24 Solo Travel Tips & Hacks — Full Breakdown & Transcript

[00:00] If you ever find yourself having to be solo on a trip, or you're thinking about solo travel and you're a little bit scared, or you just like to hear my voice, then this video is for you. Some people fear traveling alone because they're scared of loneliness, or they're scared something bad might happen to them,

[00:15] like the movie Taken. I have now traveled to 8 different places by myself since I was 22 years old. So here are 24 solo travel tips and hacks to ease your mind, and show you how life-changing it can be.

[00:27] I am an introvert, but I will say that traveling alone can be a lot of time alone. Why travel solo? I've been to work-related things. Traveling solo allows me to have the freedom to travel and do exactly what you want to do,

[00:41] not worrying about anybody else. That can also teach you what kind of traveler you are. What do you enjoy doing? What tastes do you enjoy? Because you're not worrying about following anyone else's schedule. It's your own. I have found that I tend to adapt to other people's traveling styles,

[00:55] but when I am by myself, I don't mind going out early in the morning, then I'll come back for like a midday nap, then I'll go back out again in the evening. Next, traveling solo allows for introspection, where you are outside of your daily routine in another country or different state,

[01:10] and you make it some time to yourself to think and reflect. At introspection, it's so important for us as humans to just be mindful of power or actions that will continue to perfect our way. Traveling solo also allows you to really grow as a person.

[01:24] I get very homesick if I am traveling by myself and that just allows me to be in uncomfortable situations and to grow and to push through it. But when I come back, I'm like, I was just in Japan by myself.

[01:36] I can handle this work email and have the problem solved all by yourself. I feel like with those experiences, I get even 1% more mature. Another perk of traveling solo is that there is a higher chance of your seat being upgraded or you being moved because you're by yourself

[01:53] versus if you're traveling with other people or in a group. Traveling solo also allows me to practice communication skills because I have no one else to talk to. So I have to approach strangers if I lost any direction or I have to talk to the waiters or the people that surround me.

[02:08] As an introvert, that's very scary. But now with solo travel, especially as a woman, comes solo travel safety that's very important. Some of the things I share may sound a little bit paranoid, but I'd love to be safe and sorry.

[02:21] And I'm going to err on the side of caution so that you can just have the best time and not worry about anything. First, you want to research your destination and figure out what their walking score is. Is the place you're going walking friendly, especially if you aren't going to have a car?

[02:36] Now traveling in off can be helpful because a lot of the flights and accommodations will be cheaper but on the flip side it actually nice to go when there a lot of tourists because there just a lot of people outside because people are roaming the streets everywhere

[02:49] But if you're in a city where you know it's totally safe, it's fine to go during the off-season, even if there's not a lot of people out and about. Korea and Japan, I felt very, very safe walking out at night time by myself.

[03:01] In Madrid, I also felt very safe. But there may be some cities and places that you should maybe avoid late at night, especially alleyways. Next, share your itinerary, like your flight number and the time, as well as your hotel, with someone at home or someone that you know that is in your home country.

[03:17] That way, they can kind of keep tabs and make sure you landed where you needed to be and they know where you're staying in terms of your accommodations, just in case. Make sure you stay connected, whether you have Wi-Fi or an e-firm or just any way where you know you can contact someone, especially if you're international, just so that you have a way to connect with someone.

[03:37] My friends and I also have each other on By My Friends. It's just a way for us to just make sure, you know, our friends are safe and those who are not are just curious and like to know where they are. Next, make sure you pack lightly, especially when you're traveling alone.

[03:51] Just take what you can carry by yourself because there's nobody who can help you in the overhead compartment. And when you're lugging it through public transportation, be sure you can handle it. There's nothing more pressuring than trying to get everything by yourself.

[04:05] Next, decide how you're going to get to and from the airport before you go on your trip. This is just one less thing to worry about when you rent, but you already know how you're going to get from the airport to your accommodation.

[04:18] Whether it's Uber, public transportation, or someone's going to pick you up, or a private taxi, just know what you're going to do. Secure your valuables. Make sure that you have your wallet and your phone inside your pocket and that it's not just hanging behind you.

[04:35] Make sure that you have your things in the front. Nobody else is looking out for you, so you just have to look out for yourself. So I always have my spring bag and I make sure that the book cart is in front of me, or I make sure that my phone and my wallet are always in front of me, never behind me.

[04:49] Now, stay in reputable places and make sure you choose accommodations. I have a lot of reviews where you can kind of see the notes of, you know, how is it at night, how's the noise level, and the people to your face.

[05:01] I also like to check the location on Google Maps, and then I press on the yellow person, and I just kind of see what the surrounding area looks like. Of course, I can't know for sure what a location is like, but it just gives you a general idea of what is the feel of the neighborhood.

