Is it sad to travel alone?
I know what it feels like when you envision a cool solo travel adventure.
You find a great deal online on a “bucket list” location but you’re sure your group of friends will not be interested in the travel destination.
You’re about to start typing your credit card number into the best travel booking website for your solo adventure.
Then you start getting those emotions that come over a lot of solo travelers at this point.
You start to envision sitting alone in an airport waiting on a connecting flight.
You conceptualize extremely long hours on a plane with no one to talk to or a shoulder to lay on.
You’ve remembered your extra seat cushion that makes every flight fill like First Class but you are starting to imagine this travel experience not being comfortable in other ways.
I travel alone many times.
I know all too well what the anticipation of solo trips feels like.
You picture waking up alone in a beautiful hotel room with no one to talk to.
You imagine getting dressed and going down to breakfast where groups of people are laughing and having a great time.
You may not even know what others are talking about because you are only recently starting to understand the local language.
You can imagine your smiles at others being rejected and feeling like a creep for even attempting to make contact with friendly locals and other travelers.
You think about a day trip away from the resort dread that there will be no one to share cool stories or interesting experiences with.
Excursions and other travel experiences are full of couples laughing and loving while you’re keeping to yourself unsure if you should meet people.
Then, you think of eating street food and/or dinner alone and anticipate being uncomfortable on this vacation alone for the next few days.
Solo travel abroad starts to look like a mistake.
Some people at this moment decide to never travel alone.
That’s when people quickly put their credit cards back into their pockets and close the website that offered excellent-priced travel deals.
Any minute now, the crew will get here… I think!
Traveling Solo is SO not the end of the world!
Solo international travel is undoubtedly a less exciting travel experience than when lots of friends are joining you.
But solo travelers can also have an excellent travel experience as well.
If you’ve never had a solo travel experience, I can think of quite a few reasons and advantages why you should consider traveling solo as a woman or a man.
In all honesty, this can be a lonely planet but what looks like a negative can actually be the basis of a positive vacation experience.
When you solo travel abroad, you may be surprised at how many other people are on vacation alone.
When I travel alone, I meet dozens of solo travelers who were flaked on or simply prefer solo trips.
You actually have an easier time meeting the friendly locals.
In this episode of Passport Kings, I will list the top 5 reasons to step outside of your comfort zone and begin traveling solo.
If you find my travel tips helpful, like and share and leave comments on this video!
I’m Roklan, Im a Travel Advisor and the host of Passport Kings Travel.
5. The Coolest Part: Benefits of Traveling Solo
The first and coolest thing I noticed about my solo adventure was when I travel alone, I become more alert.
I’m not sure if this will happen to you but once you internalize that you have no one to depend on but yourself, an animalistic sense of direction starts to materialize.
In no time, this bucket list destination will feel like your backyard.
You’ll quickly feel like one of the local people when you become familiar with the area you’re staying.
Adventurous solo travelers report
- learning shortcuts around the city,
- utilizing public transportation, and
- learning to find hangouts to meet local people to have a 1-of-a-kind travel experience.
Have you ever run into a person who got to a travel destination only 1 day ahead of you?
Sometimes they are experts at where you are spending your next few days.
The solo travel experience magnifies this uncanny travel advisor ability 10 fold.
Familiarity almost always eliminates fear.
Getting familiar with your surroundings and meeting friendly locals is many times all you need to turn a mediocre solo travel experience into an unforgettable solo travel experience.
Additionally, Google Maps seems to know everything about everywhere
Keeping your phone charged and switching the map settings to “walking” instead of “driving” is one of my favorite forms of travel insurance.
It will always keep your location pin-pointed.
Google maps even has “Offline Maps” in case you are not under a Mobile Signal.
I use T-Mobile as my Carrier and it is rare that I don’t have mobile data coverage.
If your coverage is regularly spotty abroad, I suggest you sign up for T-Mobile now
You’ll always know which corners to turn and always be a finger press away from an emergency contact.
