15 Tips For Travelling Alone

We think that something dangerous can happen to us, that we will not be able to understand each other with the locals, that loneliness will weigh on us, that it will be difficult to meet people...

But it is not like that! Obviously, there are certain risks linked to traveling, but they are not much greater for going alone. Besides, if you miss having company, you can always meet people at your destination.

And you know that the advantages of traveling alone are endless: you will be able to enjoy the freedom of choosing your own path without having to explain yourself, doing and undoing as you please; it will allow you to meet yourself and incredible people, and in the end you will live one of those life-changing experiences.

Here are some tips to help you get there in the nicest way possible:

1.- Get informed about the most dangerous or problematic places in the area you are going to visit. With this you will decrease the fear that seems inevitably linked to traveling alone.

2.- Do not be dramatic. And by this I mean that most places are not more dangerous than your own city (some, probably, are much less), so do not let your imagination project scenes of horror movies every time you go out to the street or let that idea prevent you from traveling alone.

Asia, for example, is much safer than Spain in terms of pickpockets, and yet its traffic is much more dangerous.

That's why it's crucial that you inform yourself before you go out, as we said before.

3.- It is normal to be nervous before undertaking a solo trip, just as it is normal to be nervous before doing anything extraordinary in life.

Don't worry! If you need help, there will always be someone willing to lend you a hand, no matter where you are.

4.- If you get into a cab and are afraid that it will take too long a route, look for your destination yourself on Google Maps .

This way you will see where it is going, if it deviates a lot, and how long it should take to get there.

You can also give him the directions yourself, as if you knew the way, or explain to him that you have the route detailed beforehand, so he will know what to expect.

5.- Hostels and bed&breakfasts are better than hotels for meeting other people travelling alone.

Spend time in the common areas and see how friendship develops. Coachsurfing and Airbnb rooms are better than hotels for meeting natives.

6.- If you prefer to sleep in a hotel room, but don't want to pay for more than a double (sometimes they even add a supplement to the bill for traveling alone), you can have a roommate found for you at tour operators.

7.- If you want to meet people, be honest. It's better to show you're nervous than to try to get rid of your fears and get cut off or be thought of as a lunatic.

Try: "Hi, I usually don't do this because I'm very shy, but I'm traveling alone and I'd like to talk to someone here to ask a couple of questions about the area.

Can I sit down? It sounds silly, but it works.

8.- If you don't like to eat alone, do mealsurfing. You can start by looking for restaurants with communal tables.

You can also sign up for organized tastings or dinners, where everyone comes in at the same time -sometimes in private homes- or even find a partner for lunch.

9.- When you get on public transport, smile and make eye contact with the other passengers. This way they will see that you are willing to talk - if you are - and it will be easier for you to engage in conversation.

For long trips, you can also carry a deck of cards and invite other passengers to play.

10.- Sign up for a guided tour or a course on something - it will be very easy to connect with your fellow passengers!

11.- Enroll in a singles trip. There are some companies that organize tours just for girls.

12.- Search the internet for people with your same interests and meet them.

A very useful web for this is MeetUp , although you can also search in travelers forums.

13.- Dust off Tinder (or similar) and maybe your trip will become something more.

14.- Do you know someone in the city but doesn't have time to attend to you, or has already returned to your country?

No problem: talk to him or her, he or she can probably put you in touch with his or her friends!

15.- If you leave your room, especially at night, leave a note saying with whom and at what time, more or less, you expect to return.

That way at least someone will know where to look for you if something happens.