Want to go travelling on a long term backpacking trip but can’t find a friend at home who’ll come with you? Worried about the idea of going travelling on your own but really want to see some places? Here’s seven tips to give you some reassurance and to urge you to seize the moment and do it.
I left the UK in December 2002 and spent 18 months travelling solo in Australia and South East Asia, and eventually wound up settling down with my American girlfriend who I’d met on the road in Thailand, where we still live today.
When I left the UK I was pretty much petrified at the idea of travelling alone, so this is what I wish someone had told me:
1) You won’t be alone for long
Don’t think by leaving home on your own you are somehow going to condemn yourself to a six month trip of solitude and loneliness. If you go backpacking anywhere in the world, you are going to meet likeminded people who are interested in travelling as much as you and who have gone travelling on their own too. You get to meet people who actively want to do the things you do rather than having to cajole friends at home into an experience they might not enjoy or be ready for. You need to be with people who are into it, not who need to be coerced into it.
The easiest way to meet people when travelling is to get involved in activities – go on an organised week long roadtrip in the Australian outback, for example, or go and do some scuba diving somewhere for a few days, or do a cooking course – whatever interest you. In this way you will meet new people and be in a shared situation where conversation comes easily. Similarly, in backpacker hostels and the like, simply strike up conversation with someone with a smile. The old “Hey guys, I’m on my own, mind if I join you?” line rarely fails, although you need a bit of courage to say it first. Not looking like an axe murderer is also useful.
UPDATE: I’ve written a short article about how to find other travel companions online through websites like CouchSurfing.com before you even leave your house. You might as well increase your chances of meeting likeminded people before you go travelling, and it can be a good psychological boost to have a plan to meet other people abroad.
You might also want to consider travelling in a small group with an adventure specialist like Intrepid Travel if going solo is too much to begin with – many people use these trips to bolster their self-confidence and then strike out on their own.
2) Cut loose from your life
Going travelling on your own lets you literally leave everything behind – work, family and friends. This is what makes it scary and also what makes it so intensely liberating. If you travel with a friend from home, you both travel in a bubble of familiarity with each other. On your own, you have absolute freedom to do what you want and you don’t have to conform to the expectations that work, friends and family inevitably put upon you. Of course, you have email and cell phones that will let you stay in touch pretty much anywhere in the world, but you can still pick and choose when you have contact with home.
Unless you’re massively serious about your boy/girlfriend, you should probably take a time out with them before you leave, otherwise it will only cause heartache when the inevitable travel romance occurs. If you *are* massively serious about your boy/girlfriend, you need to come up with some ground rules about what’s acceptable while you are apart from each other if you want things to pick up where they left off when you come home. Trying to conduct a long distance relationship while travelling can be gruelling for both parties.
3) Know your own mind
Making the decision to travel solo is a great step, but it’s important to know what it is you actually want to do while travelling. Avoid falling into the trap of just doing what other backpackers do – there’s a definite travel circuit in most countries for backpackers to follow, which is incredibly useful, but only if you are interested in the things included in that circuit. There could be lots of other stuff in the country you are visiting that is a bit off the beaten track that is of much more personal interest to you. Therefore it pays off massively to do some research and reading *before* you go. [I’ve written How To Budget For A Backpacking Trip if you want some pointers on managing your money while planning your trip].
For example, I knew I wanted to do more scuba diving when I went to Australia. After a couple of false starts, I really got into it. Subsequently my travelling in Oz was driven largely by visiting good places to dive and when I was in Thailand I eventually became a scuba diving instructor. (Yes, I liked it that much!). Many of these diving locations weren’t really on the backpacker circuit so I had to make my own plans to get there. In doing so, I met loads of great people who were into diving as well plus, of course, I got to dive some of Australia’s most awesome sites. If I’d just stuck to the traditional backpacker route, I wouldn’t have gone to these places.
Of course, you can just go with the flow and see what happens – there’s a definite danger of overplanning which you should avoid. You don’t need to stake out and book an entire day by day itinerary for your trip or anything so rigid. My point is simply to think about the overall goals of where YOU’D like to go and what YOU’D like to do, irrespective of what other people say.
4) Become comfortable dealing with the unfamiliar
When I first left the UK, I stopped off in Bangkok, Thailand for 3 days en route to Sydney (I couldn’t face the 24 hour direct flight). It’s fair to say my first encounter with Bangkok scared the crap out of me. (I recounted my first days in Bangkok if you want to know more). Ironically, I now live in Bangkok these days. (See my Thailand Backpacking: A Quick Guide for more info).
Travelling is hard for the first few weeks because you are dealing with constantly unfamiliar situations and surroundings – it is unavoidably stressful. It’s also what causes homesickness, because there is a yearning for the familiar. Within the first week of travelling, though, you will simply start to relax into it as your mind grows accustomed to dealing with this constant input of new information. You’ll start to discern the patterns of travelling – find location, find transport, find hotel, repeat – and find the continual change of logistics as routine. The great thing about humans – and a skill that doesn’t seem to get much emphasis these days – is that we are incredibly adaptable. We naturally adjust quickly to new surroundings, for all that we think we might not. So if you’re at home reading a travel guidebook and thinking, “there is no way I figure out all of this on my own”, don’t worry. You will.
