Why in the world would anyone travel anywhere all by themselves? Everything on earth takes on a more colorful glow when we share it with someone else, doesn’t it?
I don’t think so. Not when it comes to travel, anyway. Navigating your way around the globe when traveling solo affords you an utterly different experience than sharing your trip with a traveling companion, a group, or embarking on all inclusive holidays. At times your journey may be a bit more difficult, a tad more lonely. But any detriments to hitting the road on your own are greatly outweighed by the major benefits that solo travel brings. Here are five advantages to traveling solo around the world.
1. You Are Unfettered – From the freedom to changing to a more agreeable seat on a plane to squeezing in on that last barstool, traveling solo brings with it small perks. Since you won’t have anyone else to whom you are psychically tied, your solo self will be able to fit in where more than one person just wouldn’t.
As one of the last passengers boarding a late-night flight from Belgium to Abu Dhabi, I discovered that my seat was directly in front of the galley/restroom area. Without even sitting down, I could feel slamming doors thudding into the back of me throughout the flight. This painful thought prompted my eyes to land upon a bulkhead window seat up the aisle. It was empty and mine for the taking, so I stretched out for the flight, seated next to a man named Romulus from Romania. Sure, I couldn’t sleep as I wished because he was talking to me through the night. But he rewarded me at the end of our time together with a green magnet in the shape of his country. If I’d had a traveling companion, would they have offered me a gift at the end of our flight? I don’t think so.
2. You Are Far More Approachable – In any given traveling week the number of locals who approach me must number at least a few dozen. Sure, some of them just want to sell me something. Even if this is their motive for speaking to me, though, talking to them a little outside the scope of their sales pitch can yield very interesting results. Often, though, people simply want to talk. I’m as much of a curiosity to them as they are to me. We can learn from each other, which is most often a blast. Approaching a stranger for conversation is usually intimidating. Approaching multiple strangers can be out absolutely of the question. So, traveling solo, rest assured that you’ll simply come across as intimidating.
3. You Become More Resourceful – Ever lost on a nearly deserted street at night without a map? Me too. This is one time where you may start smacking yourself in the head and swearing, ruing the day you decided to leave the country by yourself. But what you’ll have to do is take a deep breath, look around, think, and figure out how to get to your destination. Whether this involves retracing steps, jumping on any bus you see or finding a local with whom you can communicate well enough to guide you to your end point, you absolutely will find your way. In addition, successfully maneuvering through your first experience in becoming lost, losing your ATM card or getting robbed will make all the hundreds of subsequent such experiences so much easier.
4. You Become Stronger – Traveling solo you’re bound to be more of a target for all manner of bad behavior than if you’re ensconced in a security blanket filled with people such as you might find on all inclusive holidays. Glowing eyes following you from a darkened doorway, footsteps echoing behind you on a silent street, a car pulling up alongside you and opening its door – all of these experiences can be just really fabulous, if you’re watching them in a movie. Traveling alone, you’ll force yourself into a more alert state than if you’re relying on someone else to help you keep the bad guys away. This heightened sense of security can bleed over into your regular life, keeping you safer along each path you travel even back home.
5. You Do It Your Way – Trying and trying to constantly mutually decide on how to spend your time while traveling with someone else can be an annoying pain. Of course, you can split up and go on your own from time to time, thus freeing yourself from the grips of someone else’s wants, needs and idiosyncrasies. Or you can travel your own path the entire while when you solo travel. Deciding your own itinerary each day or just letting your mind whisk you away to somewhere unexpected will lead you to destinations you otherwise may never have discovered and experiences you certainly would not have known. You’ll also get to know parts of yourself a little better – the bad, the ugly, and the really great.
Traveling solo. I say go for it. What do you say?
Thumbnail girl alone photo by Kuji
I love traveling solo. I’m independent and I like the freedom solo travel brings. You don’t have to worry about what someone else wants, you don’t have to skip the Cuban restaurant because your friend thinks the food is weird. If you want to do something, go somewhere you can. The only thing for myself is I’m content to stay in my own world for long periods of time. I have to make a conscious effort to go out and meet or even just interact with people – or I’ll just wonder about silently for days.
=-.
.-= Alouise´s last blog ..List #1 – Things That Will Never Be
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
March 28th, 2010 at 17:47
Alouise, if staying in your own world is what works for you, I think it can be a good thing.
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Great list – one thing I would add for someone who’s a writer is that you can focus on writing when you want (or need) to and not feel guilty that you’re not keeping your traveling mates company!
.-= Joel´s last blog ..Confessions of A Cultural Idiot Pt. 3 – Participate =-.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
March 30th, 2010 at 20:44
Oh, now, Joel, that is a great addition! I wish I’d thought of it.
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Great list! I agree. I like traveling solo. I like to do my own stuff and I don’t have to worry about someone waiting for me or someone getting bored. =)
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
March 30th, 2010 at 20:44
Hi Janz! I know. The perks are fantastic.
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Solo, only way to go, for me and my Huskies. They’re awesome protection from muggers.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
March 30th, 2010 at 20:45
Ha-ha! I know you love your Huskies, Mike. But are you serious about the muggers? I think not.
