- Why should you try solo travel (at least once in your life)
- Pros and Cons of Solo Travel
- Where and how to start?
Why should you try solo travel (at least once in your life)
The idea of solo travel sounds scary and exhilarating at the same time. The art of solo travel is not something that can happen overnight. It takes a lot of practice and the most important thing – just a little bit of sensible risk taking. This is not the same as jumping off a plane but like anything there are associated risks.
However, embarking on that first journey creates a sense of freedom like never before. The idea that you do not need anybody else to travel brings out a new set of emotions that one had never experienced before.
There are several joys to be experienced from solo travel when coupled with sensible strategies and logical planning. There is indeed definite self-growth that is experienced. Ask any person who has done it and they will tell you stories galore, but they will share something even more valuable – the feelings and emotions experienced.
There is a certain level of joy experienced with travelling on your own, you have the option to set your own pace, stay wherever you feel comfortable, check out attractions that appeal to you and most importantly – full control of your day! Group travel is fun but it is something that is good only for a weekend or so travel. Slow and experiential travel requires patience which is not easily possible in a group. A lot of times, the ability to truly experience moments, places and people escapes because our attention is diverted to the persons we are moving around with.
Pros & Cons of Solo Travel
The pros of solo travel are plenty! In fact, a lot of the positives may be seen as a negative but once understood, it can be the most freeing experience ever!
a. Getting to truly know yourself – The path of self-discovery can start from traveling the road less taken. Traveling alone may seem cumbersome initially but it will teach you several things that you felt that you would not do earlier. There are several moments where you’ll be challenged to take a decision without always needing a second opinion. One gets to learn what they’re comfortable with, what they actually enjoy and what they don’t.
On top of that, there will be several moments where you’ll be on your own which could sound frightening initially but in reality, can help create a stronger person out you. Learning to explore, discover and spend time by one’s self gives a whole new perspective. You’re no longer dependent on the need of company to go out and do things that earlier would have been a block towards achieving dreams.
b. Cost Effective & Decision making – Travelling solo can be cost effective and a great way to make your budget longer than usual. A few adjustments will need to be made keeping the budget in mind. For example, staying in a hotel room can be a little difficult, but the great part about that is you get to experience the backpacking hostel option. It’s an easy way to travel and a pocket friendly condition. There is the option to pick and choose how much you spend on food and modes of travel. When travelling in a group, costs get inflated as the requirement to travel is either a private taxi or so. As a solo traveller, you can use the local forms of public transportation and actually experience what the reality of the place is.
c. Confidence Building – The reliance on the self-increases when travelling alone. It means that a lot of the work has to be done since there is no one else to do it. This means that you have to speak to people, get information for yourself and socialise. Travelling on your own can be a daunting task and loneliness is a definite by product of it. There are many who enjoy travelling alone but do not necessarily suffer from loneliness. For those who feel that have a difficult time socialising and want to figure out a way to do it – solo travel is definitely one of the ways to do it.
d. Makes you better traveller – People travel for various reasons (for vacation, for business, for health and so on). However, there is a clear distinction between that and a traveller who’s looking to explore (culture, history, heritage, food, nature, adventure). Travelling solo makes one a better. It improves your understanding of your surroundings, it increases your ability to be a better judge of character, it raises awareness about ground realities and it helps you prepare better.
The pros of course are well and good, but like everything there are cons that exist. It is sensible to know these beforehand so as to be better prepared.
1. Expensive – If you’re a hotel traveller, solo travel can be very expensive. Rising prices globally are making this a difficult for those thinking of travelling solo. Of course, seasoned solo travellers have figured loops around this through either backpacker hostels, camping and so on. Certain tourist places are not solo traveller friendly. The availability of reasonable public transport can be an issue in such places as they are catered to either families or couples who would obviously have a higher spending power than an individual.
2. Safety – This is applicable for women especially. For many women travelling through countries that are not high on the list for safety can be an issue. In such cases it is always sensible to know ground realities from fellow travellers, blogs or vlogs to understand the country better before travelling. Safety is an issue that is present in every place (even the most developed countries) where one needs to keep an eye on their belongings. Keeping a sensible set up for travel allows for that to be less of a burden.
3. Loneliness – While solo travel can give one the confidence to go anywhere without the requirement of anyone else. This also means that it can be easy to feel lonely when on a journey. This is an absolutely normal phenomenon. An introvert will always have the challenge to speak to strangers and the smartest thing to do at this point is to find other solo travellers. Moments that you will experience on such trips may have to be done in solitude and if that is something that you’re comfortable with then it is a wonderful thing. This extends to meals and so on. If there are such things, it is also sensible to join up walking or guided tours to meet more people.
Where and how to start solo travel?
That’s pretty simple, start small! Everybody imagines taking off on a long journey spontaneously as the answer to such things but it would be smarter to start small. Do a day or weekend trip close by especially if you’re familiar with the place. This is a great way to test out what works for you and what does not. It still in the periphery of your comfort zone.
Pack light, carry essentials, try things you would not do usually, take different routes to a familiar place – these are a few ways to get over the fear of solo travel.
Another way is to stay at backpacker’s hostels. Why so? Hostels in general provide safety and security with the comfort of a hotel along with the affordability. If you’re looking for your first hostel experience in Bangalore, be sure to pick Locul Hostels.
Another way is to stay at backpacker’s hostels. Why so? Hostels in general provide safety and security with the comfort of a hotel along with the affordability. If you’re looking for your first hostel experience in Bangalore, be sure to pick Locul Hostels.
To book a stay, click here