When I left the UK, I was really lacking in self-confidence about travelling in a country where I didn’t speak the language. Australia is the answer for US and UK travellers who feel the same – it’s incredibly exotic and there are hundreds of fascinating things to do and see there, but the language barrier is not a problem. Here you can get into the rhythm of meeting other people while you’re travelling and trying out new things like scuba diving, skydiving and surfing.
Within a few weeks your confidence will have grown and you’ll be ready to take on anywhere. I went travelling in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia with some girls I’d met in Australia and had a spectacular time – my worries about language dissolved because everyone in Asia speaks enough English for you to get by and I’d developed the confidence to start a conversation, smile, and speak slowly and clearly. (But not patronisingly, like they’re stupid). Treat people like people. I have found this to be a winning formula everywhere I’ve been. It’s important to not feel embarrassed or self-conscious about stepping up and speaking to the locals wherever you go. They will invariably be friendly in return. Have patience if they don’t understand your English at first – they’re the ones who speak a second language utterly alien to their own, unlike you. State what you want simply and clearly – don’t use slang. Most of all, smile and be friendly. Don’t act all suspicious like you expect them to rip you off at any moment. It really is true that 90 per cent of communication is body language.
5) Make new friends and be influenced by people
You will see and do some amazing things wherever you travel in the world – but what makes your trip truly spectacular is the people you meet along the way. Solo travelling exacerbates this because you are much more open to talking to other people because you have no one else around. Again, that can be a scary feeling sometimes, but the pleasure of meeting new people makes it worth it. Not only are friendships made much quicker and are more intense while travelling, but sometimes the bond formed is more than just circumstance and can transform into lifelong friendships. I am still in regular contact with numerous people I met while travelling. Meeting other people exposes you to so many other points of view, ideas and opinions, which can set your mind off on paths you’d never previously considered. It’s also a great excuse to get drunk and talk rubbish to each other all night.
A worthwhile caveat here is that you shouldn’t feel that every day has to be a party – admittedly I did spend most of my first two months in Sydney and Melbourne somewhat inebriated, but by about the fourth month I’d calmed down a bit. A quiet night in with a good book can still be fun – again, it’s about doing what you want to do, not what you feel obliged to do, or what you think you *should* be doing.
People are terrified of being lonely, because it’s equated with being a loser. There are inevitably going to be evenings when you’re travelling solo where you will feel a bit lonely. It’s then that you realise there’s things that are a lot worse than being lonely and it also makes you appreciate your friends all the more. If you’ve got a good book, or a journal or a sense of purpose about your trip beyond just seeing the sights (see below), the times you’re alone don’t have to be lonely, and indeed, can be a welcome respite from the intensity of travelling.
6) Do whatever you want (as long as it’s legal)
While it’s true that you are on holiday when travelling, it’s worth avoiding your brain atrophying. Travel gives you the freedom to not only think about what you want to do with your life but also to go and do it right away.
Give yourself permission to investigate the stuff you’re interested in, however whacky it may be. Whether is clothes and fashion, archaeology, video games, conservation, elephants, sharks, religion, oranges, bugs, architecture – whatever it is, allow yourself to spend some time looking into it. If you see your surroundings as more than just the backdrop to your holiday, as the stuff of real life and how other people live, you’ll get a lot more out of them.
In a similar vein, give yourself permission to be creative too – many people like keeping a journal while they’re travelling, or sketching what they see. Reading a lot can be fun too, especially about the country around you. Most people go snaphappy and get really good taking pics with their camera. I wrote half a novel while I was travelling – I’ll never do anything with it, but it was fun all the same. By churning through ideas and trying out stuff – even if it doesn’t go anywhere – you give yourself new ways of thinking about stuff. This might come in useful for thinking about how things will be when you come home.
7) Bring a new perspective with you when you get home
The old cliché is that travel broadens the mind, but travel can also change your mind too, about your job, your circumstances and your general situation back home. That might sound scary, but it’s a good thing – you re-evaluate your life and feel ready to make some changes for the better. Similarly, things can change at home too. Usually they don’t – while you have been living in hyperspeed intense travel mode, life back home continues as normal, which is what makes it so comforting to return to. But be sensitive around your friends when you get back – don’t just endlessly brag about your travel stories. Pay attention to what’s been going on with them and your friendships will pick up where they left off. How long you decide to stay at home is up to you. You may decide that your trip was great fun but you’re ready to take on new challenges at home. Or you may decide you want to save up some cash and get back on a plane as soon as possible. Either way, once you’ve gone travelling solo once, you’ll bring home a whole load more confidence and perspective on your life that will help you in the future wherever you are. The bottom line is, I have never, ever heard of anyone who went travelling solo and came back regretting that they’d done it.
There’s a lot more I could write, but I’ve gone on long enough. What do you think? For people who are thinking about solo travelling, are there issues I haven’t addressed here? For people who have been solo travelling, do you agree or disagree with any of the above? Please leave comments below. Thanks!
