So you decided it’s time to take a step back from the hum-drum of everyday life and book a getaway? Great! Here are some top tips to help you make the most of your solo trip:
Table of Contents
1. Get ready to try new things
Although this might seems obvious, it’s something that can all to easily be overlooked when on the road – us humans do love our creature comforts. Being on the road solo is the perfect time to get outside your comfort zone and experience new things, so make the most of it. Try that weird vegan dish, go on that tuk-tuk ride, do the bungee jump – whatever it is, just do it. Trust us, you won’t regret it. What’s the worst that could happen?
2. Be friendly & meet new people
Traveling solo is just like your first day at school – exciting and petrifying. But it’s important to remember that feeling anxious is completely normal, a lot of other solo travellers will be feeling the same. The good news is that all of our hostels are set up for both groups and solo travelers – this makes it super easy to meet likeminded people and make friends. We regularly hold events that are solo traveler-friendly and we have loads of social spaces that are perfect for solo travelers too.
Planning a solo trip? We’ve got the perfect accommodation for you right here!
3. Pack light
There is nothing worse than traipsing around a city with too much luggage – especially if you’re planning on doing a lot of exploring. When it comes to packing, less is more. The less stuff you have, the easier it is to get about and the more money you’ll save on pesky baggage fees.
Clink Travel Checklist
- Earplugs
- Travel Towel
- Eyemask
- Padlock with combination
- World plug adapter
- wet wipes
- Camera
- Flip Flops
- A good book
4. Keep track
One of the best things you can do when traveling is document, on your phone or in a diary (if you’re old school), all the memorable places you visited. There’s nothing worse than forgetting the name of a really cool hangout or cute little cafe you found, especially if they served the best cheese and ham toasty you ever had!
Don’t panic, it doesn’t have to be a beautifully written travel journal worthy of being published in National Geographic, just a few notes, names or bullet points can be really useful. We’re sure we don’t need to remind you to take photos too.
6. Plan & budget
It goes without saying that planning and budgeting are both essential for travel. Although planning your expenditure can sound a bit boring it actually helps you be more spontaneous. We recommend planning roughly how much money you will need each day for travel accommodation and food. This way you avoid being stuck in an awesome location with no money to spend on activities. Just remember that fun doesn’t have to be expensive and you don’t need heaps of cash to make the most of a city.
Booking ahead is one of the best ways to save cash, especially when it comes to tours and attractions. If you’re heading to London or Amsterdam check out our city guides – they will give you some pointers on where to go and hopefully help you save some cash!
Top Tip: Bad planning can lead to spending far more money than necessary, especially in cities where there are loads of tourist traps.
Worried about travelling after Brexit? Find out all there is to know here!
7. Stay Safe
The best way to stay safe while travelling solo is by researching the places you intend to visit – knowledge is power! Use the internet and local knowledge to gauge an understanding of the places that should be avoided. It’s also important to trust your gut, whether you’re in a bar, a park or nightclub and it doesn’t feel right, it’s best to get out of there. If you’re concerned with safety while staying with Clink Hostels, have a chat with a member of our team, they will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Top Tip: At all of our hostels we have secure lockers to make sure all your belongings are safe!
To Sum Up
From solo city breaks to epic backpacking adventures, we have no doubt that travel, is good for the mind, body, and soul. It sounds like a cliche, but as anyone well-traveled will tell you, there’s nothing quite like life on the road – especially when you’re a solo traveler. So what are you waiting for?! Keep these top tips in mind and we’re sure you’ll have a fantastic solo traveling experience.
