Solo Travel Tips and Advice
Many of us are afraid to travel solo. On today's show we delve in to how to travel solo safely, plus the pros and cons of solo travel. I interview three expert solo travelers to get their best advice and encourangement. Visit the website to delve deeper into the pros and cons of traveling solo safely.
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Solo Adventure Travel Transcript
We're going solo. That's right. Even if you have a partner, I want you to read this blog post because
there are definite advantages and challenges to traveling solo. Even if you think,
"There is no way I
would ever travel solo,
" please read on with an open mind. You might change your mind.
I'll be interviewing three solo travelers about the challenges and joys of traveling solo. Since I usually
travel solo myself, you'll hear my two cents' worth as well. It's a great show. Even if you think,
"No way,
I could never travel solo,
" I beg you, please read on and see if you don't change your mind.
If you're like me, you don't want to live an ordinary life. You want to live a kick-ass life, and one way to
do so is to add adventure travel to your life. I find adventure travel brings out the best in me. It
challenges me, it encourages me, it enlightens me, and it inspires me to lead a bigger life.
On this program, you'll learn about amazing adventures from around the world plus get the tools and
information you need so you can do these adventures with confidence. You'll come home feeling
empowered and with amazing memories and stories you can relive forever. Don't worry—the bar is
such that my relatively fit 58-year-old body, particularly with some training, can do these adventures,
and you can too.
This episode is a roundup episode. I've got three guests that I will be interviewing separately about their
experiences with solo travel.
Our first guest is Jackie Norris, who we met on one of our episodes. She is the host of Traveling Jackie
and The Budget-Minded Traveler and has been traveling solo for a long time. She has a ton of insights
to share with us.
When I interviewed her in Quebec, I asked her casually about solo travel. We got so engrossed in it that
I decided to take that section of our interview and add it to this solo episode.
Our other guests are Monica and Jason. I'll let them introduce themselves.
Let's start with my interview with Jackie.
Jackie Norris Interview
Kit: Jackie, why do you travel solo?
Jackie:
The reason I do solo travel is that I'm solo. I don't let that stop me. For years and years, a lot of people
struggle with the idea of getting out on their own. It's a necessity for me. It's what I have to do, and so I
do it.
I never thought I would enjoy it, but I do love it now. You have to get to a point where you're comfortable
with it. I'd already been traveling for a number of years by the time I went fully solo nomadic a few years
ago. Even after that much time of being comfortable traveling, it was weird to be on my own all the time.For the cons, you are by yourself. All of those travel decisions are made only by you. Even where
you're going to eat for breakfast or whether you're going to get a beer in the afternoon—everything is
solely up to you. There's no one you can confer with.
That also happens to be one of the advantages. Sometimes it depends on which perspective you have.
Maybe it depends on the day. Sometimes it's amazing, and sometimes you wish there was someone
there.
Loneliness is a real thing. I have written about that before, and most solo travelers will face real
loneliness. It's not just the point of being solo in a place—it's feeling alone. There's a big difference, and
that can get to you if it lasts a while.
I traveled for months at a time, and it can get draining to be alone. At the same time, this is where I am
in my life, and this is what I'm signing up for. This is also my work, and this is what I'm choosing to do.
It's part of the territory if you look at it that way.
The freedom that solo travel provides is unmatched. There is a feeling that comes with being on your
own in some far-flung corner of the planet, completely left to yourself and your own thoughts. What you
want to do for the day—everything is your will. It is the most freeing feeling ever. It's incredible.
You can do whatever you want. There are definitely pros and cons of solo travel. I always encourage
people to at least try it out because you get to know yourself very quickly. Even if you think you know
yourself, you don't—not until you solo travel. You see what you're capable of and what your
weaknesses are.
It's an incredible tool for life to solo travel. Everyone should do it at least once.
Kit: You had a quote in The Budget-Minded Traveler episode number 63 that I loved: "Lose yourself
until you find yourself.
" Could you talk a little bit about that?
Jackie:
It gave me chills when you read it. That came from a piece that I wrote on my Traveling Jackie blog. It
was when I decided to leave everything behind and go out on my own to travel the world solo for real
for the first time.
This was many years after having traveled a whole bunch already and studying abroad and all that.
This was different because I had a relationship, I had a house, and I had all these things.
I felt very lost at times because I had to recreate what my life looked like. That was my moment to
decide what my new normal was going to be going forward. I did lose part of myself there in a good
way though. It's like you have to go see what the world has for you and then figure out what you look
like in that new normal.
