1. Find out information
Information is extremely important for every traveler, especially those who are preparing for a solo trip. Not only do you need information about air tickets, destinations or hotels, you also need to learn carefully about how to move from one place to another, what type of transportation is appropriate, when to book air tickets and when to take trains or cars, or what weather conditions to prepare suitable clothes. Information about cuisine is equally important because not every place has enough dishes to suit your taste, especially if you are a picky eater. And don't forget to learn about local culture to avoid unnecessary trouble due to cultural differences.
Reliable travel websites, articles by travel bloggers, especially foreign travel bloggers, the excellent travel guide book Lonely Planet are the sources for you to find information for your trip. You can also find information and do not hesitate to ask questions in domestic and foreign travel groups, the results will make you very happy and confident.
2. Plan your trip
With the information you have collected, draw up a plan as detailed as possible for the entire trip. Depending on how long or short your vacation is, the place you want to go, your interest in exploring is relaxation or exploring nature or culture, lifestyle..., you should have a decision in advance about how long you want to go, from there plan the location, itinerary, and length of stay at each location.
If your trip is less than a week, you should book everything in advance, from plane tickets, hotel rooms, and trains, but if you are going for more than a week, you can be flexible with your plans. If you are spending several days at a destination, you can book a hotel for 1-2 nights. Once you are settled in that location, you can completely think about how to change it appropriately.
3. Prepare your luggage
Unlike traveling with a group, traveling alone requires you to be independent throughout the trip and in every situation, especially regarding your own safety. Therefore, preparing your luggage must be thoughtful and perfect.
Items to ensure the safety of your belongings and personal insurance should be prepared. Make multiple copies of personal documents such as passport, visa, travel insurance and store them in different places. The embassy will need these documents to verify information if you risk losing your passport. Download offline maps to your phone for use when needed. Prepare a visa card to be able to withdraw cash abroad if you are traveling for a long time and a moderate amount of cash (USD or EUR) in case of emergency.
You should bring enough first aid kit and medicines for common illnesses such as diarrhea, fever reducers, pain relievers for necessary cases. In many countries, you can only buy medicine with a doctor's prescription or in some remote areas, it will be difficult to find a pharmacy.
Even if you are a picky eater, don’t forget to prepare emergency food. Prioritize dry, ready-to-eat foods, but you also need to pay attention to comply with the regulations on transporting food in transit in the country you want to go to.
Regarding clothing, you should not bring too many things when traveling alone. Prepare dry, moderately light clothes. You should only bring 5-6 outfits if you travel for more than a week, because the remaining time is enough for you to clean at the laundry center. A convenient backpack is indispensable for any trip, long or short.
4. On the highway
When you actually go on the trip, there will be many things that are different from the plan, so be mentally prepared for that, especially for those of you who are traveling alone for the first time.
The first two things you need when traveling abroad are internet and money. So get yourself a sim card with internet access or bring a portable wifi hotspot and exchange money on the first day you arrive in the country. In some countries, you can exchange money at the airport.
Be careful to follow local customs to avoid culture shock. For example, when visiting some strict Muslim countries, women should not wear skirts and should cover their faces.
If you are going abroad, it is a good idea to learn some basic native phrases such as “thank you” or “hello” in advance to make a good first impression on the locals, who will be more likely to help you. Don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to people – it is a great way to overcome the loneliness of traveling alone and also to learn about the local culture.
Always be positive, flexible and open-minded, as traveling alone is a great opportunity to get away from your friends and create your own stories and experiences. Even if you get things wrong, it’s okay to change your plans accordingly. For example, if the weather is bad, you can go to a museum or do other indoor activities instead of going to the beach or hiking.
Enjoy your solo travels!
