5 Challenges You May Face as a Solo Traveller
In recent years, solo travel has increased in popularity. The advantages far outweigh the drawbacks, and you'll realise that isolation isn't an incurable illness with which you'll be doomed. Solo travel stories are nineteen to the dozen on social media sites like Instagram and Facebook, making you yearn for a similar getaway.
The pandemic brought the whole world to a halt, putting all travel plans on hold. That's when virtual travel made its debut and changed the way people travel. Because of this, solo travel has never been simpler or more economical, costing a fraction of what it would have cost if we had travelled in person. Virtual video travel, despite all of its advantages, is not without its drawbacks. You can't share photos on social media, and it won't make you feel like you've travelled.
Social media, on the other hand, just shows you half of the storey – the part that everybody wants to know. It is not all rosy when it comes to solo travel, despite all the Instagram-worthy photos. What most people don't tell you is that solo travel can be frightening, and it has aspects that few people can tell you about.
We've compiled a list of issues that many solo travellers face below. Check it out!
- Ensuring Your Safety
The most challenging task you'll face while travelling alone is maintaining your personal safety and the safety of your belongings. This isn't to say that travelling alone is risky. It is as secure as any other mode of transportation; but, when travelling alone, you are more vulnerable to accidents if you are not cautious. When travelling in a group, you have a sense of security; however, when travelling alone, you are completely responsible for your own safety. Local hoodlums or bad elements are more likely to attack solo travellers because they are more exposed than those travelling in a group.
- Tiredness
This is particularly true if you are a novice solo traveller. You initially fail to do anything on your own because you are not used to the nitty-gritty of solo travel. From the preparation stage to the execution stage, you are solely responsible for your travel. All of this necessitates a significant amount of time, commitment, and patience. When you have someone to share the burden with, it is a lot simpler. But just as you don't share the benefits of solo travel, you also don't share the hard work. You don't have a backup plan.
- You Might Feel Alone
If you're an inexperienced solo traveller, the journey can become lonely after a day or two. As a result, if you want to go on a solo trip, you must be able to speak to strangers as well as other solo travellers. Mix it up, make new connections, and make new friends. After all, that is the whole point of solo travel. Create friends in hostels, traveller pubs, and cafes. Hire a tour guide to learn more about the city and have a discussion with. In towns, it can be challenging, but there will still be people and a plethora of options!
- You Must Make All Your Decisions
Nobody will make your choices for you or give you a second opinion. You must do everything yourself at all times. You must figure out how to get to your next destination, purchase tickets, read a map, locate a place to sleep, ensure that you do not run out of money, ask for directions, purchase food and prepare or locate a place to eat, and so on. You make all of your choices on your own, from the smallest to the most important.
- Financial Considerations
Even though travelling to many places isn't very costly, you should be wary of expenditures such as lodging and food, which can wreak havoc on your budget. Everywhere you go, you can't stay in a hostel, and staying in a decent hotel can be pricey, with small food options and no one splitting the cost of drinks. Another factor is the cost of taxis and other forms of site transport, which can wreak havoc on a budget, particularly in an emergency.
Nothing in life is without its difficulties. Without a doubt, travelling on your own can be the most incredible, liberating, and strong experience you will ever have. But it's also frightening, and it pushes you to develop as an individual and become stronger. It's a steep learning curve, and you'll have to learn to roll with the punches.
That being said, do your homework, particularly if this is your first solo trip. Taking a virtual travel tour is the best alternative. Choose a destination and take a guided tour to get a sense of what you're getting yourself into.