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Love the tips Sabina and totally agree. I can be myself while solo, do what I like when I like and only ever have to worry about what I want to do.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
March 30th, 2010 at 20:46
Thank you, Chris! I’m looking forward to reading about your impending travels.
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Love it! Maybe just because I identify myself in each of your points, plus the writing suggestion made by Joel!
.-= Angela´s last blog ..Off to France, by boat! =-.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
April 2nd, 2010 at 20:15
Thank you, Angela. Joel did make a great point there.
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Nothing beats the feeling of freedom and independence that roaming the world on your lonesome. Off when you want, stay when you want and nobody telling you otherwise.
Thanks very much for your comment on planet eye traveler. Should you ever wish to travel to Turkey you know where you have a roof over your head and I mean it!
.-= inka´s last blog ..Modern Art in Istanbul =-.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
April 6th, 2010 at 21:54
Thanks a lot, Inka!! I could use a roof over my head in Turkey.
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Hello,
Good Job!
You have a very interesting blog with wonderful photos. I found it very good and I want to make a link exchange if you are wiling to.
Title: Cyprus Holidays
Let me know…if you are interested at office@enjoycyprusholidays.net
Have a nice day and good luck!
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
April 6th, 2010 at 21:55
Hi Ciprian – thanks for the compliment!
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Hey,
I stumbled upon your blog because you added me on twitter. Just wanted to say how much I agreed with your reasons for travelling solo, although I’d say one of the main draws for me is sense of acchievement. If you can travel the world as a woman by yourself – what can’t you do? If that’s not the greatest feeling in the world, I don’t know what is!
Anyway, great blog, and thanks for following me on twitter.
Natalie x
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
April 6th, 2010 at 21:58
Hi Natalie – thanks so much for checking out my blog! I’d never thought of the achievement aspect. That’s a good one.
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Most people think that traveling solo is kind of weird, but the benefits of it you have finely stated here. Without any restrictions, we can fully enjoy ourselves.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 21:14
Oh, that is true! Thanks for stopping by, Walter!
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Thanks for a great post! I actually like to travel solo because… it’s LESS lonely! When I travel with someone, I’m usually with that person and no one else. Over the course of weeks or months, that might close me in a bit as I become accustomed to one person’s company but not in need of anyone else’s.
Solo, on the other hand, forces me to reach out constantly, meeting new people every day. The problem I usually have when I’m on my own is how to actually find some solo time!
I love the freedom of solo travel, the possibility of making decisions instantly, on a whim – a luxury we rarely have in our ‘regular’ lives.
.-= Leyla Giray´s last blog ..Hands On in Bangladesh =-.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
April 25th, 2010 at 18:26
I think yours is a really interesting perspective, Leyla. Thank you.
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Great positive advice for getting out there and exploring the world solo. Thanks. Thought of quashing some common “solo travel” fears also?
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 06:52
Well, thank you, Ian!
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Though now I’m part of a married traveling team, I’m spent well more than a year traveling alone. The points you make are so true. There are pros and cons to both, but most people are afraid to travel alone and it is something to be experienced. Generally, you are only alone unless you want to be.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 06:16
Definitely it is something to be experienced. I like your statement that you’re only alone if you want to be.
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I agree. Travelling on your own is so much better than in a larger group. You can do what you want, when you want and you do not have to consider others.
Cath recently posted..Puerto Plata Village Hotel
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
October 12th, 2010 at 09:06
Hi, Cath. That’s true. And it can seem selfish, but it’s really not. It’s an efficient and fun way to see the world.
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Been traveling (drifting) solo across the planet – 100+ countries, since 1988 … but as a couple of lovers, can also been as much fun however group travel is chore and restrictive (had to do it a few times – Galapagos & Antarctica …).
Regards – MRP | the candy trail … a nomad across the planet, since 1988
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
December 17th, 2010 at 22:11
Hi Michael – group travel is definitely very restrictive.
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I don’t think I could travel any other way!
Jenny recently posted..Saying Goodbye- 6 Days Until Departure
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
December 17th, 2010 at 22:12
Hi, Jenny. Neither do I anymore
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I agree – travelling solo is so important and the way to go. You learn so much, and you grow so much. Having said that, travelling with someone special is nice too
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
December 17th, 2010 at 22:14
Hi Cynthia – I’m definitely learning a lot here, that is for sure.
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my only fear as a first time solo traveller is that people are not going to like the look of my face
not that i would say i was completly ugly, but some people from a tour group i took didnt like my face and wouldnt talk to me
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 08:32
Chloe, no! Of course people will like your face! I’m sure your tour group people were simply idiots.
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I have only had one completely solo international trip and it was by far the best experience ever! When travelling with others, I always feel selfish and guilty for wanting to do things my way and go where I want, when I want, most times without a solid plan. And like someone mentioned earlier, you are never really alone if you don’t want to be! Travelling solo is the only way to go!
ADT
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 08:34
Hi, April
I agree. Being alone while traveling definitely gives you an absolutely entirely different experience. You’re focused solely on what you’re experiencing rather than spending time with someone else you already know. It really is the only way to go.
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I agree too,i have tried travelling alone without any info or any experience being in that place,for me that is an accomplish trying to be independent.
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