Solo Travel for Beginners
Ok, so you’ve decided to go on your first solo trip. Good for you! Now what?!?!….
Below are some tips and tricks I’ve learned from my travels that will be useful for your first solo trip:
Sign up for Global Entry ($100 fee)
This provides expedited entry back into the US…also includes TSA Pre-check!
I’m sure there are similar programs for other countries, look into it if you are not from the US.
If you are looking into getting some new plastic, below are what has helped me through my travels:
Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking Account – Withdraw money from anywhere and no fees! If the ATM charges a fee, you get reimbursed. Also no minimum balance required and no monthly fees. Amazing!!!
Chase Sapphire Reserved – Traveler’s dream credit card— Points on points on points! Sign on bonus of 50,000 and your points are worth 50% more if you redeem them for travel. In addition, you receive a $300 travel credit each year, 3X points on travel and dining expenses, and access to Priority Pass Select lounges in airports all over the world.
Also…you get a statement credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the Global Entry or TSA Pre-check fee!
Sign up for all the rewards programs
Airlines, hotels, rental cars, etc.
Earn miles/points while you travel. Make sure when you book a flight, hotel, etc. that you apply your rewards number to the reservation. Then…when you accumulate enough points for a free flight, hotel stay, etc….then cash that baby in. Free is free!
Look for cheap flights
I mainly use Google Flights as my way to search for flights and to track prices. If you are undecided on where to go, just plug in your city and then put in a region like Europe, Asia, etc. and it will populate prices for each place based on the dates you enter. Just click on the map and explore!
I signed up for Scott’s Cheap Flights newsletter and love the daily alerts on cheap flights around the world.
Find the perfect travel bag
I personally use the Minaal 2.0 as my backpack and the Away luggage (I have the bigger carry-on and the medium), however do your own research on what fits your needs.
Pack LIGHT!
Seriously…don’t pack your whole closet. You will only use half the stuff you bring. Think about what you actually need on the trip and stick to it. Separate post on packing lists coming soon..
Figure out where to stay
So…you can choose your own adventure on whether you want to surround yourself with people and meet others or keep to yourself. Both are fine options, this just shapes what kind of trip you want to have. Below are some I have done in my travels:
Hostel
To meet others and save money!
Dorm room bed – shared space, usually bunk bed style and a shared bathroom. Usually I meet people in my dorm room or lobby and hang out with them during the day.
Private room – a bit more expensive than a dorm bed, but you will have your own space, possibly your own bathroom. You can meet people in the common areas of the hostel
Sometimes the hostel offers free tours or organized tours – this is a great way to meet other people at the hostel.
Hostels usually have some events organized during the week such as pub crawls, family dinners, happy hours, etc. This is also a good way to meet other people.
I use Hostelworld and sort by the best rating then compare prices using Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.
To meet others, you can get a private room in a home. Usually there are other rooms with other travelers or the host may even be able to show you around and provide good tips on the local area.
If you meet people during your travels, you can share an Airbnb together instead of staying at a hostel. It can be cheaper and you have a whole home to yourself!
Or just get a whole home to yourself and do your thing.
Hotel
To do you in your own space!
If you meet people during your travels and want a little bit of luxury, you can split a hotel room. Check out the HotelTonight app for some last minute deals.
Do your research
Once you’ve settled on your destination, figure out what you want to do and see there. I’ve made the mistake of not doing that on previous trips and wasted time while I was there figuring out what to do and see. Soo….
If you are limited on time, do your research online to maximize your time there
If you have the time, do your research offline by talking to locals, hostels, other travelers that have been to the places you are heading to next. You find out what can’t be found online by talking to people that have actually done it and recommend it!
Now go do you and be on your way! If you have any questions, feel free to message me. Bon voyage!!!
For more on solo travel, read this article: Pros & Cons of Solo Travel