Figure out what the path forward is in this new reality that you've created. That's at least how it applied
to me. It depends on what your situation is and why you're choosing to solo travel.
So much about experience outwardly when you travel has to do with what's going on inside. That was
my experience at the time. I totally went out and lost myself until I started to rebuild and find what it
meant to start over.
Kit: It's obvious that travel in general and solo travel in particular changed your life.Jackie:
I'm grateful for that because I feel so much surer of who I am. I'm so much stronger now. I have so
much more confidence.
These are the things that come with being on your own for so long in a place. It's not being on your own
at home where you're comfortable and you know the name of the store owner down the street.
Everything is different—foreign languages, foreign currency, borders, flights, hotels. Everything is a
challenge.
When you add that element to being completely on your own for a long time, maybe for the first time, it
changes everything. Your personal growth is expedited more than anything.
"The world outside of your comfort zone is not a place to invite fear. It's a place to invite
curiosity.
"
Kit: Since I lost my husband, I've been traveling solo. The question I get over and over again is about
safety. How do you deal with safety concerns?
Jackie:
Are you not afraid of those things at home? Bad things can happen anywhere. It doesn't matter where
you are. In fact, the U.S. these days could be less safe than a lot of other places I travel.
I don't dwell on that stuff. I have some tricks up my sleeve to make sure I'm safe and my belongings are
safe. I pay attention. Common sense is your best defense. Don't leave your common sense behind
when you walk out the door.
Go explore the world outside your comfort zone. It's not about fear and safety—it's about adventure,
life, growth, people, connection, culture, food, language, activity, and beauty. That outweighs the fear.
Monica Aranguren Interview
Kit: Can you introduce yourself and tell us your age?
Monica:
I'm Monica Aranguren, and I am 58 years old.
Kit: How did you get into adventure travel?
Monica:
Quite honestly, I found myself single again around 2007 or 2008. I started hiking on my own. When I
turned 50, I decided I wanted to do something bigger and planned a trip to New Zealand.
Kit: Was that your first adventure trip?
Monica:
Yes. I didn't want to leave adventure behind.
Kit: How did you make the mindset shift to go on your own?Monica:
so I went.
I've been independent all my life. I wasn't waiting for life to happen to me. I wanted to see these places,
Kit: Did you go solo or with a company?
Monica:
The New Zealand trip was with Active Adventures. I've made many trips like that since.
Solo travel lets you expand a little bit more in getting out of the box. You meet people you wouldn't meet
otherwise. I don't really see many cons—except I always choose a single room so I can sleep!
I've always felt safe. On guided trips, you're surrounded by your group. On self-guided trips, I had GPS,
instructions, and 24-hour support. I always felt supported.
Loneliness happens occasionally, especially on self-guided hikes, but overall it hasn't been an issue.
It empowers me. When I get back, I think,
"I did that.
" That confidence carries into real life.
Jason Waitkins Interview
Kit: Can you introduce yourself?
Jason:
My name is Jason Waitkins, and I am 37.
Kit: How did you get into adventure travel?
Jason:
My first trip was in 2003 to New Zealand. I wanted to hike. That was the driver.
I grew up next to the Appalachian Trail and hiked sections near my home in the Hudson Valley.
Solo travel is easier to coordinate. I go when I want. If no one else wants to go, I go anyway.
Safety is always a consideration. I research countries, crime, and logistics. Awareness is key. I use
common sense, just like I would anywhere else.
I once got injured hiking solo in Acadia National Park and had to be carried out. That experience
reinforced the value of group travel for certain adventures.
Using tour companies removes logistical stress and adds safety.
Solo travel hasn't dramatically changed who I am, but it keeps me going. I want to keep visiting places
and hiking everywhere I can.
Final Thoughts and Solo Travel RulesWhen I travel solo, I make rules for myself:
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●
●
●
●
●
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I know where I'm staying by noon
I arrive before dark
I watch my food and drink
I'm cautious of overly friendly strangers
I use official taxis or rideshare services
I trust my instincts
I always have an exit plan
Someone knows where I'm going
If you're not sure solo travel is for you, try a weekend trip. Then try a week. Build confidence gradually.
In all my travels, I've never had a serious incident. You heard the same from our guests.
If you want to help shape future adventures, reach out to me by email or on social media.
Until next time, this is Kit Parks—adventure on.
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