You don't depend on the mood of your fellow travelers, you don't have to consult with anyone and agree on plans, you don't have to wait for anyone and make compromises: we tell you how to travel with the most interesting fellow traveler in the world - yourself.

 

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Don't be afraid to be alone with yourself

If you have never traveled anywhere without companions before - don't miss the chance to be alone with yourself, don't deprive yourself of this useful experience. Amazing things happen on such journeys. You will learn to follow your desires, stop looking at others and focus on what is important to you, because there are no people around whose opinion matters. You will realize what you are interested in, find out who you are really close to, who you miss and who you want to come back to. You will get used to managing your finances more wisely and taking responsibility for your life.

 

Plan your route carefully

Keep in mind that you are traveling alone, so do your best to minimize problems and miscommunications. Plan your schedule well in advance, purchase all of your tickets, and reserve your lodgings at once. Give yourself extra time if you are traveling by air to allow for connections and avoid having to scramble to find lodging in a foreign location.

Recall the importance of safety. Get at hotels before the sun comes up, particularly if you're not sure whether the hotel is located in a "good" neighborhood. In certain places, it is preferable to schedule your travel so that you arrive at the airport early and spend a few hours in the terminal if you have an overnight trip. You can also call a cab, even though it will cost you more money.

 

Share plans with friends

Make a detailed travel plan, listing all the hotels you are going to stay in and all the flights you are taking. Share it with family and friends.

 

Be spontaneous

It's wise to alter your ideas occasionally! Stay longer if you like the city. Are you regretting not having had time to see something fascinating when at the train station? Modify your tickets! Thankfully, everything is under your control, you don't need permission from anybody, and you may quickly alter your ideas thanks to contemporary technology.

If something goes wrong, don't let regrets consume your time. Traveling cannot be considered an adventure unless there is a certain element of surprise involved. Stepping outside of your comfort zone and expectations that are consistently satisfied can also be highly beneficial.
 

Make copies of the documents

Take precaution: scan your passport and medical policy, save them in the cloud, send them to a good friend, and put one copy in your suitcase - separately from the originals.

Print out another sheet: in English and in the language of the country where you are traveling, write a few words about who you are, where you came from, indicate phone numbers and e-mail addresses where you can contact your relatives and friends. There you should also include the details of your insurance company and the number of your policy. Keep this paper in your pocket so it can be easily found.

 

Check the plastic cards

Make sure all of your plastic cards are active by giving your bank a call before you leave.
 

Stay in touch

Find out whether you will have access to the internet while traveling, as well as whether the hotel and nearby eateries offer Wi-Fi. Purchasing a local SIM card or obtaining a particularly advantageous roaming contract is worthwhile.

Add additional funds to your mobile phone account. Remember that you will not be aware that you are "in the negative" and that your phone will be disconnected. Roaming costs are also delayed.
 

Download useful mobile apps

Make sure you have everything you need on hand by downloading maps of all the locations you will be staying at, travel guides, routers to help you locate the required transit quickly, translators, and currency converters. Being able to use these services offline is a plus.

 

Travel light

It is not a good idea to travel with a large suitcase. First of all, there's a good risk you'll forget your most critical bag and find yourself without cash or identification. Second, big luggage is inconvenient—you won't be able to leave it unattended at the train station, for example, where you will have to bring it into the restroom stall! Thirdly, girls accustomed to having someone else handle their bulky baggage will have to drag their suitcases up and down subway steps, as well as into buses and trains.

Take only what is necessary, and as little as possible. The first aid kit is the one item that shouldn't be overlooked; carefully pack it since no one will be available to send for medication.
 

Bring a selfie stick

If you enjoy being the focal point of your pictures, you can't live without a selfie stick since asking complete strangers to take your picture is tiresome, annoying, and risky because you could misplace your phone or camera.
 

Take care of your belongings

You can skip this step if you plan to spend the entire time at the hotel's beach: you can store your cash, important documents, and other valuables in the safe in your room or at the front desk. However, what would happen if you had to swim on secluded beaches and you were carrying money, a phone, and a camera?
 

