Are you planning your first big international solo trip? Feeling a little nervous about jet-setting around Europe or backpacking through Asia alone? Need to brush up on your high school Spanish before heading to South America or check what language they speak in certain African nations?
If you’re worried that you’ll forget something while you’re on the road or you’re terrified of being stranded far from home without anywhere to go, this article should be right up your alley. During a trip, Murphy’s law intensifies so sometimes everything that can go most certainly will; the trick is being prepared for when it does so that’s what we’re aiming for.
Love Valley, Cappadocia, Turkey
From dealing with complicated visa applications to last-minute cancellations that could leave you stranded in the middle of the night, this list has every step you need to make sure you’re ready to go abroad on your own.* Whether it’s your first intercontinental flight or your one hundredth, these key tips just might come in handy and save you some frustration down the line. It might not all be smooth sailing but you’ll be able to weather any storm that comes your way!
*All the featured photos were taken during solo trips via selfie stick or kindness of a stranger
1. The culture shock is real
Before heading to your destination, it’s best to look up some of the local norms and no-noes so that you don’t inadvertently end up offending anyone there. Most importantly, doing your homework beforehand will help avoid shock when someone else commits what would be a social faux pas at home.
I could barely conceal my look of revulsion the first time I saw someone at some undisclosed bar in Asia spit on the ground. Inside. Nobody else seemed to bat an eye but I couldn’t get the sight out of my head, especially when people started walking over it. (Did the spitter think it would dry or something?)
Porto Cristo, Mallorca, Spain
Even in Spain, another Western country, I’ve been surprised by some practices such as bullfighting and, while the activity is highly divisive among the citizens, there’s a good portion of the population that still supports it.
Undoubtedly, some customs will come up that you’ll need to get the hang of. For example, in Asia, it’s quite common to take one’s shoes off before entering a home while the opposite is true in Europe. Similarly, eating with one’s hands is quite common in many parts of the world while you might look like a slob in North America. Researching some traditional practices before your next holiday will help ensure that you put your best foot forward as opposed to in your mouth.
2. Visa applications, exchange rates, and vaccination cards can get tricky
Global pandemic aside (this article shall not mention The-Virus-That-Must-Not-Be-Named), there are still many other viruses and bacterial infections out there that you might have to get vaccinated against. For instance, when I went backpacking South America in summer 2018, many countries obligated travelers to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever, a deadly illness frequently transmitted through mosquito bites. I could land in Colombia without getting it but Bolivia was a different story so I had to find a specialized clinic in Spain that administered it.
As it was considered a voluntary vaccination for Spain, Canada and the US (rather than involuntary like the Heps), my travel companions and I had to pay out of pocket for the dose. There was only one appointment left for the next three months in Madrid when I scrambled to check and I luckily managed to snag it for less than 20€. My American companions were quoted around $300USD at their local travel clinic, while in Canada the vaccine went for about $150CAD (basically, North Americans health care systems are pocket-drainers).
Parque Tayrona, Santa Marta, Colombia
When I arrived in Colombia, however, the dose was free to all travelers at any local clinic much to my chagrin; the point is, check the vaccination requirements for your destinations. Before I went back-packing across Asia, I got vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis and made sure to get a prescription for malaria pills (which give you the craziest dreams!). Safety is paramount when traveling abroad and that goes doubly for your general health so certain vaccines and medications are a necessary evil.
As for visa applications, depending on where you’re from, you might not even need one. As a Canadian, I have one of the most ‘’powerful’’ passports in the world, meaning I can enter around 180 countries without a visa. Americans, Australians, South Koreans, the Japanese, the Brits, and most other Western Europeans fare about the same. Other travelers from developing countries might find more barriers in their way and need to apply for visas for any border they plan to cross, which can get pricey.
Cape Greco, Ayia Napa, Cyprus
In Asia, I went to eight countries, half of which like Vietnam and Cambodia, required visas that weren’t always attainable at the border which meant sending my passport away for weeks beforehand to receive the visas. For some reason, Canadians also tend to pay the biggest fees compared to Americans and Europeans and some countries even make you pay an exit tax so read up on the conditions for your destination.
Likewise, exchange rates can also be a hassle. Hence, why I use a travel card like Revolut, which will you to withdraw money nearly anywhere in the world in the local currency and at the best exchange rate. Cash is king globally so make sure to always carry the equivalent of at least 100 dollars or euros because you never know where your adventure could take you.
