General Travel Information

Pleasures of solo travel outweigh the disadvantages

By Narelle Reece

Do you want to travel abroad but have no companion and are reluctant, or too nervous, to travel alone?

I am 63 and have been travelling alone around the world, periodically, over the past 13 years and for me the advantages of solo travel by far outweigh any disadvantages. Here are my thoughts on travelling alone.

Solo travellers can:

Go where and when they please, sleep and eat when and where they choose, change their mind again and again, and not have to make conversation.

Stroll aimlessly and discover little off-the-main-route places. They can also get lost or make other mistakes without anyone realizing it.

It is often pointed that when travelling solo you have no one with whom to share the room cost, as well as decisions and experiences, and no one to mind your seat or baggage while you use the restrooms. These disadvantages can be overcome, as I set out below.

Making all the decisions

This is where you benefit most. Having to make all the decisions yourself can be a liberating and confidence-building experience. Once you’ve done it, you will wonder what you were worried about.

No one to share the experiences

Write it down. Keep a diary, a journal or a blog. Or phone home.

No one to share the room costs

A room to yourself – what luxury! No need to share the bathroom or share a room with a snorer, a grumbler or a boring chatterbox.

If costs are a concern, book into a hostel or a bed and breakfast. Hostels are not just for young backpackers. There are a surprising number of older people, both men and women, choosing this type of accommodation now and it’s a fantastic way to meet other travellers. Most hostels have private rooms and some hotels also have rooms for single travellers.

Eating alone.

Cafés for lunch, breakfast or coffee are easy. Outdoor cafés are especially good as you can gaze at passers-by, check out the menu (again), write postcards, read a book or newspaper or write in your journal. If you’re inside, try to get a table at the window.

As far as an evening meal goes, if you are intimidated by the idea of dining alone in a full-blown restaurant, you can either eat in a café or the hotel dining room (with a book) or buy a takeaway sandwich, a packaged salad, or yoghurt and fruit and eat it in a park or your room.

No one to talk to.

Why do you need to talk? It’s far more important to sit and absorb the atmosphere. Imagine sitting in an Italian town square watching old couples stroll arm in arm, or sipping coffee in an outdoor cafe in France while people cycle home for lunch, a fresh baguette in their basket.

Lone travellers are far more likely to be spoken to by locals. Couples or people in groups are rarely approached and so miss this very valuable interaction.

Speaking to locals gives you a chance to use your foreign language ability and to glean local information regarding things to see, and good places to eat, drink and sleep – information not always included in travel brochures.

Minding your baggage

Admittedly carting your luggage into the airport or train restroom is no fun but at least you know where it is. Use the handicapped one which has much more space.

Travelling alone can be a wonderfully satisfying and liberating experience. If you’re new to travelling alone, start with short, closer-to-home trips and soon you’ll be itching to go further and further.

Bon Voyage!