10 Reasons to Travel Solo

Posted on by

311


 

Solo Trip to California

Many people don’t feel comfortable traveling solo.   Usually the fears of being lonely, unsafe, and vulnerable are factors.   Some of the reasons to embark upon a solo trip are:

  1. You can go where you want.  Sometimes it’s difficult to agree upon a destination.  If your companion prefers all-inclusive beach resorts, and you yearn for an exotic spot in India, someone will be disappointed.
  2. You can do what you want.   Whether you’re traveling with an elderly parent, a child or a couch potato, when traveling with others, activity preferences are frequently dissimilar.
  3. You can eat where you want.  Some palettes tend to be very liberal and experimental and others lean towards meat and potatoes.
  4. You don’t have to listen to others complain.  If your traveling companion wants his eggs cooked to perfection and detests long lines at attractions, you’re bound to hear complaints.
  5. It’s easier to meet people.  If you tend to speak to strangers and enjoy meeting locals, then solo travel is magic.
  6. There’s no one snoring in your ear or making a mess in the bathroom.  We all have quirks and/or traits that others find irritating, but when on your own, you avoid these irritations.
  7. You can travel and walk at your speed.  Constantly adjusting your pace to match someone else’s is no fun.
  8. You can sleep late or get up early.  An early bird and a night owl traveling together don’t mix.
  9. You can travel last minute.  Some of the best deals can be found when your plans are flexible.
  10. The feeling of accomplishment you gain during and after a solo trip is very rewarding.

Start out small by going out to eat by yourself, followed by a weekend trip to build up your confidence!

311 thoughts on “10 Reasons to Travel Solo”

  3. this is really awesome! I’ve contemplated traveling solo for many of the reasons you’ve listed, but I’ve always been a little fearful of the “alone” feeling and not enjoying the world as much by myself. Thank you so much for these great words.

    Like

    Reply

  4. I agree, traveling alone is amazing and also for all them reasons, but it can get lonely sometimes and sometimes you really want to share something amazing or someplace amazing with a freind.

    Like

    Reply

  5. I love traveling solo. Yes, it is true you feel insecure at times. But the best thing to do is feel as if you were born to explore this world all alone and to know that the trip is short. Thanks for the insight.

    Like

    Reply

  10. Congratulations on Freshly Pressed!

    I’m not a solo traveler, but I do LOVE your article… some great advice for the solo traveler. I will have to show this to my friend, Jenny… she will like it.

    I travel solo on business, but I can’t imagine going anyway for pleasure, without Tina. Maybe when we get older (she is six years my senior), but right now… we “travel well together”… 🙂

    Best wishes on all your travels. Thank you for posting this.

    Like

    Reply

  11. Pingback: Got Inspired « pooh shouts i write

  12. Yes, I agree with you, I hate to wait my collegues to go home because they like walking slowly to relax themselves, but I like walk fast because I need practise after a long time work, that’s a problem, so it will be good that go home solo! But I think it will be better to travel with a friend, so I can communicate with him and share some interesting things togahter.

    Like

    Reply

  15. I agree with you 101%. 🙂 You already stated on this post everything one needs to know about traveling solo. Kudos to you, Ma’am, and congratulations for making it to Freshly Pressed!

    p.s.

    I know it’s awkward but I just want you to know that some of your reasons are also found in my blog post, “Why Do I Love Mountain Climbing?”. Just in case you want to read it, here’s the link: http://yobynos.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/why-do-i-packpack/

    Like

    Reply

  18. I love traveling alone. I only started because waiting for friends or significant others to be available (they didn’t have time off, they didn’t have money, they had a new boyfriend, etc) delayed international travel plans for literally years. Though traveling with friends/family is great too, for other reasons, I’ve always been able to make new friends while abroad. Also, since I’ve started taking trips alone – my friends have been inspired to find ways to join me.

    Like

    Reply

  19. Really good point, but i still enjoy travelling more with a partner. Someone to share the good moments at the end of the day, on a comfortable bed with dim lights :D…

    Like

    Reply

  23. congrats on being freshly pressed. 🙂
    i always travel solo since I was sixteen. 🙂
    it’s fun and great.
    but going on cinemas alone is my greatest fear. 😦
    oh well, i might overcome it one of these days though. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  27. On the whole, there is much to be gained from solo jaunts. Most notably, time to think and put things into perspective, no? I’m currently in Montana and have seen a staggering amount of raw beauty, and me loads of interesting people. A great trip so far, albeit the heat in Oklahoma and Kansas was pretty interesting.
    Regards!
    http://middiesbigroadtrip.wordpress.com/

    Like

    Reply

    • I like…..being in a strange city..where anything could happen, and no-one would know..kinda dangerous, but also I don’t feel as if it is. I remember this feeling from when I went to NZ when I was 23, and had it again, vividly when i stopped over in Seoul, on way to LOndon last year. I’m sure it’s implanted in my memory..that feeling and the thrill associated with it. My daughter says she gets the feeling, too.

