Solo Travel Dos and Don’ts

A beginner’s guide

The world is a fascinating place, travelling alone allow you to discover different cultures, cuisines and traditions while reflecting on your own life. Yes travelling is awesome, but there will be pitfalls and with that in mind, here are some dos and don’ts when you travel alone.

Dos:

DO learn the local language

In most countries, travellers can make their way around speaking only English, but learning the local language actually enhances your travel experience. By making a little bit of effort to learn their language, you are
showing respect to the locals, which will work in your favour. You do not need to be fluent in the mother tongue of every country you visit, but rather stock a few phrases up your sleeve. It may come in handy if you memories some emergency key words like “help”, “thief ” and “police”.

DO keep friends and family informed

It goes without saying that you should always have your phone with you. You may need it for photos, map, or emergency calls. But most importantly, you need it to inform your friends and family about when and where you are going. If this is your first time, chances are your friends and family would feel a little nervous and shaky, so keeping them informed would ease
their minds. A smart tip is to set up a cue word in case anything happens, when you send out that word, your friends and family would know when to take action.

DO love your own company

When you travel alone, all those roles you play in your life can be put behind for a moment. You can just be yourself. Take yourself out for dinner. Indulge in self-care. Savour every moment!

DO split up your money

Travel can be dangerous. Whether you are robbed or misplaced your wallet, accidents can happen. That is why we split up money and hide them. To avoid losing everything accidentally, split up your money in at least three locations. It is suggested to hide money close to your body like money belts or neck pouches. Other non-traditional options would be bra stashes, socks, or underwear. If you have cards or cash you do not need for the day, you
should store them in secure locations in your hotel room.

Don’ts:

DON’T be ignorant

We don’t know what we don’t know. Don’t make the mistake of not doing your homework before you visit. It is necessary for us to understand the local culture, customs and etiquette. What we may consider as “normal” may not make sense in another culture. You could embarrass yourself, or even offend someone.

DON’T blow your budget

Since we are on the topic of money management, it is important to be careful with your consumption as well. There is no doubt that travelling cost money, therefore you should budget every dollar to stay on the right track. I mean, you definitely would not want to ask for free rides or sleep on the streets, right?