[0:00] one of the best things about solo travel
[0:01] is what you learn about yourself along
[0:03] the way but booking that first trip can
[0:05] be daunting that's why we've put
[0:06] together some of our favorite tips to
[0:08] help you feel more comfortable when
[0:09] traveling alone hey i'm tom from pack
[0:11] hacker and if you're new to the channel
[0:12] consider subscribing and ringing that
[0:14] bell icon for notifications instead of
[0:16] waiting for your schedule to align with
[0:18] friends or family solo travel allows you
[0:19] to get up and go whenever and wherever
[0:22] you want plus it's a great time to get
[0:24] introspective eat pray love style this
[0:26] video is sponsored by backcountry a
[0:28] company that is all about getting out
[0:30] there and experiencing new things so
[0:32] stay tuned for an exclusive discount
[0:34] later on in this video and let's dive in
[0:37] [Music]
[0:47] solo travel is a great opportunity for
[0:49] growth and it's good to find the right
[0:51] balance between challenging yourself and
[0:52] having fun and the best is when both of
[0:55] these combine knowing what you're able
[0:57] to handle without getting overwhelmed is
[0:58] crucial if that means going somewhere
[1:00] that's fluent in your native language so
[1:02] that you can navigate easier that's okay
[1:04] don't feel bad building your way up to
[1:05] places outside of your comfort zone
[1:07] however if you play to your strengths
[1:09] you'll be able to solve a problem before
[1:11] it becomes one download maps on your
[1:13] phone ahead of time if you're bad with
[1:14] directions and leave early to avoid
[1:16] missing a train more confident types may
[1:18] feel comfortable striking up a
[1:19] conversation with strangers so consider
[1:22] staying in a hostel or bar hopping if
[1:24] you're more of a wallflower try posting
[1:26] about a restaurant patio where you can
[1:27] people watch without being disturbed
[1:29] personality types aside it is great to
[1:31] get some practice in before your trip go
[1:33] out to eat by yourself or take a day
[1:35] trip to an unfamiliar city near your
[1:37] home to get used to exploring solo
[1:40] [Music]
[1:42] we've said this before and we will say
[1:43] it again pack light unlike when you
[1:45] travel with a group you'll be carrying
[1:47] everything around yourself leave behind
[1:49] extra shoes and clothing to reduce the
[1:51] weight of your bag on the plus side any
[1:53] snacks you bring are all yours so no
[1:55] more hangry arguing with your friend who
[1:57] doesn't know the word share check out
[1:58] the links in the description below for
[2:00] some detailed packing tips on how to cut
[2:02] down another thing to consider is your
[2:04] luggage no one is around to watch your
[2:06] bag while you run to the bathroom so try
[2:08] to reduce it to a carry-on and personal
[2:10] item at most the osprey farpoint and
[2:12] fairview are great options for
[2:14] first-time solo travelers they're
[2:16] similar bags but the fairview is
[2:18] designed for smaller frames both have a
[2:20] 40 liter capacity which means you can
[2:22] stretch the one bag travel limits and
[2:24] bring that extra sweater if it eases
[2:26] your mind the sling is great for keeping
[2:28] a smaller gear like a passport wallet
[2:30] and phone close to your body you can get
[2:32] some shut eye while you're at the
[2:34] airport or on public transit without
[2:36] worrying about theft before hitting the
[2:38] road you want to make sure that you have
[2:39] your gear dialed in the best part about
[2:41] preparing for solo travel is finding
[2:43] what works for you both in what you pack
[2:45] and how you plan here at pack hacker we
[2:47] put products to the test through reviews
[2:49] and guides aimed at helping you select
[2:50] the best gear for you that's why we've
[2:52] partnered with backcountry they have
[2:54] hundreds of gear heads to help answer
[2:55] your questions via webchat email and
[2:57] phone those folks are just like us
[3:00] seasoned travelers committed to great
[3:02] gear for even greater adventures plus
[3:04] they have a solid selection of products
[3:06] to choose from use the code down in the
[3:08] description below pack hacker 15 for 15
[3:11] off your first order at backcountry.com
[3:13] some exclusions may apply that's 15 off
[3:16] gear bags and travel accessories so get
[3:20] out there explore and find your back
[3:21] country wherever that may be and let's
[3:24] get back into the tips
[3:26] [Music]
[3:27] when traveling alone you'll be footing
[3:29] the bill yourself that means no
[3:30] splitting meals or transportation costs
[3:33] with a friend unless you happen to make
[3:34] one along the way it may not be an issue
[3:36] for everyone but it's worth factoring
[3:38] that into your budget while you're
[3:39] planning some travel amenities will also
[3:41] charge for what's called a single
[3:43] supplement this is a premium fee for
[3:45] solo travelers who book tours or rooms
[3:47] designed for groups of two or more since
[3:50] they aren't making money off of a second
[3:51] person they'll charge you extra to make
[3:53] up the difference some companies will
