Learning to travel independently
Whether it's a solo adventure, an educational tour, or just visiting a new city with friends, the benefits of independent travel are almost limitless. It will not only change your mind about what you think you want to do for your future, but it'll also make you more open-minded to other cultures and ways of life. That’s why we've put together this post all about how to plan an independent trip. From deciding on the destination and budget, to what clothes will be necessary — we cover everything that aspiring international travelers need!
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Learning how to explore the world independently is one of the smartest moves that anyone can make in their lifetime. We've put together a list of five important steps that you should take before planning your own trip.
are the most popular cities for solo travelers, but there are many other great places to visit in the world. For example, Barcelos, Portugal is another fantastic option for traveling on your own — and it's close to Spain as well!
4 Key Steps
1. Decide where you will go (and why; make sure you have a good reason) The first step in planning an independent vacation is deciding where you'll travel. Deciding where you'll go is crucial, because it'll help you narrow down your options and figure out what exactly it is that makes this destination so special.
2. Narrow down your choices and figure out how to get there Once you've decided on a destination, it's time to start planning the logistics of your trip. The easiest way to do this is to look through travel guides online and see which airlines fly directly there. For example, if you want to visit Nepal, then you'll want to check the route maps for British Airways , United Airlines , and Air China . If you're going somewhere closer like Mexico City, then it's even easier: just book a flight with Southwest Airlines .
3. Create a basic itinerary Once your flights are booked and everything is set in stone, then it's time to start thinking about what exactly you plan on doing while you're there. For example, if you're traveling to a place where there are limited activities to do, then you can try and find something that's completely unique and interesting. If there’s a certain type of cuisine or specific culture that you want to experience, then make sure to spend time exploring those things. For example: Is there an ancient temple or a great local market in your future?
5 things every solo traveler should know When visiting some places, the price of accommodation will be skyrocketing. This is why it's important to prepare in advance and research the average price of accommodations in your destination. For example, if you're visiting a city like Chicago during the winter, then make sure to check TripAdvisor and see if Airbnb has any amazing deals. Another important thing that all solo travelers should be aware of is that there will be times when you'll feel completely alone. This is normal, and happens to everyone at some point or another. You should never let this discourage you from going out and exploring what your destination has to offer — because more often than not, there will be many locals who would love to meet a traveler from another country.
4. Pack smart Think about the weather in your destination and only pack clothing that's appropriate for the climate. For example, if you're traveling to New York during the winter, then it's possible that temperatures could dip into the 20s or lower. This means you'll need to pack more layers of clothing than usual!
3 Completely Unique Solo Travel Tips The best part about traveling by yourself is that you'll get to experience some of the most unique moments in your life. You can travel alone and do things like skydiving , bungee jumping , and rappelling . These are all very adventurous and exciting things to do at one time, but when you go on a solo trip, it'll be much more fulfilling than joining a group of friends.
7 Things to Pack for an International Trip A good travel backpack is one of the most important items you'll need for your trip. We recommend that you pack some of the following things in your bag: flashlight (or headlamp if you're doing any camping)
1. Passport + photos + ID card If you're traveling internationally, then make sure that all of these items are ready before you leave home . Having them close will allow you travel so much easier! 2. Backpack To help you carry all of your stuff, it's also a good idea to pack a backpack. 3. Water bottle or canteen Depending on the weather, you'll need to drink water daily. You can't just buy bottled water everywhere abroad; instead, try to buy a reusable canteen . 4. A cheap airline ticket If there's one thing you should buy prior to your trip, then it's a cheap flight ticket for the first few days! It'll be much easier for you when trying to decide which place in the world you want to visit. 5. Extra batteries and clothing You should always bring extra batteries for your camera , as well as some extra clothing. This will help you better prepare for any weather that could come your way.
6. Extra footwear Depending on your destination, you may want to bring extra shoes like sandals or sneakers . If you're going somewhere with a lot of water, then it's a good idea to bring a pair of water shoes (or even water socks) too!
7. Small towel or sarong A small towel or sarong is one of the most useful items you can pack on your trip. It’s great for everything from wiping up spilled drinks to keeping yourself warm on chilly nights! 8. A lock for your bags It's always a good idea to invest in a TSA-approved lock for your suitcase. This will allow you to safely secure all of your belongings, without having to worry about anything getting stolen! 9. A small bag or pouch If you're going somewhere with hot weather, then a small bag or pouch is a great way to keep yourself (and your money) safe from pickpockets! 10. A journal and pen
Keeping a journal is also an incredible way to remember everything that happens on your trip. It'll help you remember not only what happened during your trip, but also how you felt about certain things as well. If you have any questions about traveling alone, or if you need answers to some common problems that solo travelers experience, then make sure to leave them in the comments below!
The Truth About Solo Travel: What You Need to Know Before You Go
Whether you're a man or woman, traveling alone can be extremely rewarding and fun. There's no need to be afraid and intimidated by it; it's just one of those things that many people don't do because they're too scared. But once you've done it once, you'll wonder why you were so worried in the first place. Solo travel can provide a fun and unique experience for everyone — and is often not what people expect at all.
Conclusion
If you're looking for more inspiration for a solo trip, then check out our list of the Top 10 Things to do in New Zealand . There are some amazing places to visit, but you should definitely get started on your plans now! If you have any experiences with solo travel that you'd like to share with us, then please leave them in the comments below. We'd love to hear about your experiences and thoughts!
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