Are you off on a trip of a lifetime, maybe venturing out for the first time alone? Well, then, you’ve come to the right place as we’re about to discuss how to avoid the top mistakes most people make when travelling alone for the first time.
Travelling alone can be one of the most liberating and exciting experiences of your life. You’re free to make your itinerary, so what you want (when you want!) and get to meet new, interesting people along the way. But, let’s be honest, the idea of travelling alone can be intimidating.
When travelling alone for the first time in an unfamiliar place, it’s easy to make mistakes that impact your trip. But the good thing is, most of these are completely avoidable.
That’s why I’ve put together this list of 11 mistakes to avoid when travelling alone. Whether it’s your first solo trip or you’re a seasoned solo traveller, these tips will help you stay safe, save money, and make the most of your adventure. So take a read, and get ready to embark on a memorable adventure, free from these common travel mistakes.
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Here are the top Mistakes to Avoid when Travelling Alone
No researching your destination thoroughly enough
One of the biggest mistakes to avoid went travelling alone is not researching your destination. Imagine arriving at your destination only to realise you’ve booked a hotel in a sketchy neighbourhood, or there’s no public transport from the airport.
Researching your destination is crucial when travelling alone. It will give you a better understanding of the culture, customs, and any safety precautions you need to take. You’ll also be able to plan your itinerary accordingly, ensuring that you maximize your time and avoid tourist traps. Plus, it can help you save money by finding the best deals on accommodations, transportation, and activities.
Read up on practical information such as local transportation options, currency exchange rates, and tipping practices. This will help you save time,and hassle and help you avoid offending any traditional customs.
You’ll also find guides such as this Solo Travel in Amsterdam guide which will have all the information you need for a location, wrapped up in one. In my guides, I like to include safety tips, accommodation recommendations and the top things to do so that you have everything you need to feel confident travelling alone.
Overpacking
When travelling alone, you have sole responsibility for your luggage, and that includes carrying it around. Therefore, it’s essential to pack light and avoid overloading yourself with unnecessary items.
Not only will this make it easier for you to navigate airports, train stations, and crowded streets, but it will also leave room for any souvenirs or mementoes you may pick up along the way.
To avoid overpacking, create a packing list and stick to it. Include only essential items that you know you’ll use, and opt for lightweight, versatile clothing that can be easily mixed and matched. Additionally, consider investing in travel-sized toiletries and packing cubes to save space and keep your belongings organized.
Remember, if you find you’ve forgotten something or need an item during your trip, you can always purchase it at your destination. It’s better to err on the side of packing too little than too much.
Not sharing your itinerary with someone
Whilst solo travel offers a sense of freedom and independence, it’s still essential to keep someone informed on your plans. Sharing your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member is a great way to stay safe when travelling alone. It proves a safety net in case of emergencies and ensures that someone knows your whereabouts at all times.
Before you leave, consider creating a detailed itinerary with information such as your accommodation, transport times, and any activities you have planned. Be sure to include contact information for your accommodation and even local emergency services.
If you have to change SIM cards, make sure to keep people up to date with your contact information, including times when you might not be able to reply to messages. This will help reduce the worry of your loved ones as well as yourself.
If you don’t want to plan, consider using a travel app or online platform to share your itinerary digitally. This way, your trusted person can easily see your current plans while you retain the spontaneity of solo travel.
Overscheduling
Perhaps this point will slightly contradict the previous point, and it is important to have a rough plan when travelling alone and avoid overscheduling your days with back-to-back activities.
Whilst you may have the normal panic of not being able to fit everything in, being too busy will lead to early exhaustion, and stress, and overall diminish your enjoyment of your trip. Instead, allow yourself flexibility and time to explore the city at a pace that suits you. Make the most of having this freedom as a solo traveller.
When planning your itinerary, prioritize what you’re most excited about and give yourself enough time to enjoy them. Be realistic with how much you can accomplish in a day and schedule downtime for relaxing and any spontaneous events that might occur.
Remember that one of the joys of solo travel is the freedom to change plans. If you find yourself captivated by a particular place, or maybe you’ve met a bunch of people in a hostel who are heading to a different city in the morning, allow yourself to be flexible and fully immerse yourself in this experience.
Being afraid to talk to strangers
One of the biggest fears that prevent people from travelling alone is the thought of being lonely. And, I’ll be honest, this can sometimes be the case, but most of the time it presents the perfect opportunity to meet new people and make lasting connections. Don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with locals and fellow travellers. These interactions can lead to exciting experiences, valuable travel tips, and even lifelong friendships.
As someone who is naturally quiet, especially around new people, this is something I’ve had to work on and have felt its benefits.
Be open to joining group activities such as walking tours, cooking classes, or language exchanges. These events are great ways to meet like-minded travellers and create shared memories.
Remember to trust your instincts when interacting with strangers and always prioritize your safety. While most people you meet will be friendly and genuine, it’s essential to be cautious and maintain healthy boundaries
If you’re worried about your safety when travelling alone, check out these tips on how to stay safe when travelling alone.
Under budgeting your travel costs
Creating a realistic budget is a crucial part of planning your solo trip. Underestimating your travel costs can lead to financial stress and force you to cut corners on experiences you’ve been looking forward to.
