Have you ever thought about traveling the world? It can be a great way to meet new people, visit new places and experience new cultures. But what about traveling the world alone? It sounds scary, but it can be fun once you overcome the challenges. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of solo travel, the challenges, and provide our top tips to make your first solo trip unforgettable.  

Why Travel Abroad Alone?

There are many benefits to traveling abroad without a travel companion. You have complete freedom and control to do things at your own pace. There’s a better chance of meeting people in a foreign country when you travel alone. Solo adventures cost less – You’ll pay less for airfare, hotels, and other expenses when you travel alone rather than with friends. You’ll also become a better decision-maker. Traveling on your own forces you to make split-second decisions when things don’t go as planned. This is a great opportunity for personal growth because this skill is useful in other areas of life.  

There are also some challenges, though.

The Challenges of Traveling Alone

• You may become lonely if you travel for an extended period, especially at mealtimes.
• It can be exhausting to make every decision yourself.
• It can be challenging when you have a problem and are in a foreign country where no one speaks your native language. That’s why it’s a good idea to know at least some of the language of the country you’re visiting.
• When traveling, you must fill downtimes, such as on planes, trains, or buses. This can be a good time to read books or listen or listen to podcasts on personal growth or other topics you enjoy.

11 Ways to Find the Confidence to Solo Travel

So how do you find the confidence to travel alone? Here are some tips

1. Don’t Watch True Crime Shows (At Least For a Little While)

True crime shows exaggerate violence’s threat to the world. Taking safety seriously is important, but before you depart on your trip, take a break from crime shows to prevent your imagination from running wild.

2. Research Your Destination

Whether you’re going on a women’s outdoor retreat or other adventures for women, knowing what you’re getting into will make you feel more confident. Look at your destination on a map so you know how it’s laid out.

Learn how much taxis cost and how to get around. Know your money and exchange rate, so you can quickly calculate the price in your currency.

3. Book Accommodation for the First Couple of Nights

Your hotel or hostel serves as a safe zone. Make sure you choose a place that has excellent reviews before you go.

4. Look for a Cheerleader

If you are nervous about your trip, surround yourself with enthusiastic friends and avoid those who are lukewarm or negative. Your enthusiasts will boost you.

5. Take Advantage of the Services Provided by Your Government

Whether you travel with a purpose or enjoyment, there are advisory websites for Americans, Australians, and Canadians traveling abroad. Get travel advisories for the country you’re visiting on the appropriate website.

6. Have a Communication Plan

No matter what you communication method prefer—whether it is email, text, phone, or social media—if Wi-Fi is available, you can contact home cheaply or for free with a smartphone. The cost of calling a landline with Skype is just a few cents per minute. You can access the Internet and a computer at most libraries.

7. Find a Local Contact

Before you go, do some research in online forums and connect with local contact. You can also make new friends by learning the native language. Most locals can tell if someone is a tourist. They typically want to help people trying to step outside their comfort zone.

8. Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself

Don’t rush. Start with something simple, like a walking tour or museum visit. Watch how things work, let your destination’s rhythm catch you, and then follow it. Once you’ve found the rhythm, you can decide the first place you’re going to go the next day and then take it from there.

9. Treat Yourself

What calms you? If you get nervous, know what calms you and enjoy it while you’re on your trip. Some of the best ways to pamper yourself include adding shower bombs to your shower, taking a sleeping mask with you on your next trip so you can put it on at night, take it off in the morning and look refreshed, sleeping in one day, or scheduling a spa day.

10. Find Something Familiar

Many international brands work and look familiar everywhere, like Starbucks for example. If it’s your first time traveling abroad, you may miss home; Find one of these places and spend an hour there. While you shouldn’t eat at restaurants that you can also find in your home country, eating at one occasionally can keep you from feeling homesick, especially on your first trip.

11. Find Out Where the Locals Go

When traveling abroad, you should also find the places many people visit. These are going to be the most popular places in the city you’re visiting, so you’ll probably have an incredible experience. When researching these places, it’s a good idea to find out the times when they’re least busy so you don’t spend more time there than you must.

Find the Confidence to Solo Travel

That’s what you need to know how to find the confidence to travel the world alone. If you follow these tips, you’ll enjoy new experiences, meet lots of people, and learn new things, like how to work through uncomfortable situations and tough times.