Travel | Travelling Solo: Is it for you?

Travelling on your own is one thing every person should try and do in their lifetime. But before you book that trip, you need to ensure you are well equipped for both the negative and positive impacts of flying solo.

Whether it’s a ‘me time’ hotel break in Kerry or a week-long visit to India, travelling solo can be a daunting experience.

On the flip side, it can be a life-altering experience, providing you the opportunity to gain confidence, meet new friends or simply enjoy your own company.

A study by Booking.com supports these claims, with a majority of travellers citing that they felt more fulfilled following a solo trip.

As with all holidays, there can be testing times that will make you wonder if it’s all a big mistake. But there are few things you can do to ensure that it’s an enjoyable and memorable trip.

Talking to complete strangers can make for the most interesting travel moments. They may know the best bars, restaurants and hidden gems in any city. If the conversation does not interest you, walk away. You have nothing to lose.

You may want to escape from the digital world but you do need to keep family or friends informed of where you are going and when. A simple message each day will stop them from bombarding you with hundreds of messages enquiring about your wellbeing.

Embrace the local language and lingo. If you are going abroad, learn the basic pleasantries such as hello, thanks and goodbye. It is also worthwhile to learn some emergency terms such as police, hospital and help.

Solo travellers, and especially women, are often the target of those wanting to capitalise on their perceived vulnerability. Try to exude confidence and walk purposefully and keep to open public places, especially at night and always carry good identification. Be as informed as you possibly can. For example, find out how much a taxi costs from airport to hotel so you are not overcharged.

Finally, follow your own instinct. If it does not feel right, don’t do it.