Do you like traveling? Would you like to do it alone?
A lot of people I know hate traveling by themselves.
They get lonely on the road, or they are concerned about their safety when traveling solo.
While loneliness is a reality for solo travelers, and safety is also a big issue especially for women, there are many ways to address these. For me personally, the benefits I get from traveling solo far outweigh the risks.
If you need to be convinced about the beauty of solo travel, check out my reasons for doing so.
Hiking is great for solo travelers.
“The man whо gоеѕ аlоnе саn start today; but hе whо travels wіth аnоthеr muѕt wait tіll thаt оthеr іѕ ready.” -Thoreau
If you feel like sleeping in, and just reschedule watching the sunrise at 4am in Angkor Wat, then you can do so. There will be nobody else to pester you about following your itinerary to the letter. Want to interact with locals more by taking the public transport? You can easily do it, since you have no one else with you who’s always afraid of getting mugged on the bus or train.
You can go as slow or as quick as you like, sleep wherever and whenever you want, eat the food you feel like eating. Freedom–this is the most important reason why I travel solo.
The English teacher I met, here on our way for whitewater rafting in Sabah.
When you travel alone, there are greater chances of meeting new friends. I’m naturally an introvert, but when I’m traveling, you can find me talking to fellow travelers more. I usually don’t do this when I have a travel companion; after all, when you’re with someone, the tendency is to stick together.
I have met so many wonderful people in my travels, and I’m glad to have crossed paths with them. While I haven’t seen them again, nor even remembered their names, I will always appreciate the time that we’ve spent together.
With friends met at the hostel in Bolivia.
I have noticed this several times during my travels. Local people usually express surprise when they see that I’m traveling solo.
After a brief explanation of why I do (because they always, always ask!), and a brief chitchat of where I’d been and what I’d seen, they usually invite me to their homes, either to join them in a meal or to meet their family. This is a priceless moment for me!
If you’re not used to going on a trip by yourself but you would like to try it out, here are some tips to help you plan your itinerary:
There are many advantages to traveling solo. All you need is the willingness to go out of your comfort zone, and you will definitely enjoy solo travel.
Have you traveled alone? Why do you like it? Do share!
36 Comments. Leave new
@ Claire: Solo travel can be so much fun! Haven’t been to Japan yet. I think it’s too expensive for me at the moment.
@ Izy: Agree about having a smartphone. I didn’t even have that when I traveled in Europe, and yeah, it’s a bummer when you have no one to share a special moment with. You’ll get over it though haha
@ Jown: I use Hostelworld, but even solo, you can still travel on a budget. I have a lot of posts on that 😉
Hi there! I loved reading your blogs! 🙂
To travel solo has always been in my mind. I wish to do this really soon, too! 🙂
I love travelling on a budget but its kinda expensive also coz I would need a companion to go along with my travels.
Just a tip, maybe you can try Booking.com when looking for accomodations. The website doesnt require to pay booking fees/advance payments. Usually, you pay at the hostel when you arrive.
Happy travelling!!! 🙂
I love reading your blog! It’s true, when you travel on your own unintentionally you’ll make friends. I did my fair bit of travelling while I was working in UK. I met all sorts of people and it it was a self discovery journey for me. There is drawback though such as you have no one to laugh with when you see something funny at the moment you travel alone.What I did was, I text or send a Facebook status so they can enjoy the same humour 🙂
Hello! It’s my first time actually reading your blog! (Wait, it’s second because I’ve read “Date a Girl Who Travels” but I didn’t check out the whole blog then but now I am.) I really like your posts– very informative yet full of insights and has a very personal touch. 🙂
I’ve flown to Tokyo alone before. I explored many places by myself (I get company sometimes because I have friends who study/work there.) Tokyo isn’t really a place to befriend locals because they’re too busy but you’re very right about being free to go wherever/whenever! 😀 I actually look forward to planning a solo travel one of these days. 🙂
@ Sony: That’s true, although of course you still need a healthy dose of common sense wherever you go 🙂
And, you will learn that at the end of the day, people are generally good so don’t be afraid to travel alone.
@ Jess: Bosnia and Croatia??! Not the usual solo female traveler’s destination, I’m sure 😀
@ Maya: Where you at in India? I will be there for Holi 2013!
So happy to read this..I travel alone once a year..not much. Just withing the country and not more than 10 days..but thats my time..Away from opening doors, answering phones and feeding the dogs. This has also made me and my husband value each other more in a way!! and…i love the peace i get in doing what I want…
Great going though…hope to see you in India someday!!
Love..
Maya.
I did my first BIG solo trip last summer to Bosnia and Croatia, and you are SO right about befriending locals! I definitely had a much different experience than I would have traveling with others, and it was fun helping people practice English and having them help me with my Serbo-Croatian;-)
@ Wander Shugah: Thanks. Cheers to solo travelers like us!
@ Rob: I guess women just have to conquer their fears about traveling alone 🙂 Nice to meet another solo traveler!
.. hi aleah, i think it takes a lot of guts for women to travel solo. it requires extra precaution but of course it is obviously doable (like you and other women does it).