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great article. I ‘ve been travelling on my own for the first time last summer, for a month, and i agree with everything you say in this article. I didn’t regret at all, i loved it. I met lots of people i would never have met if i hadn’t been on my own.
I also noticed that a lot of coincidences and synchronicities happened when i travelled. You know, the fact that you have to deal everyday with the unknown makes that you are obliged to “let it go”, don’t worry, and be opened to what is coming to you. The result for me was : everyday I was really lucky and wonderful things happened to me. Litteraly everyday, i was lucky about what i was doing, who i met etc.
Sometimes I had nothing to do on the evening, so i read, write or something like that. Sometimes I had crazy nights with new friends.
Anyway it was always different from home and i found that travelling alone was kind of like an initiatic journey.
Some great advice.
I lived in China for a year, did some solo travel and loved it. All your points are true. My brother also came over and we did some travel together towards the end of my stay, but (not that I don’t get along really well with my brother) I enjoyed traveling by myself better!
…great post! Haven’t thought about it in this way yet.
Definitely worth trying. Keep it coming!
Cheers,
Chris
http://www.nomad4ever.com
“Travel is not really about leaving our homes, but leaving our habits.”
–Pico Iyer, from “A New Kind of Travel for a New Kind of World”, a speech given at the Key West Literary Seminar, January 5, 2006
Danny
I wish to go travelling in southeast asia but was aprehensive about going alone, however reading you post has encoureged me to be more possitive about it.
Thanks alot!
I enjoyed reading your article, as I am gaining the confidence to travel alone for at least 5 weeks for my sabbatical this summer/fall. If that goes well, I am contemplating taking more time off. The thing that I struggle with (I traveled alone for just 2 weeks in Europe once) is the “spontaneous” travel plans part. How do you avoid exhausting yourself looking for places to stay or places to go? I don’t want to be spontaneous at the expense of spending all my time wearily looking for a place to stay.
Hi Andrea
that is a good question – and a difficult one to answer definitively. It’s certain difficult to be truly spontaneous – it’s more about identifying where there are clusters of guesthouses in the city you’re visiting so that you can easily view several within a short space of time. That obviously means spending some time looking in your guidebook. Online reviews are taking off so it’s worth searching for those in the locale you’re visiting and seeing if you can spot places that get more good reviews than bad. That helps you whittle it down to two or three places to look at – and of course, if you like the first place just fine, go with that!
Booking and paying ahead of time are fine, but you have to be really sure you know what you’re getting – it’s why sites like TripAdvisor.com with lots of reviews from previous guests are invaluable at figuring out if somewhere is any good – although TripAdvisor tends to cover the more medium to luxury end of accommodation. If you’ve got the budget, you can certainly find some good reasonably priced hotels through them. Otherwise, check your guidebook and also search on travel forums for recommendations for backpacker accommodation. (I put together a travel forum search engine that searches 12 different travel discussion forums so you can find info on a particular topic quickly from all of them in one go).
I hope this helps – let me know how you get on!
Best
Chris
Andrea, I took a short solo trip to Italy and struggled with the same thing. It was important that I felt free to just jump on a train at a moment’s notice, but I was nervous about finding places to stay. I solved the problem by booking an apartment last-minute, getting a fantastic deal. That way I had a ‘home base’ but wouldn’t feel guilty exploring another city if I wanted to, since I hadn’t spent that much on the apartment. It gave me security and freedom at the same time.
Have fun! I sure did.
Leigh
Im going travelling at the end of june and Im 50% nervous and 50% excited.. Its nice to hear that ppl have the same concerns as me, its also good to know that I won’t be in the only 1 travelling alone.. Cheers
Hey
I booked my ticket two days ago. I’m finally going to be flying (solo) to KL at the start of Dec and making my way through Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos?, & Vietnam. Even though they flight is 6months away I have been really fretting. I’m excited that I’m going but thought keep popping into my head about all the things that could go wrong when travelling by myself; And then you get those people who say ‘wow I can’t believe you are travelling alone, I would neeever do that, and proceed to give a variety of brainless reasons.’ I really enjoyed reading your article! I hope everything you mention is true because I know the part about being really dawning before you leave bit is:P If anybody has any tips (anything) about solo travelling or tips for SE Asia I would really appreciate it.
Cheers Sam
Is there a message board, where people discuss traveling and backpacking ect?
Hi Gaz
I don’t have a forum on Travelhappy yet as I’d need thousands of visitors everyday to make it work. But you’re very welcome to ask any questions you have re Asian backpacking and I’ll do my best to give you answers. You should also check out the forums at Travelfish.org and LonelyPlanet.com
Cheers
Chris
Hi there just read your article and hope that what you say is true as i am going to book my flight for oct\nov. I am really nervious and am looking for a like minded companion for at least the first few days just to help settle in so if anybody is up for it my email is davev07@yahoo.co.uk
You’ll be fine Dave – honest. The first few days are always the most difficult but you’ll get the hang of it and then start really enjoying yourself. If you want to find more travel friends, check out these sites:
http://travelhappy.info/travel-tips/how-to-find-travel-friends-online/
Have fun and let me know how you get on.
