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Explore! are here to guide you. Take a look at the solo travel tips below to find out everything you need to know about travelling on your own. We take a look at the kinds of people who embark on solo travel adventures, what the benefits are of travelling solo, how to plan a solo trip, some of our favourite solo travel adventures, how to stay safe when travelling alone and why joining a small group tour is a great way to travel solo.
A wide variety of people of all ages choose to travel alone. From young people backpacking around the world for the first time and busy professionals wanting to escape the rat-race, to solo travellers in their 50s and 60s making the most of their retirement and millennials enjoying their precious annual leave, solo travel is fast growing in popularity across many generations and communities.
One big misconception is that you have to be single to travel alone. But that’s definitely not the case. Many of our solo travellers have partners at home. Some want to challenge themselves to embark on a solo travel trip for the first time, and others are drawn to parts of the world that their partners aren’t keen on visiting.
Furthermore, solo travel attracts people looking for a range of different experiences from bucket list cultural tours and food and drink discovery trips to high–action activity holidays and once-in-a-lifetime mountain treks. There’s not a one-size-fits-all persona for solo travellers – anything goes!
When speaking to solo travellers, we find that everyone has their own personal reason to head out on their own. But here are a few of the most common reasons people choose to travel alone:
Planning a solo holiday can be fun and exciting, but there are many things that you need to think about to get the most out of your trip.
Solo travellers are occasionally charged a single supplement by hotels. This charge is designed to compensate a hotelier for the loss of income that may occur due to a room being occupied by only one person, not two. This can also be referred to as a premium charge for the benefit of having a room to yourself. But you can, of course, avoid this fee if you are willing to share a twin room with another solo traveller.
On Explore tours, we offer solo travellers the option to stay in a twin room with another solo traveller of the same sex as standard. Alternatively, you can choose to pay a single’s supplement to have the room to yourself.
Travelling alone may seem daunting, but as long as you are careful and have your wits about you, solo travel can be perfectly safe. Here are a few tips to help you to stay safe while travelling on your own:
Keep belongings secure
Travel with a bag that can be securely fastened and is not easy to grab. Be sure to keep valuables such as jewellery, cameras, phones and laptops hidden from view and don’t carry travel documents unless absolutely necessary.
Stay alert
Don’t let your guard down when out and about, especially when travelling at night. While you’ll want to have a good time, be mindful of how much you drink and never leave beverages unattended. If you feel uncomfortable about your surroundings, move on to somewhere else or go back to your accommodation.
Respect local cultures
Take some time to understand the local dress codes and traditional customs of the destinations you are travelling to. In some locations, you may be required to cover up more than you are used to and refrain from certain behaviours to avoid causing offence to the local people and drawing unwanted attention to yourself.
Travel in a group
If you are unsure about travelling alone, an Explore small group tour will provide you with the extra security and reassurance of travelling in a group and with an experienced local guide. Plus, you’ll still experience the thrill of travelling solo. This is also a great option for areas of the world that are perceived to be less safe or if you are travelling alone for the first time.
Choose a small group tour
Never feel lonely as you join like-minded travellers to explore exotic destinations and make new life-long friends on a small group tour. The average size of an Explore trip is just 12 which is big enough to get to know new people and feel safe, but small enough to give you the freedom to explore the destinations you visit. Plus, on average, at least half of the people joining our small group tours do so on their own, so you’ll feel right at home within the group, and the unique experience of travelling solo will not be lost. This is also a popular choice with people travelling alone for the first time.
Travel with an expert tour leader
Another big attraction of travelling with a group is that all of the planning and organisation is done for you, so all you need to do is pack a bag, turn up and be ready for a fun adventure. A knowledgeable local guide will lead the group so you’ll get to see all of the best sights, as well as some hidden cultural gems that you may not have found on your own.
Enjoy free time to yourself
Group travel can also be more cost-effective than booking everything yourself – you’ll benefit from group discounts on accommodation and travel as well as organised activities. There will also be opportunities for you to do your own thing. Whether you choose to explore the quaint cobbled streets of Madeira on your own or join new friends to share stories over delicious tapas in Spain, you’ll have the best of both worlds to hand.
Stick with a group for reassurance
Lastly, as a solo adventurer, you may feel more comfortable travelling in a group when encountering unfamiliar cultural differences, or perhaps when trekking into remote mountain valleys. Feel at ease as you delve into a maze of colourful souks in Marrakech with a group of friendly companions and pedal through lush tea plantations of Kerala under the watchful eye of your group leader.
Whether you’re joining a small-group tour, or hitting a land of discovery, the secret to success lies in finding the style that suits you best. Your personal travel manager can help you plan the perfect itinerary, and will provide all the support you need before and during your holiday so that you can travel with confidence.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
