Should a girl travel solo?

Okay so you've got the dream, the cash and the time off work. There's a not-to-be-missed sale on flights to Destination X...but…you don't have a boyfriend and are yet to convince any of your girlfriends that they also want an awesome getaway. So you're wondering...should a single girl travel alone?

Of course your safety is the most important thing, but does that mean you should stay cooped up in the bubble of your home country and never get out and explore the world, until you have a willing boyfriend or best friend to apply the “safety in numbers” principle?

Well, yes and no.

I have travelled in all sorts of combinations, in a pair (male and female), group of friends, flying solo but touring with extended family, with my mum and sisters, my husband…and of course as a solo girl!

There are benefits and drawbacks to all combos but my favourite was definitely the solo option and I’ll tell you why!

                      PRO'S                              CON'S

You can plan your own day! No compromising with an uber-enthusiastic art-loving travelling pal. If you prefer the local culture of the beach as opposed to spending every day in an art museum – then guess what? No objections! Go to the beach! You will make friends faster. Travelling solo doesn’t mean you have to explore alone. Even if you're a shy person you will be amazed at how naturally you meet people. You're bound to find a kindred soul in your hostel who is on their way to the louvre the same day as you, this means you can join forces, share the day and best of all, have someone to take your happy snaps instead of the same selfie shot as in the rest of your pics! You don’t have to wait! Or you can take as long as you like…to eat, dress, explore the attractions and sleep. The lengthy grooming/sleeping/dawdling routines of others can get really frustrating when it means you miss the only morning bus to your ancestral Irish cemetery you’ve travelled all this way to see. Your money is your own! You won’t feel pressured to spend money on sights only your friend wants to see, especially because yesterday they went white-water rafting with you. Of course compromising is part of any good relationship but if money is tight, you’ll be glad you’re the only one choosing where those hard-earned dollars go. Cheaper accommodation! A mixed dorm in a hostel is usually cheaper than a private twin/double room, saving you money. This is probably where the other solo travellers are staying too. Find someone you click with and get exploring! Damsel in distress! Play this angle up all you like. "Oh, this bag is so heavy!"...and enjoy the attentions of surrounding gentlemen.

It can get lonely. You are far from home, the locals speak a different language, you’re missing your favourite foods and you wish your best mate could’ve been there to experience the spray from the world’s tallest waterfall with you. Remedy – find some chocolate (it probably won’t be your familiar brand, but at these times, any chocolate is better than none!) It’s all up to you! Multi-tasking, detail-oriented people may relish being the master of information concerning flights, visas, language, currency, hotel, transport, sights, eateries. If the thought of all that overwhelms you, having a partner can help “share the load”. I.e. You will take care of transport to/from/around the destination, they will organize the money – conversions, travellers cards, cash etc Be alert but not paranoid. Safety can be a concern but chances are your home city carries similar warnings to visitors and (hopefully) you’re not scared to explore mostly in daylight, stick to the main streets, and not go off with strangers. Apply the same rules there! If there are legitimate safety concerns though – book a tour. There’ll still be some freedom to explore but the guide can give you local info and you know someone’s keeping tabs to keep you safe. Pack light and tight. There's nobody to 'hold your bag for a minute' or distribute weight with to get under the flight luggage limit. So make sure you have suitable luggage you can manage on your own (leave room for souvenirs). You don't want to feel vulnerable when you're loaded up like a pack-horse, with an unsecured handbag on your shoulder.

So what’s the verdict? I travelled solo and loved it, even if I do travel with others I make sure it’s clear that if we have different interests, we should both be confident and prepared enough to go our separate ways and meet up again for dinner. That way you get the best of both worlds. You have a safety buddy for night excursions and you get to check off your itinerary, not be swayed by someone elses.

I should say though, that I didn’t just up-and-away from the start. I did a USA trip with a friend and stayed mostly with family. Also, speaking the same language is a huge confidence booster when overseas.

For my next bucket list adventure I planned to backpack through Europe…I had the dream, the cash and the time…but no travel buddy! I contacted an acquaintance and a distant cousin. I fully intended to stay inside this comfort zone but it wasn’t long before I found my wings of independence.

I split from my travelling partner and experienced all of the pros and cons above, but mainly I thrived in the foreign speaking countries, with currency I had to closely inspect to determine its value every time I handed it over, making friends (plenty of other solo’s just like you), deciphering maps and navigating public transport – I loved it!

There’s no con that would dissuade me from travelling solo again. (I prefer to say solo travel vs. travelling alone. It sounds much more exotic and because the fact is, that with the right attitude, it’s you making a choice, rather than feeling like a travelling-sally-with-no-friends.)

Check out Smart Traveller to make sure you don’t legitimately need to take extra precautions (i.e. Cairo’s not a great place for anyone right now) in your destination.

Be alert, not paranoid! When you return from your amazing adventure, your friends will be so jealous about all your cool experiences and will wish they had gone too!

And finally, at the risk of sounding too cheesy - what rhymes with solo?...Yolo! (You Only Live Once) - so get out there now girl!...(yeah that was pretty cheesy.....)