Best
Chris
Hey Chris,
Thanks for your write up i really appreciated finding it, i am departing in four days to Thailand for 3 weeks by myself. Your article has really opened my eyes, my best mate has dropped out at the last minute because of work obligation but you have really put my mind at ease i am studying journalism so i think this is goin to be great for me hope everythings still going great for you
Cheers
Jason
P.s If anyone likeminded would like to catch up feel free to email me jkbcorp@hotmail.com
Hey Jason, glad the article helped. You’re in for a great time. If you want to meet for a beer/coffee in Bangkok drop me a line. Have fun! Best, Chris
Hey Cris.
Thanx for a great article
Im happy to be agreing with everything you wrote in this article. I think something wery importent conserning traveling solo, is that its in that situation where you loose yourself, and you find yourself. In some way i think you leave as a boy, and return as a man. It may sound wack, and clichè but it`s the truth.
Im leaving for (yet another) roundtrip throughout southeast asia, starting in bangkok the 28/9-07 (on friday) and your article has made me remember all the great, positive things conserning solo travelling.
Ps: If your free, lets meet for coffee
I like to meet the man who wrote this great article.
Take care.
Kenny Petersen.
Great article Chris and I endorse everything you say….
After a gap of many years, at the tender age of 54,:) I set off last Nov. alone,for New Zealand, stopping off for six days at Sentosa Island, Singapore on the way!
I too was fearful…and friends said they wouldn’t have the guts, etc.,…all the usual comments that we all get!
I was away for three and a half months and it was amazing.
‘Nipped’ over to the remote Yasawas, Fijian Islands for a couple of weeks also.
Travelled all around N.Z. on the Backpacker’s ‘Stray’ bus…with all the 20-30 year olds…and six lovely girls from the bus took me out drinking on my 55th. birthday in the beautiful Bay Of Islands…The look on younger guy’s faces was a great joy I have to say!!
….Just one of the many amazing adventures I had whilst away…and you can too!
David.
That is very inspiring David – particularly the bit about the girls
…..Hope for us all eh Chris?!:)
u went on ur own cos noone likes u n u had noone to go with! loser
Hey,
ThanKs for the story that was great.Im travelling to Thailand, Malaysia an Indonesia Nov/Dec 07 on my own an im so excited that im counting the days.I was never nervous but now its getting closer its like im obsessed with my trip.Its all i want to talk about.All I do is research for it.
The only challenge i have is talking to ppl i dont know. (guess that’ll have to change when im away)
You did help with your 1 liner “Hi im traveling alone can i join you”
Thanx Anna
….”pete on October 9th, 2007
u went on ur own cos noone likes u n u had noone to go with! loser”….
There’s always one isn’t there Pete?…and it had to be you.
Your wonderful command of the English Language, together with your spelling, says it all eh?!
I don’t suppose you are allowed out on your own, but I expect the carer could sort you a day or two at Lego Land…
Just booked a ten week backpacking adventure to Thailand….leaving 29th Nov.
Same mixed emotions as ever, but remember, we are the few with the guts to go.
Be thankful for all those without, otherwise we wouldn’t be able to move for lone travellers!
…Face the fear and enjoy!
Let’s hope you don’t run into our knuckle-dragging friend Pete on your travels David!
Hope you have a great time in Thailand. If you’re passing through Bangkok and want to meet up for a quick pint/coffee/peppermint tea (I do all three), drop me an email.
Cheers
Chris
Ha!….
Thanks Chris, but as a non-city person I am flying to Phuket and hopping on a longtail… to a small mainly Muslim island…;)(you know which one?!) to take a look at it before it is spoilt….and do a ‘homestay’ maybe.
Also like the look of Koh Lanta maybe.
Any contacts in the Andaman island region?
Cheers,
Dave.
Great article Chris, some very accurate and helpful points.
I travelled around croatia last year for a couple of months and once you manage to take unfamiliar situations in your stride you appreciate where you are and what you are doing so much more, I was a little bit isolated because there were fewer travellers than in your traditional back packing spots but this made me all the more determined to establish relations with the locals and it was well worth it.
I am planning a backpacking trip to Aus/NZ and Asia alone early next year, again the nerves and excitement are returning, reading your article has reminded me that when you are travelling your not as alone as you think and to remember the reasons why your doing it in the first place!
Thanks Jonathan. Croatia must have been interesting. Have fun on your travels and if you pass through Bangkok, drop me a line and maybe we can meet up for a beer.
Cheers
Chris
Chris this has been so helpful indeed!
I have wanted to travel for years. I know where i want to go and what i would like to see and here in Britain i meet peolpe easily and have many friend because of hthis up and down the country but i had been in some realtionships that had tied me down i let them and my partners always said they too wanted to come travelling well years passed and it never happened i realised they did not want it as much as me anyway i am going on and well what i need to say is you have made so much sense to me and i am going to do it alone and!!!!
I can’t wait!
thanx so much!
