Why Travel Solo?
I have a friend who works for an airline and recently was given the opportunity to take a free flight to anywhere that airline flies to which pretty much covers the whole world. Sounds like a total jackpot, right?!
Well for him, it wasn’t.
None of his friends had the holidays left to take off from work or the money to join him in flying to some wonderful, exotic locale so he decided not to go. He decided to turn down that amazing opportunity to get away from it all, see some of the world and recharge his batteries and all because he was too scared to travel solo.
Travelling solo has been one of the best things I’ve ever done.
I’ve driven Australia’s Great Ocean Road, eaten fresh mussels on a boat off the coast of Italy, wandered the streets of Barcelona and sampled Guinness in Dublin to name but a few.
Travelling solo is liberating. It makes you realise that you can do far more things than you probably ever realised you were capable of. You’re forced to make your own decisions, plan out your own routes, book hotels, find the right trains, have meals alone and so much more. You don’t have anyone else to pass the buck to whilst travelling alone and that can be the best thing for your confidence and self-development.
I would certainly not be as confident as I am today if it wasn’t for getting out there and travelling solo to new places and experiencing new cultures and lifestyles. They don’t say that travel is the best education for nothing you know.
You also don’t have to make compromises to suit other people. If you want to spend two hours wandering through a museum then you’re free to do it, if the idea of sitting on a beach all day seems perfect to you then go for it. Nobody else is there to tell you that they don’t want to do that or it’s not the best thing to do in X, Y or Z place. You’re completely free to make your own decisions.
I’ve also made some lifelong friends whilst travelling solo. You’re far more likely to speak to new people when you’re alone than when you’re with a group of people you already know as you naturally tend to stick together. Meeting new people is often one of the best things about travel.
If the idea of solo travel still sounds too daunting then why not look at booking a group trip? You won’t have to worry about being alone and you’re sure to bond with the people in your group. This could even be a great way to start a solo travel stint as it would ease you into the swing of things gently.
My main advice for anyone considering solo travel is just to get out there and do it. You’ll probably find that you actually love it and maybe you’ll even prefer it to travelling with other people!
I’m Emma, a twenty-something Scottish girl who’s obsessed with travel.
I’ve been to 38 countries so far and had some incredible adventures around the world.
My passion for travel and writing led me to create my person blog Emma’s Travel Tales.