Travelling solo

Visiting new countries alone can be the most exciting and daunting experience for any globetrotter. There are plenty of advantages of being a solo adventurer, but there is an equal list of disadvantages. We’ve compiled a list of some positives and negatives to travelling solo, but don’t let this sway your decision making in the slightest, you do you and do it well!

POSITIVES

A popular motive solo traveller’s book their tickets in the first place usually comes down to a hot flight deal, discounted accommodation and other such concessions.

When travelling in a group or even in pairs, there can be that delay of “will they or won’t they” commit to travelling.

Travelling solo means you can book to your schedule, fit your lifestyle and never argue about where you’re going to go and what you’re going to do.

This also means you decide on breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If you want to budget the accommodation to afford the feasts and experiences you can, and without a single complaint.

You’ll even find yourself making more friends and meeting new people. Without the distraction of a companion you can find friendships in complete strangers from any walk of life.

Whether they be other solo travellers or groups in the same tour as you, guests staying in the same hostel or even a bunch of like-minded people you meet at a local bar, you can make friends for the trip, travel buddies for the current destination and even a friend for life.

NEGATIVES

Be aware, of who you’re with, where you’re going and your belongings, being alone means you’re more vulnerable and a potential target.

This doesn’t mean you are a target; you just have to be cautious, alert and smart.

When visiting new locations solo, trusting your gut is sometimes the best solution.

Although you might find saving money by travelling solo, the fees can still add up, and add up quickly.

When travelling in pairs or groups you’ll find that prices for tours and accommodation are reduced per person, so when you’re alone you’ll notice every cent used – but this just requires attentive budgeting.

You will get lonely, but you still might meet new people, friends and even relationships on your endeavours.

At some point, you will miss your friends and family from home, some locations are best for groups and others for individual explorers – either way, being able to tell your tales from far away places will make up for their lack of being there at the time.