HI! It´s 4am and i´m stucked in what you wro
so, once more i thank you for that.
te.Thank you some much for your advices! Until today I was feeling miserable because I have the biggest vacations of my life (almost one month and a half) and i found myself planning to travel alone…I feel scared, i feel frustrated…but now i read your seven reasons to travel alone and i feel alive! I´m going to print your words and read it when i´m not so positive
Oh…and one more thing….I hope i also find someone special
) All the hapiness for you
hi everyone i will be travel to thailalnd in dec28th 08 for weeks. and i know im a plannerso yes… im looking for like minded ppl to chat n maybe go on the same backpacking group or something.. and thank u for the great advice. cheers cin
I love this article. I’m thinking of going away in August hopefully but had no reason to go really. But now I’ve seen this my perspective on travelling has changed my mind completly. Video documenting the whole way would be a great idea aswell.
I just don’t think I appreciate life on the whole as much because I’m used to material possessions etc. That’s why I want to go away and refresh my whole view on life.
Nice work in persuasion!
thanks so much for the info chris!!!
definately feel alot better about going on
my own! i leave in two months and am still
fairly worried about cash and how much is
needed? i’m going to thailand for 6 months
but hope to stay off the well worn paths!
oh and visas is it best to ring the embassy??
Hi Brian
For visas, check the Thai Consulate in Hull
http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/
They are very helpful – much more helpful than the Thai Embassy in London. They have a very efficient postal service for issuing visas.
Re how much money you’ll need, How Much Money Do I Need For Thailand should help you get an idea of the prices of everyday things. Bangkok On 30 Dollars A Day gives you a blow by blow breakdown of what might spend in a day.
Hope this helps – and have fun!
Chris
really great post. one of the best I’ve read regarding life on the road!
of to thailand in a week
on my own, found your comments
very reasuring. thanks
Thanks for the article, very reassuring. One thing you didn’t touch on though is the biggest worry of all… Money, what happens when you run out? How much should you take with you? And are there any money-saving tips whilst travelling?
Hey Chris,
really found your article helpful, particularly the parts about exploring other sides of yourself and not ‘just’ being on holiday. Planning a solo trip to Australia in the new year for one year, and its great to see just how many people a) do the same thing and b) have the same worries as I do!
Hi Chris,thank you so much for yr essay on solo travel.It has helped me get things in better perspective, with ideas on how to approach the philosophy of travel and get the most out of it.I went to India and Thailand 4 yrs ago,had 2 week guided tour in india,then wandered around a bit, (was in delhi when tsunami struck)and have been to thailand, cambodia,philippines several times each,plus laos, vietnam and malaysia.I am now 64, and my wife is happy for me to go;I have taken her and daughter(nearly 19 now) to thailand and malaysia,sent them to india and daughter to japan with school.8 trips in 4 years,some as I said with them, some alone, and a couple with male friends.Having worked with asbestos for 13 years long ago, some heart scares and prostate uncertainty, I am determined to enjoy life while I can, doing what I like, which is asian travel.Regards and best wishes,Ron B
Great Article!
I’m traveling around North America, Central America, New Zealand and Australia in April, Hoping to go for about a year. My best friend pulled out on me last week so I’m flying solo and was a bit apprehensive at first at the prospect of taking on such a long time without someone to go with. Now I am 20% nervous 80% excited, after all traveling should be a challenge and an experience, I look forward to both
Thanks for the info Chris. Keep up the good work.
Get all these pages published!
great job!
Awesome Article..thankyou!!
I am semi planning a 1 year plus TRW trip taking in as many countries as possible en-route..it’s all been good up until now (crunch time) and was strating to have doubts because of the solo thing..but this has made me pick up the reigns again and got me totally amped again for my solo adventure..thankyou!!
This page is fantastic encouragement!!
Im planning/booking my travelling for after my degree and literaly all my friends are either disinterested or broke! It was really nice to know that other people are apprehensive about solo travel and that I wont be the only bugger out there on my own!!
Thanks very much
Cracking article – reading it has brought back some amazing memories. I can remember advising people to travel solo, simply becuase you are never alone. We had a very similar path, I travelled Australia and SE Asia alone. I’m looking at a photo of when I was at the airport in the UK, saying goodbye to my family, weird, but exhilarating at the same time. I had the most amazing time, I really did. Partied hard, but also met the most incredible range of people. I learned self confidence, and also lost a lot of the fear of being in new an uncertain situations. It took being fed up with life for me to go, so my motives were a little odd at the time, but I can remember the build up to my flight out of the UK – I bought my ticket 11 months in advance, and for the first time in my life turned up to work each day trying to earn and save as much money as possible for when I left the UK. I managed £4k and that was a good amount to start with. I did blow that pretty quickly (my spending habits have sinced changed!), and had to borrow £1500 from my Dad, but all things considered, that’s not too bad. Travelling solo puts you in situations that you may not find yourself in by travelling with others. For example, I was almost “taken in” by a Greek family in Oz, and I spent most of the Summer on a yacht, swimming in the sea, having and absolute blast! They really looked after me, and showed me wonderful family values, and basically how to have a really good time, and not take yourself so seriously. I could go on and on, but I’ll leave some space for the others. I am planning on travelling again (now 29, first left at 20), and am looking to do a TEFL course along the way.