[3:55] pair you with another solo traveler if
[3:57] you ask or you can just look at the fine
[3:59] print to see if the single supplement
[4:01] exists one last thing to consider is
[4:03] travel insurance it covers most
[4:05] accidents that happen abroad but some
[4:07] also reimburse you if you have to cancel
[4:09] you can find it through third party
[4:11] providers however make sure to check in
[4:13] with your own insurance first as they
[4:15] may cover things or offer add-ons
[4:17] certain credit cards will also offer
[4:19] coverage too though she was with friends
[4:21] our editor lauren was happy to have car
[4:23] insurance when they popped a tire while
[4:24] in ireland insurance won't stop things
[4:27] from going wrong however it can prevent
[4:29] that uh oh what now feeling
[4:32] [Music]
[4:33] traveling solo is a chance to be
[4:35] spontaneous however a little planning
[4:37] doesn't hurt so take the time to
[4:39] prioritize on what you want to get out
[4:40] of your trip that way when you get to
[4:42] your destination you can get started on
[4:44] your sightseeing and pick up other ideas
[4:46] along the way look up restaurants and
[4:48] destinations that you want to see before
[4:50] you get there mark businesses on google
[4:52] maps using their want to go feature so
[4:55] you can reference it when it's time to
[4:56] find food or an activity you'll cut down
[4:58] on time when deciding what to do next if
[5:00] you don't happen to find something
[5:02] better you can also talk to locals to
[5:03] see what places they recommend and what
[5:05] you should skip however be realistic on
[5:08] how much you're cramming in avoid
[5:09] burning out early by taking a night in
[5:11] if that's what you think you need since
[5:13] you don't have a travel companion
[5:14] there's absolutely zero pressure to keep
[5:16] someone else happy with your travel
[5:18] plans getting takeout and people
[5:20] watching from your local hotel balcony
[5:22] can be just as exciting as a night out
[5:24] in the city
[5:25] [Music]
[5:27] once all of your documents are up to
[5:29] date and you've confirmed any necessary
[5:30] visas you'll want to keep that
[5:32] information on hand at all times take
[5:34] photos and keep them secure on your
[5:36] phone or your computer so you have them
[5:38] on you at all times in case you lose the
[5:40] real documents it's also worth creating
[5:42] a spreadsheet with any key travel info
[5:44] you have including flights key dates and
[5:47] where you're staying share this info
[5:49] with select family or friends so that
[5:50] they know where to find you in case of
[5:52] emergency it'll also help keep you
[5:54] organized without someone to wake you up
[5:56] when you sleep through your alarm you'll
[5:58] need to make it to your flight all on
[5:59] your own however the great thing about
[6:01] traveling solo is that if you do miss a
[6:03] flight or tour it doesn't impact anyone
[6:05] else's trip that said there still may be
[6:08] consequences if you arrive late at your
[6:10] destination some hotels hostels and
[6:12] airbnbs have limited check-in times so
[6:15] make sure to factor that in when you're
[6:17] looking for places to stay it may be
[6:19] good to find something that allows for a
[6:21] later check-in time if you need some
[6:23] flexibility
[6:24] [Music]
[6:26] even when you're in a foreign country
[6:28] technology is a tool that can help you
[6:30] feel right at home if you get a local
[6:31] sim card or pay for travel wi-fi you can
[6:34] stay in touch with friends and family
[6:36] plus you may want to consider sharing
[6:38] your location with a few people so that
[6:40] they can check in every once in a while
[6:42] other small gear may seem insignificant
[6:45] but can make a huge difference
[6:47] noise-cancelling headphones or
[6:48] old-fashioned earplugs will help you
[6:50] sleep if you end up bunking with a
[6:51] snoring stranger on the other hand if
[6:53] you have an extra plug converter you can
[6:55] share it with someone and make a friend
[6:57] download an app like google translate to
[6:58] help with the communication barrier and
[7:00] make it easier to communicate you can
[7:02] translate by speaking or scanning a
[7:04] portion or text so you can quickly ask
[7:06] for directions or order at a restaurant
[7:08] and though it may make you look like a
[7:10] tourist consider bringing a tripod or
[7:12] selfie stick to take photos that way you
[7:14] won't have to hand off your phone to a
[7:16] stranger to get that instagram worthy
[7:18] pick
[7:19] [Music]
[7:21] we've already mentioned a few safety
[7:22] tips in this video however it's good to
[7:25] go into more detail you want to be
[7:26] careful when traveling with a large
[7:28] group but it's even more important when
[7:29] you're completely alone choose gear that
[7:31] adds an extra layer of protection so you
[7:33] don't always have to think about it the
[7:35] pacsafe metrosafe backpack is slash
[7:37] proof and lockable and one strap even
[7:39] detaches so you can secure the bag
[7:41] around a table or chair or check out a
[7:43] low profile lock like the hip block
[7:45] z-lock to add the same security when