Which brings me to the next thing…
3. Try to keep your cash funds separated
If you’re lucky, you’ll never have to experience being pickpocketed like I was, by my own tour driver while ziplining in Ecuador. It was my third summer-long backpacking trip so by then I felt like a veteran, knowing how careful I usually was with my possessions. It just took trusting the wrong person once to leave me penniless as the thief quickly cleared out my bank account via electronic transfer.
At the time, I’d only brought the single debit card and since it was a Spanish bank (and Spanish banks are trash), the agents refused to reimburse me the money until I could return to fill out a report in person. Which I couldn’t do since I had no money since my account was now in the red. I was stuck in Ecuador with just two days left in my current reservation before I was supposed to continue the trip for several more weeks (long story short, it wasn’t the best summer and I wasn’t refunded the amount).
Huacachina, Ica, Peru
Before this, I had always set up various travel cards with at least a couple hundred each which I never carried together in case I was robbed of one. Sometimes I’d even set my PayPal so I could always access funds remotely. The South American trip taught me that the initial system had been the best one so now I make sure to carry several debit cards and have set up online pay wallets, just in case. Make sure never to carry all your cash sources around with you, especially in destinations like Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia where pickpocketing is a (different) pandemic.
While my trip to South America was a bittersweet adventure, it taught me that both resilience and preparation can get you through even the hardest times since…
4. There will be bumps in the road
Remember how I mentioned Murphy’s Law and how sometimes everything in the universe will seem to be working against you. Like the time I got food poisoning just a couple hours before my ten-day trip to Budapest and Prague (and still made it to the airport just in time).
There was also that time I arrived in Bangkok on a red-eye just to find that my accommodation didn’t have 24-hour reception and that I was locked out for the night. At 2 AM with no WIFI, I had to find another last-minute accommodation and the first place still charged me the first night (and the receptionist ended up giving me food poisoning!).
Travertine Terraces, Pamukkale, Turkey
Now, with more than thirty countries under my belt, the most important thing I’ve learned while traveling is to go with the flow. Even things going wrong were ultimately part of the adventure and I couldn’t keep fighting against the tide if it was pulling me in a different direction. Sometimes the most unlikely occurrences make for the best stories in the end (like when I had to bribe my way out of Colombian national park on horseback before I was locked inside for the night).
Some things will go wrong and even with all the planning in the world, you won’t be able to do anything to change them. From flights canceled due to the elements to accidental overbookings at your hotel, there’s no catastrophe you can’t weather with the right attitude and some entertainment because…
5. Packing entertainment is a must
Traveling is glorious because you get to see breathtaking sights, try new cuisine and learn something new while heading to far-off destinations. Then again, traveling does leave room for a lot of downtime. Whether waiting at the airport for your next flight, waiting for your train to arrive at your next destination, or just walking around exploring a new city by yourself, you might want something to kill the time.
You know that book you’ve already been meaning to read? Bring it! Don’t have the baggage space? Download it onto your mobile phone or tablet using any of the many e-reader apps. Always wanted to get into knitting? Try it! You’ll have nothing else to do on your 12-hour flight between North America and Asia.
Colosseum, Rome, Italy
While some airlines still provide their customers with complimentary onboard entertainment, these days many don’t, particularly among the budget airlines. Thus, making sure you have something to entertain you when a flight is delayed or the bus has to take an unexpected detour. These could include music playlists, mobile games, podcasts, films, and really just about any digital media that you’re into.
You won’t have access to the Internet while abroad? Download media files in advance; even movies on streaming platforms are good for a couple weeks before they need to be renewed. Create different music playlists to set the mood while you take a self-guided tour around your newest favorite city. Just make sure to also pack a decent external charger (or two) so that your devices never run out of juice.
Speaking of packing…
6. Always double-check your baggage allowance
Don’t learn the hard way like I did that not airlines are created equally. Some of the best-rated airlines in the world, such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines, are also the most expensive while budget airlines like Spirit, Ryanair, and Wizzair tend to receive the most criticisms. They say you get what you pay for and that is most certainly true when it comes to flying so buying tickets from luxury airlines is sometimes worth the splurge.
Living in Europe, I don’t mind taking a weekend trip with my knees cramped up to my chest since the journey only lasts a couple hours at most. However, for the long-haul flight for my move to South Korea, I made sure to spend a little extra since contorting myself for over 12 hours just to get comfortable was out of the question.