Anyway, great post, and if you are not sure about travelling solo, or hesitating, just buy that bloody ticket and get yourself out there, you will not regret a moment of it!!
Just adding the the favourable comments made by others – thanks for a great article. I’m a 45-year that has decided to take advantage of this so-called recession, and rather than worry about whether or not I will find a new job when my current contract runs out, I have decided to hit the road for 6-9 months – starting out in Indonesia (Bali, Lombok, Flores, Sumba), then make my way to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand – then back to Indonesia (Sulawesi) on the way home to NZ.
Like others, I am excited but nervous about travelling on my own. Fortunately, my friends have been very supportive and encouraging – maybe that is a sign of an older age group?!
I have travelled on short trips to parts of Indonesia many years ago, and did a 6 week trip to Thailand and Cambodia last year with my sister, so I have a head start in knowing what to expect. I am also starting out in Indonesia as I can speak Indonesian (studied it for 5 years when at school!) – so that should help the transition to being on the road as well.
I haven’t travelled alone before, so that will be my personal challenge – I am not an extrovert, but I’m not a complete introvert either. I know and accept that I will hit those low moments where the loneliness will be overwhelming – I will make sure I have some strategies up my sleeve to deal with them!
Thanks again for an inspiring article, The comments from other travellers are also inspiring too – thanks everyone!
I am planning on going traveling solo this December in Thailand and you have given me great insight and enthusiasm. Many thanks
Been on two 6-month trips by myself and wouldn’t of wanted to do it otherwise.
I remember talking to numerous people while I was on my trip who were asking me the very same question “doesn’t it get boring on your own?”. I had to respond saying: on the contrary. While you are traveling with your very same friend for 6 full months, I have been traveling with people from all corners of the world. Not only is it far more fun to meet new people and travel along with them, once you’re fed up with them you just split up and find now company again. Even if you’re the shiest, introvert person in the world, there’s no way you stay solo while you’re traveling. If anyone ever has doubts about traveling solo, I have one advise: Just Go! You’ll find out soon enough that all the fears you had while back at home, were all unnecessary. You’ll return as a stronger, more open person once you finish!
During the early 90s I couldn’t get any of my friends to join me in hitting the road, so in 1993, undaunted but a little nervously, I bought a solitary RTW ticket and headed off into the unknown. Y’know it was the best thing I ever did: as in no time I had teamed up with an American and a Dane who were sharing the same dorm, and after some drunken talk we agreed to sail on a cargo ship through the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. I met my wife on that trip too: a cheif’s daughter from an island called Mauke! (true….no bullshit). Been travelling ever since, taking any oppurtunity between jobs, holidays etc. I look at it as one big ongoing journey.
Now a fortysomething putting the pennies away for an early retirement in 15 years or so (once the kids have flown the nest or gone travelling themselves): there will be no stopping us then! Long live the spirit of adventure, and remember there is an unwritten code of honesty and kinship amongst genuine travellers/backpackers.
Thanks for such a thorough and information rich website!!!! I am going to Thailand on my own (both are firsts for me) in February 2010 – unfortunately it’s only for 2 weeks (Bangkok, Ayuthaya (?), Chiang Mai and then down South to some of the places you recommend (that aren’t packed and expensive).. Your advice has really made me feel that I’ll be ok on my own so thank you! I’m a bit nervous but after seeing how many other people have done it before me, I’ve decided to build a bridge and get over it so that by the time I get there, I’ll just enjoy the short time I have..
Traveling Through Southeast Asia for the month of February, 2010. Loosely planning to visit Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia & most excited about the prospect of Myanmar (burma) if I can swing it. I have been to Thailand before and will fly here again to begin my trip. Backpacking Solo and looking forward to it, but also enjoy meeting like minded folks along the way. If there’s anyone out there planning to hit the road in this part of the world around this same time, feel free to shoot me an email. Ron P. Louisville, KY. USA.
great article. I am about to spend two months backpacking solo in Thailand (Feb-March 2010) I’m a bit shy, so I have been worried that I won’t meet anybody while there, but now I feel more optimistic.
Thank you so much for starting this. I went to Thailand last year for two years and had a blast but I went with a friend from the states. I live in Minnesota and currently cant find anyone to travel over seas with that is why I have been thinking about going by myself. I was actually thinking of traveling alone. If anyone is planning on going sometime this year and are looking for someone to travel with please shoot me an email at drbackstrom@yahoo.com as I would love to hear from you!!!!
I am going travelling from the Uk in July/August. I am really shy and aprehensive about going alone. I was considering shelling out a lot of money on organised trips to avoid the expectent lonliness. However reading this article has really inspired me to just do it. So I am going to book my flight to Bangkok for the end of July and just go with whatever money I have saved by then. If anyone wants to meet up then find me on facebook: Lee Ellison (search for my email: leeellison1984@hotmail.co.uk). Don’t be shy just add me
Thanks again for this truly inspiring article.
