Venturing to far flung shores on your own can seem scary and lonely. However, in a more positive light, traveling solo can be life affirming, reinvigorating and give you plenty of freedom to do what you want on your trip. Traveling solo looks great on a resume as it shows that you are resilient, brave, and able to use initiative to tackle problems that you come across on your trip. Being on your own takes some getting used to if you are always going on vacation with family or pals. But it can be amazing and should be an experience that everyone does at least once in their life. Take a look at this essential guide to solo travel.
Pack Light
Traveling alone means that you should travel light. Get yourself a front loading backpack with a maximum capacity of forty liters. This gives you plenty of space for a week’s worth of clothes, an extra pair of shoes, your toiletries, tech, and documentation. Remember, anything you need along the way you can buy and you should be washing your clothes as you travel. If you purchase a larger backpack, you’ll fill it and your traveling experience will become cumbersome and uncomfortable. A forty liter backpack is also ideal as a solo traveler because you will never have to take your eyes off your luggage. Forget about queuing up to check in your bag at the airport. It will be small enough to take with you into the cabin of the plane meaning you won’t have the stress of losing your baggage.
Pack your shoes at the bottom of your bag and ensure that you roll your clothes instead of fold. Stuff your socks into your shoes and put your medication in the middle of your clothes for cushioning and keep your tech in side pockets.
Health
Your health is massively important when you hot foot it across the world solo especially if you’re female. With a friend in tow, someone is always looking out for you. On your own, you need to have the kit you need should you fall ill or hurt yourself. At the very least you should have constipation treatment tablets just in case you eat something a little dodgy, painkillers for headaches and niggles, and plasters if you cut yourself. Remember to check the legalities of your medication in your destination of choice. The regular medication you take for your diabetes at home may be unheard of and seen with extreme caution in your destination of choice.
Smartphone and GPS
While you might be keen to have an immersive and solo experience, you do need to consider your safety. Taking your smartphone doesn’t mean that you will be scrolling through Facebook as wondrous vistas pass you by. Instead, keep it charged and on you at all times just in case your vehicle breaks down or if you get lost off the tourist trail. GPS is also useful should any foreign emergency services need to be called.
Traveling is exciting and can be all the more special if you embark on a solo jaunt across the globe.