Solo traveling has become increasingly popular over the years, with more and more young adults deciding to go off into the world by themselves. Many of these individuals would say the experiences has improved their lives greatly and added essential character to their personalities. But what do you need to know before traveling solo?
There are many factors that potential solo travelers should know beforehand. This can include anything from costs of traveling to making friends in a foreign country. However, you should also be aware of the factors that will keep your safe while you explore unfamiliar destinations.
In this post, three of the most important safety factors have been listed to ensure you are adequately prepared when you head off on your solo trip.
Do Your Research Beforehand
To begin your research, you should look online. Although a Google search will unveil lots of useful information, many people forget what social media has to offer. There are many Instagram travel accounts that can provide helpful details for different destinations, including popular solo travel countries like Australia, Croatia, Iceland, and Japan. These accounts will provide ideas on accommodation, activities, and locations to visit.
Once you have a better idea of where you would like to go and what you would like to do, you can then determine if these locations are suitable for solo traveling. This goes further than just ensuring you will be safe in the country; you might even be concerned about being the only solo traveler in an area that is filled with couples, families, and groups.
Another aspect to research is whether you will need a visa to visit your preferred country. This will often depend on how long you plan on staying in that country. For example, a tourist visa will allow you to stay in Australia for up to three months, while solo travelers should receive a Visa on Arrival (VOA) when entering Indonesia that is valid for 30 days. You can check with the embassy of your destination to receive advice on what visa, if any, is required.
You should also research accommodation options, common scams and dangers, transportation, and such before finalizing your decision.
Ensure You Have Suitable Insurance for Your Trip
After researching your destination and finalizing your booking, you will need to select the correct type of insurance for your requirements. Solo traveling can cause a few challenges to occur, and having insurance is one of the best ways to protect yourself from unexpected scenarios, such as baggage loss, illness, injury, natural disasters, theft, and unexpected cancellations. No one wants to imagine being the victim of these situations, but it is entirely possible.
When selecting your insurance, you should consider the length you are traveling for. Some ordinary vacation travel policies will only last a week to ten days, which might not be enough if you are planning on exploring a new country for a month or more. If you travel more frequently to different destinations, then opting for an annual policy might work better for you. You should also ensure your insurance policy will cover accidents and injuries that happen during bungee jumping, kayaking, and other activities.
You might also want to consider the cost of the policy before deciding which plan to go for. The cost of your international travel medical coverage will be affected by multiple factors, like your age, your chosen deductible, add-ons, etc. Most insurance policies will range from $40 to $60 per month, which is often more cost-effective than paying for each day, although this might increase if you have a pre-existing medical condition.
Share Your Plans with Someone at Home
Creating a travel itinerary before you begin your travel can be a useful task. Not only does this allow you to ensure your days are packed with activities and you have enough in your budget, it also helps you to prioritize your safety. This is done by sharing your itinerary and travel plans with a family member or friend who is back home. The details you should share include flight details, accommodation, and destinations you’ll be visiting.
The best way to create your itinerary is through a Google document. This means it can be edited through your phone as your travel and other people back home can access it and see the changes as they come through. The instant updates are great for ensuring you are safe at a distance. As your family member or friend cannot check up on you in person, they will see you have been active and can rest easy knowing you are safe.
For women who are solo travelers or would like to experience solo traveling, this is a very important tip to remember. A study found that 88% of women said they were somewhat threatened or felt unsafe while traveling, which goes to show the scope of this issue.
Traveling solo can be a great method of self-discovery. It has proven to be a good way for individuals to experience personal growth and boost confidence, although it is advised that people complete the required preparations before heading off on a trip. This post has outlined some of the most important factors you should consider to ensure your solo travels are enjoyable and safe.
