying cheaper all around is to be as flexible as possible. For example, choosing unpopular dates and times could help you to save some money. You can also choose split flights – with stopovers in the middle – to keep costs low.
Since you’re travelling by yourself, you should find that you can be seriously flexible. You don’t have to deal with anybody else’s needs, worries, or wants. Instead, you only have to think about number one – you. Make sure that you use a flight comparison website, such as Skyscanner, to check the cost of various flights before booking yours.
You could even couch surf!
Fancy some free accommodation? Couch surfing could be the answer. This is exactly what it says on the tin. You turn up to someone’s house, sleep on their sofa for the night, and then leave. The trend is huge with solo travellers and could be a smart way to save your pennies when you’re heading from place-to-place around the world.
Couch surfing is primed for people who are travelling alone. You can sign up to Couch Surfing online or get the app. The guidelines of the service recommend that you take a small gift (chocolates, anybody?) for your host or do something nice for them like cooking them a meal. However, you can’t give them money for the stay. Needless to say, you should always put your safety first when taking part in this service.
Follow the path less trodden
Let’s not beat around the bush – the top tourist traps are expensive. If you want to go up the Eiffel Tower or take a tour around the Colosseum, it’s going to cost you a pretty penny. However, hitting up less-than-popular destinations will save you money along the way. As you’re travelling by yourself, you don’t have to compromise about where to go.
Before you plan your solo escape, why not check out some of the world’s hidden gems online? Discovering new places means that you won’t pay over the odds for your tourism. Plus, you will have the kudos of having been to destinations that others haven’t. Win-win.
Meet new (and different) people
Is it time to expand your social circle? If you’ve had the same pals since school, you might want to shake things up a little. Travelling by yourself will give you the chance to meet people that you simply would not come across otherwise. For instance, you may get to know people from different backgrounds, cultures and walks of life. All of the above could give you a different perspective on the way that you live your life.
Don’t panic if your hostel is full of annoying gap year kids. It happens. Luckily, there are loads of ways to connect with new people when you’re travelling. One useful app for women is Bumble BFF (yes, this is the sister app of the dating one!). You can swipe left or right on possible friends until you find some that you like. You could also try searching Facebook Groups in specific destinations and see who you find there.
Conclusion
If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it. Travelling by yourself can be a great experience and there’s no time like the present. Why not take a browse online and see what you can find? There’s certain to be some deals for solo travellers out there. Go ahead – booking your next adventure might be the greatest thing you do today.