Travel alone or you may miss the adventure of a lifetime.
4. You avoid conflict when you travel alone
One of the best quotes I’ve ever heard was “people are different.”
You should keep that quote in mind, especially when what you thought would be a group trip is starting to seem like it will be your first solo travel experience.
It’s no secret that different people have different personalities.
Whether you’re planning a trip with your friends, meeting locals on a day trip excursion, or looking in the mirror after getting back to your hotel, everyone has a unique personality that makes them stand out.
Have you ever wondered why some people are so extroverted while others are more introverted?
Or why some people like to be the center of attention while others prefer to stay in the shadows
The answer is simple – we all have different personalities.
I know people like to complain about other people’s personalities but never consider their own quirks.
When traveling solo, you only have 1 personality to worry about.
Your own!
Your personality doesn’t just impact how you interact with other people; it also affects how you think about yourself and how you approach life.
While on vacation alone you won’t need to worry if your personality isn’t quite like anyone else’s.
If there is a personality clash when you first meet people, It’s good to be able to bail on them quickly if they act in a way that you don’t enjoy or condone.
If this was not a solo travel adventure, you would feel you are being disloyal by ghosting them.
Your excuses for leaving someone high and dry won’t have to be well thought out.
3. You make your own schedule while traveling solo
If I’ve drunk too much the night before I don’t need any early bird bouncing around outside of my door like a Rabbit.
When traveling in a group, one or more of your compadres will be anxious to see and do everything the city has to offer.
They’ll have excursion brochures, a list of, tour times, maps of where to get morning street food, or the schedule for a networking event where they want to be the 1rst to arrive.
Don’t get me wrong, I love site seeing, tours, and learning about the history of where I’m visiting
I also love site seeing in daylight and being able to film scenic videos in the “Golden Hour.”
Yet, sometimes I like to wait till a little later when the Sun begins to cool off toward noon.
If the early bird gets the worm who is to say you’re not the worm in that scenario?
Ironically, some mornings, I may be the Rabbit hopping outside of my friends’ door and talking about “cmon come on let’s go!”
This type of pestering happens to no one when you travel alone.
During a solo travel experience, I can come and go as I please and do what, when I want, and with whom I want.
This kind of freedom when you vacation alone is unsurpassed both when time is of the essence and when you don’t see what the big rush is about.
2. Traveling Solo eliminates Compromises
I’ve noticed that every time people get together their main conversation is:
- What are we gonna eat
- Where are we gonna eat
- Which place are we gonna eat
- I like that place lets go eat
I’m special.
I would rather have conversations about astrophysics and the role consciousness plays in the human condition, sometimes.
I can be a little “different!”
Especially when I travel alone.
Sometimes I want to try different foods every day
Sometimes I want to go back to a familiar place that I ran into by accident.
I may feel like eating there every single day while on this vacation.
The best way to travel alone is at your own pace.
Only a solo travel experience will keep you in tune with yourself.
To make matters worse, some nights, no other food calls my name louder than bacon, eggs, grits, and other traditional American breakfast items
I’m positive that there are plenty of friends who would have preferred not to have breakfast for dinner
The best way to travel alone is your prerogative.
Solo international travel has made me more in tune with myself than the breakup of long romantic relationships.
Traveling solo gives you the freedom to do whatever you want to do.
1. You are in full control when you travel alone
You will learn how to be the PLAYMAKER and the COACH during solo international travel.
When you travel alone you won’t have anyone to hand off to or pass your plans to.
Having total control makes you the plug in such a lonely planet.
The main goal of the passport kings travel website, YouTube channel, and the blog was to help get you out of your comfort zone
Stand up for yourself.
Learn your destination’s local language while on the plane.
You don’t need permission to go on a vacation alone.
If you’re not married, you don’t have to tell anyone about your weekend getaway alone.
Do what others right now won’t do.
