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.....)
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