Questions to Ask Yourself Before Solo Traveling
As a woman, solo travel can be incredibly daunting. It can be hard going places in our own country, let alone traveling somewhere we’ve never been and don’t know the language. Daunting as it may be, solo travel can also be your greatest adventure. Here are eight questions to ask yourself in preparation for solo travel. This is a great way to assess how you should approach your first trip or whether or not solo travel is right for you.
1.Would you prefer to travel solo or separately but together?
There are several ways to solo travel. If you are nervous about traveling alone for the first time, try joining a group and doing the whole “alone together” thing. You can join groups for the entirety of the trip or portions of your journey. A group city tour, a local cuisine class, or head in a direction, and if you meet a nice group that speaks your language, you can ask to tag along for the day. (My dearest introverts, it is just a suggestion, not a mandate.)
Group cruise in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
2. Do you have a home community that knows your location and where you are headed?
I once planned a trip to Thailand in two days. I had the thought: I bought the tickets (before my visa and accommodations). I spent the next 40-odd hours trying to figure out where I would go and what I wanted to do. I told my friends they could come if they wanted. But other than them, my parents had no idea I was going from South Korea to Thailand. Very few people knew. Not everyone needs to know your whereabouts, but someone ( preferably a few should). No matter how spontaneous or adventurous you are, someone you trust should know your location and possible itinerary. Even if it’s a quick text the morning of that states the area you are headed.
3. Do you have a way to communicate?
If going to a country where English (or your native language) is not the norm, do you have a way of communicating? While many countries encourage their citizens to speak English due to tourism, many areas and locals will not speak English outside of the larger cities. Yes, there are apps for that. However, wifi can be sketchy, and batteries die. It is always wise to know how to say a few choice phrases, the name of your accommodation, please, and thank you. Please and thank you with the proper pronunciation goes a long way. In his book Fluent Forever, Gabriel Wyner states, “An accurate accent is powerful because it is the ultimate gesture of empathy. It connects you to another person’s culture in a way that words never can…”
4. Are you comfortable asking strangers for help?
No matter how prepared you think you are with printed maps, apps, a keen sense of direction, etc. You will, at some point during your trip need help. There’s construction on the street you need to go through, the electronic sim you bought at the airport isn’t working, the pink landmark you heard about on Twitter has been painted over, and you may end up lost. Whatever the case may be, you will inevitably have to ask for help, will you be able to push past your anxiety to do so? Will you be able to do it more than once? The first person you ask may not know the answer; the second person may not speak the same language, the third will tell you but give you the wrong instructions.
5. Can you operate under stressful circumstances?
Now imagine you are lost, frustrated, and probably hungry. Are you going to stand in the street and cry, or make your way back to the hotel and cancel the day of adventure? Regroup at a cafe or damn the schedule and roam around until the next adventure hits? All of these options are fine however they can and will set the tone for the remainder of your trip.
6. Are you a quick thinker?
Your phone is dying (again), and you just missed the last train that would take you back to your hotel, and you haven’t seen a taxi in a while. What do you do? This is not a trick question, as long as you are comfortable with your decision, there is no wrong answer. Whether you head to a main road to find a taxi or find temporary accommodations for the night, as long as you feel comfortable, you have made the right decision based on your circumstances. However, you must make a decision quickly, waiting can lead to anxiety, a calling card for anyone with nefarious intentions.
7. Can you defend yourself?
Unfortunately, it is always a possibility that someone has nefarious intentions. Walking around with confidence is the best defense. I find knowing I can pack a punch and or run a mile helps in this regard. Every country has different laws around self-defense. Know them, but do what you gotta do.
It’s never too late to take a few classes
8. Do you have a way to get home?
Did you buy a one-way ticket and leave with an “I’ll figure it out” spirit? Did you miss your flight and struggle to get a refund? Did you lose your card and can not pay for your return flight until you get a new one? Did you accidentally get stranded? Things happen. It is important to have a plan for when life is lifing a little too hard. If you have friends and family that you can call, awesome. If you don’t or are feeling a bit stubborn, do you have the life skills to help you get work and a place to stay?
These questions are not meant to scare you. They are meant to help you understand the reality. Things happen, and plans change. To be a traveler, there is a certain amount of adaptability necessary. You are the CEO of your trip, and every little detail is your responsibility. Have you ever traveled solo? What are some questions you have asked yourself?
Additional Reading
Overcoming Travel Anxiety: Practical Tips for First-Time Solo Travelers