[05:15] And if you'll be utilizing public transportation, make sure your accommodations are near the public transportation so you're not walking 20 minutes every single night Make sure to utilize the second lock in your hotel room the one that goes up the very top like the little bar that goes across There have been stories of the front desk making

[05:33] a mistake and then you get another key for someone that happens to open your hotel room. I've heard this happen before. Not to me. You just want to make sure nobody can just like barge into your hotel room, even if it's a mistake. I always have a bar right across so that even if somebody tried

[05:48] to open the door, they can't come in. Now, before heading out for your date, make sure you download your Google Maps and you already have previewed the route that you need to go along. Even if you're looking at it and you're like, this isn't getting any fun to me, at least you can just hop in there

[06:00] and it's open because whenever you're out and about and you're looking a little lost, you're really bringing attention to yourself because people notice and you want to make sure that you are safe and you don't draw unnecessary attention to yourself. If you start to feel lonely, it's

[06:13] It's also helpful to call your friends or your family members. For me, I like to use either KakaoTalk, FaceTime, or Facebook Messenger. And then I'll either call my husband or my mom and my dad.

[06:25] Usually that's it. And then usually I'll text my friends. I always vlog most of my trips, so that is very helpful for me to not feel alone, especially when I'm eating and just have my camera with me and do what I'm eating with you guys. But for most people, I know it can start to feel a little bit daunting, but just to eat the food.

[06:41] I saw that in the drinks, the waiters were so nice to me because I was eating by myself. They would check in on me a lot more often. They would also give me free food. But I really had to just learn to sit with the feeling of, I'm okay, and it's okay.

[06:53] But I'm fine with it, so it's okay. And it's normal to feel alone sometimes, and it's normal to just sit. And we just have to sit with that feeling. But if solo dining is daunting, there are places that have solo dining options.

[07:05] Whether it's taking food to go and eating it at a park, or there are restaurants that that specialize in just solo eating, where you just get a small table for yourself. This is really popular in Asia.

[07:17] When I went to Korea, I went to get Myeongdong gyoja, which is like a kalguksu place. And when I set out eating them myself, they sent me a pair of weird, artificial eating balloons. It's just all these people at their own table. But you can also read a book,

[07:29] listen to a podcast, or an audiobook, and we live in a generation where a lot of people just have technology on them while they're eating. But if you just want to people watch, that's what I do. Carry a six-piece device. So one time I went to Europe and I brought my pepper spray with me.

[07:44] I don't even know how it made it to Europe with me. But then I was going from Prague to London and I realized, oh no, I have my pepper spray in my backpack. And so they gave me their away. But I have got that, you know, hand sanitizer.

[07:56] That would probably hurt if you spray some of it. So just know that that can do something that helps with your face too. Hopefully you never have to use it. Or a hydrophilic water bottle or anything that made out of metal or tin Just In public settings especially public education surround yourself with families and children I always feel safe when I see children walking around

[08:17] And, ah, it's safe for them, it's safe for me. It's unfortunate that I have to even think that way, but... Know the emergency number of whatever place you are in. In the United States, 911 is the police.

[08:29] But in other countries, it's not. Like in Korea, it's actually 119. Another safety thing is to be mindful of sharing your itinerary, especially on social media, if you are on social media. For me, I try to be very mindful to not post in real time.

[08:44] So if I am eating at a restaurant, which, you know, that could be like an hour period, then I try to post after I leave because if I post right at that moment, you just never know who could be looking at our social.

[08:56] If I see your profile, it's all private. Of course, if a viewer says hi to me, I always feel so happy, so excited. And so this is not just because I'm a conflict leader, but this is for everyone. Just be mindful of what you're posting, what hotel you're at, or what you can't do for the entire week.

[09:11] Make sure to use reliable means of transportation so that you don't end up getting scammed. I know there's even countries where some people have their own taxi line. You just don't know how much they're charging. They can scam you. Be very mindful that you have a reliable means of transportation.

[09:26] I don't mind using Uber in other countries because at least they don't really have a customer service line. So if anything happens, I can contact customer service. Keep emergency cash on you because you don't have anybody else

[09:38] to ask or to rely on and so if you just have some emergency cash, sure you need it. Back in 2013, not all places in Europe accepted cards but I'm sure now that's changed but again, that is a secret story. Usually for me, I like to think enough cash to last me one day because I'm

[09:54] feeling okay, then at least one day I can figure out whatever problems are happening. Kind of crazy. If you're into it, you can talk to strangers, but be mindful to listen more about them before you share your whole life story and life that you're traveling alone and all of that.

[10:08] Because you want to make sure you just clear out the vibe and make sure that you are trustworthy and that they are safe people to be talking to. Be sure to have a portable charger on you because you want to make sure your phone doesn't die when you need it the most.

[10:22] Because there's nobody else that you can borrow from. So I hope that this encourages you, but also keeps you safe if you plan to travel alone. But also remember that you are never truly alone.

[10:34] Behold, I will love you always to the end of the age. Matthew 28, 20. If you are a DC, please like and subscribe, and I'll see you later. Travel safely. Bye!