Hi again, I wrote a message on the 21st of Dec ’09 asking about travelling on my own and thanks to this page I decided to do it. I’ve just got back from a two week solo holiday to Thailand and all i can say is – I’m doing it again!!!! I LOVED it.. I was hardly ever on my own!! definitely better to stay in hostels when you go on your own as that way you’re guaranteed to meet people. It doesn’t matter if you’re shy – all you have to do is ask someone a question (like ‘Are you travelling alone?’/ ‘How long have you been in Thailand?’/ ‘Are you going anywhere else?’) and you’re guaranteed to make friends. I had the best time and now that I’m nearly over the jet lag and feeling almost normal, I’ve decided that I’m going back to Thailand on my own next year – and this time I’ll do the things I didn’t get to do this time..
Highly recommend the following hostels:
Bangkok:
Soi 1 Guesthouse – Backpackers Hostel http://www.powerhostels.com/images/hostelaff/5594-1.JPG
Address: 220/ 7 Sukhumvit Soi 1 , Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Telephone: +66 (0)2 655 0604
Email: soi1guesthouse@hotmail.com
Kho Phi Phi: The Rock
http://phi-phi.com/hotel/thailand/koh-phi-phi/phi-phi-don-village/the-rock-backpacker/index.htm
Rooms in dorms were about 250-300 baht pn.. or you could get your own room/ share with someone for 600 baht pn.
I would highly recommend booking in advance for these two hostels as they fill up really quickly.
if you want any other tips (like ALWAYS ask how much something costs before you order/ buy it) or always take a meter cab in Bangkok – always cheaper than tuk tuks, then please feel free to email me! guinea@rocketmail.com
Solo in Thailand is the future!!
happy travels!
Kerryn
Hey Kerryn, thanks for coming back to the page and letting us know how it went – thrilled to hear you had such a great time and thanks for the tips. Pity I didn’t get to meet you in Bangkok but maybe another time. (Actually, I’ve only met a couple of people who’ve posted on this page which is a shame. Maybe I should start organising a monthly Travelhappy Solo Meetup lol). Take care and happy travels, Chris
Hi Chris,
No problem at all – it’s the least I could do as I owe my solo trip to your advice on this page. I’m really grateful that you wrote your blog – so thank you!
I’ll definitely be coming back to Bangkok so I would be up for coming along to a monthly TravelHappy Solo Meetup event! Fer sure!!!
Also wanted to make another recommendation of a place to visit in Bangkok – Jim Thompsons House.. amazing!! I nearly didn’t go cos thought it would be boring and thankfully someone recommended it – and it was beautiful! So if you have 1.5 -3 hours spare, go there..
Cheers again,
Kerryn
Jim Thompson’s House is that rarest of things – a very popular tourist attraction that is actually way better than it sounds. I’ve been there about 10 times now and it’s a must-see for anyone visiting Bangkok (if they want me to be tour guide, anyway). I wrote about The Mystery Of Jim Thompson’s House a couple of years ago here on Travelhappy. Thanks again for the recommendations – maybe see you next time – happy travels! Chris
Hello,
. However the people closest to me feel that I should have a bit more structure to my trip because im going to be on my own.
Im leaving Wales to travel the world in a few weeks and its only now really hitting home what a big step this is… Im SO excited but scared at the same time as i going alone. I just kinda stumbled across this page while browsing for backpacking essentials and i have to say, reading that other people have felt or are feeling the same way as me is extremely comforting.
USA is me first stop and I have booked a trip for the time that i am in the USA but that is the only thing that is set in stone at the moment. I am not the kind of person to plan everything to the last detail so i was just going to see where the wind takes me… hehe
I have a route and a few flights booked but Hostels etc, i was going to book as i go along… I suppose i am asking for reassurance that this ok.. I dont want to book trips everywhere, to be told where to be and when.. i want a bit of freedom…
ADVICE PLEASE!!! lol xx
Great article, it cleared a bit of my fear of traveling alone for the first time. I really want to leave NL to take on the challenge of overcoming the fear to communicate more to new people. Thanks a lot for the tips. I am thinking of going to Australia on October ‘10.
Only thing that is on my mind, how to survive and get to national parks, with public transportation and such. But that’s off-topic.
In Australia, there are several backpacker bus networks which are a good way to get around – I used Easy Riders on the west coast a lot. Great way of meeting other people too.
Hey chris,
Just gotta say that your advice has totally inspired me to go travelling! Honestly, I’d never even contemplated going travelling (let alone going solo – until sunday night in the pub) as I can barely muster enough confidence to chat to a girl until im about 8 pints deep! But you have totally put my mind at ease, planning on a “working holiday” to oz around september time when I get out of the army. Had a friend who went for a year or so a few years back around asia and oz and he was buzzing when he came back! I feel like I need to find ‘myself’… whatever that is, so thanks mate as this set me off on possibly the adventure of a lifetime!!!!! I would like to hear from anyone who know oz well or anyone thinking of going around that time or, well… anyone!!!
Cheers!