When creating your budget, be sure to account for all potential expenses, including accommodations, transportation, meals, activities, and souvenirs. It’s also wise to allocate a contingency fund for unexpected costs, such as emergency medical expenses or last-minute changes to your plans.
Track your spending throughout your trip to ensure you’re staying within your budget. I’ve created a travel budget spreadsheet to make this whole process easier for you.
Going too cheap on your flights and accommodation
It’s natural to want to save money whilst travelling. As a budget traveller myself, I’m always looking to cut corners on costs, and often that starts with my flights and accommodation.
However, if you’re travelling alone, you want to make sure you’re prioritising your safety as well as avoiding unnecessary stress and discomfort. Choosing the cheapest options may result in long layovers, inconvenient flight times which will lead you to landing in the middle of the night in a new environment, or poor accommodations that can negatively impact your solo travel experience. You don’t want a hostel with bedbugs, trust me, I’ve been there.
Instead, try to strike a balance between affordability, comfort and your safety. Research various airlines and accommodations using comparison websites to find the best value for money. Take into consideration factors such as location, amenities and, most importantly, customer reviews.
If you’re travelling for a long time, don’t be afraid to treat yourself every once in a while. This is especially true when it comes to your safety. Maybe you’re staying in an area known to be less safe, so you’ll want to make sure you’re comfortable with where you’re staying.
Investing in a slightly more expensive flight or lodgings can make all the difference in the overall enjoyment of your trip.
If you want to find ways to reduce your flight cost without sacrificing your own comfort, check out these tips on how to find the cheapest flight to anywhere, every time.
Not being aware of local customs and laws
This partially comes into not researching your destination properly, but it’s a very important point to note. Respecting local customs and laws is not only a sign of cultural sensitivity but also essential for your safety and well-being during your solo travels. Unintentionally breaking a local law or offending someone can lead to fines, legal trouble, or even jeopardize your personal safety.
Before your trip, research your destination’s customs, etiquette, and laws, paying particular attention to dress codes. Make a conscious effort to observe and respect these while travelling.
When in doubt, follow the lead of locals and don’t be afraid to ask for guidance. Most people will appreciate your efforts to respect their culture and may even offer helpful advice or insights to enhance your travel experience.
Not having a backup plan
An essential aspect of ensuring a smooth and enjoyable trip is having a backup plan in place. This will not only keep you safe but also minimize any potential inconveniences such as a lost passport or unexpected costs.
When you’re on your own, you are reliant upon yourself entirely. A backup plan serves as a safety net, providing alternative options and resources should you find yourself in a difficult situation. For example, you may miss a train or bus, lose your passport or wallet, or encounter local issues that disrupt your travel plans. Being prepared with a contingency plan can help you.
It will also allow you to be more flexible and adaptable during your trip. When travelling alone, you may encounter unique opportunities or decide to change your itinerary on a whim. If you’ve created a fund for this, you can easily take on this new adventure without many hiccups.
Having a backup plan will give you a sense of control and confidence, even when things don’t go to plan.
Not Taking Care of Your Health
One of the biggest, and most overlooked, mistakes to make when travelling alone is failing to look after your health. Whether this is physical or mental, you need to be prioritising yourself.
And it’s so easy to make this mistake. When you’re in a foreign country, surrounded by unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells, you can easily get caught up in the excitement of it all. You forget to drink enough water, skip meals, and stay up late exploring. You pack your days full to the brim, but in the end, you’re left exhausted and your body unhappy.
Staying healthy on the road doesn’t have to be difficult. Start by packing some basic essentials, like a reusable water bottle, healthy snacks, and sunscreen. Make sure to stay hydrated, even if it means taking frequent bathroom breaks, which can be a pain but its what we’ve got to do.
Make sure to get enough sleep, even if it means missing out on some of the nightlife. And don’t forget to exercise. Moving your body, whether thats a job around a new city or a yoga class at the hostel, finding this time can do amazing things for your mental and physcial health.
By taking care of yourself while travelling alone, you’ll be able to fully enjoy all the incredible experiences that await you.
Not Taking Up Those Once in A Life Time Experiences
Travelling alone can be daunting, but it’s also a time for growth and self-discovery. It’s important to step out of our comfort zones and try new things, even if it means being uncomfortable for a little while.
You never know what amazing opportunities may come your way if you’re open to them. Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with a stranger, try a new food, or explore a new city without a plan. Embrace the unknown and see where it takes you. And whilst this post it all about avoiding them, sometimes the mistakes we make while travelling alone are just as valuable as the experiences we have.
If you’re nervous about travelling alone and not sure what to do with your time, check out this post on the top things to do when solo adventuring.
There we have the Top Mistakes to Avoid When Travelling Alone
Travelling alone can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it’s important to avoid common mistakes that can turn your trip into a disaster. In this post, I’ve outlined 11 mistakes to avoid when travelling alone, covering everything from research and packing to budgeting and health. By following these tips, you can ensure that your solo adventure is safe, enjoyable, and memorable (for the right reasons!).
So, if you’re planning a solo trip soon, keep these mistakes in mind and take the necessary steps to avoid them. Remeber, travelling should be fun, adn there’s no need to be worried about venturing out on your own. By taking some steps to avoid unnecessary hassle, you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in your destination, make new friends, and create unforgettable memories.
Happy travels!