Plaza de España, Sevilla, Spain
Budgets airlines tend to cut costs by cutting down on space and gratuitous services for customers, such as in-flight entertainment, and charging other perks as add-ons. You might find yourself actually spending more once you factor in the fees for choosing your seat, selecting a meal, or even baggage. Some airlines also change their baggage policies between domestic and international flights, which was why I was once charged $100 for a large suitcase during a connection, even though the luggage fee had been waived for my first flight.
Therefore, make sure to carefully check the policies of your particular airline, especially when it comes to their baggage allowance so try to pack light so you don’t have to struggle with an overstuffed bag. Don’t know what to pack? Find some more tips here. Rolling your garments and stuffing things inside your shoes can help you save space as well as wearing your most space-consuming clothes to travel.
Chefchaouen, Morocco
While many airlines will allow passengers a small carry-on with wheels, most standard-sized backpacking backpacks tend to be more spacious and usually don’t draw too much attention from the flight staff. If you have a lot of things to carry and a strong enough back, the latter is probably the best bag for you. Soft-side suitcases also have more stretch while hard-side luggage is better at protecting your belongings, especially any souvenirs you plan on bringing home.
Afraid of haggling over souvenirs in the local dialect? Well…
7. Language barriers don’t have to be a limiting factor
Getting the hang of the local language can be difficult for travelers who struggle with foreign languages, especially if it’s not one of the top global languages like Spanish, French, and Arabic. While the tourism industry in continents like Europe and Asia mostly operates in English (too many countries and not enough time to learn both Greek and Thai), in South America, most tours are in Spanish unless you want to shell out extra for English tour guides.
Thus, I highly recommend looking into the tours in your destination in advance. If you find that most are only offered in a language you can’t speak, it’s most likely that you’ll have similar difficultly just getting around. Even after a year of living in Spain, my Spanish was admittedly still pretty iffy, but after two months of haggling with cab drivers and street market vendors while backpacking across South America, I improved by leaps and bounds simply out of necessity.
Larnaca Castle, Larnaca, Cyprus
It can be daunting to pick up a new language just for a week-long trip but just picking up a few basic phrases can go a long way. Locals appreciate the effort you put into learning their language and the discounts and the treatment you receive will be so much better for your efforts. I speak the most terrible Turkish, for example, but locals never fail to crack me a smile merely for trying (before then offering me some delicious Turkish tea).
Don’t even know where to start? There are several free language learning apps, like Duolingo, Memrise, HelloTalk, to help build your confidence while you learn the basics. Going abroad for at least a few weeks or indefinitely? Then you might want to invest in a paid app that is guaranteed to boost you from an A2 to a B2 (beginner to upper-intermediate), such as Rosetta Stone or Babbel. If you know where you’re heading in advance, then you should have plenty of time to plan out your language curriculum and master a few key expressions, which might be useful in a pinch since…
8. You might get food poisoning (or have another health emergency)
As a foodie obsessed with trying exotic cuisine from all around the globe, I like to think that I’ve developed a pretty strong stomach over the years. That fact still didn’t stop me from getting food poisoning for two tricky days as soon as I got to Thailand; nor did it prevent me from landing in a hospital in Turkey near NYE 2021 where no one spoke a word of English, French, or Spanish (one of the only times being trilingual has failed me).
Library of Celsius, Ephesus, Turkey
In my experience, hospital staff, police officers, and other public servants usually aren’t polyglots so communicating your emergency might be an uphill battle. When my travel bestie’s phone got stolen in Vietnam, she had to fill out a police report to be reimbursed by her travel insurance. There was only one problem; none of the officers at the nearest station spoke any English to write down her report. We would’ve been out of luck if our angelic hostel receptionist hadn’t come along with us to translate so don’t be afraid to ask the staff at your accommodation for a helping hand when necessary.
Moreover, if you’re unlucky enough to be in an accident, you might have to pay out of pocket for any necessary medical treatments you may require. By the grace of the Travel Gods, I wasn’t charged for my stay in that Turkish hospital (yay for universal health care), but travel insurance is a must for longer trips, especially for adventure travelers. The last thing you want is to break your leg skiing in the Alps only for the unfortunate incident to bankrupt you in the long run.
Central Park, NYC, USA
Several companies provide different coverages depending on multiple factors such as where you’re from, where you’re going and how long you’ll be traveling. For, in the tragic event of your death, most packages also include repatriating your remains back to your loved ones. If you manage to survive whatever ill will befell you but remain hospital-bound, other packages will allow for your next of kin to be flown out to your bedside.