Good luck John – given that you’re in the army you’ve had loads of training in being self-sufficient so you’ve got a big head start there on a lot of other people. Australia is a great place to start your travels. Cheers, Chris
A helpful and inspiring article!
My friend has just dropped out of our trip together so I’m facing a tough (ish) decision of either going solo or not going. Travelling solo is scaring me a lot but after four years of looking forward to this trip I don’t think I can simply just not go.
heya.
I literally have been thralling through googles answers to ‘travelling to oz on your own’, and this has been the most helpful piece ever. I’m at uni in my 2nd year but have had some sort of appifany (if that’s the right word!) over the last weeks, and am quitting to go travelling round Oz. I didnt know if i was just bored of menial work and this was a one minute wonder of mine but then i thought sod it. Travelling on my own always freaked me out slightly, but reading just a handful of people views on it have made me want to even more!
I plan to work for the next 8 months to build up a bit of cash and head out to sydney end of 2010/early 2011- if anyone else has a similar plan let me know!
thanks again!!
kym
Hiya
I have been reading a number of your helpful tips including the tip for how much money i would need for thailand and i have also been getting butterflys about the thought of going it alone as i am planning on going to thailand to bangkok airport end of 2011-2012 time, i know its far away but its because im a student so im finishing my course and going to get some real life exspiriences. Im wondering if i will be too young to do it alone as i am only 18. I thinking on going for about 3 months at the least as i to am trying to become a diving instructor then ending my backpack packing trip in koh tao then carrying it on in oz just wondering if you had any ruff prices on the divemarster course and instructor course chris
Thanks for these tips, their realy insiring
Hey! I am in the same boat as Abbie with being a student and being the same age planning to solo travel. After walking the kokoda trail in Oct 09 it’s given me the confidence to expand out and explore I am currently planning to travel to Malaysia Thailand Cambodia and Vietnam around jan/feb/March, I would like to do some volunteer work in an orphanage or community work. I cant understand why it costs so much to volunteer I have done some research into it and it costs into the thousands for just a month volunteering, can you recommend any organizations. thank you for the Article its been very helpful:)
Cheers
Tim
Hi Tim
there are quite a few opportunities to volunteer in Thailand with grassroots organisations that won’t cost you a fortune.
Check out RealVolunteerThailand.com, Volunthai.com and also InSearchOfSanuk.com
Hope you get to take part in a project where you can really make a difference.
Best
Chris
Hi!
I’ve been studying here in Vietnam for the past 3 months and all of a sudden its looking like I may be on my own to travel for two weeks after my studies finish before I meet up with my bf.
I was pretty nervous about this until reading your article and am now starting to feel excited, especially since I’ve already been here awhile getting accustomed to how things work.
I am thinking of going to mainland Malaysia for those two weeks, starting June 6, since I’ve been all over Vietnam and in Cambodia for 2 weeks, but had a couple of questions. I had ruled out Thailand because of the unrest there currently but am wondering what the situation really is and would I be fine if I chose to travel outside of Bangkok? Also, does anyone have advice for traveling solo as a (21 year old) female and are there any things in particular to watch out for?
Thanks!!
Gaby
Hi just thought id leave a comment on how impressed i was that the author is still maintaining all these comments!
I thought id add my own little piece of advice be it good or bad but its a situation i am in at the moment: Dont feel tied down by the people you are traveling with, ive found it very easy to find a group of people and to just go with the flow and not to do the things that i really wanted to but rather to agree with the majority to avoid being outcasted and alone in a foreign environment.
I recently organised to go to an island with other travelers which i’m not really happy about as its all boozing and partying with other westerners but then again maybe its all part of the experience and im just being shy, its so hard to tell what to do sometimes lol
Hi Gaby
there’s some tips for female travellers in this story on Travelhappy: Ten Tips For Wandering Women – hope you find it useful. best, Chris
I am going travelling by my self to australia and NZ in late 2011 (oct/Nov) for 10 months. I will have only just turned 18 by then but cannot wait will hopefully be the best time of my life.
Was just woundering how much cash you think i would need for an 8-10 month stay.
Great article chris, gave me real inspiration to just decide to go travelling YOUR THE MAN!
Thanks alot chris really helpfull.. im travelling south america on my own in a few months an im really fed up of people giving me there opinion on why i cant, shouldn’t, mad to be travelling alone !!!!
Cant wait to get away…. thanks again for the article ..
Great Story… Planning at the moment my solo trip to south east asia. Are you still living in Bangkok?
Thanks Elias – yes, I’m still living in Bangkok. 5 years now. No plans to move at the moment
Great article has really made me sure I want to travel even though it’s not something my friends are into, Planning solo 4week trip to Thailand next year,do you think it’s best to book as much in advance as possible or just wing it eg hotels travel plans etc?
Hi Jamie – I’d recommend you book your first night in Thailand as you’ll be jetlagged and wanting life to be easy. After that, it’s up to you. I would recommend booking ahead for the islands especially Koh Phangan and Koh Phi Phi – they get incredibly busy and it’s a lot of hassle to hunt for empty rooms just to save a few dollars.