Shake up the foundation of your life
Find the best way to travel alone that works for you and only you.
Any single child will tell you that being alone makes you independent.
Independence and personal success give you confidence.
Confidence is the key to removing the hesitance you have around solo international travel.
You won’t feel the need to ask for permission while you’re traveling solo.
Every decision you make about:
- Booking the flight.
- If you are ok with a connecting flight to save a few bucks
- Which hotel or Airbnb to stay in
- If having travel insurance is necessary
The answers to these questions will all be up to you for this solo travel experience.
Where to Travel Alone
There is an incredible service that I’ve come across that makes you feel like you are on a guided tour even when you are on vacation alone.
All you will need to do is plug in your best headset for airplane travel at solo travel destinations and have your tour guide with you every step of.
You will even be able to use public transportation in the city you want to explore.
This gives you the ability to do travel-alone and go on tours anywhere in the world that you’re interested in.
travel alone while on a self-guided tour.
Best Places to travel Alone as a Woman.
A lot of people feel that being a woman makes the idea of a solo travel experience different.
I understand beautiful women have to deal with catcalling.
They never know if a thirsty dude will take his dustiness too far.
For female travelers, safety is always a priority.
Whether traveling solo or with companions, it’s important to be aware of the risks and take steps to ensure your safety while abroad.
Women solo travelers may need to take extra precautions into consideration.
Most of the time, women travel alone with no uncomfortable, or worse, incidents.
I’m a tall ( and very good-looking) black dude.
I understand that sometimes I have more freedom to explore seedy-looking avenues that scrawny pale men and petite women may need to pass on.
It’s essential to research the area in which you’re traveling so you can prepare for any potentially dangerous situations.
Make sure to read about the local customs and laws, as well as consider cultural differences and expectations that may affect your experience.
Keep your id and an emergency contact person in writing, on you at all times
Stay informed about current events in the country you’re visiting.
See if there are any travel advisories issued by your government or other organizations such as the United Nations or Red Cross.
Stay up to date with Passport Kings if I have or will visit the same area.
With that being said I often tell my female customers not to let the media scare them aware from:
- Africa: Tanzania, specifically. I saw many women on travel-alone tours who seemed to be finding exactly what they were looking for. Solo international travel for women
- All-inclusive resorts Resorts: You will have the staff of the resort and excursion and tour providers that will hold your hand every step of the way while you are out on the town.
- Cruises: By the end of a cruise, most people know each other. A woman alone can easily stay to herself or make cool friends that will look out for her while you head to your solo travel destination
- Mexico: As long as you avoid the peddlers, women will have a carefree, fully pampered time in Mexico. The last time I was in Cabo, I was convinced that I was being lied to about people risking life and limb to leave there and come to America to be potentially arrested or worse.
- Atlanta, GA: If you are from any other state in the US, you deserve to treat yourself to a weekend getaway alone in Atlanta. This trip will get you used to traveling if you are not a frequent traveler. You are bound to find a thirsty trick that will fund your entire time here if you don’t have family members to stay with. Book one of these hotels to stay right in the middle of the nightclubs, restaurants, and popular shopping areas.
- Jamaica: Jamaica is to American women as The Dominican Republic is to American men. I would suggest that you become familiar with traveling overseas before you go out there and get yourself into any trouble.
When you travel alone, you are in full control of where you go.
Best Places to Travel Alone as a Man.
- Dominican Republic: Most men hear about DR and gather a group of friends to go, which is ideal. Shortly after, most men want a solo travel experience back out there for a weekend getaway alone. My clients have told me that by themselves, DR is the best solo travel alone in the world.
- Atlanta: The party is not as in full swing as it was when I first moved to Atlanta, but I still feel that my trip here was a wake-up call to myself of how I was getting ripped off renting an apartment in NYC and how friendly the majority people wither are acting or just are. If you can find a financial networking event that lasts 1 weekend in Atlanta, I suggest you jump at the opportunity.
