1. Pack lightly. It’s not always worth grabbing a cab on your own and you’ll want to be able to lug your bags onto public transportation effortlessly.
2. Be smart. Be subtle. If you’re a woman travelling on your own, go back to the rules of your mama taught you: don’t talk to strangers, or accept anything from them (ahem, no you can’t buy me a drink.) Avoid tourist red flags when walking around your own (large map, big camera, wide eyes) and walk the walk of the locals.
3. Walk all day until you’re feet hurt. The best part of walking on your own is you can stop whenever and wherever you want, take your time, and go anywhere you please. Also, you’ll be exhausted and happy to crash at the end of the day. Going out at night solo isn’t as safe or fun as with a friend.
4. Eat what you want, when you want. This is another huge bonus of travelling solo. No need to try to please someone else or debate over restaurants. I like to take advantage by eating chocolate for lunch and stopping for a glass of wine or a leisurely cappucino when the urge hits.
5. Bring a notebook. You’ll feel a lot more comfortable in a cafe or even a restaurant if you can write or read alone at your table. Also good to be ready when inspiration strikes!
Are you a fan of travelling solo? What are your tips?
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Fabulous tips! And all so true… who likes going OUT out alone?! I’ve grown to really like doing daytime things alone, like going to cafés and galleries. I always bring a notebook or cards to write friends, and always always have a book. I also keep a snack in my bag just in case I find myself ravenous without a good option around.
Yes! I used to go out alone in Paris to drink whiskey and listen to live music, but these days a glass of wine and a good book does it when I’m on my own! A snack is wise! I found myself starving and walked down the street eating melted chocolate from my purse (it was delicious though).
Have loved all your travel posts these past few days. Sounds like you had a great time in Montreal! I haven’t done any solo traveling but do love wandering the streets of Toronto alone sometimes.
Thank you Danielle! I love wandering alone in Toronto too!
I need the reminder to pack lightly! Whenever I go away, even if its just for a night I go sooo overboard with packing! Really, who needs 4 pairs of shoes for a night?! These are great tips, especially to bring a notebook, I would have never thought of that and its such a great idea for when an idea/inspiration comes up! Whenever I’m on vacation it seems I get the most ideas too
Shoes are the trickiest! These days I try to bring my ballet flats and that’s it, but sometimes it’s a huge compromise because I want to bring so many others!
My goal is to go on a trip alone too and I want to go somewhere far like Europe. I think that would be such a great experience!
I love travelling solo in Europe!
Yes love traveling alone! The only thing I hate is when I am at the airport and did not check luggage, so when I have to pee everything comes with me, haha. There have been some very funny incidents.
miss you! I will email soon
xoxo
M
That’s the worst! I am trying to get better at just taking carry ons when travelling alone
Love this! I’ve never travelled alone but have always wanted to. I love my husband to death, but I imagine there’s something to be said for exploring a new place on your own. Your second tip is really good… don’t look like a tourist. I also eat whatever/whenever I want on vacation already!
I love travelling with J too, but there is something wonderful about being your own guide! Cheers to wonderful food on vacation, I’m still enjoying my raw goat cheese from Montreal!!
I used to travel solo all the time for work… I’d make the best out of it by finding the best restaurants and sitting at the bar so I could meet people to talk to…. most of the time I just made friends with the staff. Also – traveling alone can be even more rewarding than traveling with someone sometimes, because you never know who you are doing to meet. One of my favorite mentors is a older gentleman I met on a plane 5 years ago and we still keep in touch. So crazy! This post is so beautiful and makes me want to get back on the bird!!!! I love your site, Gillian…I always walk away so refreshed.
Thank you Vani!! You sound like an awesome person to travel with, or meet while travelling solo! That’s so cool that you still keep in touch with that gentleman!! I love stories like that!
The “pack lightly” tip is such a good one! I used to go crazy over what clothes to pack and just brought a TON of stuff. Now I go for a similar colour and style theme for all my clothes (say, pastel colours plus white plus some brown or mint or black) and make sure beforehand that I can do different combinations with them. I am the worst when it comes to combining clothes (miss your fashion posts, Gillian! And I still would love to have you here every time I go shopping and be my shopping guide
.. your style just rocks!), so that is key for me.
I would love to go shopping with you!! I think the secret to packing lightly is packing one outfit or dress that you LOVE. When I was in Montreal I wore the same dress every day! You’re not seeing the same people every time, so it doesn’t matter. And we often end up wearing the things we love anyways! I still laugh when I go over vacation photos and see myself wearing the same thing in every photo though
And I will totally take your word and go shopping with you, should we meet one day!
sunday chocolate hug from Frankfurt, eating my raspberry Lindt Excellence bar (coconut was better, though)
Good tips for those solo travelers out there. It seems that traveling alone costs you some parts of a trip experience like the nightlife and meeting people. If you want to take part in some of that, I think another great tip is to travel through an agency that sets you up with other singles who are traveling alone. This could provide you with the security you need to experience some of the things you might have been afraid to do alone.