Sell sturdy ropes, dense safes bags, and backpack protective nets, especially for lone travelers. Each of these has a secure lock and can be fastened to any bench, pole, or support. Any iron rope will eventually be able to bite, of course, but since the thieves will have more time while you are swimming, they'll probably choose a less complicated target.

Investing in a little alarm system is another method of self-defense. A little key fob has one end fastened to your luggage and the other to the clasp. There will be a loud, piercing signal if someone tries to unlock it.
 

Do not keep all your money and plastic cards together in one bag

If you're not planning to check it in the luggage, then leave some cash and one bank card in your wallet, a few big bills "buried" in your underpants, or somewhere well behind the lining of your suitcase. More cash and an extra credit card should be hidden in the most unlikely places, such as a hidden pocket that is fastened to the leg, under the armpit, inside a hidden compartment on the belt, or inside the sole of a shoe.

 

Spend your money wisely

A set sum of money should always be saved for the most dire situation. Generally speaking, in most places, fifteen thousand rubles (ideally in local currency) will cover the cost of meals, lodging, and other necessities in the event of a flight delay or cab fare.

In case something goes wrong, let your friends back home know how they may send you money. Provide them your bank account details and ask if the city you are visiting has a Western Union branch.
 

 

Prepare the entertainment

Being by yourself might be dull at times, and occasionally having company while traveling doesn't necessarily make for good conversation. Thus, plan ahead for how you will pass the time on lengthy drives and airplane rides. You might fill up your tablet with a variety of books, or you could transfer some long-awaited TV shows to your hard drive.
 

 

Learn more about local traditions

Try to become more knowledgeable about local customs and laws before you go to avoid unintentionally breaking anything. It is advisable to avoid seeing local law enforcement officials in certain nations due to the severe penalties for minor offenses.
 

 

Think positive

There is a difference between being careful and being terrified. If you go through many "scary stories" and bad situations in your thoughts, you'll make the trip into a pain. So, don't be intimidated. Avoid blowing on the water, focus on happy thoughts, and accept that the vacation will be amazing, full of fascinating sights to see and new people to make.
 

Don't be afraid to meet other people

When traveling alone, it is far simpler to interact with other people because other travelers are more inclined to strike up a conversation with a lone individual than with a group. You can find out a lot of interesting facts about new friends' towns, such where to go for dinner and what markets and shops are the greatest.

Socializing is possible everywhere, including in hotel restaurants and on planes and trains. Sometimes, if you're bored, it makes more sense to stay at a hostel—even if it's just a private room—rather than a hotel because of the socially active atmosphere there.
 

 

Don't trust new acquaintances

Remember that some of your newfound pals might be con artists. Therefore, be cautious about who you instantly trust, ask someone to watch over your possessions, share plans, abuse drink together, and agree to check someone else's goods in your luggage. Pay attention to your gut; when traveling, it gets more acute. If something makes you uneasy, get out of there right away because there are still plenty of people you need to meet.

Don't talk about other ethnicities, geopolitics, or topics that can offend someone's religious sentiments.
 

Don't avoid fellow travelers

When traveling alone, you don't have to always and everywhere avoid other tourists; in fact, there are occasions when it's okay to cut costs and take advantage of group offers. For instance, instead of paying the whole cost of a costly lengthy excursion, find other travelers to split the transfer fee, or purchase a group train ticket.
 

Be prepared to return to the world

One major drawback of traveling alone is that one should not go everywhere, especially if one is a lone tourist. You won't likely descend into an unequipped cave, and in many nations, you won't even dare to leave your hotel after dark. As a result, while it's okay to travel alone occasionally, it's not always possible.

According to psychologists, loneliness changes a person's psyche and is addicting, thus everything is OK in moderation. Now that you've experienced the flavor of traveling alone, you shouldn't become a reclusive, introverted, and aloof person.