- Miami: Women are not piling up for vacations in Miami every year to see the sunset. They are coming to meet men for a summertime fling. There are plenty of places along collins avenue that are the perfect setting for men to find themselves during the day, and find a good time at night while alone.
- Africa: Everyone should visit Africa at least once in their life. For your first visit alone, I would suggest most touristy areas like parts of Ghana and Cape town in South Africa. The flight time steers a lot of men away from this sort of adventure. That’s when I again suggest the comfort life gel cushion for airplanes. Men who travel 1st class have no problem getting there.
- Caribbean: when you finished being mesmerized by the beautiful exotic women, there are plenty of travel alone tours that won’t seem overwhelming for you to do alone. There are some locations in the Caribbean that are so close that a weekend getaway alone will not interrupt your following week’s schedule at all. Make sure you check for the best prices here.
Travel solo groups for singles
Ok fine!
You’ve heard all of the advantages yet, you still want to cheat your travel alone tours and have at least a few familiar faces around.
I get it.
Traveling solo can be a task that many are weary of today.
Even as a travel advisor, sometimes I have not gone on trips because I knew I would have to travel alone the entire time.
When I do go alone, people asked me if it’s weird to travel alone.
They’ve also asked me if it’s scary and what travel tips and advice would I give.
Many people only want to know the downsides because they have no intentions of going.
I have an ARTICLE LINKED that I wrote all about the aspects of solo travel that many times prevent me from enjoying a weekend getaway alone.
In any case, you are not striving to complete an exotic bucket list.
You want your solo travel destination to be planned and you want to be escorted around.
You’re looking for travel solo groups to possibly meet a special travel enthusiast to have company on your “travel alone tour.”
I’ve only done something like this 1 but the need to be outgoing, non-introverted, and adventurous didn’t change.
but I can understand your hesitation about going abroad and knowing no one.
“Travel alone groups” can be the training wheels you need to get you to solo travel destinations.
The travel alone groups’ Passport Kings recommend are:
SETnetwork
There are also many Facebook groups that plan singles group travel.
My members-only Facebook, travel solo groups “Passport Travel Abroad” started off this way.
It has since started catering to people who only want tips for authentic solo international travel.
I’ve made this into a secret group because many members want their weekend getaway alone kept SECRET.
of course, come to my website.
Travel Alone: Quotes and Memes
Conclusion
So you probably think that the original Passport King, Roklan is also the ultimate people person who loves a good weekend getaway alone.
The funny thing is I usually like to spend my travel time with either 1 special lady or travel solo groups
However, I still think the best way to travel alone is to explore the planet in a group that is not stuck together by the hip (figuratively)
Travel alone groups allow me to enjoy my time with my chick, then with myself, then with others.
In my book, great experiences are best shared.
Sometimes it physically pains me to see something majestic like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and not have anyone to share the ultimate experience with.
I’ve noticed that Flakiness seems to be at an all-time high.
As I started taking this exotic journey to parts unknown, I realize the travel bugs’ fangs aren’t as deeply implanted in everyone’s neck as they are in mine.
Or maybe they just can’t participate in travel solo groups because of work obligations and family obligations.
I’m blessed to have not created anchors that would’ve hindered me from doing what I do for a living.
I’m actually 1 of the few people I know who quit my job to travel the world.
Traveling alone has ultimate highs AND lonely lows
However, the adventure makes it worth it every time.
There are some WACK SIDES to travel alone while having your solo travel experience.
So in this first unprecedented two-part series of Passport Kings Travel, subtitled
“The downside of solo international travel and travel alone groups”
I’m going to spell out what sometimes makes it wack.
If you want to share interesting travel tips you’ve learned on your vacation alone, be sure to comment below.
I love reading your best solo travel stories and I always try to answer everyone.
You only live once so never miss a chance to travel alone.
Never miss a chance to join the travel alone groups.
Live life.
Walk Sit Talk and Travel alone, like a king.
