Tips for When You’re Traveling the World Solo

Traveling the world is a very exciting experience. You get to see things you never thought you’d see and you also get to see things from a different point of view. It doesn’t matter which country you are traveling to and it doesn’t matter whether you are going for 5 weeks or 5 months because preparation is key when it comes to world travel and now is the perfect time for you to start preparing.

Make a List

A week before you are due to travel, make a mental list of all the things you don’t want to forget. You’d be surprised at how many things you’ll think to add to your list as time goes on, and if you do this the day before you go then you will almost certainly forget something. Packing lists are also essential!

Your Wardrobe

If you’re a last-minute packer, this one is for you. The last thing you want to do is pack outfits that are all black and grey. When you look back at your photographs, you may wish that you’d packed a little better and that you tried to fit in more. So try and pack according to the country that you are visiting and always take into account the weather. You don’t want to be spending hours over this, but if you’re going somewhere hot, try and pack colorful, loose clothing. If you are going somewhere cold, try not to pack a scarf and gloves. Instead, pack thick jumpers, jeans and thicker socks. You only need a scarf and gloves if you are going to either Russia or the Antarctic because nothing ruins a good photo like the locals wearing t-shirts while you’re dressed in your winter hiking gear.

Don’t Forget Your Batteries

Have you ever walked past the sunset of your dreams, only to find that your camera battery is dead? This situation is almost painful because you will probably never get the chance to take that photograph in that spot ever again. Camera batteries are always dying and this is because cameras tend to use up a lot of battery because of the HD photos that they take. For this reason, it helps to have a couple of spares with you. You’ll never miss that perfect shot again, but always make sure that your camera is turned off when you’re not using it or else those extra batteries won’t be much use.

Learn the Language

Please and thank you goes a long way. You might also want to learn the word “sorry” as this will help you to diffuse a situation if it does take a turn for the worst. This could include knocking over a fruit and vegetable stand or even giving the wrong change for a product purchase. If you’re a drinker, learn words such as “beer” as this will save you a lot of time.

Sarongs- You Need One

Sarongs work as a wrap if you happen to get a bit cold and they are also ideal if you want to have some shade from the blazing heat. You should always have one with you and it helps to choose a brightly colored one as well. Not only does this make it easier to find when you’re in a hurry, but it also helps you to stand out a bit if you happen to meet up with friends or if you make friends when you’re there.

Underwear. Lots of it.

Underwear isn’t hard to pack. You should pack a couple of extra pairs because you never know what is going to happen when you are out and about. When you do pack extra, you need to make sure that you pack ones that dry quickly as these can be washed easily and they can also dry in as little as half an hour.

Important Documents

If you don’t go traveling very often then it helps to keep a copy of your passport in a different bag to your actual passport. Quite often, people lose their passports at the airport but if you explain the situation to the airport staff then there is a high chance that they will let you through if you have a copy of it and a couple of passport photos. Imagine booking a holiday that costs thousands, only to be turned away when you hit your local airport.  You may not think that you’ll ever lose your passport, but it can happen to anyone and at any time!

All About Travel Insurance

You can’t predict when bad things are going to happen. You just can’t do it. A bad medical emergency could wipe out your entire savings and before you know it, you could be stuck in a hospital on the outskirts of the African plains with no money and a broken leg. It’s no exaggeration that travel insurance can be a real life-saver, so part with those pennies and always make sure that you have a good policy before you go traveling.

Your Carry-On

In your carry-on bag, you will need to put any electronics that you have and even your medication as well. This includes your toothbrush and even an extra pair of underwear. It also helps for you to take a swimsuit with you and this is especially the case if you are going on a beach vacation. You can actually buy these if you lose your main bag but if you have them in your carry-on with you then you won’t have to worry about this at all. Luggage gets lost all the time, and it is just as likely to happen to you as it is anyone else.

Room and Hotel Number

There is nothing more embarrassing than spending a good 10 minutes trying to get into your room with your key card, only to find that it isn’t actually your room at all. The rightful room owner is probably watching you through the eyelet in the door, thinking you’ve had one too many at the bar. It helps to have your room number and the address of your hotel in your phone, so if you do stray too far away from home you can easily show it to the taxi driver.

Price and Public Transport

Before you hop on the nearest bus or taxi, ask the price. You don’t want to get off, only to find that you owe the driver a small fortune. A lot of travelers have had this problem, and it happens quite regularly. If you’ve already taken the ride then you have to pay it regardless. By asking in advance, you can save money while also being smart about your decision.

Stay Hydrated

Getting drunk on a plane may sound like the ideal way for you to arrive at your destination in style. The problem is that it is very easy for you to get dehydrated when you are doing this. If you suffer from nerves or even sickness when traveling then you’ll quickly find that a glass of water can help you with this. Of course, this applies to longer flights more than shorter flights but it is worth taking into consideration either way.

Feel Free to Chat

The locals know the area better than anyone, so why would you spend 10 minutes every hour studying a map? You’re not Christopher Columbus and your map-skills are probably comparable to a 5-year-old’s. Don’t be afraid and chat with the locals. They know where the best restaurants are and they can also tell you the best spots to watch the sunset as well. You can also ask them about a certain type of food that you are wanting to try, as this is a brilliant way for you to visit places you might not have done otherwise. If you have family or even friends at home then make sure that they know where you are as well. Try and send a photo postcard and let them know that you arrived alright and even show them what you have been doing. They would love to hear from you!

The Dangers of WiFi

Whatever you do, don’t login to public WiFi and enter your bank details. This includes places like airports because you never know if the connection is secure and even if it is, it isn’t worth the risk. There are some situations where you might have to do this because you genuinely need to know your bank balance, but it is always a better idea for you to do this when you get to a bank machine. It also helps to notify your bank of any travel arrangements that you have, so they don’t lockdown your card thinking that it has been stolen. You will also want to notify your credit card company as well if you are using this as a backup for the main card that you use.

So, traveling the world can be one of the best experiences. It doesn’t matter whether you are traveling solo or with friends, because the whole thing is truly wonderful and you get to see things you never thought you’d see. This could include famous landmarks or even famous people!