      Like

      Reply

  30. You make some great points. I recently went traveling alone and had such a great time. I’d originally tried to find a friend to go with, but no one could go with my schedule (I wanted to go for a month and most people couldn’t take more than a week) and, as you mention, other people wanted to go to different places than I did. I had a blast – joined up with a tour group once I got there so I could go with people to attractions or go solo if I chose. I met tons of people, and saw and ate everything I wanted. I definitely got my money’s worth because it was MY dream trip. It was grand, and I can’t wait to do it again!

    Like

    Reply

  31. I really agree with all of these! My life dream at the moment is to be a world traveler, and I do plan on being alone, so these are the exact same things I’ve been pondering on for a while now.

    Like

    Reply

  32. the title captured my interest since I love travelling solo. Thank you so much for sharing this list. I had fun reading your post and all the comments posted. Good to know that lots of people agree with me. I don’t get a lot of people saying yes to my desire to travel alone…thanks thanks! 🙂

    keep up the good work! 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  33. Nice reading, this is really cool. I like the idea of travelling solo because I can explore many things at my own pace. Actually I’m looking forward for my holiday next month to visit my family and at the same time get some interesting activities, local and international trips. I will be spending time to get things done like my driving license and then get to scuba diving school – to actually experience the silent world underwater. Then by the end of August I’m gonna be travelling alone to Singapore! I will explore the small and progressive country! Going to Sentosa and get to see the world of fantasy and adventure around the place, taking photos at the historical places, landmarks, heritage, cultures and lifestyle of local and foreign residents!!! Isn’t it cool??? Great blog, way to go…..i’ll be glad to read more post from you. Thanks a bunch!!!

    Like

    Reply

  37. wow, Solo is one of lovely city in my country.. 🙂 i love it! I’m a big dreamer and my dream is travel around the world. Thanks for being my inspiration.. 🙂 you are fabulous traveller!

    Like

    Reply

  38. I enjoyed your post even though I agree with those who mentioned your reasons all assume bad companions. What I like is that not fearing to travel alone means I am not stifled when there is no one to travel with me. I have several very compatible traveling companions–sometimes in a longer trip we agree to separate days, and that works too–if one is already able to travel solo.

    I find when I travel alone I take more photos and write more in my journal.

    In addition to travel alone, there is value in a willingness just to do things alone. I have just changed cities, so there is a lot of exploration in my future.

    Like

    Reply

  39. I just came across your blog. How wonderful it is. I have never travelled alone but I am not one to shy away from doing an activity alone. When I do, I have received a mix of reactions from sympathy – as if I had no one and had no choice but to go alone – to “is there something wrong with you!” None of these reactions bother me! If someone hasn’t done something significant alone, they are missing out on a great experience.

    Like

    Reply

  40. LOVE your blog! I’m 42, and the older I get the more confident and independent I become. I find that constantly being around other people can make you forget who you are and what you can be. Traveling solo is a great opportunity to discover your true self. Kudos to you, I’ll be back for more!

    Like

    Reply

  41. You probably know much more about this than me, since I’m 17 and have never left this country, but I don’t think traveling alone would be as much fun in the long run (oh-ho, a rhyme!). At the beginning all of your points would be nice, but after a few days I think I’d begin to wish that I had somebody to share the experience with.

    I just think it would be depressing; waking up in a foreign country all by yourself. Sure it’s a bit more liberating, but so is spending your entire life alone.

    Like

    Reply

    • I don’t always travel alone. I was just giving some of the pros for traveling alone. I think there are merits to both and it depends on if there is someone you want to travel with that is available when you are. Good luck!

      Like

      Reply

  43. Re: Traveling Solo, via motorcycle, from New Orleans

    Currently on a 5-7,000 mile motorcycle trip from New Orleans through Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, then eastbound across Canada to the Canadian Maritimes, then down the East Coast to Portland, Maine, etc…
    Traveling alone is fun if for no other reason than having a better opportunity to meet a wider variety of people, and turning left, if I feel like it. Not having to listen to someone snore sounds a bit lame, I mean, if you love them, so what? But on the hole, there is much to be gained from solo jaunts. Most notably, time to think and put things into perspective, no? I’m currently in Montana and have seen a staggering amount of raw beauty, and me loads of interesting people. A great trip so far, albeit the heat in Oklahoma and Kansas was pretty interesting.
    Regards!
    http://middiesbigroadtrip.wordpress.com/

    Like

    Reply

  47. I agree. I prefer to travel solo so I can enjoy the trip at my own pace without having to worry about whether the other person is enjoying it. Am I going to fast? Too slow? I can go wherever I want without having to take a vote.

    Like

    Reply

  49. Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed! And I loved this post on solo travel. I am divorced and over 50 and have recently decided not to let that stop me from going where I want to. I always say I love to travel, but seldom do. Last month I decided at 1 in the morning to buy tickets to a concert several states away and then I booked a hotel room. Someone did end up going with me, and we had a ball, but I would have gone alone. I had so much fun, I’m ready to find my next long weekend destination for the fall!

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to kasc96 Cancel reply