Just make sure you’re fully covered for any adventures that you might get into. And you never know, you might just hit it off with your hospital roommate while recovering because…
9. You shouldn’t be afraid to make friends along the way
It can be difficult to break out of your shell when traveling alone, especially when you’re in a foreign land. Maybe you crave the serenity of striking out on your own but there’s also nothing wrong with wanting some company for a morning hike. While staying in hotels and AirBnBs would be the comfiest (and priciest) options, staying in a hostel will allow you to also meet fellow travelers who just might want to tag along on your adventure.
Vieux Port, Marseilles, France
Even if you don’t fancy sharing a room with five strangers (particularly during the pandemic That-Must-Not-Be-Named), many hostels offer private rooms so you can have the comforts of a hotel with the atmosphere of your favorite local bar. The majority of hostels also offer free walking tours, pub crawls, and potlucks during which you’re bound to run into other travelers that you may just click with. Some of my closest friends are the ones that I made while backpacking and since then we’ve gone on even more trips together.
Plus, travel friends sometimes are the only companions that will be interested in your travel stories since more homebound buddies might not be able to relate as well as they do. Furthermore, you might just be lucky enough to meet a wandering photographer who will certainly do a better job snagging pics of you than your selfie stick would.
Finisterre, Galicia, Spain
Still not comfortable with staying in a hostel? Several meet-up apps like CouchSurfing, MeetUp, and Facebook Local organize or advertise events near you so you can see who else is attending without the pressure of arranging a travel playdate first. Many locals usually attend so you can even make some chums who can teach you more about their culture and recommend some of the best haunts that may not yet be on your bucket list.
The friends you make out on the road just might be the friends you make for life, especially when you stumble off the beaten path considering…
10. The path less traveled might just be your ticket
While many travel itineraries will list the most popular landmarks and monuments as top priorities, they can sometimes leave off attractions that shouldn’t be missed. Why not explore the smaller villages around your destination to get a better feel of some authentic flair? You might just fall in love with the provincial life as opposed to crowing around the typical tourist traps.
Funiculaire de Bica, Lisbon, Portugal
Exploring the backwoods might also be the perfect mental disconnect you’ve been seeking your entire trip since access to the internet might be non-existent (ahem, Cuba). There can be serenity in being far from home and your usual social pressures, even if you are alone. Why not take the opportunity to take stock of what truly makes you happy?
Likewise, you never know what hidden gems you might stumble upon. During my winter trip to Turkey in 2021, I traveled to Gaziantep (the food capital of the country) and Urfa (birthplace of God’s golden boy, Abraham). Although even some Turks themselves were perplexed as to why I would traipse so far from Istanbul (the biggest city in the country despite not being the capital), I loved my time in the smaller towns so they were each so charming (despite my bout of food poisoning).
Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
Madrid, for example, is surrounded by several quaint villages that I still have to take the time to discover, and your destination is likely no different. Research what else is there is to do in the area so that you don’t miss out on incredible activities that you should definitely tick off your bucket list like swimming in the Dead Sea or traveling to the Middle of the World.
Whatever your interests, you’re sure to find something special that peaks your interest so don’t just visit the Eiffel the next time in Paris since the city has so much more to offer. Bon voyage, les amis!
Final Thoughts
Solo traveling can be a challenge for many people, especially the first time around. The best way to get your feet wet might be planning a shorter weekend trip at someplace closer to home that you’ve always yearned to explore. That way, you’re less likely to run into problems due to contrasting cultural norms, language barriers, and/or exchange rates while still getting to push yourself out of your comfort zone.
Grand Amphitheater, Hierapolis, Turkey
My first big international trip was a week in Cuba at an all-inclusive hotel (not exactly off the beaten path but, hey, unlimited booze), which made the trip a cakewalk since they sent a bus shuttle from the airport and helped book local tours. What I didn’t know at the time was that hotels usually have some of the worst exchange rates around and there was so much Cuban cuisine I was missing from always eating there. At least my ignorance was also my bliss but I’d definitely do the trip differently the second time around.
Kourion Archeological Site, Kourion, Cyprus
While abroad, just remember that you’re capable enough to get yourself through any obstacles you may face. Whether you’re planning a solo hike through the Andes or learning to scuba dive in Bali with a private instructor, the world has so much to offer that you won’t even have time to notice that you’re all on your own. You’re going to have the journey of a lifetime so write me when you get there!
May you get lost in the wonder,
M