.. i also travel alone on my out of the country trips and i like it that way, it’s like there’s always something waiting for you to discover on your destination that is only meant for yourself to experience. 🙂
this is exactly the reasons why i would love to travel solo! 😀 great article aleah!
@ Salika Jay: Yeah, insider information is definitely valuable! This is also one of the reasons why I like Couchsurfing. 🙂
I’ve been traveling alone over the last few years and it was a nice experience. One thing is locals will approach you unlike when you’re with a group. Locals can be a great source of information for places that are not known for tourists.
@ Satu: I have mastered the art of using a timer haha
Oh Justin is right – I have hardly any photos of myself in all these amazing places I’ve been to… but that’s about the only downside of travelling solo; I love it: being able to do what you want, when you want, where you want.
@ Justin: I have learned the art of asking people to take my photo hehe But you’re right, that’s a major disadvantage. It’s sometimes embarrassing to take photos by myself but oftentimes I have to do it when either there’s no one to ask or people are too much in a hurry to do me the favor.
Cool!! I think it is really nice to go solo because you can do everything you want without having to worry.. I guess the downside of it is that you don’t have someone to take photos of you!! haha.. 😀
Cheers~!
– Justin –
@ Joann: Sometimes the opposite is true for me. When I’m with someone I get to see more places because of pressure from my travel buddy. When I’m alone I take things slower.
@ Joann: Congrats, and I’m glad you liked solo travel. I agree it’s so much more fun!
I finally experienced traveling solo 2 months ago. And I super love it! I’m looking forward for more solo trips.
Thanks Aleah! Your blog motivated me to do it 🙂
I do most of my travels alone and enjoy the freedom of hitting the road by myself. I sometimes travel with friends but the places we can go and see are limited but when I travel alone I can fully manage my time and see more places.
The quote from Thoreau is so true! Waiting is one thing I find unacceptable when I’m traveling with someone.
@ Carla: Thanks, please drop by my blog soon!
@ Chris: Umm…thanks.
@ Shalu: I agree 100% which is why I travel alone most of the time!
I agree with you completely. If you travel alone, there is so much you can do on your own and cover a lot of places if you don’t have anyone with you.
Excellent story….all true
Nice list of reasons to travel alone; I look forward to reading more from you soon.
@ Bert: That’s so very true for me too. It’s also why I love solo travel, because I have the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone!
@ Fifi Leigh: That’s one of the things I don’t like about solo travel, that I have no one to share the memories with! So yeah, I try to capture it in my blog, which isn’t exactly the same.
yeah, most of the time, i prefer to go out alone on errands as well as certain events because i can stay there as long as i want, as i do whatever i want on my own pace. but, some places, such as long trips or shows, it is enjoyable as well as memorable to go with someone or a group so that i am able to share the experience with someone i know, and maybe take a photo or two of the event.
I am also an introvert but when I travel solo, I find myself talking a lot to the locals and fellow travelers alike and, surprisingly I enjoy the interaction very much. In fact, this is one major reason why I love solo travel. I am a different person when I am on the road by myself.
@ Carm: Great reasons for loving solo travel! That’s why I love solo travel, too, you’re free to go your own way, at your own pace.
@ Riz: Solo travel is not for everybody, but it’s good to try it out at least twice, so you’ll know if it’s for you or not 🙂
I usually travel with friends or family but planning to go on solo travelling since wala naman mxado aq makakasama d2 na magala. Thanks this is an eye opening post. im looking forward to my solo trip somewhere here lng muna. mejo nattakot lng aco na mag isa pero sana ma try q soon. 🙂
One thing about going solo is that you’re free when to eat, where and what kind of food to get (really matters a lot if you care about stretching your money to the last cent). For instance, since I travel cheap, I can eat once or twice a day and not complain about it. When you are in group, the usual problem is where to eat next. Sometimes, the group would agree on a meal that may come off as expensive to you. Some also have food preferences (vegetarian or filipino food only) which altogether affects the choice of place. Also, You are more likely to receive free stuff from locals if you are alone (a mouth to feed surely is enough). Another is, its easier to hitchhike if you are alone (pair is good but three is bad). On the other side, youre likely to receive discounts in tours and hostels if you go by group but that’s basically just about it. Solo-travel for the win! hehe
@ Kris: Vietnam is a great country for solo travel. The people are so friendly there! I liked your blog, by the way. I read all the entries about your cats. I think it would be hard for me to be a foster carer for cats, I get attached so easily!
@ Clint: When are you going? Cebu is perfect for backpacking. Go na hehe
I’ll keep these things in mind kung mubyahe na ako te. 😀
Great post! I do like travelling and pre-children, I had the opportunity to do some backpacking in Europe, Vietnam and Phils. I was always with friends and family except for one occasion when I had to leave the pack to make my own way back from Hoi Anh to Danang. I was only alone for 48 hours but in that time I encountered the 3 things you listed up there. I met locals, made a great friend and those last 2 days became the highlight of my trip to Vietnam! Cheers 🙂