[7:48] completing your booking look for places
[7:49] in more populated areas or with reliable
[7:52] transportation so you don't have to rush
[7:54] home before dark for added safety bring
[7:56] along a portable travel lock that you
[7:58] install from the inside to help prevent
[8:00] intruders they're also great for public
[8:02] restrooms or for doors that won't lock
[8:04] now that solo travel has given you the
[8:06] opportunity to get to know yourself more
[8:09] it is important to trust your gut if
[8:10] something doesn't feel right then don't
[8:12] do it full stop even if you've already
[8:14] paid for a tour or lodging it's better
[8:16] to be safe and miss it than run into a
[8:18] problem you can't get out of
[8:20] [Music]
[8:23] even if it's your first time solo
[8:24] traveling there are ways to make it look
[8:26] like it's not put in one wireless
[8:28] headphone and listen to directions as
[8:29] you walk rather than staring at a map
[8:32] you'll be able to enjoy the scenery and
[8:34] look like you know where you're going
[8:35] it's also handy for walking around at
[8:37] night but check your route ahead of time
[8:39] and stay alert our contributing writer
[8:41] randaya likes jaybird vista headphones
[8:43] because of the lasting charge and
[8:44] comfortable fit one of my favorite
[8:46] things to do while solo traveling is
[8:48] just to pick a direction and walk it
[8:50] allows me to get familiar with the area
[8:52] and see local culture rather than
[8:54] sticking to touristy spots my full
[8:56] attention is able to be on the sights
[8:58] sounds and smells versus walking and
[9:00] chatting with a travel buddy i even make
[9:03] notes of places to go later if i don't
[9:04] have time to explore them right away if
[9:06] you're less comfortable with alone time
[9:08] find some outdoor seating at a
[9:10] restaurant or public area read an e-book
[9:12] for something to do or opt for a
[9:14] physical book as a natural conversation
[9:16] starter with other patrons
[9:18] [Music]
[9:20] when you finally realize that you
[9:22] haven't spoken more than 10 words over
[9:24] the course of a few days it might be
[9:26] time to meet some people strike up a
[9:27] conversation with strangers whether it's
[9:29] a waiter bartender or other travelers at
[9:32] your hostel local folks will have great
[9:34] recommendations of places to see that
[9:36] you may have otherwise missed even if
[9:38] you've downloaded google translate like
[9:39] we mentioned earlier it's also a good
[9:41] idea just to learn a couple of common
[9:43] phrases in the native language some
[9:46] locals may appreciate the effort and
[9:47] remember this trip is about growth
[9:49] anyways you can also choose
[9:51] accommodations that are naturally more
[9:53] social apps like couchsurfing or renting
[9:55] a room at an airbnb save you money and
[9:58] are a great way to make friends if
[9:59] you're going to be in one area for a
[10:01] while or a hostel is filled with
[10:03] travelers just like you and they can
[10:05] point you in the direction of something
[10:07] fun they've already done you may even
[10:09] find a buddy who wants to do the same
[10:10] thing and that's how you beat the single
[10:13] supplement we mentioned earlier if
[10:14] you're the shy type now is the time to
[10:16] really stretch those wings and get out
[10:18] of your comfort zone
[10:20] [Music]
[10:22] one final tip and perhaps the most
[10:24] important one of all don't be afraid to
[10:26] make mistakes you can plan ahead and
[10:28] prepare though things may still go wrong
[10:30] sometimes that restaurant you are
[10:32] planning to go to is closed or a temple
[10:34] is under construction so as long as you
[10:36] roll with the punches those smaller
[10:38] inconveniences won't become bigger
[10:40] beasts solo travel is a chance to grow
[10:42] and challenge yourself whatever that
[10:44] means for you if you get scammed by a
[10:45] street vendor or miss a planned tour
[10:48] laugh it off and take it as a lesson for
[10:50] next time and since you're alone there
[10:52] is no one to please but yourself if you
[10:54] decide you want to sleep in instead of
[10:55] getting up early to watch the sunrise
[10:57] it's 100 up to you go luxury or stretch
[11:00] every dollar as long as you're having
[11:02] fun you are on the right track traveling
[11:05] alone is a great way to learn more about
[11:07] yourself and the world at the same time
[11:09] so let loose enjoy every second and take
[11:11] some time to breathe so there you have
[11:13] it our top 10 tips to get you started on
[11:15] your solo travel adventure make sure to
[11:17] check out the link down in the
[11:18] description below and use code
[11:20] packhacker15 for 15 off your first order
[11:23] at backcountry.com and remember some of
[11:25] the best tips come from you the pack
[11:28] hacker community right here on youtube
[11:30] so please leave your best solo travel
[11:32] tip down in the comments below or a
[11:34] funny solo travel story that you can
[11:36] share with the community thanks for
[11:38] keeping here at pack hacker your guide
[11:40] to smarter travel and we will see you in
[11:41] the next video