You may be by yourself, but you’re not alone
A veteran traveller finds making friends on the road is easier when you’re on your own
Many travellers will tell you that travelling alone is one of the best ways to see the world. It forces you to get out of your comfort zone, allowing you to do things you wouldn’t normally do and meet people that you wouldn’t otherwise meet if you were travelling with someone else.
For those who have never travelled solo, former Montrealer Jodi Ettenberg, the force behind the popular travel blog Legal Nomads, took the time to answer a few specific questions we had about solo travel and to discuss the pros and the cons of going it alone: Q Do you prefer to travel alone, as a couple or with a group? What are your reasons why? A I travel alone for the most part. Occasionally, I’ll meet people at a guest house and if we are headed in the same direction I will join up, but I generally love the flexibility of being able to plan my days in my own way. I write about the history of food, so it also brings a benefit of not dragging others to market after market — not many others want to eat through a city as thoroughly as I do! Q What is the biggest advantage of travelling alone? A Definitely the flexibility, the ability to rework itineraries or loop back to places you love. I’ve gone to entirely unplanned countries just because I read something interesting or heard a story I wanted to follow. And conversely, it is quite easy to meet others who are travelling; I am often surrounded by people and learning from them, but can still move around according to my own plans. Q What is the biggest drawback of travelling solo? A When you get sick, you are on your own! I think that’s the only time I’ve felt lonely, when having a high fever or sickness in a faraway place. That said, with technology these days, it is far more easy to get some digital cheerleading to make that time easier as well. Q Is it harder for women to travel on their own? A In some countries it is more dangerous or harder than others, but for the most part the same rules apply to both men and women about watching your drink, being aware of surroundings and dressing the part.
The additional issue of sexual assault is a very real problem for women around the world, and not limited to places far away from Canada — it’s also a problem at home.
I have felt very safe as I have travelled, but I also have chosen destinations that as a solo female traveller are less dangerous. For the places that are more of a concern, I recommend joining an organized tour with a company like G Adventures. Ease into the solo travel routine with the safety and security that comes with a group tour then continue alone once you get adjusted.
Q Have you ever been to a place and found yourself wishing you could share that moment with someone else?
A I usually am sharing it with other travellers or people I’ve met on the road. Solo travel isn’t one traveller in a bubble, but rather a constant stream of interaction with locals and others who are visiting. With technology and the openness of most travellers, it’s extremely easy to make friends and oftentimes that means exploring the country and sharing moments with them.
Q What would you say to a parent whose university- age child wants to travel to go backpacking around the world for a year?
A This is a common question that I receive from parents via the contact form on my site. I think it’s important for kids to travel, but in Canada a gap year pre- university is less established than in the U. K. I’m glad that I did my longer- term travels after university as it enabled me to build on the courses I took, and dig deeper into culture and history. Better to travel than not, but also important to reiterate that it’s about learning and experiencing, not just seeing a place. Q Are organized tours a good way for solo travellers to explore a destination? A When readers write me about being afraid to travel solo I always advocate taking a group tour first, then staying on after they get their “travel legs.”
There are companies like G Adventures that don’t add single supplements to tour bookings, and the tours are excellent at demystifying a new place, getting all those questions answered about do’s and don’ts and then — for those who have time — a great foundation for further travel alone.
Jodi Ettenberg’s Tips for Solo Travellers
Ettenberg also compiled some suggestions for how solo travellers can meet people and travel safely:
1. Safety First: I generally recommend travelling with a safety whistle ( good for not only getting attention when needed, but also scaring off monkeys in a pinch) and a doorstop to wedge inside your guest house room at night to give extra peace of mind that the door will stay shut while you sleep.
2. Join a Tour: Many women write me afraid to travel solo and ask for advice. I often recommend that they join an organized tour first, and then keep on after alone.
As a G Adventures Wanderer in Residence I have the opportunity to join their trips.
I recently hopped on one of their India trips for this reason — two weeks with them, and then explored Delhi after on my own.
Travelling with a small- group in the company of others and a tour leader with local knowledge offers additional peace of mind. The logistics are taken care of so you can focus on enjoying the experience.
3. Meet Others Online: Online meetups are quite common and a good way to cross paths with travellers and expats alike in a group setting.
When I first arrived in Vietnam, I checked for meetups in the area and went to one for people who love food, and another for people who wanted to exchange languages.
Often the people you meet in those group settings are connectors to others in town.
4. Dress Appropriately: Dress the part. Whether male or female, if understanding the place you visit is on the agenda, a great way to further communication is to make an effort to dress respectfully.
This doesn’t mean copying elaborate local wear, but to mimic gently. Locals will appreciate it, and I’ve found myself invited to join meals far more frequently when dressed the part.
5. Get Out of Your Bubble: Pick guest houses with a large common area. It is always interesting to meet other travellers, and a great way to do so is via your guest house. With large common areas for chatting or reading, getting food tips or exchanging travel questions is simple.
Often, I’ll end up crossing paths with a few people later on, sharing a meal or an evening on the town.
( Note, too, that if people outside your guest house ask you where you are staying as you are wandering around, it is wise to be vague. I am wary of giving too much information about my whereabouts when travelling alone.